Samoa

Our Unforgettable Family Adventure in Samoa: From Airport Chaos to Island Paradise!
Hey fellow travel-loving families! We’re so excited to share our incredible trip to Samoa with you. We’re a family of five who loves to explore new places, and Samoa was at the top of our list. We knew we wanted an authentic experience that wouldn’t break the bank, and let’s just say, we got exactly that – and a whole lot more!
A Rocky Start:
We like to save money when we travel, so we arrived in Samoa with a plan to get cash from the ATM and take the bus into town. You can see how that turned out in our video, Samoa – Rough Start. Well, things didn’t quite go as smoothly as we hoped. The ATM was out of order, and the money exchange was almost out of cash. Thankfully, they had enough coins for us to take the bus. We were a bit stressed, especially with a tired Henry and all of our backpacks.
Bus Ride Bliss:
We initially planned on taking the bus to save money, but it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip! Watch us ride the bus in Apia, Samoa. The buses in Samoa are amazing! They are decked out with decorations inside and out, blasting music, and everyone is so friendly. It was such a fun and vibrant experience.
Hotel Hiccups and License Lessons:
When we arrived at our hotel in Apia, they didn’t have our reservation. Luckily, they had space for us. But then we realized we had forgotten our driver’s licenses! We were planning to rent a car to explore the island, but no license, no car. Thankfully, we eventually found a photo of Chris’s license on his phone, so we were able to get a rental car after all. It was a good reminder to always double-check those essential documents!
Living the Fale Life:
After a few days in Apia, we headed to the other side of the island to stay at the Tofua Beach Fales. You can see our fale in this video, Samoa on a Budget. This was our budget-friendly way to experience paradise. The fales are these little huts right on the beach. They’re pretty basic – mattresses, mosquito nets, and tarps for privacy or if it rains – but the view is incredible! It was kind of like roughing it, like camping, but with the ocean right outside your door. We loved waking up to the sound of the waves and having breakfast and dinner included. It was only around $100 USD per night for all five of us!
Island Adventures and Coconut Chaos:
We spent our days swimming, snorkeling, playing on the beach, and exploring the island. We even tried to buy some coconuts from a roadside stand, but there was nobody to pay! A little girl eventually ran to find someone, and Chris got to show off his expert coconut-shaking skills. The kids had a blast cracking them open and drinking the coconut water.
Church and Cultural Delights:
One Sunday, we decided to attend a church service in Samoa. It was an interesting experience, even though we didn’t understand much of what was being said. We also loved visiting the Samoa Cultural Village, where we learned about traditional Samoan customs and crafts. The kids were fascinated by the coconut demonstrations, woodwork, and fire-making techniques. This video, Apia, Samoa, shows our experience at the cultural village.
Savai’i: A Leap of Faith and Ferry Troubles:
Our plan was to visit the island of Savai’i, but buying ferry tickets turned out to be a challenge. We heard we should buy them in advance, but the ticket office wasn’t open when we went to Apia. We decided to take a leap of faith and just show up at the wharf the next day, hoping for the best. Well, they only had one ticket left for a car, and we weren’t even sure if we could get a return ticket! It was a stressful decision, but we decided to go for it. Watch us make this decision in You Choose How Our Story Ends.
Lava Fields and a Near-Missed Flight:
We made it to Savai’i, and it was beautiful! The kids were thrilled to see the lava fields, especially since they’re really into volcanoes. However, our ferry troubles weren’t over. When we arrived at the wharf to return, there were no tickets left! We had to wait on standby, and we were so worried about missing our flight. It was the most stressful wait ever, but finally, at the last minute, we got the wave to board! You can see how stressed we were in Our Biggest Mistake.
Reflections on an Unforgettable Adventure:
Looking back, Samoa was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken, even with all the unexpected twists and turns. We learned to be flexible, to laugh at ourselves when things went wrong, and to appreciate the little moments. The challenges made the trip even more memorable, and they brought us closer together as a family.
Samoa stole our hearts, and we can’t wait to go back someday. If you’re looking for an authentic, affordable, and adventurous family vacation, Samoa is the place to be!
Just remember a few tips from our experience:
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Bring cash: Many places don’t take cards, and it can be hard to get change.
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Bring your own car seats: If you’re renting a car, be prepared and bring your own car seats just in case.
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Embrace the unexpected: Things may not always go according to plan, but that’s part of the adventure! Be flexible and go with the flow.
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Take the bus: It’s a fun and affordable way to experience local life.
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Stay at a fale: It’s a unique and budget-friendly way to stay right on the beach.
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Don’t be afraid to try new things: Step outside your comfort zone and embrace the Samoan culture.