Rosa's accommodation

I'd heard about Rosa's whilst I was still in Fiji, although Google searches revealed nothing. So, I eventually found it and for some of you, it'll be OK, others not. The following info might be of assistance.

Coming from Apia, Rosa's is just before the village of Aleisa. It's about 200 yards off the main road, and there is a sign right at that junction. Although I suppose some of the others on the bus should know where it is anyway. If coming by car, just ask anyone. They're all friendly enough.

I took a picture of the advertising sign and uploaded it to FlickR. That sign has some contact info on it. There's no website, and the owner said that he only checks his e-mail every few days or so (whenever he's in Apia). The FlickR link is at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prm4321/14733341334/

Rosa's is set in a beautiful location, with a LOT of space. There's LOTS of greenery, lots of trees, lots of grass, a very long driveway and even a swimming pool. Although when I was there, the pool definitely looked like it needed a major clean and was not fit for swimming in. I have more photos somewhere, and even a video or two. When I get all of that stuff sorted out, I'll upload it and post the links here.

15 Tala gets you a bed in a stone hut sort of thingy. 60 Tala (subject to negotiation if you're staying for a few days and can get a lower price) gets you an entire house, complete with kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room and a telly. I'm not sure if hot water is available for the showers though (it was too hot for me and I wanted cold/warm showers anyway). There's PLENTY of parking.

The family there are very friendly. They'd often bring me food (free), and would join me in the living room to watch telly.

The potential hassle is for those of you who rely on public transport. Getting to Apia during the daytime is no problem (except Sunday). There are even buses to and from somewhere on the south coast of Samoa. Getting back from Apia before 4.30 p.m. (except Sunday) shouldn't be a problem. After 4.30, you might get stuck. Besides finding a bus at the bus terminal, there are also buses that head to Aleisa from the side road next to Farmer Joe's supermarket (about a 10 minute walk from the bus terminal in Apia). However, Samoa is very hitch to hitch-hike around. Plus, it's possible to get a later bus that goes close to the Prime Minister's church (he doesn't own it, he just goes there), and then hitch from there.

If you have a rental car, then no worries. In fact, Rosa's might be a great place to stay for a few days as it's in a fairly central part of Samoa.

I hope this helps. If you have more specific questions, just reply here.

Okee dokey then, I was planning on adding one or two photos to a FlickR account, and adding the links here. However, I got a bit carried away and added a bunch more. Rather than display another 13 links here, just go to: www.flickr.com/prm4321 and the top 14 photos should be various views of Rosa's place.

Thanks for the photos and info, I went past the entrance on the bus when I was heading south about a month ago and wondered what it was like- a few questions please
How long is the walk from the main road where the bus stops and how far to the closest shop to buy food and supplies?
Also are there many mosquitoes ( I know sometimes garden, inland areas can be worse than the breezy coast)
Did you use it as a base to explore or just relax for a while? Without the pool I dont suppose there is much to do in the area?

From the main road (and the bus will stop right at that junction if you want it to), it's about 200 yards to the entrance of Rosa's. That shouldn't be more than 5 minutes, at most. Although, you might meet some locals along the way, so 5 minutes might turn into ???????, as they all seem to like to chat (and slow you down). LOL.

From that entrance, it's about another 100 yards or so to the house where the family love. They might, or might not see you come, so you may have to make yourself seen.

There are 2 shops that are close by. They're both about another few hundred yards or so from where the bus will drop you off if you're going to Rosa's. So, from Rosa's, I'd guesstimate that it's about 600 yards or so to the shops. I'm not an expert on distances, but these guesses should be close enough. Fell free to post it here if I'm wrong.

I don't recall any mosquitoes, and I don't think that there were nets above the beds. The "swimming" pool looks as though it hasn't been swum in for a long time, so I'm guessing that the water must be fairly stagnant. But, I didn't check it out, so I don't know for sure.

I definitely wouldn't go into the pool.

For those with a car, I reckon it would be a great base to base oneself from. As best I know, the buses go to/from Apia and also to/from a place on the south coast (whose name I can't remember).

I guess you could relax for a while. I think it'd be a great place to do that from. For me, it was great as I much rather prefer to be away from tourists. I suppose it depends on what you're into. If someone is looking to stay in a typical Samoan village for however long, I think it would fit the bill quite nicely. I went to one of the local churches on Sunday, and I don't think they have many palagis do that. I was the centre of attention, so much so that towards the end of the service, I was asked to come up to the altar and talk for a few minutes on whatever I fancied talking about. Afterwards, I was invited to lunch by the 2 ministers and their wives. During that lunch, various locals would come by every few minutes with donations of food. I felt a bit guilty eating that donated food, but I was assured that it was ok. I'm not a religious person at all, but I enjoyed that whole church experience very much. If you're into the "happy-clappy" type church service, I think it would be quite easy to find something suitable. As is the norm in Samoa, there's a lot of churches for such a small village.

I hope this assists. Please update my information if need be.

Thanks for that
yes plenty of buses go via Aleisa to the south coast
le faga, and tafitoala and possibly safata? anyway pretty much from Le faga to Siumu I think you could go down past Rosas
My main concern was walking down the road in the heat with my bag, but I imagine its cooler up there
might check it out next time, tho i do like to swim

I wouldn't be put off by what is a short walk. Unless you're really, really loaded down. Shame about the pool though.

Just as a matter of interest: Camp Samoa is about 5 km's or so east of Rosa's. Camp Samoa might work for some people, but not for others. It has its own website and a web search should easily find it.