• Home
  • News
    • Politics
    • Health
    • Entertainment >
      • Arts
    • Courts and the Law
    • Education
    • Religion
    • Opinion >
      • Profiles >
        • Women
    • Region
    • What's Happening?
    • Culture >
      • Tala FaaSamoa
      • Writer's Corner
      • Comedy
      • Autalavou Mo Taeao >
        • Coming to America
    • Deaths
  • Sports
    • NFL Football
    • Rugby & Rugby League >
      • Rugby World Cup
      • IRB World Rugby Sevens
      • Rugby League World Cup, Toa Samoa
    • College Football
    • High School Football
    • Boxing
    • MMA Fighting
    • Wrestling
    • Athetics
    • Baseball
  • Business
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Energy
  • Videos
    • Le Malae TV >
      • Samoan Movies
    • TV Samoa
  • Le Malae Mall
    • Used Cars
    • Clothing >
      • Lara Fox >
        • Product
  • Who are we?
    • Contact Us
  • Sponsorships and Advertising
  • LE MALAE CITIES
    • American Samoa
    • Apia
    • Brisbane
    • Chicago
    • Europe
    • Florida
    • Hawaii
    • Los Angeles
    • New Zealand
    • Orange County
    • Oxnard
    • Portland, Oregon
    • Sacramento
    • San Francisco, Bay Area
    • Salt Lake City
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • South Auckland
    • Tacoma
  • Tickets
  • Archives
    • Archives News >
      • Archive News 1
      • Archives Opinion
    • Archives Business
    • Archives Sports >
      • Archives Sports 1
    • Archives TV
    • Archives Entertainment
    • Archives Travel
    • Archives Gallery
    • Archives Deaths
Le Malae
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
    • Health
    • Entertainment >
      • Arts
    • Courts and the Law
    • Education
    • Religion
    • Opinion >
      • Profiles >
        • Women
    • Region
    • What's Happening?
    • Culture >
      • Tala FaaSamoa
      • Writer's Corner
      • Comedy
      • Autalavou Mo Taeao >
        • Coming to America
    • Deaths
  • Sports
    • NFL Football
    • Rugby & Rugby League >
      • Rugby World Cup
      • IRB World Rugby Sevens
      • Rugby League World Cup, Toa Samoa
    • College Football
    • High School Football
    • Boxing
    • MMA Fighting
    • Wrestling
    • Athetics
    • Baseball
  • Business
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Energy
  • Videos
    • Le Malae TV >
      • Samoan Movies
    • TV Samoa
  • Le Malae Mall
    • Used Cars
    • Clothing >
      • Lara Fox >
        • Product
  • Who are we?
    • Contact Us
  • Sponsorships and Advertising
  • LE MALAE CITIES
    • American Samoa
    • Apia
    • Brisbane
    • Chicago
    • Europe
    • Florida
    • Hawaii
    • Los Angeles
    • New Zealand
    • Orange County
    • Oxnard
    • Portland, Oregon
    • Sacramento
    • San Francisco, Bay Area
    • Salt Lake City
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • South Auckland
    • Tacoma
  • Tickets
  • Archives
    • Archives News >
      • Archive News 1
      • Archives Opinion
    • Archives Business
    • Archives Sports >
      • Archives Sports 1
    • Archives TV
    • Archives Entertainment
    • Archives Travel
    • Archives Gallery
    • Archives Deaths

Archives Travel

Samoa Hotels boss slams 'rebel' group as sabotaging industry

PictureTuala Oli Ah Him, Pres. Samoa Hotel Association
The President of the Samoa Hotels Association, Tuala Oli Ah Him, has branded a private sector group as rebels who are sabotaging the industry.

He says the Samoa for Real group is a small minority which doesn't own hotels trying to stir up trouble.

But the group has had 67 participants, many of them hoteliers, at workshops with world tourism experts, who acknowledge the low levels of hotel occupancy in 2013, which many call a crisis.

A representative from Samoa for Real, Nynette Sass, says they are just concerned about their businesses, and responding to the Prime Minister's call for operators to do more for themselves.

Tuala says his association held a meeting some months ago and the group could not come up with any grievances.

"I think these people don't know what they're talking about. They need to stop causing trouble and work together with government and don't go against government. That's the success of each country, working together, not trying to disrupt or sabotage the good work of government and also the association."

Tuala Oli Ah Him of the Samoa Hotels Association

Samoa: Nature at its beachfront best  Amelia Wade finds Samoan magic starts at her fale's door.

Picture
By Amelia Wade

12:00 PM Friday Feb 14, 2014

The kid from Te Puke who had barely touched his dinner was dared by his mate to eat a piece of seaweed on his plate.

He took a deep breath and screwed up his face as he dropped the bulbous piece in his mouth. He swallowed it with a big gulp of water, without even chewing.

"Ugh, it tastes like snot," he said.

"Not chewing, it is cheating," one of the adults told him. But there was no way he was going to give it another try.

Aged about 11 and on a field trip with a bunch of other classmates and teachers, the only dish the boy seemed to like was the battered fish.

Foolishly, he turned up his nose at the breadfruit, scrambled egg, and chicken drumstick in gravy and palusami - a traditional dish of taro leaves and coconut milk that tasted like rich, creamy spinach.

Once the plates were cleared at the open-air restaurant at Tanu's Beach Fales on Savai'i, the whole village put on a show to welcome the schoolchildren. Other guests at the beachfront fales got to enjoy it, too.


The girls who served us dinner at this family business had been practising all week and were nervous. They needn't have been anxious - the show was excellent and one of the best, most authentic experiences I had on the "big island" of Samoa.

Each of the girls had a solo dance on the sand stage beneath the fairy lights, and the boys took their turn at fire dancing and other traditional performances. Nothing could stop them: even when one young boy's lava-lava fell off, he kept doing cartwheels while tween Kiwi girls giggled in the audience.

The night ended with a Samoan-style disco, the local boys dancing with blushing and sunburned girl tourists to local hits such as Who Let the Frogs Out?

Woken at the crack of dawn the next day as the light crept into our fale, another traditional deep-fried meal was on the menu. With a day of exploring planned, we ate all but half of the koko rice to fuel up.

By 10am, the heat was already about 35C and without a cloud in the sky there was little relief. I'd never been so grateful for air-conditioning, though it was hard not to feel spoiled driving past locals who were carrying heavy loads of coconuts, fish or fruit in the glaring sun.

About 80 per cent of the land in Samoa is owned by families or villages, so to see any of the natural wonders, or even to park at a beach to go for a swim, you're likely to have to pay a small toll to one of the locals lying nearby in the shade.

At the famous Alofaaga Blowholes on the southwest of the island, it's about NZ$5 per person - and that includes a couple of coconuts to toss into the powerful jets. The woman who gave us the show wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan: "I brought the awesome, what did you bring?" - and she really did bring it.

Timing it perfectly with the swell, she tossed the coconut into the blowhole just as the wave hit the edge of the rocks. With a massive roar, frothing white water shot about 10m into the air while the woman went running for safety. The game never got old.

Utterly in love with everything on Savai'i, I was itching to go snorkelling and discover what was beneath its crystalline waters. The diving shop across the road from Le Lagato Resort hires masks and snorkels for about NZ$15 for 24 hours.

Once you're kitted up, you don't have to go far to see the wonders of the reef. The fish, speckled in neon blues, yellows and oranges, seem used to humans swimming over their homes, leaving murky streaks of sunblock in the water.

Up the road, I found three local girls had beaten us to the pond and were playing with turtles.

The treasured sea creatures seemed not to mind and were even happier when they started getting fed fresh pawpaw. Someone in the know had told me that fruit was the perfect way to entice turtles to the water's edge.

It was incredible to touch and swim with creatures likely to outlive me - something I know I'll never forget.

CHECKLIST

Getting there: Air New Zealand usually flies between Auckland and Apia six times a week, depending on the season.

Accommodation: Try Aggie Grey's.

Amelia Wade was a guest of the Samoan Tourism Authority.

- NZ Herald



Samoa For Real group defends its actions amid claims of 'sabotage'

PictureSose Annandale, general manager of Sinalei Resort.
A tourism industry group in Samoa says it's disappointing that the Hotels Association has called it rebels.

The President of the Samoa Hotels Association, Tuala Oli Ah Him, says the Samoa For Real group is "sabotaging the industry" and it's only a small minority of people who don't own hotels.

But the general manager of Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa, Sose Annandale, says nothing could be further from the truth.

Sixty-seven industry personnel attended workshops with international experts, organised by Samoa For Real.

She says the group has asked the Hotels Association twice to get involved in the industry-wide initiative, but it's not interested.

She says Samoa For Real has a wide range of members accross the industry.

"We're trying to unite our industry and bring our industry together so you know it is kind of disappointing when you hear comments like that because it's the furthest thing from the truth. It's just one of those unfortunate situations where we have been challenged, we've risen to the occasion and then we're condemned for doing just that."

Sose Annandale.

All local staff help resort win big awards. Named one of the top 25 small hotels for romance in the south pacific, Seabreeze resort in Aufaga, Lepa.

PictureValentines Day get away spot for the Rich and Famous. This is what you want to give your special loved one for Valentines Day. A massage by the sea.
One of the country’s smallest hotels is winning big travel awards and proud of the achievements by their “all local” staff.

With 11 villas and 29 staff, Seabreeze Resort has been voted among one of the top 25 small hotels for romance in the South Pacific, the only Samoa hotel to win such an award.

That award comes from TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel advice website.

“The team at Seabreeze are so proud that our guests have rated our resort so highly and see it as a truly romantic getaway,” said owner Wendy Booth.

Their ‘secret’ to success, she said, is working closely with staff. “Hands on ongoing training is essential, most of our staff are from the villages of Aufaga, Vavau and Lepa and most staff have joined us straight from school.”

Responding to Samoa Observer questions about the reality behind the scenes, she admits there have been challenges.

“Turning boys and girls into chefs, waiters, waitresses, masseuses and front of house staff is not easy,” said Ms. Booth.

“At Seabreeze we have had several professional trainers to assist us over the years and keeping up the standards needs a daily hands on connection with all 29 of our staff.”

When there are busy checkouts and the housekeeping staff need help Ms. Wood said she personally cleans with them! When the restaurant needs help her partner Chris Wood can be seen waiting tables.

“We employ passionate local staff and pride ourselves on having a fully Samoan workforce. “We are all passionate about Seabreeze - we are like a family and are all very close.

Our staff are proud of their heritage and on Independence day last year they marched through the resort with the flag and sang the national anthem in our restaurant, with guests in awe of a culture that is just not performed for guests but lived as part of everyday life.”

A boutique, adults only resort, Seabreeze was officially voted one of the Top 25 Hotels in the South Pacific for Romance in the 2014 Travellers' Choice Awards by Trip Adviser. Each year, Tripadvisor releases its Travelers awards. Based on millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers, the awards are divided by category and also region.

Ms. Booth said they were thrilled to be voted by their guests as one of the top 25 resorts in the South Pacific for Romance. “We believe at Seabreeze that good experiences are essential to a memorable occasion, and we all continuously strive to provide the best product, service and romantic experience possible. To have this recognised is just an amazing achievement.

“We are also honoured to be the only Samoan Resort to have won a TripAdvisor award this year,” said Ms.

Booth Winning accolades around the world since its re-opening Seabreeze has become one of the most sought after resorts for romance in Samoa.

This latest award is one of several since reopening in 2011. It was named as the Leading Hotel in Samoa at the 2013 World Travel Awards, and was TripAdvisor "Travellers’ Choice 2013 Winner".

The hotel was also acknowledged in the TOP 10 resorts in the South Pacific for "Romance and Value" and was awarded a further "Certificate of Excellence" in 2012 and 2013 from Tripadvisor.com. In 2012, Seabreeze won the New Zealand Restaurant Challenge and in 2013 the award for "Best innovative design and technique” in the same competition. So what is a typical day for staff and management at Seabreeze?

“Seabreeze believes that guests deserve the best experience possible, it is not just about sea, sand and sun - every resort has that,” said Ms. Booth.

“It's about immersing our guests in our culture and ensuring we know everyone by name and not their room number.

“Our staff are our biggest asset and from the minute our guests get off the plane our Seabreeze meet and greet service will be there to welcome them.

“From that moment on we do our best to exceed their expectations, not meet them,” she said. We are small and therefore have a hands on connection with our staff and monitor our guests needs and desires. If we can do something special to make their stay more memorable we do it!”

Maintaining standards at an award winning hotel means “Attention to deal and consistency” is their “number one motto.” Winning awards does not mean they stop trying to improve.

“We have just repainted all our rooms and restaurant inside and out to ensure the resort stays fresh and maintains its feeling of intimacy.

“Our relationship starts from the reservation and continues well after the guests leave! Word of mouth is our best form of advertising, so do a good job with one guest and they will spread the word!” Nestled into a private secluded bay on Samoa's famous south east coast of Upolu, Seabreeze Resort is the “ultimate” in boutique luxury. The resort has air-conditioned villas including the Honeymoon Point House, all with ocean, lagoon or reef views designed to provide guests with a sense of relaxation and tranquillity.

In an earlier press release, Seabreeze owners aid that quality, innovative cuisine and outstanding customer service is “paramount”, with Seabreeze Resort offering three dining options including the a la carte Waterfront Bar and Restaurant, Cbreeza Pizzeria and Paulini’s Pool Bar. Guests can relax by the infinity pool, laze on the beach, snorkel or kayak within the protection of the pristine lagoon or be “pampered” with a range of “totally indulgent and nurturing” massages and facials in the privacy of their own villa. Outside the resort, there is surfing, charter fishing, trekking, golf or visit a nearby beach, blow hole or cave pool.

“Romance is intrinsic to the spirit of the resort, so there is no better place to celebrate a wedding, honeymoon or special anniversary than at Seabreeze,” said Ms. Booth.

“An experienced wedding coordinator will tailor a ceremony that not only meets individual needs but surpasses their expectations, offering wedding programs from the simplest to the most elaborate of occasions,” she said.

For further information visit www. seabreezesamoa.com


Three Historical landmarks, One Location!  Apia Gets a facelift.

Picture
By Vaoese Limutau Kava
Photos by Vaoese Limutau Kava

What does Aggie Greys Hotel, Ioane Viliamu Building, and the Mulivai Catholic Cathedral have in common? They are all situated on Beach Road, Apia, They are all being renovated this year 2014, AND they are Historical Buildings and Samoan Landmarks.

Picture
Aggie Greys Hotel, Apia. 
Aggies as most Samoans call it, is often mentioned by writers across the globe as the Best Hotel in the South Pacific, and with good reason. Aggie Greys Hotel boasts to be, not only the first hotel in Samoa, opening it’s doors to travelers from around the world in 1933, but also is known to be the friendliest hotel in all of Polynesia. Many famous guests came through Samoa and stayed at Aggie Greys. Among them was actor Gary Cooper, 

PictureJohn WIlliams Building, Apia
In Dec 2012, Cyclone Evan raged for 2 days leaving behind a devastating result and this included the beautiful Aggie Greys Hotel in Apia. The Vaisigano River next to the hotel overflowed to flooding circumstances and caused the hotel to evacuate all guests to their Aggies Resort in Mulifanua. The Directors saw the chance after the cyclone damages, to merge with strong International Hotel Chains to lift the standards of marketing and presence to enable Aggies to compete better, in the International Arena. This also led to the signing of a partnership contract with the Sheraton Group of hotels. Aggie Greys are venturing into bigger and better markets, hoping for better and quicker returns after the renovations.

Picture
John Williams (Ioane Viliamu) Building
The famous English Missionary, John Williams or Ioane Viliamu as all Samoans call him, arrived in Samoa in 1830. He belonged to the London Missionary Society group that traveled to the Polynesian Islands to preach about Christianity. He brought the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Samoan Islands. He would be very proud today to know that Samoa is a Christian Devoted Country, where church is only second to family, and where churches for worship to God is built in every village. In 1980, the EFKS church, built a 5 story building naming it after the famous missionary John Williams, and dedicated it to his memory. It was the tallest building in Samoa for many years, until the government buildings in the reclaimed area of Apia were built. It also houses many of the EFKS church offices, and is leased out to other tenants for revenue. Late last year, the EFKS church approved a $3 million tala funding for the renovation of this historic building. The Church owned building is being renovated with the hope of attracting new tenants. All of Samoa awaits the final product which is estimated to take at least 2 years to make.

Picture
Mulivai Catholic Cathedral, Apia
The Cathedral was built in 1884. It’s twin towers have been a landmark for the Apia town for over a century. It was on it’s third century when the engineering report on the structure of the building concluded that it was no longer safe, especially after the earthquake of September 2009. The cathedral was pulled down in 2011 to make way for a new, larger and modern church for all to worship in. Though there were many that were sad to see the old historical church come down, (which is also the burial site of Cardinal Pio who was a very significant individual in moving the Catholic Faith forward in Samoa), there is still a loud presence of unity and strength in the hearts of the local Catholic community and all Samoans. They all help and are positive about improving on what was once the most loved building by all Catholics in Samoa. It’s name is the Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral, but most Samoans call it Mulivai.

"TO SUA" is the World's best Swimming Hole ever!

PictureTo Sua, Ocean trench, Samoa. Photo by Vaoese Limutau-Kava
TO SUA OCEAN TRENCH, SAMOA

By Vaoese Limutau-Kava 
Photos by Vaoese Limutau-Kava

A Tourist Attraction in Samoa and a “must see when you are visiting. To Sua literally means “Gigantic Swimming Hole”. To get to the trench, you have to climb down a well constructed and stable “non slippery” ladder, about 30 meters down from ground level. The pool is located in the district of Lotofaga, in the south coast of Upolu Island. 

Water flows into this deep hole through a lava tube tunnel. To Sua is situated in a well maintained, beautiful garden park overlooking the southeast coast of the island. It is open to all visitors. The property is owned by the Mata’afa Family where the tomb of Laulu Fetauimalemau Mata'afa (1928 - 2007), wife of Samoa's first Prime Minister Mata’afa, and the paramount chief of Lotofaga, is situated close to the trench.

As described by a fellow tourist in Tripadvisor. “This is hands down the best tourist attraction in Samoa. An incredible journey down a steep, sturdy ladder into what feels like the bowels of the earth awakens the butterflies in the stomach, the fluttering sensation is short-lived as you descend into a crystal clear blue-green oasis where fresh and salt water blend in this giant jurrassic park like sinkhole”. 

The trench is stunning, and you wont be disappointed. What will also surprise you is how beautiful and well maintained the park is that surrounds the trench. You can enjoy the scene from the cliffs, overlooking the ocean and there are available open fales you can lounge in if you are one of the faint hearted like me who will not take the adventure into a world my children describe as “you can just float in the protected ocean water and you are engulfed into a world of your own, while watching the sky, with green hanging ferns surrounding the sky on giant rocks”. This attraction is worth a stop and don’t miss it when next in Apia.

See the photos below in Slide Show.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
    • Health
    • Entertainment >
      • Arts
    • Courts and the Law
    • Education
    • Religion
    • Opinion >
      • Profiles >
        • Women
    • Region
    • What's Happening?
    • Culture >
      • Tala FaaSamoa
      • Writer's Corner
      • Comedy
      • Autalavou Mo Taeao >
        • Coming to America
    • Deaths
  • Sports
    • NFL Football
    • Rugby & Rugby League >
      • Rugby World Cup
      • IRB World Rugby Sevens
      • Rugby League World Cup, Toa Samoa
    • College Football
    • High School Football
    • Boxing
    • MMA Fighting
    • Wrestling
    • Athetics
    • Baseball
  • Business
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Energy
  • Videos
    • Le Malae TV >
      • Samoan Movies
    • TV Samoa
  • Le Malae Mall
    • Used Cars
    • Clothing >
      • Lara Fox >
        • Product
  • Who are we?
    • Contact Us
  • Sponsorships and Advertising
  • LE MALAE CITIES
    • American Samoa
    • Apia
    • Brisbane
    • Chicago
    • Europe
    • Florida
    • Hawaii
    • Los Angeles
    • New Zealand
    • Orange County
    • Oxnard
    • Portland, Oregon
    • Sacramento
    • San Francisco, Bay Area
    • Salt Lake City
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • South Auckland
    • Tacoma
  • Tickets
  • Archives
    • Archives News >
      • Archive News 1
      • Archives Opinion
    • Archives Business
    • Archives Sports >
      • Archives Sports 1
    • Archives TV
    • Archives Entertainment
    • Archives Travel
    • Archives Gallery
    • Archives Deaths