Malo!
So, 4 days into this epic adventure and already I don’t want to leave. Can’t imagine what it will be like in 6 months’ time….
At 525am on Thursday I arrived in Paradise. Awaiting us at the airport was our Samoan country manager Fran and her new assistant Bob, with bottles of cold water in hand – thank goodness because we were already dripping with sweat.
Samoa is hot. Really hot. And Really humid.
But this was soon forgotten on the drive from the airport to the hotel in Apia on the other side of the Island of Upolu. An amazing sunrise as we crawled along the streets, dodging pigs, dogs, horses and locals in the villages. Everyone gets up early here and now we know why – its just too hot to do anything by 12! Samoans live in traditional open houses called fales – no doors or windows! Just a roof. As we drove past the ocean there were locals out fishing in the traditional wooden canoes. We have since seen the fruits of this labour at the local fish market on the harbour – we will definitely be stocking up here every week.
We spent the first few days doing all the important things – like getting SIM cards and a Samoan ‘drivers license’ (a piece of paper that costs 20tala – but no parking fees ever!). We also got fabric for our Puletasi’s (traditional Samoan women’s dress) and learnt the important lesson that in Samoa, the brighter the colour, the better! Dolly the tailor then made them up for us overnight – (cheers Dolly!), ready for our visit to the Australian high commissioner and the Australian Federal Police Superintendent (who also gets to wear a lavalava and thongs to work!). House hunting proved to be a huge success – Charlotte and I are super excited to move in Tuesday – pictures to follow (warning you will be jealous!)
Saturday was our first day of adventuring. After picking up our wheels for the next 6 months – affectionately named the ‘Black Slug’- we piled in and ventured down the windy roads (speed limit always 40kms an hour), over a mountain to Sa’Moana Resort. We made the short journey of 35miles in a record hour and forty minutes. Finally to a beach! Afternoon spent swimming, relaxing, hammock napping and then experiencing a fia fia night of traditional umu (hot stone oven) meal including a whole pig! There was singing, dancing, fire dancing, more singing and an ‘ava ceremony. All the performers were from the local village of Salamumu and were super friendly – the men and boys are very cheeky! After an epic drive home, including a tropical downpour and a cow jam, we were back in Apia by midnight.
This morning was Aso Sa (Sunday) and we decided to attend church with Fran. It is in an amazing location halfway up the mountain overlooking Upolu and was a great way to meet many locals – we have already found a local mechanic for our car! So as is Fa’a Samoa – “The Samoan Way” we are spending Sunday afternoon relaxing and catching up on nap time. This new week will bring lots of new adventures including moving into our own houses and meeting our Host Organisations for the next 6 months!
Tofa!
Erin
