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Westward Ho
Entry 7 of 25 | show all | print this entry |
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Pre-trip Itinerary: Easter Island-Grey's Lagoon, Samoa; 9 hour flight
This morning you continue explorations of Easter Island as you embark on the "Design Your Day" excursion which you have previously selected.
Archaeology by Vehicle
An archaeology excursion by vehicle (my selection over a horse) provides special insight into the island. Begin your journey along the western coast, stopping at Vaihu before traveling to Puna Pau, a site to the east of the town of Hanga Roa in a small crater. This is where the 'pukao,' or hats, which crowned the Moais were carved.
After lunch you depart for the airport to board your private jet for Apia, Samoa, the heart of Polynesia. Your attractive resort is nestled amongst acres of tropical gardens and tall, swaying palm trees. It is located on a spectacular stretch of white sand beach and boasts its own stunning turquoise blue lagoon.
This evening you are treated to a traditional Samoan feast and a performance of customary dances.
Live report
We actually had done entire Easter Island yesterday, so didn't participate in any activity in the morning. Enjoyed the lovely hotel setting, and Alice and I walked through town. "Town" is one street, about 5 blocks long. We wandered in and out of shops, mostly just strolling and talking. Wonderful morning.
We left to board our plane. Upon arrival, our wonderful crew had donned birdman head-dresses, including the pilots. Such fun. Our flight to Samoa was about 9 hours.
Arrived in Samoa about 4:00 p.m. with time change (set watches back 4 hours). Looking down from plane, could see absolutely turquoise ocean. Just beautiful Greeted inside airport with native band playing just for us and given floral leis. AK's way of managing bags is that we never touch them. Once past Miami, we've had no individual security or custom checks. We deplane "our" plane, go into terminal, get passport stamped, listen to local music as we get onto motor coaches and are whisked to our hotels. On each coach is a local guide who welcomes us and tells us what we are passing.
The resort is right on the beach, with all rooms facing the ocean. The public rooms are "open air." On our bed and each dresser is an arrangement of flowers (big yellow flowers and bouganvilla and banana leaves). At each stop, AK has a present awaiting us in the room. This gift is a wonderful printed pareo/sarong. They also have post cards, already stamped, but, my good friends, don't think I'll be writing any... am bringing them home because their pictures are so beautiful.
We change into casual gear, and go for dinner and a "show." Dinner is incredible. Probably a 32' long buffet table with no repeats on it. A Polynesian feast. All during dinner is native music and dancers. The women are dancing a combination hula/Tahiti style. The men dance in a very athletic Warrior style. What cannot be missed is the incredible smile on each one. The Samoans are truly happy people. Then we go outside for their fire-dancers. Amazing. Twirling fire; eating fire; "burning their feet" with fire.
As we've now learned, our destinations know AK bringing their groups there is a big boon to their tourism. Each place just goes out of its way to please us. On the other hand, AK has had its advance team working the site and arranging all details for a long time ahead of our arrival. And members of the AK corporate staff always precede us to be sure everything is "set."
Off to bed...
SAMOA
A Brief Introduction Samoa, known as the "Cradle of Polynesia," is a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 15 degrees south of the equator and some 8 degrees east of the International Dateline, about 1700 miles north east of New Zealand. It is made up of nine islands. The two largest, Savai'i and Upolu, account for most of population with only two others, Manono and Apolima, being inhabited. The other five are called Fanuatapu, Namu'a, Nuutele, Nuulua, and Nuusafee.
Fast Facts Population: 177,287
Languages: Samoan, English
Total Area: 1,829 sq. miles
Government: mix of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
Head of State: His Highness MALIETOA Tanumafili II
Head of Government: Prime Minister TUILA'EPA Sailele Malielegoai
Religion: Congregationalist 35%, Roman Catholic 20%, Methodist 15%, Latter Day Saints 12.7% Assembly of God 7%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%
Ethnicity: Samoan 93%, Euronesians 7% (people of European & Polynesian blood)
Literacy Rate: 99.7%
Currency: Tala (WST)
Time Zone: GMT-11
Dialing Code: 685
Electricity: 230V / 50Hz
Climate The Samoan climate is tropical and humid. Temperatures remain between 70 and 86°F, despite the time of day or year. Fresh sea breezes prevent the humid air from getting to still. Heavy rainfall typically occurs between November and April, and damaging typhoons are occasional. Let's hope not this week!
Shopping Local markets offer a wide range of Samoan handicrafts, among the best in the South Pacific. Traditional wares include fans, mats, and wooden bowls, as well as tapa cloth, the classic paper cloth of the South Pacific made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree. Designs are painted or stenciled on the cloth with natural dyes, resulting in gorgeous wall hangings and attractive clothing.
Time Zone Samoa operates on GMT plus hours. In 2007, Daylight Saving Time is scheduled to begin on March 11th, the start of your jet trip. During your trip, when it is 9:00am in Samoa on Saturday, March 17, 2007, it is:
4:00PM in New York City Saturday, March 17 -Eastern Standard Time
3:00PM in Chicago ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Saturday, March 17 -Central Standard Time
2:00PM in Denver Saturday, March 17 -Mountain Standard Time
1:00PM in Los Angeles Saturday, March 17 -Pacific Daylight Time
Currency The official currency of Samoa is the Tala (WST). Major credit cards are accepted on a limited basis, ATMs are available, and traveler's checks are accepted in major hotels.
As of January 25, 2007, the exchange rate is: US $1.00 = 2.78WST, 1WST = US $.360.
Economy Samoan economy has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture and fishing. Two thirds of the labor force are employed in agriculture. Local agriculture, which furnishes 90% of exports, features coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. Other industry includes fishing and small scale manufacturing. Tourism is an expanding sector which accounts for 25% of GDP.
The Samoan government has suggested that a successful private sector will contribute positively to the diversification of the economic base, the creation of jobs and income, as well as an increase of export earnings. Foreign reserves are in a reasonably healthy condition, the external debt is stable, and inflation is minimal.
Language Samoan is the national language of Samoa and one of the oldest Polynesian tongues. English is widely spoken as a second language.
Education Formal education is provided by the Department of Education and is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 14. Selected students receive higher education at government or mission-run secondary, vocational, or teacher-training institutions. Some students attend the School of Agriculture at the University of South Pacific near Apia, others attend the National University of Samoa and Avele College, but most students enroll at overseas institutions.
Culture Samoans are friendly and welcoming people who live a communal way of life. Family is viewed as an integral part of life. The extended family lives together in a traditional fale (house), which has no walls. During the day, fales are used for gathering and relaxing.
The traditional Samoan dance is the Siva, similar to Hawaiian dance. It is gentle movement, mainly of the hands and feet, which tells a story. Gram is going to try this dance!
Samoan food is not normally highly spiced or seasoned. A traditional cooking method is an umu, an earthen oven, in which a fire is built and stones are placed on it. After the fire is down to the embers, green bananas, breadfruit, taro, fish, and lu'au are placed on the stones. When everything has been placed in the umu, it is covered with banana fronds and left to cook. Samoa is most famous for palusami, made from the leaves of the taro plant and coconut cream and cooked in an umu.
Religion Despite ancient Samoan culture being contrary to the Church's beliefs, for example, belief in aitu (spirits), Christianity is the main religion and there are many churches to be found around the islands. After church on Sundays, families take the day to rest and visit together.
Environment and Ecology Samoa's inland rainforests and cloud forests abound with tropic blossoms such as plumeria, hibiscus, orchids, and wild poinsettia trees. The coast is decorated with taro plantations and coconut groves.
There is limited animal life on the islands, and the only native mammals are the endangered flying foxes (bats), and some other smaller bats. Rats, wild cattle, and pigs have been introduced. Lizards, snakes, centipedes, millipedes and scorpions can also be found in Samoa, along with 50 species of birds, at least 16 of which are indigenous.
FLYING FOXES!!!!! OH, NO.
Conservation efforts have been lax in many Samoan communities, and some environmental problems have resulted. Soil erosion, resulting from farming steep slopes and clear-cutting forests, has produced runoff that has damaged many of Samoa's lagoons and coral reefs. In 1998, wildfires were started by farmers clearing land for cultivation. The fires destroyed a large portion of the forests of Savai'i. Industrial and residential pollution has also become a concern in and around Apia.
History Scientists suspect that Samoans, like other Polynesian people, originated from the East Indies, the Malay peninsula, or the Philippines. Pieces of pottery indicate that Polynesian people arrived in Samoa around 1000 B.C., possibly from Tonga.
Samoans had frequent contact with Tongans and Fijians for centuries before European trading ships began frequenting the islands in the 1770s. A Christian missionary from London converted the conqueror of Samoa in 1830, and the people of Samoa quickly followed suit.
Halfway through the 19th century, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States all claimed parts of the kingdom of Samoa, and established trade posts. In the Samoa Tripartite Convention, a representative from each of the three foreign countries agreed to divide the islands. Germany received the western part, (later known as Western Samoa), containing Upolu and Savaii (the current Samoa) and other adjoining islands. These islands became known as German Samoa. The U.S. accepted Tutuila and Manu'a, which comprise a territory of the U.S. known as American Samoa. In exchange for Britain ceding claims in Samoa, Germany transferred their protectorates in the North Solomon Islands.
In 1914, after the start of World War I, New Zealand sent an expeditionary troupe to seize and occupy German Samoa. Although Germany refused to officially surrender the islands, no opposition was offered and the occupation occurred without any fighting. Throughout World War I, New Zealand continued occupation of Western Samoa, and in 1919, under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany released all claims to the islands.
In January 1962, Samoa received its independence as Western Samoa, becoming the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. In July 1997, the country's name was changed from "Western Samoa" to "Samoa." The neighboring U.S. territory of American Samoa protested the change, feeling that the name diminished their Samoan identity.
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