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

Goals worth nothing

First I like to wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR with the hope that you have spent some valuable time with your family and loved ones. As usual you are supposed to set goals for the new year, which most of the time only are nice wishes. Goals and wishes are worth nothing without action, so let’s have some action during 2010. I believe that this is the time to start new and be totally open for different ideas rather then going in the footpath of the comfortable past years. We need to start thinking outside the box.

The numbers below shows clearly that we are on the right way. The traps are many and only with careful planning, a common vision and quality we will be able to succeed.

Minister of tourism

What the Tourism Minister Plan

Samoa broke the ST300 million barrier in tourism earnings in the year to the end of June.  The first time we earned ST310 million, which is about 30% of our GDP—the largest single contributor after remittances.

Up until now, tourism has been booming in Samoa with Australian holiday makers tripling in number over the last six years. Over 15,000 Australians made a holiday in Samoa in 2008.

Internationally, Samoa received over 120,000 tourists during the same year of 2008.
Taking into account Samoa’s natural beauty, the friendly locals, and the growing accommodation industry, it is no surprise that the vast majority of travelers visit for leisure purposes.

The Tourism Ministry’s goal is to get 135,000 tourists, which is an increase on the last year of about 16 percent.

Tourism is a key industry for the Samoan economy. It’s the biggest revenue earner, worth $300 million a year. It also brings in the most foreign exchange, providing and creating employment opportunities for our people.

Project planner

New Projects?

In light of the tsunami disaster, questions are now being asked about whether the massive tourism development project that was planned for Sasina and other villages in Savaii will still go ahead.
What about the proposed Warwick hotel at Vavau? How will the tsunami affect the progress of that project?

According to an official report Samoa still have about 85% of the accommodation businesses in operation and the only thing stopping the earnings for the tourism sector is the hesitation of the visitors to come back. The report tells the following:
1.    We still have five out of seven deluxe hotels available – 326 rooms and 854 beds.
2.    We still have five out of seven superior resorts available – 135 rooms and 314 beds
3.    We still have 22 out of 24 standard hotels available – 315 rooms and 759 beds
4.    We still have 27 out of 29 budget hotels available – 406 rooms and 864 beds
5.    We still have nine out of 14 beach fales available (overnight stays) or 144 rooms and 348 beds.
6.    We still have eight out of 17 beach fales available (day stays) or 51 rooms.”

Fly Easy to Samoa

Air Pacific has just launched a new flight given Samoa a direct service to Honolulu which has proven very lucrative.
We’ve now got 14 flights a week from New Zealand, 3 flights a week nonstop from Sydney and one from Brisbane. Still Air New Zealand is flying the popular route Los Angeles –  New Zealand with a stop in Apia.

A Must for the Future

Tourism is growing greener and more and more travelers demand a green and responsible development for the future. People are not only prepared to pay more for an environmentally aware hotel, they are also not prepared to contribute to any irresponsible activity unfavorable to the nature what so ever.

Although the tsunami was a terrible disaster, it gives us the possibility to rethink and review the future plans of our tourism activities.

Looking Back on 2009

Full of sadness, there is no doubt the events of September, especially the tsunami which killed 143 people, tops the list.
September was an action-packed month. There was the controversial road switch, the $20million boat stuck on the reef in Apia and the Hotel Kitano fire.

Many people were and are still struggling to make ends meet.
The swine flu was scary. At least 138 Samoans were diagnosed with three people killed.

Happenings in April

Guinness World Record Travelers visit
Traveling Swiss couple, Emil and Liliana Schmid are Guinnes Book record holders, and they visited Samoa to extend their record to 163 countries visited.
But that is only part of an amazing story that started 24 and a half years ago for the couple and still continues.
What sets the couple apart and what has won them special recognition by the Guinness Book of record is where they always take their trusty Toyota land cruiser car where ever they go.
The Schmids and their 1982 FJ60 Toyota Land Cruiser have traveled 642 thousand kilometers – the most by any other couple. They have traveled around in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and now the Oceania.

Happenings in May

Swine flu
May was the swine flu month. All visitors to Samoa were tested at the airport as Samoa braced itself for the swine flu virus. There were men and women walking around Samoa with masks, an usual sight.
In the end, the disease killed three people. Over hundred Samoans were tested swine flu positive.

Happenings in June

Fagali’i airport returns
Four years after it was closed, Fagali’i Airport was back in business with international flights from Pago Pago served only by Polynesian Airlines. The airport was closed for safety reasons.

Happenings in September

Road switch
Samoa changed over to drive on the left side of the road after a long and criticized process.

Boat stranded worth $20m
The container ship, Forum Samoa II, stuck on the reef in Apia

Kitano fire

Apia landmark up in smoke
An electrical fault is one possible cause of the fire which destroyed iconic fale of the former Kitano Tusitala Hotel, now known as Tanoa Tusitala.
Bought by Tanoa Hotels Group July this year, the three fale were reduced to ashes within an hour by raging flames. All had just been renovated by the new owners.

Tsunami hits
Government officials and emergency agencies worked endless days and nights to deliver tents and water to stricken Aleipata, Siumu and Falealili residents hit hardest by the tsunami on September 29.

Happenings in December

Savaii – top of the list

Savaii is doing well and many hotels have a better occupancy than previous year despite of the many cancellations because of the tsunami.

Help us keeping the VISION of a great new Samoa…

Mats Loefkvist     www.samoa-experience.com

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

Recently a good friend from Canada, James Buffin felt the urge to come and make a contribution to Samoa with his documentary film making skills. He put in two weeks of his time plus all the expenses for airfares,  transportation of camera equipment and accommodation  to make a difference  in helping the Samoan people to monitor the progress of rebuilding after the tsunami.

Tsunami Affected Family

Mr. Buffin is now back in Canada editing his material which  soon will appear on this blog as video clips interviewing struggling business owners trying to rebuilding their hotels and beach fales.

After talking to 9 different affected hotel/resort businesses along the south coast we experienced very much the same concern and frustration by all of them.

Not enough government help.

Their main concern is that they have got no or very little help from the government to rebuild their lives and business. Almost all help they got came from private people who felt the necessity to make a contribution in rebuilding the beautiful beach areas with the so typical and popular Samoan beach fale.

With the private help, Fao Fao Beach Fales in Saleapaga has already built 4 fales on the beach and has a main building with restaurant soon compleated. They hope to be open for Christmas. Also with private funding, Taufua Beach Fales and Litia’s Beach Fales at Lalomanu have started to rearrange the damage beach area and will very soon have it back to what it looked before the disaster.

Sili and Tai, the owner of  Taufua Beach Fales explained that they like their guests to return to a place that looks the same as before, like coming home…

Normal families, not having a previous business at the beach are not likely to return so fast. Up in the hills at their new location they are also waiting for their promised government help with house rebuilding, water and power. Although most people already have power installed in their temporary shelters, the water is still not there.

We need your skills!

To make things move faster, Habitat for Humanity New Zealand plans to ramp-up its involvement in Samoa in the New Year, as it helps the rebuilding effort. The organisation wants to recruit increased numbers of skilled New Zealand volunteers, to follow in the footsteps of the several dozen, who have already contributed to Samoa’s reconstruction.

Habitat NZ currently has two teams of 12 volunteers working in Samoa. One of the teams is located in the village of Lepa, which is home to the organisation’s Resource Centre, where prefabricated trusses, toilet and shower walls and other building parts are being made. The other team is stationed in the village of Lolomanu. The volunteers are being hosted by local communities and accommodated in church halls.

“If you have the skills they need and would like to spend two weeks in Samoa during 2010, working for a very good cause, then please visit the website at www.habitat.org.nz or call them on 0800 44 22 48, to find out more about what’s entailed,”

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

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

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

If you were one of these early traveller to Samoa you probably would find me at the airport asking you if you need an accommodation. Back then many people travelled without knowing where to go when they arrived and as many of us knew about that, we were there to offer what we got.

Today things looks much different and the reason is the Internet. Almost everyone make their travel plans outside of Samoa and will be able to go from website to website and check out what it looks like before they arrive. The new trend is to go straight to the beach and not to the capital Apia as before. Most beach Resorts have their own pick up service and someone will be waiting with a sign with your name on. 

People do still go to Apia but sometimes just for the day for shopping and then back to the resort again. Although Samoa has great beaches we also have lots of interesting things around the town aria. If you would like to explore the food or flea Market plus the excellent night life you should plan for a few nights in Apia. If you like to play Golf we do have two 18 holes golf courses close to town or why not visit the former home of the famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson. As there are many good hotels in the town area but not enough long staying tourists, you will be able to get a good deal on the accommodation as well.

Whatever you are after you should know that we only have three rules to follow:

1. Slow down and enjoy the small things in life. 
2. If you really feel like doing anything, then do it.
3. Return to rule number one.

Have a look at our hotels available on:  http://www.samoa-experience.com

After a few years in the business we know that it takes a bit more than that to get established. Although Tourism is the number one revenue earner in Samoa there is still very little knowledge about what is required to make a hotel profitable and working. The ones who have been around for some time knows that you have to hang in there with both hands and feet to survive. We do what we can, usually with very little money, to raise the quality and improve the experience for our visitors. Unfortunately we sometimes get tourists to Samoa that think that accommodation and food should be almost for free although we pay more for our food shopping than you would do in New Zealand and Australia.

One very good thing is that we are willing to learn what we can do better and improve, so please let us know and give us your comments.

By the way, Have you booked your hotel yet? If not, just go to:  http://www.samoa-experience.com

The Season from December – March has often been called the rainy season or wet season and many visitors have decided not to go to Samoa because of the weather. The truth is that we have fantastic weather during this time and most rain comes during the night. The wind is less strong which makes it slightly warmer if you go inland. Most of our visiting guests like to sit right on the beach were it is nice and cool always.

I have heard people say, lets go to Fiji or Cook island because there is no rainy season. The fact is, they have exactly the same climate and weather, there is only one difference – they newer call it “The Rainy Season”.

From Now on lets call it “The Opportunity Season” which it truly is. We have lower rates on all flights, hotels and car rentals, it is less crowded if you like to go golfing on one of our 3 Golf Courses, rent a car and go exploring the living culture on the island or just spend the time on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

You should take a look at the low air fares from Polynesian Blue or Air New Zealand during this time. Check out our accommodation deals for all our hotels on our www.samoa-experience.com website.

See you soon in Samoa, the island of Opportunity….

Sunny Greetings

Mats

Travel to Samoa!

I like to start to introduce Samoa to you in a more official way with all the facts and details about our country and culture to make you have a greater understanding where we are coming from.

This cover all aspects like culture, politics, geography, economics, demographics and sports. I need to have a closer look myself as I am not sure I know all this although I live here.

Please go to the following page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa   (link will open in a new window)