Beautiful Samoa as it is branded, is deserving of its confident title.

Polynesian for sacred centre, ‘Sa’ meaning sacred and ‘Moa’ being centre, Samoa is as handsome, good natured and charming as its locals and as with any pacific island I have visited, its citizens are walking rays of gloriously warm sunshine. After all, life in Samoa is about happiness, family and enjoyment.

A rich natural beauty with pristine waters and beaches, dense rain forests, blow holes, breathtaking scenery, waterfalls and warm temperatures, Samoa is the perfect destination for a true cultural experience where the poetic language of Polynesian and English are spoken.

One of the best things about Samoa are its surrounding oceans which make for superb diving and snorkelling.   Reefs and lagoons border the islands, and it is here you will experience reef sharks, stingrays, turtles, hundreds of lively coral species, the sacred giant clam and over 1,000 fish species.

Samoa is also a popular surf destination with excellent conditions and without the usual overcrowding.  Swells sit anywhere from 2 to 15 feet on a good day and as many of the locations consist of sharp reef breaks, it is well worth donning your booties. Either way, a beautiful beach location and epic waves will always make for a perfect Samoan day 💙

Apia, the capital, is a busy hub with markets, the airport, eateries, the Museum, Aggie Grey’s (with its sweet little resident cat) and the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve.  Here you will find a diverse food scene with fresh plentiful seafood, fruit and vegetables and always something cold to drink. 

One of the best and cheapest way to get around is on the Samoan buses. These massive diesel beasts with their cheerful colours, dazzling bling and loud music are an experience not easily forgotten.  If the bus is full, no problem Bro.  Take a seat on someone’s lap or just squish right up and experience the true essence of the joyful Samoan people.

Our stay for the duration of the trip to Samoa was Saletoga Sands Resort and Spa.  The resort is lovely, its location is amazing, the staff are wonderful, the drinks are cold and the food for the most part is excellent.  And I promise. You will have the best prawn cocktail of your life here. 

The resort is hidden away among soaring coconut trees and a lush green tropical garden which all green thumbs will envy and is sheltered by a huge lagoon of clear, stunning ocean waters.  And holy cats! The resort has its own cats! Six in total named Sale, Toga, Sid, Little Girl, Sandy and Puss Puss.

Although the resort has an orientation toward family friendliness, singles and couples do not despair.  You will have a fabulous stay, especially if you bear in mind this is a remote location and that Samoa is still classed as a third world country. I guess it is all about perspective!  If you are a glass half empty, pessimist who constantly complains and criticises, there will be nowhere in the world that will ever suit you so just stay home.  

Wi-Fi reception throughout the islands is poor at best so I opted for being unplugged which caused a mix of joy and bitter sweetness.  Anxiety would occasionally creep in when not in touch with ‘the outside world’ and this was especially so when checking in on the dear cats however being present in the moment seemed to win out above all else.  I highly recommend unplugging every now and then. 

I became unwell in the weeks prior to heading to Samoa and became unwell again while there however, being confined to bed like a convalescing character in a Bronte novel, did not diminish my affection for Samoa and its people.  On the days I was able to get out and about, I did so with relish.

Samoa is a place to live with your hands open.  There are no expectations, just gratitude.   It is the smell of the sea, turquoise waters, beautiful happy people and for me, an embracing of quiet respite.

As much as I love to travel and explore, I love the feeling of coming home.  I am quite the hermit homebody and an introvert so at the end of the day, being home suits me perfectly.  I adore my own company and that of my cats but also the company of a select few whom I love and care deeply for.  I really have the best of both worlds.

Returning home, it was another bout of lingering jetlag, the sweetly wonderful company of the cats, and the mandarin tree with its boughs laden with ripe deep carroty coloured fruit was a cheery sight.  

The house, that crooked, cluttered, warm stone cottage is still a work in progress.  While I dream of coloured wallpaper, re-upholstering an antique settee in rich bold velvet, stone walls, paint tints, Art Deco and my quirky collectables, this is certainly not the home you will find on the pages of Australian House and Garden.  This is a home meant for the sharing of local Barossa Valley wines, cats, music, family and friends, wild gardens and indoor plants, and living with no aspiration for the contrived and impossibly dull….x