Even though my time in Samoa seemed short, I was able to experience things that most travellers could not have. This was all because of Taula my taxi/guide for the duration of my time on Samoa. He was deeply committed to his family, his church and the Polynesian Culture. Yes, my last blog is Goodbye Samoa - but it is also Goodbye Taula. When I said he was a true Samoan - that he was.
Manono is one of the islands of Samoa. It is situated in the Apolima Strait between the main islands of Savai'i and Upolu. The island has a population of 890 people and electricity was only introduced in 1995. Evidence of the volcanic nature of this island was everywhere.
It had been raining off and on in Samoa, so Taula and I got back to Apia early. I asked him if they celebrated a type of Thanksgiving event in Samoa. He said no, but he had been in the USA before and knew about it. I asked if I could take his family out to dinner to celebrate Thanksgiving. He was taken back by my offer and said his children would be thrilled. I said you pick the spot.
My Samoan experience was not only about me, but also my taxi driver/guide - Taula. We connected and for the next four days spent many hours together touring two islands - Upolu and Manono. He would pick me up at 9am and bring me back to my hotel at 4pm. Over the course of that time we talked for many hours about his island, his life, his family and his culture - he was a true Samoan.
The Island of Samoa is located about 1/2 way between Hawaii and Fiji. This was my second stop on my South Pacific trip. Formerly know as Western Samoa, it goes by Samoa now. Although there are many differences between Samoa and the Solomon Islands, both islands are very much agrarian societies living off the land. You will see the physical & cultural differences between these islands in my photos. The rainy season had started in Samoa. Everything was lush and green and the island had a very tropical feel to it.
