Cracker by Damian Christie

This is kind of spooky, I'm reading this while sitting at Faleolo airport waiting to come home after my third work trip to Samoa this year...... I love Samoa and totally agree with your perception of it not being touristy; yes there is the odd street hawker in Apia, but so much of Samoa is just laid-back village loveliness.

I am really looking forward to bringing my partner on my next trip- it's the kind of place you want to show to very special people. Next time you visit a short stay at Manono Island is well worth it - great family run family accommodation, no cars, no dogs and the freshest fish you can imagine. Great wildlife too. You've made me homesick for Samoa and I'm not even on the plane to come home yet!

Cool - thanks for the heads up re Manono, I'm definitely planning to come back with partner in due course. Small matter of a baby in the next month or so, but once that's sorted...

Add to this the fact most people are content to drift along at 30kmp/h regardless and it becomes a frustrating experience

Just biff your watch on the ground and get with the program.

Yeah, that kind of sounds like my ideal driving experience. I dream of a land of fellow Nana Drivers.

Nice one Christie.
Sounds like a great place for the inaugural PAS Great Blend Holiday
Russ? ;-)

At the risk of making enormous generalisations, working anywhere in the Southern Suburbs of Auckland, one finds that one is forced to drive more slowly.

Manono Island is well worth it

+1.
Untouched Manono was the highlight of my two trips. And the hunt for the pyramid on Savaii was great fun.

>Just biff your watch on the ground and get with the program.

Yeah, the problem as I alluded to, was that we were there for work. Short time frame, lot of island to get around, running late for an interview, fading light, that kinda thing. Otherwise, absolutely!

Shhhh....don't tell everyone about the best little secret of the South Pacific!

You are right - Savai'i is a little more pristine than Upolu generally, although if you do get out to the eastern end of Upolu (even inland - like Richardson Rd/Le Mafa Pass Rd) and out west (Apolima-Uta) it is pretty awesome.

Did you get to try any Koko Samoa? I am making chocolate in NZ from Samoan Trinitario cocoa beans if you'd like to try some.

Small matter of a baby in the next month or so, but once that's sorted...

Normally people wait until they're up at 3am, the baby has been crying for three hours, and they've got a 6.30am start before they start talking about 'sorting' the bloody thing.

Good to plan ahead I guess?