| ands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new | | | | due to global warming. Yet you can get long spells |
| South Pacific travel destination between Hawaii | | | | of bright sunny weather even during the "rainy" |
| and New Zealand. This "Heart of Polynesia" is | | | | season, and Samoa's excellent Vailima beer |
| politically split into two distinct entities 80 miles | | | | (created by German brewmasters) tastes best at |
| apart. The country Samoa is a former German | | | | this time of year. |
| colony, captured by New Zealand in 1914 and | | | | Most visitors spend their time in independent |
| granted independence in 1962. In 1997 the name | | | | Samoa, which is considerably bigger and less |
| was changed from Western Samoa to Samoa. | | | | expensive than American Samoa. However the |
| American Samoa is the only U.S. territory south | | | | rugged scenic beauty of Tutuila, the main island of |
| of the equator. Annexed by the United States for | | | | American Samoa, should not be missed. In recent |
| use as a naval base in 1900, the territory no | | | | years some of the most strikingly beautiful parts |
| longer has any military significance. Instead, Pago | | | | of the territory have been incorporated into |
| Pago currently hosts the StarKist and "Chicken of | | | | American Samoa National Park. There's great |
| the Sea" tuna canneries, making it the most | | | | hiking on Tutuila and wonderful snorkeling on Ofu |
| important commercial fishing port under the | | | | in the seldom visited Manua Group. |
| American flag. | | | | Traditional Samoan culture is largely based on |
| The Samoan environment is tropically lush, with | | | | oratory, and it's no accident that several literary |
| green volcanic peaks plunging to brilliant coral | | | | legends originated here. Robert Louis Stevenson |
| reefs, an ecotourism paradise still unspoiled by | | | | spent the last five years of his life in Samoa and |
| mass tourism. Visitors often stay in open Samoan | | | | is buried on a hilltop above Apia, the capital. His |
| beach houses called fale (pronounced FAH-lay) and | | | | mansion is now a museum dedicated to the |
| adopt the laidback local lifestyle. Swimming, | | | | author. Somerset Maugham's short story "Rain" |
| snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, deep | | | | about Sadie Thompson and the repressed |
| sea fishing, and hiking opportunities are all close at | | | | missionary thrown together in a guesthouse at |
| hand. | | | | Pago Pago, American Samoa, has been adapted |
| Samoan culture is alive and strong, and local | | | | by Hollywood several times. The original |
| traditions can add another fascinating layer to | | | | guesthouse still exists, now an upscale restaurant |
| your travel experience. Most Samoans are | | | | and inn. In "Tales of the South Pacific," James A. |
| subsistence farmers who reside in small villages | | | | Michener based the prototype of his character |
| governed by chiefs (matai). The egalitarian ideals | | | | Bloody Mary on an Apia hotelkeeper named Aggie |
| of this communal society place loyalty to family | | | | Grey, whose family still operates Samoa's largest |
| and religion above all. Visitors can sample this | | | | resorts. Michener's book was later made into the |
| culture at the weekly "fiafia" island night dance | | | | musical "South Pacific." |
| shows staged at most of the larger hotels and | | | | Getting to Samoa is easy with direct flights from |
| beach resorts. Buffets of authentic Samoan | | | | Hawaii and Los Angeles on Hawaiian Airlines, |
| dishes are an essential part of these events. | | | | Polynesian Airlines, and Air New Zealand. Local |
| Samoa's climate is sultry, alternately sunny and | | | | ferries and small commuter planes ply frequently |
| rainy, but always hot and humid. Cooling sea | | | | between the islands, and getting around by public |
| breezes make the shoreline the best place to be | | | | bus or rental car is no challenge. Visas are not |
| year-round. The nicest months weather-wise are | | | | required by most visitors for entry to either |
| May to September, "winter" south of the equator. | | | | Samoa, although a passport and onward plane |
| The rainy season runs from November to April, | | | | ticket are mandatory. |
| with increasingly intense hurricanes sweeping in | | | | |