Feature I wrote on Samoa for the February 2008 issue of Travel Digest. I travelled to this Pacific Island as part of my assignment.

1. samoa
this island is to hire a car, but make sure you fill up on gas at
the main town centre of Salelologa. You won’t want to get
stuck on the other side of the island with an empty tank! Also,
its important to note that all vehicles in Samoa are American
imports, therefore driving on the left-hand side is necessary.
The following morning we make our way to the famous
Alofaaga Blowholes (also known as Taga Blowholes) located
on the western side of the island. Lava flows have created a
series of tubes connecting a flat clifftop of lava rock with the
ocean flowing below. Today the seas are rough with waves
crashing down onto the cliffs, forcing tremendous volumes
of water out where it can only go - through the blowholes
of course! The result is a spectacular display of what nature
is capable of. The village here charges $4 per entry but it is
advised you don’t step too far towards the edge as it can get
quite slippery and is very dangerous. If you don’t want to get
wet, bring a raincoat, because you will definitely get sprayed
salt water in your face.
After a quick shop around at the local markets in Salelologa,
we make our way to the car ferry. It’s important to note that
bookings for this are essential and you should aim to arrive one
hour before departure as the queues can get quite congested. If
you don’t have a booking, you are parked in the waiting list and
if there is room, they will allow you on board. Lucky there was
only one space left for us to fit!
We arrive at Milfanau Wharf and drive a short distance
to Aggie Grey’s Beach Resort and Spa. Nestled amongst
50 acres of tropical gardens along the coastline, the resort
is a five-minute drive from Faleolo Airport. There is also a
professionally designed 18-hole championship golf course,
which has only just been completed. Today the weather is
really heating up so I decide to go for a quick swim in the
lagoon pool overlooking the beach. The pool side bar here is Sarah Weeks at Sopoaga Falls
a great spot to enjoy a Bloody Mary cocktail and meet other
guests who have travelled from Australia, New Zealand and With my flight departing in the evening, I decide to pamper myself
even as far as Germany. with a visit to Manaia Polynesian Spa at Aggie Grey’s Lagoon, Beach
The following day I travel to see the sights of Upolu’s west coast and Resort and Spa. Only a short five-minute walk down the beach from
include a stop at the small village of Matautu, which was used as the the resort, guests are truly immersed into a blissful, tropical rainforest
location for the 1953 film, Return To Paradise. The film, which starred setting. The manager here, Giovanni, welcomes me in for my one-hour
two-time Academy Award-winning American actor Gary Cooper, was massage that I’m told will rebalance my energy levels. And rebalanced
based on the short story by James Michener, a sequel to Tales of the is exactly how I feel after this experience! After the massage I get to
South Pacific. Here at the village you can view the remains of the old relax in their spa and enjoy some fresh fruit and coconut.
church and fales that were used during filming. For dinner we visit Le Vasa Resort, a ten-minute drive from Aggie
Grey’s. Nestled in a peaceful and secluded setting with a backdrop
of Manono Island, the resort offers newly-built one and two-bedroom
oceanfront fales and villas. There are also plans to build a conference
LITIA SINI BEACH RESORT facility and over-water bungalows over the next two years. But
it is the dining here that truly makes this resort stand out from the
Great snorkelling and swimming spot. rest. Cocolini’s by the Sea is a newly completed open-air restaurant
Enclosed, lockable beach huts with with an award-winning chef from Boston, US. Sour orange scented
verandah and a ceiling fan. Excellent yellowfin fish with baby eggplant orzo and a white chocolate and
wedding spot and all occassions. almond pain perdu with vanilla bean ice cream had to be among my
favourite dishes during the five-course evening.
Phone: +685 41050 or +685 41388 Samoa is definitely a destination full of colour and beauty. If you’re
Cell: +685 751-6700 coming here, you’re going to leave feeling relaxed and refreshed.
or +685 759 2155 Fax: +685 41390
Email: reservations@litiasinibeach.ws
Web: www.litiasinibeach.ws or • Sarah Weeks travelled to Samoa courtesy of Air New Zealand and
www.samoaaccommodation.com Samoa Tourism.
Where will your career take you? tmsap.com Travel Digest, February 2008 25