The islands are of volcanic origin, mostly mountainous (up to 1858 m high). The climate is tropical, hot and humid, with frequent hurricane winds. The average annual temperature is 26°C, and precipitation averages 3000 mm per year. The slopes of the mountains are covered with tropical rainforests, among which there are valuable species with very hard wood, large-leaved myrtles with fragrant flowers, gigantic banyans, the crown of which reaches 100 m in diameter. On the tops of the highest mountains, lush forests give way to so-called misty small forests and mountain shrubs, and on the flat coasts, cultural landscapes with plantations of coconut palms, bananas, cocoa and other crops predominate.

Most of the islanders live in traditional huts called fales, which have an oval shape. There are no walls and the roof, made from coconut palm leaves or ramps, rests on wooden pillars. The only city and main port of Western Samoa is the capital of the state of Apia (33 thousand inhabitants), located on the island of Upolu. The center of Apia is built up with one-story and two-story houses of the European type, over which church bell towers rise powerfully. The city has an observatory, three hotels, small businesses, offices of foreign companies, as well as government offices. On the outskirts of Apia is the estate of the famous English writer R. L. Stevenson.

Nature and climate

The islands of Western Samoa are the peaks of an underwater ridge of volcanic origin. On the island of Savaii there is an active volcano Matawanu, recent eruptions which occurred in 1902 (strong) and 1911. The relief of the islands is mountainous. The most high peaks– Mount Silisili (1858 m) on Savaii Island and Fito (1100 m) on Upolu Island. The surface of these islands decreases from the central, most elevated areas to the periphery and in some places turns into coastal lowlands. The islands have many fast mountain rivers with significant hydroelectric potential. The shores are mostly rocky and rugged. The total length of the coastline is approx. 400 km. Coral reefs fringe Savaii Island from the northeast and east, and Upolu on all sides except the northeastern part.

The climate is tropical, hot and humid. Average daily temperature approx. 26°C, temperature fluctuations are small (average temperature in summer – 27°C, in winter – 25°C). Average annual precipitation ranges from 2500–3000 mm in the northwest of both large islands up to 5000–7000 mm in the central mountainous regions. The dry season lasts from May to October, and the rainy season from November to April. Tropical hurricanes recur frequently.

Volcanic soils are very fertile, especially on Upolu Island. Soil and climatic conditions are favorable for the development of agriculture, however, due to the dissected relief, only a quarter of the territory is used.

The flora of Samoa includes ca. 600 species, about a quarter of which are endemic. Forests cover 47% of the country's territory. A strip of mangrove forests stretches along the coasts. In many places they have been replaced by coconut palm plantations. The mountain slopes are covered with tropical rain forest. The lower parts of the slopes are dominated by trees up to 20 m high, in the ground layer there are ferns, the trees are entwined with vines and various epiphytes. At an absolute altitude of 500–600 m, the tree layer reaches 25–29 m; tree ferns appear even higher in the mountains. In the central part of the islands the forests are wetter. Western Samoa has many valuable tree species, the wood of which is used by the population to build houses and boats. Banyan, nutmeg, bamboo, pandanus, and orchids are very common.

Animal world extremely poor in mammals. The most common rats were brought by Europeans on ships. Chiropterans are characteristic. The avifauna includes 53 species, of which 16 are very rare (including the endemic Tooth-billed Pigeon). Reptiles include snakes and turtles. There are centipedes, scorpions and spiders. The insect fauna is richest, and the eastern part of the range of three groups of insects (mayflies, caddis flies and termites), widespread in Australia and New Guinea, is confined to these islands. The adjacent water area abounds in fish, crabs, octopuses; in deeper waters there are sharks, tuna, bonito, mackerel, etc.

Attractions

Western Samoa is a beautiful corner of the Earth that has not yet been greatly affected by civilization. For this reason, the country's main treasures are its mountains, forests, beaches and picturesque villages. If we talk about man-made attractions, then the largest number of them are concentrated in the capital of Apia on the island of Upolu. For example, in its western part there is the old ceremonial capital Mulinuu. The most interesting buildings in this area are the old observatory and the House of Parliament. In the central part of Apia, the most interesting is the memorial Clock Tower. There are also old colonial buildings scattered throughout the city, among which the most colorful is the courthouse, within the walls of which the Historical Museum is located. In addition, many churches were built in the capital and its suburbs: the Catholic Church, the Apia Samoa Temple complex, the Congregationalist Church, etc. Just 4 km from the center of the capital, on the outskirts of Vailima, is the estate of the writer R.L. Stevenson, and next to her is his tombstone.

There are others on the island of Upolu interesting places. Thus, in its northern part there are the picturesque Falefa waterfalls, the Uafato forest reserve and Lake Lanotoo, next to which stands the Bahai Temple. On the southeast coast, the most interesting cascade of five-meter waterfalls is Papassea Sliding Rock. Well, the main attractions of the south coast are national park O Le Poupou Pouet and Paradise Beach.

The island of Savaii is a virtually untouched place. Its main attractions are the Peapea and Paia Dwarfs lava caves, the ritual mound near Cape Mulinuu, the Alofaaga volcanic cavern, the Tia Seu mound, the ancient village of Fagaloa, the Falealupo lava tubes and Satiuatua beach with a colorful church. Also worth mentioning is Manono Island, the main historical monuments of which are the “Star Mound” and the “Tomb of 99 Stones” mound.

Nutrition

The national cuisine of Samoa is distinguished by not too spicy dishes, consisting of individual components, which are served separately and mixed directly during the meal. Here you can also try dishes that are cooked in umu earthen ovens. Some of the most important components of the local menu are coconut, sweet potato, vegetables and root vegetables, grains, fresh fruits and seafood. Among fish dishes, the main place is occupied by oka, which is finely chopped and specially marinated fish, which is then heat-treated or eaten raw. Similar recipes are used to prepare faiai-eleni (herring in coconut milk), faiai-fee (octopus in coconut milk) and other seafood (clams, shark meat, crustaceans, sea snakes, etc.).

In restaurants, some of the most popular dishes include palusami (pickled taro leaves used to wrap fillings), taisi-moa (fried chicken in banana leaves), supoesi (coconut milk and papaya soup), fia-fia (a mixture of meat and vegetables , umu-roasted), lupe-tunuwiliwili (roasted pigeon) and puaa-tunuwiliwili (umu-roasted pork). All dishes are served with soy sauce, tapa and breadfruit.

For dessert, local restaurants offer fruits, fausi (a dish made from coconut milk and baked pumpkin), coco arasa (cocoa with rice) and a variety of flour products.

The most common drinks include nui (the juice of the green coconut fruit), kawa (an unusual drink made from the yangona root) and strong cocoa, as well as local sodas. Alcoholic drinks in the country are mainly imported, and Vailima beer is the most popular among locals.

Accommodation

Today, tourism in Western Samoa is just developing, so the choice of hotels here is not yet very large. At the same time, Samoa is one of the cheapest countries in the South Pacific region. For this reason, the cost of living in high-level hotels here starts from $130–150 per night. In mid-price establishments you can count on $50 per day, and in motels and small private boarding houses - $35–40. In addition, many rural communities offer home rentals with full meals. In case of such accommodation, the cost of living will be only $20 per day.

Most of the hotels are located on the island of Upolu; on the island of Savaii their choice is much lower.

Entertainment and relaxation

Samoa's rich nature makes it a great place to active recreation and traveling on foot. The best way to explore the islands is by boat or canoe. Bicycle rides are also quite popular among tourists, especially around the picturesque island of Savaii. There are many on the islands beautiful shores, which are suitable for both simple beach holiday, and for snorkeling, and in some places for exploring the underwater world. Best places dive sites are located near the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve and Maninoa Beach (Upolu Island).

Surfing in Samoa is quite a difficult task, since many suitable places are replete with unstable currents and reefs. However, there are now resorts on the islands that specialize in wave play (Maninoa Beach, Ananoa Beach, Salouafata Harbor and Samoana). Fishing in Samoa is quite accessible, but expensive. The fact is that local residents often view sports fishermen as their direct competitors. For this reason, tribal leaders charge tourists quite large sums for harmless fishing.

An interesting way to spend time could be to participate in one of the local holidays and festivals. Among them, the largest is the week-long Teuila festival, which takes place in early September. The event includes competitions of dance groups and choirs, traditional dances, kirikiti competitions, fautasi boat races and a Flower Parade. Among other events, the most interesting are:

• International fishing tournament
• Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival,
• South Pacific Games (rowing),
• Birthday of Tanumafili II Malietoa,
• International rugby competitions and a celebration in honor of the Palolo turtles.

Purchases

Samoa's largest shopping establishments are located in Apia - this is the large Flea Market and two supermarkets (Frankie and Farmer Joe). You can find almost any product on the market - from cheap electronics to jewelry. In supermarkets, the choice of goods is slightly smaller, but their quality is better. In general, almost every city and town in the country has its own market, where you can find very interesting souvenirs and simply make useful purchases. The most common items tourists purchase are bags and baskets made from ramp fibers, exquisite fabrics made from paper mulberry bark, wooden weapons, model canoes, wooden bowls, avocado oil and local honey. Local crafts, such as wicker fans, small figurines, vases, etc., are in particular demand. Women are advised to pay attention to original jewelry made from coconut shells, as well as amazing precious shells. The rugs woven by local craftsmen are also amazing. Their amazing pictures and bizarre ornaments conceal a piece of Samoan culture.

Most retail establishments are open from 08:00 to 16:30, and on Saturdays until 12:30, although many private shops have their own opening hours. On Sundays all shops are closed.

Transport

Apia is home to the country's largest port, through which Samoa maintains regular maritime connections with New Zealand, Great Britain and Fiji. Less significant ports are located at Asau, Saleologa and Mulifanua. There are regular ferry services between the islands of Savai'i and Upolu, as well as with the island of Pago Pago, which belongs to American Samoa. The international airport is located in Faleolo, 34 km from the capital.

Samoa has more than two thousand kilometers of roads, mostly rural. The main mode of intercity and urban transport is old buses with wooden seats. In addition, they run extremely irregularly. For example, if the driver feels tired or decides to play rugby with friends, then the bus will no longer operate. There are no stopping points. In order for the driver to stop, you need to vote. Well, in order to get out, it is customary here to knock loudly on the roof. It must be borne in mind that Samoan buses have their own seating order for passengers. According to it, unmarried girls must sit together, and foreigners and elderly people must sit at the beginning of the bus. If the bus is full, locals sit on each other's laps.

Taxis are available in the capital and major populated areas, car rental is only available to people over 25 years of age.

Connection

The islands have a completely modern telephone system, which is developing rapidly. Pay phones are installed in all major settlements. They work using prepaid cards, which are sold in stores, post offices and kiosks. You can also make a call from most hotels, although the cost will be 15–20% more expensive.

Mobile communications in Samoa have an analogue system (TDMA): only phones that support this standard can be used here. If necessary, such a phone can be rented at the offices of cellular companies. The coverage area mainly covers the capital, as well as nearby areas. On at the moment A system of repeaters is being built, which allows for high-quality communication between all points of the country.

Network services on the islands are developing rapidly, so there are Internet cafes in the capital and other localities of the country. Local mobile operators support WAP and GPRS.

Safety

Samoa is considered one of the most peaceful places in the region. The crime rate on these islands is extremely low, so there will be no problems with personal safety here. Still, it is not recommended to neglect simple precautions. Women traveling alone should be prepared for increased attention from local men. As a rule, it is expressed in various verbal comments, but some caution obviously does not hurt.

Tap water in populated areas is chlorinated and therefore safe for consumption. Although during the first week of your stay, we recommend using bottled or boiled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.

Before traveling to Samoa, vaccination against hepatitis B, cholera, typhoid, polio and Japanese encephalitis is recommended. In addition, outbreaks of tropical fever, carried by mosquitoes, sometimes occur on the islands. For this reason, it is worth bringing insect repellents with you.

Business climate

Samoa's financial system is almost completely integrated into the world economy, and the country's stable financial, economic and political structure attracts investors here, and their activities are encouraged by the government. In general, government policy is aimed at turning Samoa into a powerful offshore center in the Pacific region. Today, light industry is very developed here. A promising industry, of course, is the hotel business and the tourism sector in general.

On the islands, most of the land, including the coast, is communal property, the rights to which belong to families or villages. Rural communities view their shores as a protected area and therefore monitor them very jealously. This means that you will need to pay $1–3 for swimming on a stretch of coastline you like. There is no point in bargaining and sparing this money, as it goes towards the needs of medicine or community education. Additionally, some communities prohibit sailing on Sundays and charge surfers and windsurfers a small daily fee ($1-$1.50). The money goes to support the local school education program.

Visa information

A Samoan visa is issued directly upon crossing the border. To obtain it, you will need tickets and a passport, which is valid for 6 months after departure from Samoa. Sometimes customs officials ask you to show evidence of sufficient finances for the duration of your stay in a given country.

A visa is issued at the border for 30 days, but if necessary it can be extended for 60 days. To do this, you must contact the Immigration Office in Apia and present your passport, tickets, proof of sufficient financial resources, reasons for extending your stay, hotel reservation or confirmation of another method of accommodation, and pay a fee (about $45).

Culture

The traditional Samoan way of life (called faa Samoa) remains an important component of Samoan life and politics. Having been exposed to European influence for centuries, the Samoans nevertheless maintained their historical traditions, preserved their social and political structure, and their language.

Samoan culture is based on the principle of walealoai - a specific system of relationships between people. This relationship is based on respect (faaaloalo). When Christianity was brought to Samoa by missionaries, most of the population accepted it. Currently, 98% of the population identifies as Christian. The remaining 2% either identify themselves as non-religious or belong to other faiths.

Most Samoans live in traditional oval huts (fales). The roof is made from pandanus or coconut palm leaves and rests on wooden pillars. There are no walls, but at night and in bad weather, the openings between the pillars are covered with mats, which are rolled up and stored under the roof (along its perimeter). The floor is laid out with smooth large pebbles. Nowadays there are fales with an iron roof.

The main socio-economic unit of Samoan society is the community (ainga), which consists of three to four generations of immediate male relatives, women who came into the community by marriage, and persons included in it as a result of adoption. Members of the aingi (on average 40-50 people) jointly own the land and jointly perform all labor-intensive work.

Like many other Polynesian islands, Samoans have two types of tattoos for different genders. Tattoos for men are called tatau and consist of complex geometric designs placed from the knees to the ribs. A man with such a tattoo is called a sogaimichi. Samoan girls (teine) are given a mala that extends from just below the knees to the top of the thighs.

Traditional female Samoan dance - siwa. This dance is similar to the Hawaiian hula - the dancers “tell” their “story” with smooth movements of their arms and legs to the beat of the music. Male Samoan dances are more aggressive and energetic. Sasa is a male Samoan dance in which rows of dancers perform quick synchronized movements to the beat of drums or rolled mats. Its name is translated from Samoan as “slap” because it involves slapping different parts of the body.

Story

According to archaeological data, the settlement of Samoa occurred more than 2,500 years ago. The first European to visit Samoa was the Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen in 1722. In 1768, the expedition of the French navigator L.A. Bougainville visited the coast of Samoa, and in 1787 the expedition of J.F. La Perouse, who determined the coordinates of many islands of the archipelago. Close connections with the outside world were established with the arrival of English missionaries on the islands in 1830. In 1839, an American expedition led by Charles Wilkes worked in Samoa, which included detailed description flora and fauna of the islands. From the second half of the 19th century. The confrontation between the USA, Germany and Great Britain for dominance over Samoa intensified. The contradictions were resolved in 1900, when at the conference of the three powers in Berlin the archipelago was divided along 171° W. into two parts. The US annexed Eastern Samoa, and Germany annexed Western Samoa. On August 29, 1914, New Zealand occupied German possessions, and on May 1, 1929 received a League of Nations mandate to administer them.

The activities of the New Zealand administration were aimed at developing export sectors of the economy, improving healthcare and education systems. After World War II, Western Samoa became first a mandate territory of New Zealand, and from 1946 a UN trust territory under the administration of New Zealand. The Legislative Assembly was established in 1947, and a draft constitution was adopted in 1959. At the same time, a government (cabinet of ministers) was created, headed by a Samoan. On January 1, 1962, Western Samoa became the first independent state in Oceania.

Since July 1997, the country received a new name - the Independent State of Samoa. Samoa is part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain.

The last parliamentary elections took place on March 4, 2001. 23 deputies from the Human Rights Party, 13 from the National Development Party of Samoa, and 13 independent deputies were elected to the Legislative Assembly.

The country has a national Broadcasting Service and a Television Corporation. The monthly government publication Savali (founded in 1904) and the Samoa Observer newspaper are published in Samoan and English, as well as the daily Samoa News and the weekly Samoa Weekly in English.

Policy

The country has a constitution that came into force on January 1, 1962 (when the independence of Western Samoa was proclaimed), as amended in July 1997. Initially, the country was led by two leaders - representatives of large family communities, who had previously held supreme power on the islands for a long time. After the death of one of them, Tupua Tumasese, Malietoa Tanumafili II became head of state for life from April 5, 1963 (according to the updated constitution, after his death the head of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of five years). Executive power in the country is exercised by the government headed by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the head of state and approved by the Legislative Assembly (Fono). It consists of 49 deputies, who have been elected by universal suffrage since 1991. All residents of the country who have reached the age of 21 have the right to vote.

The judicial system consists of magistrates' courts, which hear civil and criminal cases, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. These courts operate in accordance with British law and taking into account Samoan customs. Minor offenses are under the jurisdiction of chiefs and family communities based on customary law.

In 1970 Western Samoa joined the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. Since 1976 – member of the UN. Traditionally, close ties are maintained with New Zealand. Since July 1997 the country has been called Samoa.

Economy

Samoa's economy traditionally depends on humanitarian aid, private transfers from foreign countries and export of agricultural products. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the country's workforce and produces 90% of the country's exports, including cream of coconut, coconut oil, noni (noni fruit juice), bananas, copra, and others.

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) (at purchasing power parity) in 2006 was US$1.218 billion. According to 2004 data, the manufacturing sector is the main component of GDP (58.4%), followed by the service sector (30.2%), and agriculture (11.4%). Samoa's working population is estimated at 90,000.

65% of the amateur population is employed in agriculture, 30% in the service sector, and 5% in industry. The main crops are coconut palm, cocoa tree, taro, yam, breadfruit tree and bananas. Livestock farming plays a supporting role. Cattle, pigs and poultry are raised to meet domestic needs. Most crops are grown on communal lands, but some produce (especially copra and cocoa beans) is supplied by large plantation farms.

Industrial production is reduced mainly to the processing of agricultural raw materials and fish, the production of clothing, shoes, souvenirs, tobacco products, food products, and beer. There is a wood processing plant and a soap factory. Hydroelectric power plants and diesel power plants produce approx. 65 million kW of electricity, which meets internal needs.

The value of imports significantly exceeds exports. Samoa imports mainly cotton clothing, cars, equipment, and food. In the structure of exports, agricultural products account for approx. 90%. The main exports - copra, coconut oil, cocoa beans, bananas, fish - are sent mainly to New Zealand, Australia, the USA and Germany. Imports come from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Fiji and the USA.

Tourism is developing in the country. In 1996, it was visited by more than 70 thousand foreign tourists.

Regular maritime connections are maintained between Apia (the country's largest port) and New Zealand, Fiji and the UK. Less significant port facilities were built in Asau, Mulifanua, Saleologa. The total length of roads is 790 km, of which paved roads are approx. 330 km. In the vicinity of Apia there is Faleolo International Airport, and there are two airports for domestic traffic.

Since 1967, the official currency is the tala (Samoan dollar), equal to 100 sene.

Today, Samoa is a small island state located in the Pacific Ocean, in the west of the archipelago of the same name. It consists of two fairly large islands ( Upolu And Savaii), which accounts for about 96% of the total area of ​​the country, and eight small islands that are concentrated in the western part of the archipelago ( Manono, Nuutele, Apolima, Nuulua, Fanuatapu, Namua, Nuulopa And Nuusafee). From 1900 to 1914 the islands were called German Samoa, from 1914 to 1997 - Western Samoa, and from 1997 they received the name Independent State of Samoa.

According to the Constitution of 1960, the country has a republican form of government, but here it is combined with local traditions and customs. For example, local power belongs to the matai chiefs, and almost all land is distributed among villages and families. Unlike American Samoa, this country has so far been little affected by civilization and is an almost pristine corner of the Earth. This place attracts tourists high mountains and first-class beaches that are ideal for active recreation, as well as colorful festivals and quaint Polynesian villages that allow you to get acquainted with ancient traditions. It is not for nothing that even R. L. Stevenson, the author of the famous novel “Treasure Island,” spent the rest of his years in Samoa.

Capital	Apia
Population
Population density	76 people/km²
	Samoan, English
Religion	Christianity
Form of government	parliamentary republic
Time zone
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

Samoa is dominated by a tropical trade wind climate, so the weather here is quite hot, humid and windy. Winter on the islands occurs from May to October, during which southeast trade winds dominate. In the summer season (from November to April) they change their direction to the north-west. There are also powerful tropical typhoons that bring storms throughout the year. Their greatest number occurs in the summer. Precipitation mainly falls from December to April.

The average annual air temperature is stable and stays within +25...+27 °C, the water temperature is always warm (not lower +24 °C). The best time The dry season for visiting Samoa is May - October.

Nature

Western Samoa is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two large islands ( Upolu And Savaii) and eight small ones, of which only two are inhabited ( Manono And Apolim A). The islands of Savai'i and Upolu, which are separated by Apolima Strait, are the tips of underwater volcanoes, so they have a mountainous landscape. Volcanic cones rise in the center of both islands Silisili And Phyto. The northern slopes of the islands are flatter than the southern ones, and their western parts are covered with plains. The coastline is quite narrow and all indented by lagoons. A significant part of the islands is occupied by forests and wet tropical thickets. The flora on the islands is diverse: there are approximately 600 plant species. The fauna is represented by bats, several species of lizards, many birds and insects. Dolphins live in coastal waters.

Due to its volcanic origin, the islands abound with small rivers and waterfalls. The exceptions are the western part of Upolu and most of Savaii.

Attractions

Western Samoa is a beautiful corner of the Earth that has not yet been greatly affected by civilization. For this reason, the country's main treasures are its mountains, forests, beaches and picturesque villages. If we talk about man-made attractions, then the largest number of them are concentrated in the capital of Apia on the island of Upolu. For example, in its western part there is an old ceremonial capital Mulinuu. The most interesting buildings in this area are the old observatory and the House of Parliament. In the central part of Apia, the most interesting is the memorial Clock Tower. There are also old colonial buildings scattered throughout the city, among which the most colorful is the courthouse, within the walls of which the Historical Museum is located. In addition, many churches were built in the capital and its suburbs: Catholic Church, complex of temples Apia Samoa Temple, Congregationalist Church, etc. Just 4 km from the center of the capital, on the outskirts of Vailim, is the estate of the writer R.L. Stevenson, and next to her is his tombstone.

There are other interesting places on the island of Upolu. Thus, in its northern part there are picturesque waterfalls Falefa, forest reserve Uafato and lake Lanotoo, next to which stands the temple Bahá'í Temple. On the southeast coast the most interesting cascade of five-meter waterfalls Papassea Sliding Rock. Well, the main attractions of the southern coast are the national park O-Le-Poupu-Pue and beach Paradise Beach.

The island of Savaii is a virtually untouched place. Its main attractions are the Peapea and Paia Dwarfs lava caves, the ritual mound near Cape Mulinuu, the Alofaaga volcanic cavern, the Tia Seu mound, the ancient village of Fagaloa, the Falealupo lava tubes and Satiuatua beach with a colorful church. Also worth mentioning separately is Manono Island, the main historical monuments of which are "Mound of Stars" and embankment "Tomb of 99 Stones".

Nutrition

The national cuisine of Samoa is distinguished by not too spicy dishes, consisting of individual components, which are served separately and mixed directly during the meal. Here you can also try dishes that are cooked in umu earthen ovens. Some of the most important components of the local menu are coconut, sweet potato, vegetables and root vegetables, grains, fresh fruits and seafood. Among fish dishes, the main place is oka, which is finely chopped and specially marinated fish, which is then heat-treated or eaten raw. Prepared according to similar recipes faiai-eleni(herring in coconut milk), faiai-fee(octopus in coconut milk) and other seafood (clams, shark meat, crustaceans, sea snakes, etc.).

Among the most popular dishes in restaurants it is worth noting palus(pickled colocasia leaves in which the fillings are wrapped), Taisi-moa(fried chicken in banana leaves), soupy(coconut milk and papaya soup) fia-fia(a mixture of meat and vegetables, fried in umu), Lupe-tunuwilivili(roasted pigeon) and puaa-tunuwilili(Umu fried pork). All dishes are served with soy sauce, tapa and breadfruit.

Local restaurants offer fruit as dessert, fausi(a dish made from coconut milk and baked pumpkin), coco-arasa(cocoa with rice) and a variety of flour products.

The most common drinks include nui (the juice of the green coconut fruit), kawa (an unusual drink made from the yangona root) and strong cocoa, as well as local sodas. Alcoholic drinks in the country are mainly imported, and Vailima beer is the most popular among locals.

Accommodation

Today, tourism in Western Samoa is just developing, so the choice of hotels here is not yet very large. At the same time, Samoa is one of the cheapest countries in the South Pacific region. For this reason, the cost of living in high-level hotels here starts from $130-150 per night. In mid-price establishments you can count on $50 per day, and in motels and small private boarding houses - $35-40. In addition, many rural communities offer home rentals with full meals. In case of such accommodation, the cost of living will be only $20 per day.

Most of the hotels are located on the island of Upolu; on the island of Savaii their choice is much lower.

Entertainment and relaxation

Thanks to its rich nature, Samoa is an excellent destination for active holidays and hiking. The best way to explore the islands is by boat or canoe. Bicycle rides are also quite popular among tourists, especially around the picturesque island of Savaii. The islands also have many beautiful beaches that are suitable for both a simple beach holiday and snorkeling, and in some places even for exploring the underwater world. The best dive sites are located next to the marine reserve Palolo Deep Marine Reserve and in the area Maninoa Beach(Upolu Island).

Surfing in Samoa is quite a difficult task, since many suitable places are replete with unstable currents and reefs. However, there are now resorts on the islands that specialize in « playing with the wave » (Maninoa Beach, Ananoa Beach, Salouafata Harbor And Samoana). Fishing in Samoa is quite accessible, but expensive. The fact is that local residents often view sports fishermen as their direct competitors. For this reason, tribal leaders charge tourists quite large sums for harmless fishing.

An interesting way to spend time could be to participate in one of the local holidays and festivals. Among them, the largest is the weekly Teuila Festival, which takes place in early September. The program of this event includes competitions of dance groups and choirs, traditional dances, kirikiti competitions, fautasi boat races and Flower Parade. Among other events, the most interesting are:

• International fishing tournament
• Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival,
• South Pacific Games (rowing),
• Birthday of Tanumafili II Malietoa,
• International rugby competitions and a celebration in honor of the Palolo turtles.

Purchases

The largest shopping establishments in Samoa are located in Apia- it's big Flea Market and two supermarkets ( Frankie And Farmer Joe). You can find almost any product on the market - from cheap electronics to jewelry. In supermarkets, the choice of goods is slightly smaller, but their quality is better. In general, almost every city and town in the country has its own market, where you can find very interesting souvenirs and simply make useful purchases. The most common items tourists purchase are bags and baskets made from ramp fibers, exquisite fabrics made from paper mulberry bark, wooden weapons, model canoes, wooden bowls, avocado oil and local honey. Local crafts, such as wicker fans, small figurines, vases, etc., are in particular demand. Women are advised to pay attention to original jewelry made from coconut shells, as well as amazing precious shells. The rugs woven by local craftsmen are also amazing. Their amazing pictures and bizarre ornaments conceal a piece of Samoan culture.

Most retail establishments are open from 08:00 to 16:30, and on Saturdays until 12:30, although many private shops have their own opening hours. On Sundays all shops are closed.

Transport

Apia is home to the country's largest port, through which Samoa maintains regular maritime links with New Zealand, Great Britain and Fiji. Less significant ports are located in Asau, Saleologa And Mulifanua. Between the islands Savaii And Upolu, as well as with the island Pago Pago, which belongs American Samoa, there is a regular ferry service. The international airport is located in Faleolo, 34 km from the capital.

Samoa has more than two thousand kilometers of roads, mostly rural. The main mode of intercity and urban transport is old buses with wooden seats. In addition, they run extremely irregularly. For example, if the driver feels tired or decides to play rugby with friends, then the bus will no longer operate. There are no stopping points. In order for the driver to stop, you need to vote. Well, in order to get out, it is customary here to knock loudly on the roof. It must be borne in mind that Samoan buses have their own seating order for passengers. According to it, unmarried girls must sit together, and foreigners and elderly people must sit at the front of the bus. If the bus is full, locals sit on each other's laps.

Taxis are available in the capital and major towns; car rental is only available to people over 25 years of age.

Connection

The islands have a completely modern telephone system, which is developing rapidly. Pay phones are installed in all major settlements. They work using prepaid cards, which are sold in stores, post offices and kiosks. You can also make a call from most hotels, however, its cost will be 15-20% more expensive.

Mobile communications in Samoa have an analogue system (TDMA): only phones that support this standard can be used here. If necessary, such a phone can be rented at the offices of cellular companies. The coverage area mainly covers the capital, as well as nearby areas. At the moment, a system of repeaters is being built, which allows for high-quality communication between all points of the country.

Network services on the islands are developing rapidly, so there are Internet cafes in the capital and other localities of the country. Local mobile operators support WAP and GPRS.

Safety

Samoa is considered one of the most peaceful places in the region. The crime rate on these islands is extremely low, so there will be no problems with personal safety here. Still, it is not recommended to neglect simple precautions. Women traveling alone should be prepared for increased attention from local men. As a rule, it is expressed in various verbal comments, but some caution obviously does not hurt.

Tap water in populated areas is chlorinated and therefore safe for consumption. Although during the first week of your stay, we recommend using bottled or boiled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.

Before traveling to Samoa, vaccination against hepatitis B, cholera, typhoid, polio and Japanese encephalitis is recommended. In addition, outbreaks of tropical fever, carried by mosquitoes, sometimes occur on the islands. For this reason, it is worth bringing insect repellents with you.

Business climate

Samoa's financial system is almost completely integrated into the world economy, and the country's stable financial, economic and political structure attracts investors here, and their activities are encouraged by the government. In general, government policy is aimed at turning Samoa into a powerful offshore center in the Pacific region. Today, light industry is very developed here. A promising industry, of course, is the hotel business and the tourism sector in general.

On the islands, most of the land, including the coast, is communal property, the rights to which belong to families or villages. Rural communities view their shores as a protected area and therefore monitor them very jealously. This means that you will need to pay $1-3 for swimming on a stretch of coastline you like. There is no point in bargaining and sparing this money, as it goes towards the needs of medicine or community education. In addition, in some communities it is prohibited to go to sea on Sundays, and surfers and windsurfers are charged a small daily fee ($1-1.5). The money goes to support the local school education program.

Visa information

A Samoan visa is issued directly upon crossing the border. To obtain it, you will need tickets and a passport, which is valid for 6 months after departure from Samoa. Sometimes customs officials ask you to show evidence of sufficient finances for the duration of your stay in a given country.

A visa is issued at the border for 30 days, but if necessary it can be extended for 60 days. To do this you need to contact Apia Immigration Office and present your passport, tickets, proof of sufficient financial resources, reasons for extending your stay, hotel reservation or confirmation of another method of accommodation, and pay a fee (about $45).

Oceania. Travel notes, day 7

As you know, there are two Samoas - simply Samoa, which, just in case, inserted the words “Independent State” into its official name, and American Samoa (guess whose dependent territory it is). It used to be simpler because the countries were called Western and Eastern Samoa.

They are interesting because they are located on the date line. That is, when it’s Monday on the eastern island, it’s already Tuesday on the western islands! It's funny.

Remember, I wrote about what the citizens of Russia need? So, after my post, the Russian Foreign Ministry intervened and asked them why they stopped issuing visas to Russian citizens. And American Samoa replied that there was a mistake, everything is ok, we will give a visa to Mr. Varlamov, like other Russians! They also immediately wrote to me: “Sir, a thousand apologies, a coconut fell on my head, that’s why they messed everything up. Now there will be a visa!” I was delighted, thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submitted the documents again. But there was no visa. Usually they give it in one day, but then two days passed, then two more, then a week... And then the answer came:

"Bad news. Just got back from the Immigration office again and permit request DENIED. The reason stated: "U.S. state department is not allowing anyone with a Russian passport into the territory at this time." When the travel restrictions are lifted, we hope to receive Russian visitors again, like in previous times."

This is written by the hotel manager who issued my visa. In general, as you understand, the US State Department does not allow Russian citizens to visit its territories... Here it must be said that even though American Samoa is considered an “unincorporated unorganized territory,” the Department of Insular Affairs, which is a division of the US Department of the Interior, is still responsible for it . And the territory is governed not by a president or a king, but by a governor (however, since 1977, Samoans have elected him themselves).

Just like that. Again, all hope is in our Foreign Ministry! They completely confused the shores in their Samoa!

In the meantime, let's look at what the western islands are like today.

01. As usual, the landscapes are of little interest.

02. Blue sea, rare settlements...

03. Small villages are scattered throughout the jungle. In total, a little more than 190 thousand people live on the islands, which is about the same as in Lyubertsy.

04. Among the achievements - a new airport terminal was built (opened in November 2016) with a loan from China.

05. True, planes fly here infrequently. There is one flight to Fiji and several more times a week to Australia and New Zealand. Direct flights to China should open soon, an agreement between the countries has already been signed.

06. The roads are beautiful and smooth.

07. What makes Samoa different from other countries in the region? Graves! Yes, it’s customary here to bury relatives right under the window! Very nice. Well, just as some people throw them under car windows, here they dig graves under the windows.

08. Sometimes a canopy is built over the grave.

09. Very rarely is this a separate structure in the yard, but usually everything is closely adjacent to the house.

10. Sometimes it's a real tomb.

11. But usually like this:

12. Or so.

13. If suddenly houses are located in lowlands, in flooded areas, then graves are made on a hill.

14. One of the villages has recently been improved! They installed beautiful posts with lanterns and new trash nets. The locals are delighted!

15. There are many different churches in Samoa - mostly Catholic and Protestant, but there is even a House of Worship for Baha'i adherents (one of seven on the entire planet) and a Mormon temple. They are building some new temple.

16. Mormon temple in the suburbs of the capital. They write that there is a twin building in Nuku'alofa (Tonga), and there should be another similar temple in Tahiti.

17. This is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the capital.

18. Unfortunately, this is a new building. The old building, built in 1867, was so badly damaged during the 2009 earthquake that it had to be demolished.

19. As you can see, Samoa is a pious country: on the fences they write that the state is “founded on God.”

20. Unlike temples, houses local residents do not differ in luxury and size.

21. As in many countries in the region, the people live in poverty. But, unlike Fiji or Tonga, the main economic sector here is industry. There are several not very large factories here (for example, in Samoa they make coconut oil and less exotic Coca-Cola), although most of the population still lives in villages.

22.

23. Another feature of the locals is that they are constantly resting! In no other country have I seen so many people vacationing. Usually sit under a tree in the shade

24. From morning to evening, until the sun disappears behind the horizon, the locals simply sleep. Here is an ordinary yard. Grandma was recently buried under the porch... and now you can sleep!

25. This is not a bus stop, but a couch.

26. Life goes on as usual.

27.

28. The love of leisure influenced local architecture. On each site there will definitely be two buildings: a house with a grave and a resting shed! The canopy is made with a high roof so that you can lie in the shade all day long. These large pavilions are now being built, but they actually grew out of the traditional Samoan dwelling, the fale.

29. Every house has a canopy. These open spaces are used in different ways. Sometimes as a chapel, sometimes for a family gathering, sometimes just for a picnic. Well, to lie around, of course!

30. In the city everyone is lying too.

31.

32. There should be a Southern Cross on the flag, but it didn’t turn out very well)

33. And this is the capital of the country, Apia. A large city by local standards, just under 37 thousand people.

34. Moreover, it is the only city in Samoa. Well, what a city. In fact, it doesn't even have a mayor. Apia is divided into 45 villages, which together belong to the administrative district of Tuamasaga. That is, it is like a city of central subordination.

35. Since it is essentially a large village that has grown into a city, Apia has problems with infrastructure. For example, during the rainy season it regularly floods, because, of course, there is no storm sewer here. The funny thing is that even here the islanders managed to create traffic jams, because they began to buy cars for themselves in the absence of any traffic control system.

36. This is the very center. On the right is the old government building, on the left is a supermarket, which is now run by the Chinese.

37. Cathedral, parking and, of course, a pavilion. Here it serves as a chapel.

38. Fishermen and market. Unlike other countries in Oceania, not much fish is exported from Samoa. They are caught mainly for the domestic market.

39. There is a Clock Tower on the square, marking the very center of the city.

40. Now the government buildings have been moved to a new location, in the village of Mulinuu. A wide highway was built here.

41.

42. Port

43. On weekends there is no one on the streets at all.

44. The city is literally dying out. Nothing works.

45. And here is the same place on Monday.

46. ​​City Beach

47. Embankment

48. The police station was recently built.

49.

50. Parliament building. By the way, Samoa is a parliamentary... uh... half-republic, half-monarchy. Only the country is ruled not quite by a king and not quite by a president, but by a man with the title “O le Ao O le Malo,” or the supreme leader. This translates into Russian as “Going after what was, and before what will be” (note to Vitali Klitschko!). The leader, by the way, has been an elected position since 2007, but he can only be elected from among members of parliament and an infinite number of times. And only matai, the leaders of Samoan family clans, can become deputies. So some features of the monarchy (and even traditional society) still remain.

By the way, about traditions! In Samoa, in addition to men and women, there is a “third gender” - fa'afafine. It includes from 1 to 5% of the country's population, and the traditional Samoan family itself decides which of the children to assign to them. Literally, "fa'afafine" means "like a woman." Boys are raised as girls from childhood. This is what happens when more men are born in a country than women! Russia can breathe freely.

In fact, it is not entirely correct to classify fa'afafine as gay, although most of them actually have male partners. But their relationships with men are not considered homosexuality, because the sexes are not the same. Moreover, the relationship between two men is taboo for many Samoan families. And if a man fucks fa’afafine, it’s okay, everything’s fine. Many fa'afafine say that in childhood they really considered themselves girls, and only as they grew older did they realize that this was not entirely true.

Similar child-rearing traditions exist in other parts of Oceania, such as Tonga, the Cook Islands and Hawaii. In Samoa, fa'afafine mainly entertain tourists, and some travel to the West to earn money by participating in drag queen shows. Boxing with the participation of fa'afafine is also quite popular in Oceania.

Some Samoans do not like fa'afafine because they behave too provocatively, declaring their own "feminine" sexuality. Usually a Samoan woman is a modest housewife, but here there is such a contrast. Although some fa'afafine support the traditional way of life and even raise children together with other women (who, in turn, call him "mother").

51. I wonder what the Israeli flag is doing here?

52. Old architecture

53.

54.

55. Local buses

56. It is now the rainy season in Samoa, it will end in April. By the way, the country regularly suffers from natural disasters, especially typhoons. Therefore, many foreign companies are hesitant to invest in the islands' economy.

57.

58.

59.

Samoa is a western and eastern island. About children's misconceptions about Polynesia after reading books by Stevenson and Jules Verne...

The plane, its turbines roaring and overcoming the gravity of the Earth, rose above the trees and while the threads of rain and strong side winds that accompanied our flight from Samoa danced a frenzied dance on the surfaces of the Boeing. Until the gray clouds in several layers that entangled this place in the Pacific Ocean hid the picture below (and they hid it so quickly that I didn’t even have time to get my iPhone ready to take photos), I captured the beautiful transitions from turquoise to aquamarine, as well as the white borders of the sea foam and lemon-cream contour of sandy shores...

-Fuck! And where was all this? – an alarming thought flashed – Maybe I missed it somewhere?

But the passing blue outlines of the pool and still visible sun loungers around put everything in its place - this is a resort. This is not Samoa. This is an exception for honeymooners and the elderly - the main contingent of tourists coming here.
The rest The thing appeared for a second and immediately disappeared behind the thick gray cotton wool - a wild downpour began charging in the night, making a commercial break and then covering the space around with triple the energy of the flood.

The rest: whitish-turquoise water near the shore (knee-deep + sharp coral formations in the form of pumice with sharp teeth, on which I have already injured my knee and palm), a gray reef barrier and a blue ocean lazily dangling with large pussies of waves.
I deliberately left Samoa, having lost quite a lot of money on exchanging non-returnable tickets and abandoning the car, paid for for a week in advance, at the island’s airport.

I left 2 days after arriving.
Why so fast? Yes, because I no longer saw the point in masturbating in search of an awesome beach a la Boracay or Cuba…. Well, or at the end a la the Red Sea of ​​Egypt... There are no such corners here. As well as special natural beauties that you could enjoy for days on end. All waterfalls are monotonous and washed out. Landscape in a crater with grazing cows...

Yes it's beautiful. But to repeat this day after day and sacrifice days of your life for this? Nope...
I didn’t find any adventures or activities other than a couple of scows with divers’ cylinders and a couple of boats with school holders with exorbitant prices for a trip in depth or in search of tuna or marlin.
Even with the natives it was not possible to agree on the rental of their Polynesian boats...

All that remains is a seal rest in the shallow waters in front of the resort with a price for a bungalow starting from 200 US dollars and lying on a sun lounger with a book... And this is a 5-hour flight from Australia (you still need to get to Australia). You wonder: is it worth such a waste of health and money. My answer: NOT WORTH IT.

You can blame me, as for example Borracho does now - like your eyes are blurry... you constantly go on trips and that’s why you got greedy.
But no. Not at all like that.
I didn’t get greedy, I just have the opportunity to compare and boldly make a choice, without trying to find diamonds in my ass.
I see absolutely no point in traveling around the islands of Oceania. Unless you have a goal to spend a lot of money by increasing your image conditional level and waste the time allotted from above. Everyone's business. I proceed from the principle: if I don’t like it, I don’t eat it. Someone may follow the axiom “soap is not soap - money paid - you need to eat”...

Here. My verdict: all the islands of Oceania, accessible to reach for reasonable money, are similar to each other based on their historical birth: volcanic - will be the same in the center, side and bottom. Coral formations, attols - similarly.
The theory is based on the practice of telling two coral formations: the Galapagos and Samoa, the practice of advertising marketing and human psychology - if you have visited, then you should praise the place, otherwise it turns out that you spent your money in vain...

I don’t consider atolls because I haven’t been to them and I’m generally in no hurry. It seemed to me a little that I would rather explore the islands in the Caribbean Sea.
More economical and practical.
What are your impressions of Samoa?

Quote from Sergei Vinsky, said by Borracho several times during yesterday: standing on a frozen slab of porous chocolate of solidified lava, lying in the sea at knee-deep depth in front of sharp pitfalls, sitting in a car on board a ferry under a furious downpour...

This is your Samoa...

I put a bold point on the islands of Polynesia, Macronesia, etc. and I won't go here again.
I wish the same for you...

Regarding the island of Savaii, which we arrived at yesterday morning by ferry and left safely today:
cost of transporting a car: 80 tala including driver
passenger transportation cost: 12 tala
Travel time 1.5 hours

Tickets for the car are sold at the Samoa Shipping Co office located in Apia
The pier from which ferries leave for Savaii is located 40 km from the city.
Ferries run 3 times a day, except Tuesday: only one ferry.
On the island of Savaii itself, ferry tickets are sold immediately at the pier.

There is a good quality asphalted road around the island. The island itself seemed more rural and wild. It’s not just that the fucking people are interesting, but that the tourist infrastructure is not particularly visible.

But the volcanic origin of the island is very noticeable: black streams of solidified lava descending to the water and stunted vegetation on it.
Very reminiscent of the Galapagos Islands, but without the birds and seals. But with people.

Beach nearby Cape Tapaga, Upolu
What caught my eye was the strip of white sand that flashed after many kilometers of thickets and outright hackwork in the form of an obscene sea.
Stopped right away. At some backpacker monastery: small palm bungalows on curia legs stand along the shore without amenities or electricity - fale are called here. Since my plans for Samoa coincided with Borracho’s plans: to live in normal conditions, on a normal beach for several days. Swim and acclimatize. Take leisurely drives from the beach around the area…. And this place did not meet the level of comfortable living... we decided to at least take a swim.
Bottom line: in shallow water near the shore you can lie in warm water (more than 30 Celsius). Further on (noticeable from the photo – the water is a different color, darker) are razor-sharp coral slabs and even smaller ones.
In addition, we were immediately asked to get out of the water and go to the manager. The manager was not found. They were very hungry, but they refused to feed us, sending us again to the elusive manager, from which I concluded that in order to swim here or eat in a restaurant, you need to buy a residence permit in a bungalow without water and electricity. Why is this necessary? About food in Samoa

In Samoa they don't know how to cook at all. I order meat. They answer that it’s local and not ice cream. From local cows. They bring something in jelly, I can’t even cut it with a knife.
Fish only tuna. In general, it’s already dry in structure, but here it’s baked on the grill... The only shells are imported kiwi from Zealand.

Borracho adds:

In general, the Samoan islands are the only ones I have been to where fish is present almost in the form of canned food.
I understand that people are God-fearing, terrible on the face, but kind inside. But for example, a Cuban you don’t like with a wretched inflatable tube from a wheel or a raft made from the remains of the foam thermal insulation of an old refrigerator, sailing somewhere a hundred meters from the Malecon in Havana, will catch more fish in a day than the entire catch at the fish market in Apia. Or the 65-year-old father of a Cuban friend of mine, with a homemade spearfishing gun, old fins held together from different parts with wire, and a bottle fresh water on the belt from 8 am to 4 pm...

Dispute with lovers of “islands in the ocean” where they have never actually been

So, in order:
-in Samoa, affordable Internet (1.5 USD for 30 minutes of very slow Internet, which is only enough to check email. You can forget about surfing the Internet) costs 7 USD per hour
using WiFi in hotspots of expensive hotels. It's expensive.
-there is a tourist information center in the city center. There is one free card with marked points. The entire coastline is replete with the signatures Swimming, Snorkling, Diving... Which is not true.
I checked it specifically. Ticket offices operate on the principle: I represent the interests of this company, but I don’t know anything about others. The question is “where besides NZ and Australia can you fly from Samoa”
It's better not to ask. Is it logical to sell ferry tickets at the pier? Logical. Following this logic and without specifying, you risk getting on the ferry only by leaving your car on
shore - you have to buy a ticket for it in the city.

We drove around the island and decided to go back to Australia.
We stopped at the airport today. Changed tickets. And we are now flying back to Sydney.

I think we’ll rent a car there and take our time and head to the Fraser Coast. Past the Gold Coast, past Brisbane...
So, the island epic is over quickly and fearlessly: $1000 down the drain.

We arrived in Sydney. We changed our tickets and will be on the Fraser Coast on April 3 (Shamasha, we will meet you at the airport on the 5th), and now in the Blue Mountains area. You can't see the mountains because it's dark and it's raining. But we have a bottle of rum with us, there is a mobile connection (Beeline didn’t work in Samoa) and there is the Internet (in Samoa there are problems with it, and 20 tala per hour is not very budget-friendly).
Tala rate 2.85 per US dollar

5 /5 (3 )

Where is Samoa located on the world map. Detailed map of Samoa in Russian online. Satellite map Samoa with cities and resorts. Samoa on the world map is a state located in the Pacific Ocean, in its southwestern part on the archipelago of the same name between New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands.

The country is characterized by exotic virgin nature, beautiful landscapes and lush vegetation. The capital is the city of Apia. The official languages ​​are English and Samoan.

Map of Samoa in Russian:

Samoa - Wikipedia:

Population of Samoa- 190,372 people (2013)
Capital of Samoa- Apia
Samoa dialing code - 685
Internet domains Samoa- .ws
Languages ​​used in Samoa- Samoan language, English language

Climate in a country depends on the region. Thus, in western Samoa, a tropical humid climate zone prevails, where on average the air temperature remains within +25...+27 C. In other regions, it is at most a little cooler, due to more precipitation and strong winds. There are two seasons: wet (rainy season) and hot, dry.

Even though Samoa– is considered an exotic country and more suitable for relaxation; there is something to see here. First of all, tourists will be interested in the island of Upolu, where the center of Polynesian art is located, Paradise Beach, the Stevenson Museum and the Samoan Village Museum, where you can get acquainted with the national culture of the Samoans, as well as the Papasea rock, which is a five-meter descent, leading to the forest lake. There are also many other interesting structures in Samoa. For example, churches that are located near the capital. The largest of the churches is Catholic, located on the coast.

Tourism in Samoa is actively developing. Samoan Islands considered one of the best places for diving and beach holidays. Best beaches and the resort are located on the southern shore of Upolu: Aganoa, Matareva, Salamuma and others. Diving enthusiasts also come here, as southern shores There are beautiful coral reefs. The western coast of the state is an excellent place for active recreation. Tourists have the opportunity to go boating or canoeing, cycling and much more.