PORT AND GENERAL INFORMATION
TOURS SPECIFICALLLY DESIGNED FOR VISITING CRUISE
SHIPS
The port of Apia is
situated on the northern coast of the island of Upolu and is central to the
capital city, Apia.
The distance from the pier to:
- the harbour entrance
is 1/6th of mile
- the city centre is
¼ of a mile
- the nearest
department store (Chan Mow's Ltd) is ½ mile
- souvenir shop (Aggie
Grey's Hotel 1/4 mile, 13-15 min walk one way)
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The Post Office
is:
- the Apia Central
Post Office
- address of the post
office is Beach Road, Apia
- telephone booths are
located inside the Post Office)
- Please note that the
Post Office Philatelic Section can be on board for the sale of stamps and First
Day Coverage
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International
Telephone Calls:
Approximate telephone charges for a 3-minute call to
Europe (Genrman, Austraia, Switzerland, The Netherlands) and to the USA (East
and West Coasts).
Phone cards are available at the passenger terminal or at
Telecom Samoa Cellular in Lotemau Centre in central Apia
- Germany: Code: 049.
$13.50 per 3 minutes approx US$4.00
- Switzerland: Code:
041. $13.50 per 3 minutes approx US$4.00
- Austria: Code: 043.
$18.00 per 3 minutes approx US$6.00
- Netherlands Code:
031. $13.50 per 3 minutes approx US$4.00
- USA: Code: 01.
$13.50 per 3 minutes approx US$4.00 (East and West Coasts)
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Banking:
- ANZ Bank (Australia
and New Zealand Bank)
- Westpac
Bank
- National Bank of
Samoa
- There are EFTPOS
machines available in Hotels, restaurants and general stores
- The ANZ Bank has
ATM's inside the main branch , 2 on the wall outside and there are ATM's at
other locations in Apia
- Credit cards such as
Visa, Diners, Mastercard and AMEX accepted
- Arrangements can be
made for banking facilities on board
- Western Union is one
of the companies in Samoa which can handle money exchanges
- US$ are accepted
anywhere not coins. D-Marks accepted only in banks. Banks are accepting the
EURO as of 2001 - Jan 2002. It is advisable to change your currency into the
local currency especially for markets, handicraft shopping and post
office.
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Local Public
Transport:
- Bus Stop just
outside the wharf entrance, all buses going into Apia Township
- No numbersFare is
.40sene (US15cents) but overseas coins not accepted so change your
money
- No trams or trains
in Samoa
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Taxis:
- There are plenty of
taxis which will be available
- All taxis are
painted white and have a "T" before the digits on the number plate and a "Taxi"
sign on the roof of the cab
- SAT$3.00 tala
approximately for the first mile/km
- There are no meters
used in Samoa, however it is advised that pax and driver should agree to a set
fee before taking the taxi. An approximate cost of US$10 per hour is a fair
rate
- US$1 into Apia
Township is a fixed charges
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Ususal Opening Hours
on Weekdays / Sunday / Public Holidays:
- Shops and
department stores:
- 8am - 4.30pm
Monday to Friday
- 8am - 1pm
Saturday
- Closed on
Sundays and Public Holidays
- Banks (ANZ,
Westpac, National Bank):
- 9am - 3pm Monday
to Thursday
9am - 4pm Friday
9am - 12 noon Saturday (National Bank
only)
- Post
Office:
- 8am - 4pm Monday
to Friday
- 24 hours a day,
every day for phone calls but closed for other services
- Sights and
Museums:
- Sights are open
every day with the exception of "Return to paradise Beach" which is closed on
Sundays
- Museum (Robert
Louis Stevenson) will open on request
- 9am - 3.30pm
Monday - Friday
- Closed on
Saturday and Sunday
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Good
Beaches:
- Return to Paradise
Beach, 1hr drive one way from pier
- Lalomanu Beach 1hr
drive one way· Lotofaga Beach 1 hr drive one way
- There is a beach
close to the pier however it is not very nice
- We can arrange for
an Information Officer from the Samoa Visitors' Bureau to be on board with
brochures and maps and also to assist with directions and recommended places to
visit
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Restaurants:
- Aggie Grey's Fale
Restaurant and Le Tamarina Fine Dining Restaurant, Beach Road, 13-15 min walk
from the pier
- Sails Restaurant,
Beach Road, Apia 18 min walk one way from the pier
- Look Out Restaurant,
Beach Road, Apia. 15 min walk from the pier
- Harbourview
Restaurant, Beach Road, Apia, 15 min walk from the pier
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Famous Dishes and
Typical Specialties (food and drinks):
Lobsters, Fish, Steaks, chicken.
Palusami - young taro leaves in coconut cream, onions, salt and pepper, usually
eaten with above meats and taro or breadfruit which are some of our staple
foods.
What is a "Must" to See in the City (eg, aquarium, cathedral
etc)?
- Fresh Produce
Market
- Robert Louis
Stevenson's Museum
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Special Dress Codes
for Men and Women:
- Beach wear not
accepted in Churches as this would seem disrespectful
- Brevity would be
frowned upon
Otherwise basic clean clothing is okay
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