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Cultural Secrets of Samoa

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Highlights:

• Drive past lush forests and tropical plantations
• Visit a traditional Samoan village, try ceremonial kava
• Learn about the use of plants as medicine, housing and food
• Gain an insight into the local culture

Tour style:Local Life & Culture, Educational
Inclusion:

English speaking guide, Entrance fees and transportation as indicated, light Samoan lunch.

Exclusion:

Items of a personal nature, Drinks, Gratuities and tips for drivers and guides.

Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:

• Duration: 5 hours
• Meeting point:

  Samoa Tourism Authority information Fale, Beach Road, Apia

• Start time: 9.00 AM
• Finish point:

  Samoa Tourism Authority information Fale, Apia

Additional information :

• Voucher exchange details:

  Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the trip.

• Confirmation of booking:

  Please contact Apia Urban Adventures to confirm your trip 24 hours prior to departure.

• Additional information:

  Please bring Hat, Drinking water, Swim suit (for a quick dip), Mosquito repellant, Sun protection and light walking shoes.

• Child policy:

  Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below 6 years are not permitted on this tour.

• Language: English

Itinerary:

We start our Samoa travel experience departing Apia at 9 am, we will head for the South coast of Upolu Island and the village Saanapu. During the one hour trip we will pass through lush forests and plantations of taro and bananas. Drive through traditional villages and see the Samoan people starting their day. Try to count how many churches there are on the way to the south coast, you will probably loose track half way!

 

After arriving at Saanapu village we will be greeted by our local guide, Faatupu, and his family... your hosts on this cultural tour of Samoa. Faatupu’s knowledge and love for the Samoan culture is endless and you will have plenty of opportunity to get to know him, his family and their daily village life. Faatupu will prepare a traditional ceremonial Kava drink in the open Fale (house) used by the chiefs for village meetings. You will soon understand how important and complex this ritual is.

 

On this Samoa tour, you will learn how to weave coconut leaf baskets, plates and much more. This knowledge has been developed over thousands of years. Enjoy a light and healthy Samoan meal together with fresh drinking coconut. Refreshed and with new energy head to the beach where to begin a nature walk. Join a local guide with extensive knowledge about native plants. Learn how Samoans used to write before they had ink and what plant they used to cure headaches before aspirin. The area you will explore is one of the most beautiful in Samoa.

 

If the nature walk is unavailable due to bad weather your guide will teach you how to husk and open a coconut and make coconut cream. This is used daily in Samoan cooking.

 

We complete our Samoa travel experience by returning to Apia with your new treasures collected in your own handmade coconut leaf basket. The trip will end at the office of Samoa Tourism Authority in Apia.

Your trip:

This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.

Tipping:

If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid Urban Adventures destinations. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this trip.

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