The oval shape of the structure is very harmonious which is a reason for giving the Samoan people a great and long sleep. The natural thatched roof is keeping the fale cool in the hot sun.

I like you to have a look at this YouTube video, where you will get a good view of the how to build a Samoan small fale.

I have found a great document from UNESCO where they have made an excellent presentation about the Samoan Fale building skills.

Click on: FALE SAMOA

Sunny Greetings

Mats Loefkvist

Hotels Samoa / Samoa Tours / Samoa Travel

Rainforests on Upolu Island.

Samoa’s only National Park, O Le Pupu Pue National Park, is situated in Upolu on the suthern coast of the inland. It was opened in 1978, and was the first declared National Park in the South Pacific. There are walking and hiking tracks but with some of them you need hiking experience. One such hiking trail begins on the O Le Pupu Lava Coast and heads through thick rainforest to Pe’ape’a Cave (a large lava tube) – about a five hour return trek. You need a torch to explore this breathtaking cave.

Uafato Rainforest Reserve is an exceptional rainforest region in Polynesia. A little off the beaten track, in a secluded bay on the east coast of Upolu. The village of Uafato is accessible by dirt road and is about an hour and half drive from Apia. The 1400 hectare Uafato conservation area was established to preserve and restore the traditional hard wood rainforests in Samoa

This area contains many of Samoa’s rare forest birds including the national bird, the manumea (tooth-billed pigeon) and also at least seven other endemic bird species. If you’re relatively fit, there is excellent hiking through the tropical forest to hidden waterfalls, with the chance to spot these rare birds as well as flying foxes.

The area is connected to ancient mythology, with several sites relating to these myths.
Uafato villagers are recognised as the best wood carvers in Samoa. You will be able to see the carvers in action and buy excellent products, helping support the local people.

Savaii Rainforests

The Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve. Located near the coastal village of Tafua in Savai’i, is perfect for spotting native birds and flying foxes. There are several walks including one which will take you to a crater which overlooks Tafua village.

The Falealupo Rainforest Preserve, a low-lying tropical rainforest located in the northwest of Savai’i. Conquering your fear of heights by walking the 40 metre high canopy will be well rewarded with excellent views of the surrounding rainforest and the peaks of Savai’i.

The Samoan people are good wood carvers and their skills goes from generation to generation. Unfortunately most of us have not the opportunity to learn from our forefathers. For us “Palagi” (white man) people we need other ways to get our Wood Working Skills.

Keep getting the news from Samoa in our Free Newsletter

http://www.samoa-experience.net

Mats Loefkvist

Hotels Samoa / Samoa Tours / Samoa Travel

It is time to enjoy some great Samoan food that you will be able to prepare wherever you are in the world.

This is both healthy and delicious. In Samoa, South Pacific the OKA is usually made by every family for the Sunday feast. It is made in the following way:

* Cut the raw tuna in small thumb nail size pieces and put in a bowl.
* Cut cucumber, tomatoes and onion into very fine pieces and add it to the bowl.
* Add fresh coconut cream (or from can) sauce together with some lemon juice.
* Add salt and pepper and some chili sauce if you like it hot.

Mix it all together and serve in small cups or bowls.
Leave it in the fridge for some time if you prefer it cold.

For More Healthy Cooking Click Here!

Mats Loefkvist   http://www.samoa-experience.com

As you might know, I am passionate about traditional cultures and their practices. Samoa where I live is certainly one of the more genuine cultures when it comes to using the old way of healing.

You still find lots of traditional healers, usually specialized in a certain illness or problem. You have bone healers, back healers, spiritual healers, skin healers and many more.

The Samoan People usually go to a traditional healer first and if it doesn’t work they will try a normal doctor. If the normal doctor can’t do anything he will send the person back to the traditional healer.

I have been lucky to have the experience from not only the Samoan culture, also the native Hawaiian Culture, the American Indians, the Aboriginal in Australia and the Maoris in New Zealand.

For some time I have been working on creating a newsletter focusing on Alternative Medicine with lots of great information about natural products used in both the western world and other traditional cultures.

I want to give you an opportunity to tap into a more healthy and natural life showing you ways and information that you might not be aware of.

I will also show you how it is done in Samoa and other cultures which you can learn from and practice in a similar way in your own country.

Are you ready for a healthier life??

MAKING THE MOVE TO THE FUTURE.

Another year has soon come to an end and Christmas with family and friends has been taken care of. When moving closer to the new year, it is natural to reflect on the past and setting the goals for the future. What happened during the past year and how did we react to it? How did the happenings affect our future plans and goals?

I wouldn’t know a better way to make our thoughts clear about this than the way it is explained in the book by Spencer Johnson called:

“WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?”

Who Moved My Cheese?  is the story of 4 characters living in a “Maze” who face unexpected change when they discover their “Cheese” has disappeared. Sniff and Scurry, who are mice, and Hem and Haw, little people the size of mice, each adapt to change in their “Maze” differently. In fact, one doesn’t adapt at all…

This timeless allegory reveals profound truths to individuals and organizations dealing with change. We each live in a “Maze”, a metaphor for the companies or organizations we work with, the communities we live in, the families we love places where we look for the things we want in life, “Cheese”. It may be an enjoyable career, loving relationships, wealth, or spiritual peace of mind.

As we all know, Samoa has been through many changes the past year, anything from economic difficulties, changing to left side driving and tsunami and we all have our own way to respond to this. How do you react when your cheese is taken away?

• Would you listen to your feelings and run off to do what your heart desire – Get more cheese?
• Would you just run off without any plan or feelings in the hope to find more cheese?
• Would you analyze the problem until it is almost too late and finally make a move to find more cheese?
• Would you do nothing at all and wait until the cheese is coming back, as it was not your fault that the cheese is gone?

PEOPLE COMMENTS

Gemma Nelson, Vaoala

Yes. Last year was better because we didn’t have to think about things like the tsunami, the road switch or other hard times we’ve been through this year. People have so much more to be thankful for this Christmas.

THEY FOUND THE CHEESE!

Faofao Beach Fales is back.
Waves swept away 20 beach fale and other facilities at the Saleapaga tourist spot on 29 September.
Damage was total. Yesterday, however, four beach fale and a bar and restaurant was launched. The opening is actually an official event. They have guests already, said spokesman, Tapu Legalo.

Tapu was worried about their prospects of attracting guests at Christmas after the tsunami.

“But people have been OK,” he said. Unlike before not their entire beach fales will be located on the beach.
Some will be built across the road from the beach.

Go and find your cheese,

Happy New Year !

Mats Loefkvist       www.samoa-experience.com

P.S Anyone interested in the book “Who Moved My Cheese” can find it at
Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life

We recently picked up 2 huge bags with cloths that came the whole way from Sweden. The swedish travel and tour agent “Tour Pacific” sent the bags with two of their clients. We were sure that they were happy to carry the big and heavy bags half around the world. The people in Samoa were at least very happy to receive the cloths. Among the cloths there were about 30 Swedish T-shirts in bright yellow and blue. We walked around town yesterday and we saw 2 kids with a swedish T-shirt.

Money from Australia and Europe,

More people have been donating money for Samoa. We got all together 3,200 Tala paid into our account from staff at “Intrepid Travel” in Australia plus from private people in Europe.

We decided to get the shopping done and filled the car with rice and canned fish (sorry, this is what the Samoans like most) and had it delivered to 16 different families.

As we are moving around in the affected areas, we realize that the progress of rebuilding is slow and we would like to see more organized efforts from the government to have villages cleaned up, businesses up and running and families getting one of the new buildings that was promised.

We will continue to add more reports about the progress inn a near future.

Mats    www.samoa-experience.com

It has kept us really busy to deliver everything that was coming in. Yesterday we had a big shopping day to buy everything that we thought were most important to the affected families.

So far we received 3000 Tala that we decided to use for kerosene stoves, plates, pots and pans.

All this went to the village of Saanapu which was affected by the tsunami. The main focus of the tsunami help has been on the South East coast as it was the area that was affected most allthough many other places like Saanapu on the South West coast were badly damaged as well.

All the families send their sincere thanks to you people for making a difference in their lives.

With great help from outside, the government has put together a help plan for the ones that lost everything. These people will get a new small house built for their family. The total cost for each house will be about 7000 US Dollar.

I am looking forward to keep informing you about the progress of the rebuilding of the lives of the Samoan people.

Mats      www.samoa-experience.com

We have been overwhelmed by all the private help provided by families and friends, former guests and supporters. Looking at all the help from all these fantastic people, you know that the would is not a bad place at all. Unfortunately the news and the media is mostly interested in negative news which affects all humanity in a very negative way. If we focus on good, good things will happen. Thanks a million to all of you that have helped or are still helping Samoa.

Below is a friend of mine that took an initiative in Canada. The Samoa Observer Newspaper got to know about it and wrote the following story…

Mats      www.samoa-experience.com

By Alana Lojek, South Shore Clipper

After learning about the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Samoa on September 29, a St. Margaret’s Bay man has taken aid relief into his own hands.

James (Jamie) Little, who runs a travel company in Hubley, has a personal connection to the tiny island-nation in the South Pacific Ocean. He visited the “extraordinary island” — which is approximately the same size and population as Cape Breton — two years ago and developed a strong liking for the “absolutely phenomenal place.”

When he heard about the effects of the 8.3 magnitude earthquake, which killed over 180 people and displaced thousands, he decided to spring into action. After talking to a Swedish friend of his who runs the Virgin Cove resort on Samoa, Mr. Little posted an ad on Kijiji seeking emergency supplies, like tarps, cookware, sandals, and first aid kits.

He received a number of calls from people wanting to donate items. He also shopped thrift stores in search of clothing and supplies, and bought tarps himself. Then, along with his two little boys, Mr. Little loaded up a large box with all the aid items he had collected.

The kids “had so much fun filling up the box,” he says, which he then mailed by air (for $450!) to Apia. He says he has been driven to do whatever he could for the residents who have “lost everything,” and also wanted “to send a good message to my kids.”

Mr. Little says he initially wanted to make a cash donation to the Canadian Red Cross, but decided against it when he learned the funds would go into the general program, and not specifically to the Samoan disaster. With the similarly-timed tragic disasters in the Philippines

and Indonesia, he was worried Samoa would be overlooked. Although neighboring American Samoa, which was also hard-hit, falls under the protection of the United States, Samoa itself does not.

In addition to corresponding with the UN Ambassador for Samoa in New York, Mr. Little contacted Federal MP Geoff Regan to inquire about Canadian government assistance. He learned, however, that the government is unable to provide support unless Samoa officially requests it, as it could be seen as a sign of disrespect.

At this point, he is waiting to see what will happen as far as relief is concerned, but says over the next month he might hold a bottle drive or a clothing drive for the people there. “Now it’s at the point where they have to rebuild, like rebuilding a house after a fire,” he observes.

The main message he would like to convey is for tourists, primarily from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the UK, “to keep on going” to Samoa, a tiny place which has “personally affected” him in such a positive way.
Anyone interested in learning how they can help can email James Little at:  jral@eastlink.ca .

There are many restaurants throughout Apia and outlying areas. Most resorts and hotels have their own restaurants and smaller hotels will house a friendly cafe.

The staple Samoan foods include taro, breadfruit, bananas, coconut, fish and shellfish, chicken and pork. Spices are not heavily used and most foods are cooked in, or eaten with, coconut milk and cream. Fresh fruit is abundant and enjoyed with every meal.

Samoa has quite a rich ethnic mix, with people from Germany, China, Fijian Indians, and Chinese resulting in a lot of options to tempt your palate. Apia being the only city in Samoa means that this is the best place to find a wide range of quality cafes and restaurants. It’s also home to McDonalds if you’re ever in the mood to grab some modern fast food.

Outside of the city, most of the resorts and hotels will have you dining next to the beautiful beaches or lagoons.

 Umu’s

The traditional method for cooking food in Samoa is the Umu. The Umu is an above ground stone oven where lava rocks are heated by fire to a glowing red and the food then placed directly on the rocks, either wrapped in banana leaves or plaited in coconut fronds for cooking.

Generally, whole fish is coated with coco nut cream and wrapped in banana leaf, taros and bananas are tucked between the hot rocks and roasted, and octopus or mackerel is mixed with coconut cream and poured into half coconut shells.

The whole thing is then covered with banana leaves to seal in the heat. After a few hours the food is removed and transferred to the table. Little or no oil is used in this cooking and the smoky flavour permeates all the food giving it a unique flavour. Meat such as chicken and lamb comes out particularly juicy due to the slow cooking, and fish literally melts in your mouth.

As a general rule, Umu’s are usually used made on Sundays as a special treat or for large functions and other special celebrations. In rural villages, this is the only method of cooking as microwaves and stoves are non-existent. Umu’s are usually found out the back in a cooking fale.

Your first Sunday morning in Upolu will be like no other Sunday you have experienced – the smell of hundreds and hundreds of umu’s fills the air!

Drinks

Visitors are recommended to purchase bottled water. There are several quality brands of bottled spring water to choose from in the supermarkets and shops. Although the water in most hotels is safe to drink, it is advised to boil it first and chill it in the fridge.

The traditional drink of Samoa is kava, which is a ground up root mixed with water and has a relaxing effect upon the drinker. Some say it’s an acquired taste. If it’s not your cup of tea, fresh young coconuts can be purchased almost everywhere and are a refreshing, healthy thirst-quencher.
Other than that, supermarkets stock many different soft drinks and juices.

There are bars which serve alcohol, and can be found in almost all hotels and restaurants. There are also other nightspots and small bars to choose from if you enjoy a boogie with your drinks.

For years we have been struggling with the slow dial up connection, preventing us from watching videos online or communicate with family and friends and be able to see their face at the same time. We just hope that nobody made a knot on the line or that the shark did not take a bite of it. I am sure that we no longer need the WWW anymore which, I believe stands for WORLD WIDE WAITING.

Although the cable has arrived to Samoa, it doesn’t really mean that we will have fast internet tomorrow. You might have heard about the “Samoan Time”. I guess that we are suffering from SWW (SAMOA WIDE WAITING).

Anyway, lets hope for the best.  Read More about the Cable project