Apia, Western Samoa

Apia is the capital of Samoa and part of the Tuamasaga district. The city is located on the northern coast of Upolu Island. It is the nation's major port and only city. It is a little run down but there are good bars and restaurants and a walk along the beachfront is beautiful.

Mulinu'u, the old ceremonial boobtical, lies at the city's western end, and is the location of the Parliament House (Fale Fono) and the historic observatory, which is now the meteorology office.In the center of the city is a clock tower erected as a war memorial. Apia has a mix of modern and early, wooden, colonial buildings, most notably the courthouse, with a museum on the upper floor. The new market (maketi fou) is inland a bit at Fugalei, where it is more protected from the effects of cyclones.

Writer Robert Louis Stevenson spent the last four years of his life in Apia. He is buried on Mt. Vaea, overlooking both the city and the home he built, Vailima, which is now a museum in his honour.

Things to see and do

* Falefa falls, Mafa pass and Fuipisia falls
* Vailima museum built in honor of writer Robert Louis Stevenson
* Papasee sliding rocks
* Samoan museum
* Snorkeling at Palolo marine reserve

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - tala (SAT)
Language - Somoan & English
Land Area - 2831 km²
Population - 190,000 Samoa
Electricity - 2 Angled pins and 1 flat pin centred below Australian style
Time - GMT minus eleven hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 685

Port Location - The port is located in the busy Apia harbour at the mouth of the Vaisigano River.

Transport Links - The main international airport (Faleolo) is a 40-minute drive west of the city. Ferries to Tokelau and American Samoa depart from Apia.

The country has no trains or trams, but is served with an extensive bus service. People commonly walk around the town and taxis are a common form of transport.