TGW5: Five Things Scene/Loved in Samoa

My connection with Samoa is deeply personal, though on looks alone I bet you wouldn’t believe that I’ve only been there three times. But, can she speak Samoan? No.

This year is going way too fast. I wanted to tell you about our trip back in April, and somehow it’s already mid June, the heater’s on and baby, it’s cold outside in Melbourne town.

Despite my heritage, I’m what’s affectionately known in Samoa as a ‘palagi’ (pah-langi), meaning a person who is not from there (and possibly caucasian in appearance and demeanor). This last trip was most significant because we got to experience the place as a family, with both our Mums, and I wanted to share the best things about our trip to beautiful Samoa with you.

Florence’s Place, Fa’ala, Palauli

My Mum is originally from the village of Fa’ala on the island of Savai’i. Village law rules supreme throughout Samoa and Mum has the high chief title of ‘Papali’i Tele’ from her Grandmother’s family, the Malietoa from the village of Sapapali’i, which is also in Savai’i.

The front of Florence’s Place.

White hibiscus. I thought I was in heaven.

Enjoy the openness of the traditional main fale at Florence’s Place. We did.

The view from the master bedroom in the main house.

A welcoming bed to any weary traveller

Fresh papaya and lime for breakfast.

Freshly laundered sarongs hang between houses at Florence’s Place.

Fresh taro prepped for our special traditional dinner.

Family time is important in Faala. Everyone must be home at the same time for 20 mins every night. It’s like clockwork.

One of the highlights was watching the green bananas turn yellow over a few days, and picking them straight from the bunch to eat.

Lady Samoa

Resort report. Exploring Savai’i with a cuff my sister made.

Mum doing her chiefly business in the local village.

Take me to church.

Florence’s Place is a cultural home stay experience started by my Aunty Ruth & her partner Kelvin. It’s open to travellers who want to experience life in a richly abundant Samoan village, with the comforts we are familiar with (ahem, demand). If you need to escape the modern world properly, I recommend heading here to nap in the afternoons, learn what it means to grow and prepare organic food, sip gin in the afternoon and sleep under mosquito nets. It’s surprisingly romantic, and the whole time our kids thought we were staying in a big treehouse. On our next visit, I will definitely opt for one of the many cycling adventures around Savai’i. Follow on Instagram. Contact Florence’s Place here.

Aganoa Lodge, Savai’i

Five minutes drive from Florence’s Place, Aganoa Lodge is a meeting point for some of the world’s most accomplished surfers. It’s known the world over as ‘one of the last untrodden surf wonderlands on the planet.’ There is something truly magical about the place – I’ve not stayed in the beach fales (yet), but it’s so hidden from view that you feel like the beach was put there just for you. The tranquility of it all is bewitching, and if you get to spend time here, even for only one sunset, the serenity will be burned into your emotional memory for good.

Leo shows us how to play Smoke on the Water.

Jai having his Jack Johnson/Ben Stiller ‘Taylor’ moment as the sun sets

The beach is there just for you.

Looking back from the ocean. At this moment, I considered a life in the tropics. But I’m a city girl, so it wasn’t to be.

To Sua Trench, Lotofaga

Some places take your breath away. It doesn’t matter what you think you’ve seen, or what you already know, to visit To Sua Trench is like stepping in to an epic adventure flick like Raiders of the Lost Ark. We visited as part of an excellent day trip run by local operator Samoa Scenic – it’s worth the tour just for the humour of the guide, there is nothing like Samoan humour. We did the Aleipata Districts Waterfalls & To Sua Ocean Trench tour which included a barbecue lunch and afternoon dip at Faofao Beach Fales. I wouldn’t recommend taking kids on this one, for the obvious safety risks, but my Mother-in-Law did fearlessly climb down the enormous ladder, which in itself taught me a lot about courage.

Beach fales everywhere

Beach fales (fa-lehs) are a structural staple in the lush Samoan landscape. You could be driving anywhere and suddenly feel the need to stop and take a dip in the ocean. Usually they’re owned by the surrounding villages, so expect to pay a small fee for making use of their beach structures and seaside. At Asaga Village there was surf on one side, and a freshwater pool on the other. Perfect relief from particularly humid days.

Asaga Freshwater Pool. Very photogenic, and the water is CRISP.

Asaga, Savai’i

A fale on the grounds at Sheraton Samoa Resort

Faofao Beach Fales

Doing a little dance for freedom at Faofao beach.

Manaia Spa, Sheraton Samoa Resort

Located right on the edge of the Sheraton Samoa Resort grounds is an indoor/outdoor day spa called Manaia Polynesian Spa that provided one of the most exotic backgrounds I’ve experienced for a massage. My treatment took place in a little fale nestled in the trees and I listened to the sounds of the birds chirping while I busily did not a thing, except relax.

There is much to love about Samoa, beyond these five things. Trust me. It’s hard to describe the feeling of watching the sun rise over paradise, or discovering that you like to do that in the first place (huh? I’m not a morning person), the kindness of the people and the music that will haunt you long after the holiday is over, the absence of creepy crawlies (seriously, not one spider), fewer people starring in your holiday, talking over your thoughts, and a distinct lack of overcrowded beaches.