Who hasn't dreamed of going to exotic islands lost in the ocean, in order to have a rest far from civilization from all its benefits? Incredibly beautiful sandy beaches, hot sun, giving the body a chocolate shade, picturesque landscapes surprise even the most sophisticated travelers. Due to the remoteness from the whole world, tropical paradises are extremely attractive for world tourism. The leaders of a relaxing holiday - the islands of Hawaii, Galapagos, Samoa - are of volcanic origin. It is all the more interesting to visit fantastically beautiful lands created without any human intervention.
Samoa Islands - where is it?
In the Pacific Paradise are islands that became independent more than fifty years ago. Untouched by civilization, they are a real find for all lovers of traveling and sunbathing, along the way enjoying underwater views and local landscapes. The country includes 10 islands, the largest of them accept travelers, and the rest are either small or uninhabited.
A trip to history
Volcanic archipelago, according toresearchers, was settled in the 5th century AD, and later it becomes a developing center of Polynesian culture. A navigator from the Netherlands discovered the islands of Samoa in the Pacific Ocean for Europeans at the beginning of the 18th century. The French traveler Bougainville visits the archipelago a few years later during his round-the-world expedition. Until the end of the 19th century, no one was interested in the fate of the archipelago, until the rivalry between America, Germany and Great Britain for the right to possess it began. According to the Berlin Treaty, the islands were divided: Western Samoa, which gained independence sixty-three years later, was ceded to Germany, and the eastern part was taken over by the United States.
American (Eastern) Samoa
A small part of the archipelago that went to America, consists of seven small islands. Residents living here do not participate in presidential elections and are not US citizens, but are under their protection. The surface of the land here forms high mountain peaks, and most of the villages are located in coastal areas.
Sights of American Samoa
Tourists dreaming of a solitary holiday visit the deserted island of Aunnu. The picturesque landscape will help to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, and silence will be a real gift for dreamy lovers. The quicksands that the island is famous for can be quite dangerous to approach, so it's best to admire their incessant play from afar.
American Samoa is famous for the fantastically beautiful bay of Maamaa with huge stones of the most bizarre shape, ohwhich are broken into tiny water particles by rolling waves. A small section of the deserted coast attracts with its unearthly beauty. You can't leave without taking a picture against the backdrop of the surging, as if boiling, water in the bay.
The capital of Pago Pago is considered a true landmark of the islands. Poor wooden huts are combined with beautiful buildings in an exotic style. The small town is extremely popular with tourists who rush to stroll along the small streets with expensive restaurants and luxurious hotels. The parking of expensive liners and the Haydon Museum, which visually represents the art of the islanders, leave an unforgettable impression. True, tourists note the specific smell of the capital due to the proximity of fish factories, which you need to get used to.
Western Samoa
The independent islands of Samoa are located in the very center of Polynesia and consist of two relatively large ones (Upolu and Sawaii), but occupying ninety-six percent of the country's total area, where almost the entire population lives, and another eight small and uninhabited. The mountainous relief of the island is associated with high tectonic activity. The capital of the state is the small town of Apia, built up with European-style houses, but at the same time preserving the local flavor.
Upolu Island (Samoa) is extremely attractive for vacationers. The most popular beaches are located there, and one stands out with the exotic black color of the sand. Lake Lanotoo, not very famous for tourists, with a coolthe water of dark emerald color is simply teeming with small golden fish that are not afraid to swim up to the hands of people. And ancient legends say that no one knows its exact depth, although many tried to reach the bottom, but did not succeed.
An island in the Samoan archipelago hides the main attraction - a pool formed by nature itself inside the crater of a long-extinct volcano. Locals have long built a deep swimming pool with stairs and a makeshift pier, and hundreds of travelers are raving about the crystal clear water.
The original islands of Samoa. How do they live there?
All tourists note the very friendly attitude of the indigenous people, whose culture is traditionally supported by the principles of respect for each other. The main part of the population of the island are Christians, but there are representatives of other religions coexisting in unison. Aborigines live in single communities, which are the main cell of the society of the archipelago and consist of several generations of relatives. The highest status is held by the leader, who leads the Samoan society and is responsible for all areas of family affairs.
Citizens honor an ancient culture that combines religious beliefs with local traditions, observing all international and local holidays. Being a Christian country, Western Samoa holds various festivals to observe religious rites. In addition, the islands are famous for their colorful dance and song festivals, in whichthe entire local population, and visitors are surprised at the busy life of the natives.
Scenic landscapes
Vacationers appreciate the unusual nature, the mountainous terrain of which is the tops of volcanoes, whose vigorous activity ended more than a hundred years ago. Once upon a time, erupting lava flowed along the mountain ranges of rocks, and now the erupting lava has frozen. The admirable islands of Samoa are covered with tropical thickets of fern, bamboo, mangrove forests growing in clear water. The western part is especially rich in precious wood, which is used by the local population for the construction of dwellings. But land resources are devoid of fertility, with the exception of cultivated coastal areas.
Stevenson's Last Shelter
The islands of Samoa have become the last refuge of the author of an adventure book about pirates. Stevenson, who bought land on the island, fiercely defended the rights of the local population during the division of the country between large states, after which he gained the fame of a hero. They buried him on the top of the mountain, hewing a rock like a sarcophagus and strictly forbidding the use of firearms, so that no noise disturbed the spirit of the writer, but only the birds sang their songs on his grave. For all tourists who ventured to climb to a height, two interesting routes have been developed. Unbeknownst to himself, Stevenson turned a visit to his resting place into a little adventure. It must be said that the natives remember him to this day: hotels, streets and cafes are named after the author of Treasure Island, and touristsinvite to visit the museum of the writer, located on Upolu.
An unforgettable vacation on the islands
To visit the island, it is best to plan a vacation from the beginning of May to the end of October. Clear weather without rain and strong hurricanes will leave many pleasant impressions. The tropical climate attracts many tourists who do not like the sweltering heat, because all year round the average temperature on the island is twenty-six degrees.
What do travelers need to know when visiting Samoa? The ocean and snow-white sand, which is so pleasant to lie on, are the key points of relaxation for all visitors. Entrance to the beach costs money, this small but obligatory fee goes to the community expenses. An additional fee is also taken from fishermen, whose catch is perceived as a kind of threat to a country that lives on the gifts of the ocean. All divers on the planet dream of visiting American Samoa, which provides diving services in the areas of sunken ships and coral reefs, but it is worth mentioning that it is impossible to get there without a US tourist visa.
Safety rules
Before you set foot on islands remote from civilization, you should take care of your he alth. To do this, vaccinations against hepatitis, cholera, poliomyelitis, yellow fever are made in advance, and on the island it is necessary to use special means against mosquitoes - carriers of various diseases. Water in the country is chlorinated, but it is best for visitors to drink boiled water. All tourists must follow the rules of the island state and remember that it is forbidden to drinkalcohol on the street and the beach, and on Sunday alcohol is sold only in local hotels and only to guests of the country.
The tropical islands of Samoa seem to be created by nature for an unforgettable vacation. It is probably still worth a long way to fully enjoy the unique nature and unique views that amaze the imagination.
