Samoa - Upolu
Samoa – Upolu – Coconuts Beach Club
V Australia flights are now direct on selected days. Air New Zealand also fly to Apia, however you will need to stop in each direction for a connecting flight. This option is great if you would like a stopover in Auckland, however if you do not, I strongly recommend taking the direct flight. Flights are 5 and a half hours ex Sydney. My flight arrived at 5:30am and the customs and baggage process was very quick and smooth sailing. I was met by a pleasant staff member from Coconuts Beach Club and transferred to the resort. I would suggest pre-arranging early check-in as reception doesn’t open until 8:30am.
My arrival information was waiting for me on the reception desk so I was able to head directly to my room, just in time for sunrise over the crystal clear Samoan waters. My room was absolutely beautiful - an overwater fale. The overwater fales face east or west. The eastern fales look over the resort, an abundance of palm trees and the beautiful mountains behind. The western facing fales have a view of an almost deserted beach with pure white sands and crystal clear water. The eastern side takes advantage of the sunrise whereas the western views the stunning sunsets over the water. The sunsets are truly amazing! Enjoy a cocktail at the swim up bar or indulge in some of the local delightful cuisine. Meal costs are similar to that of Australia. Coconuts Beach Club also offers a meal plan which costs approximately AUD$100 per person per day and includes alcohol during meal times. Each room includes a daily mini bar at no extra cost. This comprised of 2 soft drinks, 2 bottles of water, 2 local beers and half a carafe of wine.
There are 4 studio beachfront fales, accommodating up to 4 people, however if it is privacy you are after I would suggest getting 2 studios. There is 1 two bedroom beachfront fale which is perfect for the larger family. Also, along the beachfront is the beachfront villa which is comprised of 1 double story fale accommodating up to 12 guests, however this would be a little close for comfort unless you are a family. The villa also has 2 studio fale’s that adjoin, so perfect if you are after separate rooms. Coconut's also have 'lead-in' rooms that are called tree houses. There are 8 tree houses sleeping 2-4 people in each. These room types are more of a standard room type than the beachfront fales. My pick would certainly be the beachfront or overwater fale, depending on budget.
Samoa is less touristy than the likes of Fiji, Thailand and Bali which I think is a bonus if you really want to be immersed in Samoa's true culture. The people are extremely friendly, be prepared to be greeted warmly by people of all ages in the street and within the resort. I caught the local bus into town (reception provides bus tickets free of charge) and this was a real 'local' experience. The bus stopped to fill up the radiator twice - there is a long slow hill to climb and be sure to hold on for a roller-coaster ride down the other side of the mountain.
Apia town was small (about 2 streets) but has all the common necessities. There is a local flea market where you can find many local handicrafts. Taxis are ST50 one way to Apia. The weather is hot year-round so be prepared with drinking water. December and January is the middle of Samoa's wet season but I thought it was still a great time to travel here. Expect rain and some strong winds, however if you are OK with this you can take advantage of some great deals on accommodation. Don’t worry though, as even during this season the weather is still beautiful for a swim, snorkel or use of the provided kayaks. If you decide to kayak (or take a walk) from Coconut's beach club be sure to stop near the estuary about 200m west of the overwater fale's as there is a beautiful un-touched area just waiting to be discovered.
I took advantage of the local private tour guide and did the East Coast Tour (35ST per person, per hour-approximately AUD$20). The east coast is the more scenic/beautiful side of the island. I visited some beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes, like The Cave Pool - which is literally a swimming hole that goes deep into the cave. You can also quiz your guide on all the local information and history.
Movies are provided Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. On Saturdays, the resort offers a 4:30pm local village tour, Sat nights there is a cultural show which is worth watching. There are loads of surfing spots which can be accessed either off the beach, by kayak or boat. You can also visit the neighbouring islands which are meant to be beautiful. Nightlife is fairly non-existent in Samoa, so not really the place to go if it is partying that you are after.
There are two neighbouring accommodations to Coconut's Beach Club - Sinalei Resort and Lupe's. Lupe's provides less expensive meals that are absolutely delicious and you are greeted warmly by the owners and their family that work there.
Overall, Samoa was a gorgeous place to visit. I would definitely recommend it if you are after a relaxing, beautiful holiday while experiencing true local Polynesian culture.