Apia, Western Samoa

There were no good reviews from either the shore excursion and the port speakers about Apia. They said there was nothing to do or see. Apia is not only the capital of Western Samoa, it is the only real TOWN. The rest of the island has kept the centuries-old Polynesian culture and the village lifestyle of its people. They do not live in huts any more but in more modern houses.



We were worried that we might not be able to find the Mormon Temple located there. As we were coming into port, Dennis spotted the temple and then we knew that it was going to be possible to go there. As soon as the ship was cleared, we left to find a taxi. Our driver named Patrick, took us to the temple with a promise that he would come back at 11:00. We had a wonderful session. We had to use earphones because it was in Samoan. This temple was rededicated 9/4/2005 after the old one burned down. The temple and the grounds were beautiful!! Our driver was there waiting for us and was willing to take us on a private tour.








I'm not sure who Aggie Grey use to be, but we went pass her landmark hotel that her son now runs. We stopped at the home of the most famous Samoan resident, Robert Louis Stevenson. He and his wife Fanny moved there because he suffered from tuberculosis and the climate helped him. He died four years later not from his disease but from a sudden brain aneurysm. Fanny loved Samoa so much that she stayed the rest of her life there. Their tomb is at the top of the hill next to the home. The ship had brought several buses on shore excursion to this house. There were a lot of people there watching a program.






Our driver wanted to know what else we wanted to see. We told him that we just wanted to see the island. I have never seen so many coconut trees and greenery. He told us that there are only two seasons in Samoa. The dry season and the wet season. It was the dry season right now. He took us to a resort that he and his cousins owned. We got out and walked around. It was really pretty and it made us wonder why there wasn't more people there.











As we were traveling along he told us about how every family had a open family counsel building by their houses. We couldn't believe it once we started looking for them. Some these open buildings were very plain and others were very ornate. Some of them were completely empty and others had beds, washing, and other things in them. He told us that if there was a family counsel to be held, then everything had to be removed before the meeting. I think that people went out there to work because it was so much cooler.

We started counting L.D.S. churches as we drove along. We went around half the island and counted fifteen churches and one under construction. We were pretty impressed. Only 12% of the population is Mormon but 98% are Christians.

We went down by the beach where we saw small beach huts for rent. It was amazing. The ocean, beach, and the sky were so beautiful.











The last unforgettable thing we learned was that people can bury their loved ones on their own property. Once we learned this, we started checking the homes. Sure enough there were graves by the houses. Some of the graves were just plain white and others were very ornate with headstones and fences.

Once we got back to the ship, we felt that the excursion and port speakers underestimated this beautiful country and warm people.