Stories From Independent Samoa

"Need sleep" I think, stumbling through Samoan customs at 7 a.m. The night flight was not kind to me; I fought hard to fall asleep and lost. But outside the airport, the bright light of mo

The Samoan Outrigger Hotel is an enjoyable place, by backpacker travel standards. The large white house was voted one of the best budget hotels in the South Pacific - but that was a few years ago. The

Tonight we attended what I must call the "Best Drag Show in the South Pacific." Cindy's Caberet is the last thing I ex

Brillant turquoise water lay before me as white spray splashed my face. Tim and I had been graciously invited by the owner of the hotel we were staying at to spend Sunday afternoon on his catamaran. <

We've had the opportunity to listen to music all over Samoa. Tonight at Si 'ufaga, a few men were playing at the restaurant. Lolani Solitua, Isaia Akoa, and Liae Talamaifuga were nice enough to let me

The last five days have been rejuvinating. Our cabin by the water at Si'ufaga Beach sports a small kitchen, so I've been experimenting with coconut rice, fresh bananas, Samoan cocoa, and canned food.

It is fiafia night at Tanu's Beach Fales where the whole family comes out to dance and sing. Listen to them sing in the Sounds page under Samoa. <

From the north side of the island, south of the equator, we can see both sunrise and sunset from our little beach fale.

As the colorful wooden bus makes its way down the road, the sights out the window will be the memories I keep of Samoa. Manicured lawns dotted with chickens, pigs, dogs and an occasional cow. Brown bo

We walked around the vegetable market on our last full day in Samoa. On a whim, I purchased a carved multi-legged wooden kava bowl. Once I bought that, I decided to buy some kava to match. I picked up