Arrival in paradise or the home of the rats...

We arrive at 6 am in pitch dark Samoa. Leaving the aircraft the warm and humid air welcomes us. Yes, we're in paradise. We cross the island to the most beautiful beach and rent a beach fale. Just perfect.... in the morning step out of the fale right onto the beach, have breakfast and then don't do anything till dinner except swimming, sleeping, reading, snorkeling.....hmmmm.... We enjoy having a vacation after all our adventures ;-)

But not only tropical fishes and little geckos live in paradise... As we realize, it has also little furry creatures around. One morning we notice that during the night something ate our toothpaste and sunscreen. Both are showing huge biting holes. Using the flashlight I am able to catch a glimpse of the little furry thing the following night. Within a second it disappears. Well, not the room mate I would have invited. In the middle of the next night I am waken-up by some noise. I try to find the source by using my flashlight again. Nothing. As soon as I close my eyes there is again this noise. Once more searching the room with the flashlight. Nothing. Our bed consists only of 2 mattresses on the floor. To make sure that we won't have an intruder in our bed I tuck the moskito-net firmly under the mattresses. Which is a big mistake, because our hairy room mate has been hiding under the overlapping mattress. As soon as I turn off the flashlight it gets very hectic in our bed. The rat is jumping up and down to find an escape from our bed and it's prison. I stand in another corner of the bed screaming at Reto that he should do something. And Reto don't know exactly what's going on since he doesn't wear his contacts and doesn't see anything. Perfect! After hours (probably minutes) Reto achieves to pull out the moskito-net far enough for the rat to escape. Of course, there's no more sleep for me. The light remains turned-on for the rest of the night. It's time to leave this place...

Savai'i, the most westerly island in the world

Savai'i is the most westerly point in the world in respect to the dateline. This means, in Samoa you can see the last sunset of the day. Travelling further on, crossing the dateline, you will already see tomorrow's sunset... or something like that ;-)

Savai'i - known as the wild island - has even more native vegetation and even less tourists than Upolu. The locals are very friendly and are waving or greeting us all the time. It's almost useless to put the hand down because only a moment later you will have to greet somebody again. The islands of Samoa are not very big and there are not that many accommodations either. Savai'i too offers spectacular beaches and crystal clear water. Usually Reto can't drive for more then 10 minutes before I make him stop to take some more pictures since the scenery is just too impressive to just pass by. South Pacific pure!

When we stop at a little shop, little "big" kids are selling fresh coconuts. After drinking the delicious coconut milk the little ones open our coconuts with a huge knife. Hopefully without injuries.

Blow-Holes

While most of Samoa's coast is protected by a reef, former volcanic eruptions expanded the island and destroyed some parts of the existing reef. Those stretches are exposed to huge pacific waves which are rolling in with enormous power. The water is pressed into small underground holes in the lava rock. The power of the waves presses the water through surface holes and creates huge water fountains. We have heard that coconuts can be thrown into the blow-holes and then will be be ejected for up to 60 meters into the air. Therefore, we have collected some coconuts on our way to the blow-holes. The closer we get to the holes, the more bubbling are the little puddles surrounding us. In a brave attempt Reto throws a coconut into a hole... well, we're still waiting ;-)

Traditional Samoa

Independent or Western Samoa is still very traditional. Each village has a very active and strong community. Women as well as men wear traditional Lava-Lavas (Wrap-around skirts) Each Sunday after church a traditional Umu feast is cooked in an earth-oven. At a Fiafia party traditional dances are being performed. While driving in Samoa one has to watch out for pigs, dogs and chickens crossing the street. However, it could also be a Kirikiti-game in which the only road is being part of the field. In any case, driving in Samoa should be avoided on Sundays since most people are very religious and rest on Sundays.

While on a little adventure tour to see bats, we could see how useful Samoan's school lessons are. Among other things they learn how to weave a basket, where to find the raw material for it and how to get it from the trees. Within a couple minutes the basket is finished and bananas or coconuts can be transported in it.