Samoa, a beautiful independent country located in the heart of the south pacific ocean. I’ve had the amazing pleasure of visiting Samoa back in 2009. The Island’s essence has captured my heart and its memories will always replay freshly in my mind. Most Samoans have not had the pleasure of visiting the mother land yet, this blog is a little push to help you place Samoa at the top of your bucket list! I have always had a bucket list after I graduated from high school and I can proudly say that Samoa is the first thing on my bucket list I have crossed off! Here are 4 reasons why Samoa should be on your bucket list!
The Beach / Rock Pools
Man oh man… the beaches in Samoa are seriously postcard worthy! Clear water and fishes swimming about your feet, its something you don’t get a lot’ve here in America! Every beach and rock pool I was able to visit was breath taking! With the humid weather in Samoa I went swimming just about everyday! My favorite beach is Matareva Beach located in Lefaga Safa’atoa (My daddy’s village). I discovered the true meaning of “soaking up the sun” at this very beach. With my fala (woven matt) laid out on the white sand, my pisupo (corn beef) and rice along with my fresh coconut was the epitome of my dream vacation!
Fashion: Island Style
I am one to rock a puletasi (traditional Samoan women’s wear) any chance I get! I love collecting Samoan earrings and bracelets. Shopping at the flea markets in town is an experience to remember. When visiting, I dressed like the obvious tourist walking through the flea markets which is bit of a challenge. I had people selling me things left and right! I had Puletasi’s and Lava lava’s (sarong) in every color of the rainbow waved around in my face. I had a little kid following me around the market with a box of gum saying “Tina fia fa’atau se pulu?” (Mother, do you wanna buy some gum?) haha. Besides the craziness, the items are all original and beautiful. I must have gotten a million pair of earrings and lava lavas, but you can never go wrong with Island style.
Food… Nom nom nom.
Okay, I don’t even know where to start?!? I go into food coma just thinking about the food in Samoa. Most of the food choices are not the healthiest, but hey!… I’m on vacation and i’m going to live a little and eat a lot, or until I pass out lol. My absolute favorite thing to eat was a Keke pua’a (pork bun) and a fresh coconut to wash it down with from the markets in Apia. There are also the banana chips/taro chips, milk biscuits, masi saiga and Twisties!! (kinda like cheetos but chicken flavored) ugh… I’m making myself hungry lol. I don’t even wanna get into main dish details… Just know that my words are not doing any justice, the food can only be explained through taste buds.
Culture
For the two short months I had in Vaimoso (my mommy’s village), I was able to complete a long overdue reunion with some dearly missed family members. I got the chance to learn about my parents childhood, my family history and status. My most grateful experience was learning the traditional way of the islands and having the chance to brush up on my samoan speaking. It’s a major difference being Samoan and raised away from Samoa, than being born and raised in Samoa; a must-have cultural experience!
Hope my blog inspired you to push visiting Samoa to the top of your bucket list! My husband and I are planning to make a bucket list trip to American Samoa someday soon. I will be blogging about some of the places I’ve had many of my favorite adventures, and hopefully some of the locations that remain unchecked on my bucket list. Now that I have my own little family, our bucket list is growing! I’ll make sure to keep you all updated on the “Edwards Family Adventures!”
Bucket list: Samoa crossed off my list! Next stop (next bucket list blog)… Australia!
-Ace Mamii
Questions? Just comment and feel free to share 🙂
acemamii 