Solace in Samoa

By Jun Kyoung-woo

A fruit market in Apia

Many people dream of an overseas vacation on an island with a luxury resort and emerald-colored ocean ― a paradise of new and fascinating scenes and places full of beautiful things.

In the peak holiday season ― from July to August ― destinations are usually throbbing with tourists, many of them Koreans. But if you want to get away from it all, the South Pacific island of Samoa might be what you are looking for.

It is difficult to find groups of tourists in Samoa because the travel industry is relatively new there. And it is difficult to spot Koreans, let alone find Korean guides. In Samoa, you need to be an English speaker to travel conveniently. Thankfully, most Samoans speak English very well.

The road to Robert Louis Stevenson’s grave

If you have enough time, traveling around Samoa by bus may be an option, but if you are visiting on a tight schedule, renting a car is recommended.

In Fiji or Vanuatu, where the travel industry is developed, there are luxury international chain resorts such as Le Meridien or St. Regis. Except for the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows, opening in October, Samoa’s local resorts reflect the tastes of their owners.

Samoa is 9,489 kilometers from Seoul, a flight of about 13 hours.

It consists of two major islands ― Upolu and Savai'I ― and smaller islands. It had been known as "Western Samoa" until 1997, when the country officially became "Samoa."

A bus terminal in Apia

There are several similarities between Korea and Samoa. Although its neighboring countries are multiracial, Samoa is racially homogenous. The education level of Samoans is high and they respect their elderly. They follow a traditional way of life called "Fa'a Samoa," which dates back 3,000 years.

Decorating their homes is important to Samoans, so all are beautiful, and the streets are clean.

Alofa’aga Blowholes

A little away from Apia, the capital city, a commonly found scene is animals dancing around a beautifully decorated garden. Although Samoa is in a tropical rainforest region, there are no overgrown weeds on the streets. The environment is always neat, like a well-kept golf club.

The beautiful nature of Samoa attracted Robert Louis Stevenson, author of novels "Jekyll and Hyde" and "Treasure Island," to spend the latter part of his life there.

Tourists enjoying swimming with turtles at the Savai’i Island

Samoa’s tourist icon is the "To Sua Ocean Trench." Formed as a result of volcanic activity, the peculiar topography makes it the world's most beautiful "private swimming pool." When descending from a long ladder from above, swimmers can feel the emerald-colored seawater coming in and out of the hole. The water’s depth exceeds that of a regular person's height so if you are not a good swimmer, you should take safety precautions.

Savai'i island is an hour’s ferry ride from Upolu. Upolu has beautiful beaches such as "Return to Paradise Beach" and "Lalomanu Beach," but the beaches at Savai'i island have a more primitive charm.

Sunset viewed from the Le Lagoto Resort & Spa in Savai’i Island

Mika’s restaurant’s Samoan dish featuring coconut and fresh tuna

Valima beer

Near the ocean cliff, there is a uniquely shaped stone hole called Alofa’aga Blowholes and whenever the waves hit the stone, the water soars up to 30 meters, making a deep baritone sound. When you throw a coconut into the hole, the fruit shatters due to the power of the water column. And watching the coconut break into pieces is fun.

Samoa’s resorts range from cheap accommodation for backpackers to luxury ones for honeymooners. If you prefer to stay at one resort, I would recommend the Coconuts Beach Club. Mika’s Restaurant there offers superb dishes in American, Hawaiian and European styles, reinterpreted in a Samoan way. The owner ran a restaurant for 22 years in Hawaii.

Your holiday will be even more splendid if you drink the Samoan "valima" beer while listening to a Samoan band playing in the background.