Savai’i is Samoa’s largest island but only 24% of the population lives here. It is less developed than Upolu and is a backpackers favorite due to its numerous budget beach fales. We hopped on a ferry from Mulifanua Wharf to Salelologa for only 12 Tala, and rode up to Manase Beach on a public bus. Our home for the next few days was Janes Beach Fales which was priced right at only 70 Tala per person including breakfast and dinner. We rented a car for the day to explore the island and highlights included: swimming with green turtles at Satoalepai village, walking through the Saleaula lava ruins, jumping into Afu Aau waterfall, checking out the Alofaaga blowholes, and crawling through Peapea lava cave. Manase was the perfect place to call home for a few nights with its lovely beach. We originally wanted to stay at Lano Beach (Joelan Beach Fales) as well but a heavy downpour dissuaded us from sleeping there because the fales are built right on the beach and are super exposed to the elements. Oh well, maybe next time!
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Our comfortable ferry, the Lady Samoa III
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Savai'i is dotted with numerous churches
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Ahhh, the simple life. A beach fale and a bit of sun, what else can you ask for?
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Our home for the next few days, the lovely Manase beach
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Swimming with turtles available at Satoalepai village
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Becky with the turtles in Satoalepai village
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Scrubbing algae off a green turtle
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Robby's turn to meet the turtles
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Robby gets some one on one time with a turtle
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Turtles in the pool at Satoalepai village
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LMS Church withstood the lava flow; Saleaula lava field
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Side view of the church in the lava field
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Interior view of the LMS Church in the middle of Saleaula lava field
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The Virgin's Grave where the molten lava flowed around rather than over it; Saleaula lava field
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Our Saleaula lava field tour guide poses with her newborn baby
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School boys in their lava lava (skirt) walk home for lunch
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Hitching a ride, Samoa style!
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Salt water swimming pools - a common sight on Savai'i
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Every village in Savai'i has its own church
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Beach fales are the perfect budget accommodation in Savai'i
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Joelan Beach Fale at Lano Beach
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Wooden pole carving at Joelan Beach Fale; Lano Beach
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The inviting beach fales at Joelan; Lano Beach
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Stunning scenery on our drive around Savai'i
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We drove past dozens of beachside fales like this one. What a view!
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Blessed with beautiful weather on our round the island tour of Savai'i
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Another of the numerous salt water swimming pools we saw on our drive around Savai'i
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Two public buses pass by each other on the island of Savai'i
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Walking the kids home from school
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The Samoan flag waves proudly
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Interesting front yard artwork
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Greeted by a friendly kid as we visit Afu Aau waterfall
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Afu Aau waterfall - and we have this lovely swimming hole all to ourselves!
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Selfie at Afu Aau waterfall
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Becky at Afu Aau waterfall
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Pretty red flowers; Afu Aau waterfall
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Stopping to admire the rugged scenery on Savai'i's southern coast
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The view near the Alofaaga blowholes
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Coconut plantation near Alofaaga blowholes
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Fales at the Alofaaga blowholes
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Lava field of Alofaaga blowholes
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Every few seconds, a blast of water jets up from the Alofaaga blowholes
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Panoramic view of the Alofaaga blowholes
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More rugged scenery as we drive around Savai'i
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Abandoned fales near Alofaaga blowholes
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Peapea cave where several white swiftlets call home
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It’s a beautiful drive around Savai'i but we wish we had allowed 2 days for our journey instead of 1 super rushed day
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Robby posing inside the lava cave of Peapea
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Dusk view of an old church adorned with colorful flags
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Dusk panorama of Manase Beach
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View towards Tanu Beach Fales on Manase Beach
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Beach fale at Janes Beach Fales in Manase
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Our sumptuous breakfast; Janes Beach Fales at Manase
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Beach bar; Janes Beach Fales
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A view of our awesome accommodation at Janes Beach Fales in Manase
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Becky strikes a pose with the owner of Janes Beach Fales who came out to bid us farewell
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Colorful public buses at the Salelologa wharf
