| As you would imagine with any tropical location, | | | | we westerners expect, and yet still experience a |
| the most commonly sought activities are those | | | | way of life that remains almost as true to its |
| done outdoors and invariably on or in the water. | | | | customs and lifestyle today as it did when the |
| When not in the water we imagine ourselves at | | | | Christian missionaries arrived in 1790...they have |
| least nearby, relaxing by a pool, walking the white | | | | electricity these days too. |
| sandy beaches, hooking a big marlin from the | | | | There are many places where you can enjoy a |
| back of a fishing charter or simply sipping mai tai's | | | | wonderful show full of traditional Samoan dances, |
| while being entertained by local performers with | | | | music and food. But to see island culture as it lives |
| their swaying hips and graceful hands. | | | | and breathes you only need drive outside of the |
| Major Polynesian destinations like Hawaii cater to | | | | main town of Apia to find yourself right in the |
| tourists looking for a tropical holiday experience | | | | heart of the villages where people still reside in |
| while still feeling like they are at home, busy | | | | traditional fales (houses), live off the land which is |
| streets, shopping malls and endless tourism | | | | laden with banana and coconut plantations, fish |
| operators all competing for our business. Yet the | | | | from outrigger canoes, hunt for wild pig and |
| tiny island of Samoa in the heart of the Polynesian | | | | practice traditional ceremonies and meetings on a |
| Triangle offers so much more. | | | | regular basis. |
| Samoa is a living breathing Polynesian cultural | | | | The locals are always happy to welcome visitors |
| experience where you don't have to attend a | | | | into their midst providing we visitors show the |
| cultural theme park to see the culture in action. It | | | | greatest respect for their culture and traditions. |
| is happening all around you on a day to day basis. | | | | Befriending the locals in this way will open the |
| As a tourist visiting a new destination I am always | | | | doors for you into their world of humble gratitude |
| excited to discover unique things about a place, | | | | for the simple things in life where they will invite |
| the local customs and local pass times, as well as | | | | you to participate in their customs and share in |
| activities that are set apart from the standard | | | | their food and hospitality. |
| resort holiday experience. | | | | Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, all these destinations are dear to |
| Samoa is considered by those well travelled to be | | | | my heart, but no other island I know offers the |
| one of the last places on earth you can enjoy a | | | | true cultural reality that you can experience in |
| tropical Polynesian getaway with all the comforts | | | | Samoa. |