Samoa - Samoa

Samoa is an island nation in Oceania.

Regions

The two main islands in the country are Savai'i and Upolu. Two other inhabited islands are Manono and Apolima. Samoa is a classic Polynesian island, perhaps the only one where the Polynesian culture is still (almost) unadulterated. Six smaller islands uninhabited, apart from a holiday resort on Namua.

Cities

The capital and only major city of Samoa is Apia on Upolu (c. 38,000 pop.). This is where the government buildings, banks, insurance companies and all authorities can be found.

background

Samoa was awarded to Germany as a colony at the Berlin conference in 1889. During this time cocoa plantations were established. In violation of relevant international agreements, the island was occupied by New Zealand troops during World War I. It was administered by this country until independence in 1962.

getting there

Duty-free amounts: 200 cigarettes and 2.25 liters of alcohol (over 21).

By plane

The Arrival from Europe is simple but very long. The shortest way (around 25 hours) is with the Star Alliance (Lufthansa / Air New Zealand) directly or via London to los Angeles, from there directly to Apia (Samoa). In another direction around the world it goes over with Singapore Airlines / Air New Zealand Singapore and Auckland in just under three days to Apia.

You can combine several Pacific island countries cheaply by buying an Air New Zealand ticket via Los Angeles to Auckland, taking the outward flight via Fiji or the Cook Islands, and the return flight via Tonga and Samoa.

over Australia the longer way leads to Samoa: first to Sydney or Auckland. PolynesianBlue flies direct to Apia from both cities several times a week - and at very affordable rates if you book early.

It is also possible from Frankfurt or Paris out with Korean Airlines above Seoul to Nadi (Fiji) to fly, from there it goes to Samoa twice a week.

The Samoas international airport (Apia-Faleolo, APW) is located in the west of the island of Upolu, about three quarters of an hour by bus from the capital Apia.

By boat

There are no liner connections to Samoa. The MV Naomi runs once a week between Apia and Pago Pago (Adults simply ST 90, return ST 120 Fares March 2017).

mobility

On September 7, 2009, traffic on Samoa ceased Lefttraffic changed.

The Samoa Shipping Corporation takes care of the freight traffic (with passengers) between the islands (current timetable)

Rental car: On Upolu there are different rental car companies with different offers. The rental stations can be found at the airport and in the main town of Apia. If you have not already reserved your car before your trip, you should definitely make a price comparison with several rental companies, there are sometimes large price differences.
On Savai'i there are only rental stations in the main town of Salelologa.

To drive a car in Samoa, you need a Samoan driver's license (international driver's licenses are not accepted). The rental stations organize the limited driving permits for the stay. However, if you want to take a special souvenir home with you, you can buy a five-year driver's license in credit card format. This must be applied for at the Road Traffic Office, the process takes a maximum of half an hour until it is issued.

The roads in Samoa are bad, especially after heavy rainfall, the paved roads also have deep potholes. There are also many unpaved roads that the rental car is not allowed to drive on. Since there is no real driving test in Samoa, the driving skills of the locals are sometimes rather poor. Overtaking is often done, especially in confusing areas, which can lead to an oncoming vehicle suddenly being in front of you.

Often there are animals or even people on the roadway. In the event of an accident, it is better to leave the scene of the accident immediately and only then go to the police. This is allowed under Samoan law. If you stop anyway, you run the risk of paying a lot or even being physically attacked.

Radar checks are especially made in the vicinity of Apia. It is therefore advisable to adhere to the specified speed limits.

You can refuel in the vicinity of Apia. There are no petrol stations on the south coast of Upolu, so you may want to take a petrol can with you on a tour of the island.

Taxi: Taxis are mainly found in the Apia region. Always agree the fare before departure. If you want to stop a taxi, all you have to do is stand on the side of the road and wave your arms. Warning: The taxi drivers are almost the worst drivers in all of Samoa, so such a trip can be quite an adventure.

Buses: It is worthwhile for every visitor to take a public bus at least once. You can get almost everywhere by bus. However, there is no fixed timetable, so it can happen that you have to wait a little longer for the bus or that no one comes by at all. The buses are very overcrowded, especially after school ends. It is normal to have people sit on their knees. But please note, a woman NEVER sits on her feet with a man.

Autostop: Hitchhiking is not a problem in Samoa. In the less inhabited areas, however, you sometimes have to wait a long time for a car to pass. Usually you sit on the back of a pickup truck.

language

The official languages ​​are Samoan and English. Most people speak at least a little English, so traveling individually is hardly a problem. Otherwise no foreign languages ​​are spoken.

to buy

Popular souvenirs from Samoa are the traditional wraparound skirts (Lava lava) and kava bowls made from different types of wood.

kitchen

The original cuisine is characterized by the local fruits and fish. This also leads to the fact that the Samoans themselves work relatively little, as life can often be met with the fruits from their own property. For tourists in particular, it should be noted that on Sundays and public holidays practically only in the large hotels Yacht Club or the snack bar in Apia. Local restaurants are usually closed on these days.

nightlife

Aside from hotels, evening entertainment options are practically only found in the capital Apia.

accommodation

Accommodation for tourists on Upolu can be found mainly in the capital and on the south coast. There are several hotels and beach fales on the north coast of Savaii. Those who like it more secluded (and spartan) can also stay on Manono Island (between the main islands) or on the tiny island of Namua off the east coast of Upolu.

public holidays

In addition to the usual Christian holidays of Christmas, New Year and Easter, ANZAC Day is celebrated on April 25th. Independence is celebrated for three days, June 1st to 3rd. The second Sunday (and the following Monday) in October is the “White Sunday”, which is especially dedicated to children, so called because women and children dress in white.
Sundays are general rest days on which practically all public operations are idle.

security

Uniform emergency numbers

Fire Department ☎ 994.
Police: ☎ 995.
Emergency doctor: ☎ 996.

Except for casual theft, there is no crime that threatens tourists. The criminal law provides for up to 7 years in prison for homosexuals.

health

Water from pipes should not be drunk. You can buy water bottles at all petrol stations and in the shops.

climate

Tropical hot all year round. Typhoon season in the South Pacific is from early November to late April in the South Pacific; high winds are more frequent this time of year. May to October is the “dry season” and the best travel time.

Practical advice

From the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April is "summer time", i.e. local time is then UTC 14 or CET 13.

respect

Tips are uncommon.

Samoan society has some rules that are sometimes unfamiliar to us Europeans. There are a few rules that should be observed, especially when choosing clothes. Women should always wear skirts or pants that come down to at least their knees. The best thing to do is to buy a couple of "Lava Lavas", swaddling towels that you can tie around your waist (not only inexpensive, but also a nice souvenir). These lava lavas can be found in almost every supermarket and also in the shops of the hotels (but they are several times more expensive there, so it is worthwhile to visit a shop in Apia). Another good opportunity to buy lava-lava is the market at the port of Apia. Wearing a lava lava is particularly useful when attending a traditional Samoan feast.

If possible, shoulders should also be covered in public. One should never walk through a town in a bathing suit, short shorts or with a bare torso. In the hotels and resorts you can go swimming in a bathing suit or bikini. At the public stalls, it is better to wear a t-shirt and lava lava or men's swimming trunks up to your knees. Samoans never swim in bathing suits.

In public, men and women do not touch each other more than when they shake hands. Couples should also adhere to this rule, even on honeymoons! Touching your partner, even if it's just on the hands or even kissing, is frowned upon.

Whenever possible, women and men do not sit on the same benches on public buses. A woman never sits on a man's knees even when the bus is overcrowded.

When visiting remote villages or beaches belonging to a village, it is advisable to wait on the edge of the village and ask someone for permission. This custom becomes understandable against the background that the traditional fales (huts) of the Samoans are open on all sides and that when crossing a village you walk through the middle of the living room. If you stick to this rule, you will usually be welcomed in a friendly manner.

As everywhere in the world, one should ask for permission before photographing individuals.

Post and Telecommunications

There are several internet cafes in Apia. The only post office is also in the main town. Telephone calls to Europe are extremely expensive and therefore not recommended.

SIM cards are given on arrival at the airport. One mobile operator is the Jamaican, which specializes in small island states Digicell (Prepaid tariffs 2017). The second company is Bluesky.

literature

In addition to general travel guides to the South Pacific:

• Ehlers, Otto Ehrenfried; Samoa, the pearl of the South Seas; Berlin ⁷1914 (Paetel)
• Kramer, Augustin; Salamasina: Images from Altsamoan culture and history; Stuttgart 1923 (Strecker and Schröder)
• Marquardt, Carl; The tattoo of both sexes in Samoa; Berlin 1899 (Dietrich Reimer)
• Martinsson-Wallin, Helene; Samoan archeology and cultural heritage: monuments and people, memory and history; Oxford 2016; ISBN 9781784913090
• Rose; Meryl G .; Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife & Protected Areas; 2002 (Bess); ISBN 1573061115

Web links

• Samoa Observer, the leading daily newspaper