Apia

The enchanting colonial homestead will give you an insight into the life of one of the most-loved adventure authors Despite his stories of swashbuckling adventure, Robert Louis Stevenson had been a sickly man and had contracted tuberculosis. It was while he was in his twenties someone suggested he find a South Pacific island to live on, where the warm climate would ease his poor health. Stevenson loved to travel, once saying, "I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move." But it was 10 years after that advice that he and his wife sailed to the Pacific and settled in Samoa. TB-ridden Stevenson and his family lived in Samoa for the five years prior to his death. Known to the Samoans as Tusitala or Teller of Tales, the author of the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Treasure Island and Kidnapped was intensely involved in the lives of the local folk and their plight to reclaim their cultural identity. The Stevenson homestead is now the home for the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. The informative forty-minute guided tour of the mansion and Tusitala’s many authentic personal belongings is highly recommended, especially of the library where he penned 14 tomes in just four years. The beautiful Botanical Gardens at the base of Mt Vaea and surrounding the homestead make for an informative and stunning stroll. You don’t have to be a literary groupie to enjoy the scenic walk through lush rainforest up to the top of Mt Vaea where the famous Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson rests in peace. Just outside of Apia, the panoramic views over the city and bay are will give another perspective of the capital of Samoa. You have the choice of two routes to the top of the hill – a 45-minute track or, take the shorter but more strenuous half-hour trail. Whichever way you chose, go early in the morning or late afternoon, as the midday heat can be stifling, especially in the height of summer. This is the kind of place you won’t want to leave in a hurry, so pack a picnic and don’t forget your insect repellent and water bottle. http://www.samoa.travel/page/visit-the-robert-louis-stevenson-museum

Along the main east coast road, 45mins from apia, you will find piula cave pool located at the piula theological college in the village of lufilufi. It’s a beautiful crystal clear freshwater spring pool and cave that originated from an old lava tube. Explore the underwater cave that connects to a second cave. Day fales and toilet facilities available. Open mon-sat: 8am-4pm. http://www.samoa.travel/activity/piula-fatumea-cave-pool

Papase’ea sliding rocks are situated in se’ese’e in the faleata district approx. 15mins drive from apia. Brave mother nature’s waterslides and slide down these naturally formed rock slides, worn down by thousands of years of running water. Toilets and change rooms are available. Open mon-sat. http://www.samoa.travel/activity/papaseea-sliding-rocks

This spectacular waterfall in south-eastern savaii plunges from the rainforest deep into a fresh-water swimming pool. The Afu Aau Waterfall also known as Olemoe Falls, is a spectacular waterfall in south-eastern Savaii that plunges from the rainforest deep into a fresh-water swimming pool. Access is on a dirt road which is maintained by the village. Entrance fees are collected at the Samoan fale about 650m from the main road and visitors are encouraged to park their car here and enjoy a 10 minute walk to the pool and waterfall. http://www.samoa.travel/activity/afu-aau-falls

These impressive blowholes in the village of taga on south-west savaii are wave power in its purest form, as they propel a roaring jet of water hundreds of feet up into the air. They are particularly worth watching when locals throw coconuts into the holes and these are blasted into the air as well http://www.samoa.travel/activity/alofaaga-blowholes