Samoa hints and tips

Here's some quick tips that we'll remember next time we go to Samoa. (Because there'll definitely be a next time.)

Arrange rental car to meet you at airport. Rental car is probably the best way to get about, especially if you're staying on Upolo. The airport isn't huge and doesn't have rental car companies ready to rent you a car there. But the company we used in Apia - Funway rentals - would meet you at the airport for the same cost as the taxi ride in. So phone and arrange this in advance.

Carry cash, not cards. There are a few ATMs in Apia, and some places in Apia take credit cards - but that's it. Carry enough cash to do everything - and if you run out you have to go back to Apia to get more. Accommodation, rental car, lunches, drinks, everything. Even departure tax from a Westpac bank branch had to be in cash, not visa! Also break up the bills you get from an ATM. Shops struggle to give change for $20 notes, so the $50s and $100s you get from the ATM may's well be $1M notes for all the use they'll be to you. I got money out from the ATM and then went straight into the branch and changed it all for $10s and $20s.

Sarong/lava-lava - women need something that covers the knees when you're off the beach.

Brush/shovel to sweep sand out of the fale

Aqueous cream for chafing and stuff. (We were always wet and salty :-) )

Farmer Joe supermarket on the way south out of Apia (to stock up on water, chips, bread, snacks, UHT milk)

General list of things we'll bring with us (from home/from Apia) next time:
Snacks for the plane trip
USB chargers
Few clothes pegs
Mozzie coils/insect repellent
Vegemite tube
Snacks for airplane
Milo
Lots of SD card capacity
Quick drying shirts/shorts/towels
Sunscreen (more sunscreen than you think you need!)
Bottled water