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Flights Samoa's Faleolo international airport, located in A'ana district, about 20 kilometres from Apia, is served by regular flights from Nadi (Air Pacific), Honolulu (Air New Zealand and Hawai'ian Air via Pago Pago), Nuku'alofa, Niue and Auckland (Polynesian Airlines, Air New Zealand, Royal Tongan) and other networks beyond. Local traffic The locals drive on the Right Hand Side of the road. Speed limit is between 60-80 km an hour and there are less than ten sets of traffic lights in the capital. Overseas licenses are acceptable by rental companies but local licenses are issued over the counter at the police station in Apia. Immigration and Departure Tax No entry permit is required for visitors staying up to 30 days. For longer stays, apply to the Immigration Department prior to arrival. See www.jasons.com for Immigration contacts overseas. Departure tax is $ST20 and children under 12 years are exempt. Water and Coconuts It is advisable to boil water before drinking. Bottles of local spring water are readily available. However, fresh coconuts from side stalls and markets are recommended, a natural Pacific drink, cheaper than spring water, and it comes with a free snack. Electrical Appliances Electric currents is 240 volts AC 50 cycles and is convertible to 110 volts in some hotels. Accommodation Apia has a wide range from Aggie Greys to the usual resort type hotels (Kitano Tusitala and Insel Febman) down to smaller local motels (Tatiana) and Guesthouses. Rates for Single room range from $USD10 to $USD95 (without breakfast) and Double Rooms from $USD20 to $USD120. Local Transport and Car Rentals Apia and Savai'I have an excellent regular and cheap bus service (and unique designs), and taxis around town are also cheap ($ST6 from downtown Apia to the NUS campus or to Vailima, resting place of Tusitala Robert L. Stevenson). Cost from Faleolo airport to Apia is $ST31 by taxi and $ST3.50 by local bus. For about $ST7-10, one can take a bus ride from Apia to any one of the following village districts of Aleipata and Lotofaga (east), Falealili, Si'umu, Sa'anapu (south), Lefaga, Falelatai (south west), Manono Uta and Apolima Uta (west). Similar prices apply in Savai'i. Rental cars are available from around $ST100 to $ST150 a day with a deposit of $ST250. Foreign Exchanges Samoan currency is the tala and rates are as of 8 January 2002.
Bank hours The main banks are the Bank of Samoa, ANZ and Pacific Commercial Bank. They open from 9am.-3pm, Monday to Friday. ANZ ATMs open 24 hours. Beyond the Conference Take an inter-island ferry from Mulifanua to Salelologa in Savai'I and tour volcanoes (Mauga village lies inside the crater of one volcano), cultural and archaeological sites and caves such as the Dwarfs Cave in Paia or Pe'ape'a in A'opo. Visit the Canopy Walkway and Moso's footprint and ancient star mounds in Falealupo with another in Palauli. Other sights include Taga blowholes, Afu Afu waterfalls and numerous spring water bathing pools in every village available for the asking. There are many Beach Fales along the way for overnight stay with free parking. For a fee, some resorts can arrange local tours. Ferry cost $14 return ($ST70 return for cars) or return by air from Maota airport in Salelologa. If staying in Upolu, visit Lalomanu/Aufaga/Vava'u Beach Fales and take in the southern coast staying at luxurious Sinalei resort or more modest Hideway hotel. Stop at the top of Mafafa Pass dividing Falease'ela and Falelatai, take in the breathtaking view of the northern islands and snack on coconuts and fruits. For a day trip, visit Manono, walk around the island and check out the local hotel. In Apia, there are museums, libraries, markets and historic homes to explore and the breezy shoreline walk from historic Mulinu'u peninsula to Aggie's in Vaisigano, or continue for another ten minutes to Matautu's gyms, 'Genesis' and 'Heart Attack'. Ten minutes further is Taumeasina with beach fales. Demographics There were 174,140 Samoans in 2001, about 38,587 of whom live in Apia. However, more than double this number live in New Zealand, Australia, Hawai'I, and the West Coast of California. The government minimum wage rate is about $1.50 per hour and Inflation is slightly more than 2%. Links:
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