Adventure and urban life constitute a dynamic duo in Apia, Samoa's capital, major port and only city. A tour to Apia on the northern coast of Upolu promises a busy schedule, with hiking and water sports during the day, and dancing and karaoke for the night. An hour drive from Faleolo international airport, Apia first appears to be a hodgepodge of colonial buildings like the Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral, courthouses, and the central clock tower. On a hot day, some visit the Apia Museum to cool down in its air-conditioned building, but on a less-humid day, the popular activity is to stroll through the city's attractions like the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum or Vailima, villa of the Scottish author who wrote the famous novel, Treasure Island. Overlooking the museum and the whole city is Stevenson's grave at Mt. Vaea, a popular destination for tourists.
For those who cannot brave Apia's omnipresent dogs, cheap taxis or Technicolor buses are good options to reach the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve and Taufu Beach Fales for surfing, diving, or snorkeling, to see turtles, corals, mammoth clams, and Technicolor fish. A ranger leads the way to explore Samoa's only national park, the Ole Pupu-Pu'e, where a thick forest trails to a lava tube, Pe'ape'a Cave, before revealing the unspoiled waterfalls of Ofa and Togitogiga. At the park's western boundary is the rugged seacoast of Le Pupu Lava extending to a coastal rainforest and sheer cliffs with ancient lava flow patterns.
Nearly the whole of Samoa's nightlife happens in Apia, whose karaoke bars and dance clubs offer a unique blending of Polynesian culinary treats and entertainment. Buffet dinners are common and are likely to include chicken curry, mutton flaps and chopsuey (mixed vegetables). Buffets come with free entertainment from fire dancers or from youth groups dancing hip-hop mixed with traditional moves like siva, a dance similar to the Hawaiian hula.
Clubs are closed on Sundays to give way to Samoans' church rituals, which are a mix of Christian and traditional beliefs. This, however, marks a perfect time to visit the maketifou (new market) to shop for local produce and handicrafts, and perhaps, try a cup of kava (pepper root drink).
