Samoa - Budget Advice & Must Do's

Hey there all!

My partner and I are coming up wot our 10th year anniv (and still not married, maybe we'll do it on holiday!!) and are looking at Samoa and Fiji as they seem to be the cheapest options from New Zealand for January 2010. We're planning on being there for about 5 or 7 nights, depending on what our daily budget needs to be. We're pretty budget-conscious travelers and like to eat at both local and tourist places, and love interacting with locals rather than at all the touristy places.

I have a few questions:
* Has anyone gone at this time of year and how crazy is it?
* Daily budget (EXCLUDING accom & breakfast as this is in the packages)
* Main attractions you think we really can't miss when visiting.
- We're both into animals, scenic walks, and culture (is there any relatively "real" tribes left or just cultural shows?)
* How does Fiji & Samoa compare price-wise (once there)? What is cheaper and what is more appealing?

And does anyone have any good websites for Samoa sightseeing so I can get ideas for their pricing? Can't seem to find any.
Thanks in advance :D

We've been to Samoa in August, can't say anything about January.

As for a webpage, check out www.visitsamoa.ws and www.samoa-hotels.ws

Main attractions in Samoa would be
Lalomanu Beach (the most beautiful beach in the whole country, excellent snorkelling, safe, calm waters)
Tu Sua Ocean Trench (basically a huge whole in the ground, you climb down a steep wooden ladder and can swim in the trench. You can also swim through a cave out into the ocean)
Apia isn't really worth a visit, in my opinion, nice enough, but no real 'sightseeing'. On the other hand, the markets are a must see (Marketi Fou is the main market, behind it is a souvenir and a fish market)
There's a sliding rock near Apia (can't remember the name, but the first webpage i mentioned features all these things)
Robert Louis Stevenson's grave, if you're interested
Bahai (name?) temple, which I found really nice, beautiful gardens

Daily expenses...

Well, any other expenses would be getting round the island if you want to visit some of the sights. Some resorts offer tours in minivans, or you can grab a taxi, or (as we did) hire a car (from Apia)

Food... in Samoa, you basically eat where you're staying as outside of Apia, there is basically NOTHING. The towns aren't much more than a handful of houses and a church, 'bigger' towns might have a little corner shop that sells very basic supplies. If you stay in a beach fale (which I'd definitely recommend) you'll be getting dinner there too. Breakfast and dinner are almost always included in the price.

You say you have breakfast included, where will you be staying?

Animals..
you'll be seeing lots of pigs, dogs, chickens and horses ON the roads :)

I'll just add my similar question here to avoid a new thread. At the moment my ability to any kind of web info gathering is very limited (I'm already in Tonga without reliable internet) so I would really love some good advice from other budget travellers that might have something to say:

can you recommend some good guesthouses or beach fales that would include at least breakfast or even other meals and be close to good snorkeling areas? Both Upolu and Savai'i. AND I would really like to hear the price range, too, as so far I have no idea about that, apart from my outdated quidebook.

Thank you all.

We stayed at Taufuas Beach Fales at Lalomanu Beach on Upolu. They include breakfast and dinner, and very yummy! Another option was/is Litia Sinis, right next doors. Lalomanu is a great snorkelling area, flat calm waters and plenty of colourful fish and nice coral.

I can't tell you what the situation is now after the Tsunami, but from what I've heard nothing has been rebuilt yet. I'm sure there's someone here (maybe wksamoa?) who has more up to date info on where you can stay.

The Tsunami has 'only' hit the South Coast of Upolu though, and there is some snorkelling in Apia at the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve. Can't comment on it, haven't been there.

Also haven't been to Savai'i, but once again, I'm sure someone has info on snorkelling there.
Good luck :)

I'm still preparing my trip to Samoa and it seems not much budget traveler info is spread conserning Savai'i! I've decided to go there first upon arrival to Apia and then spend some time (a week or two) somewhere in Upolu before departing so if anyone has anything to say about cheap fales with meals I'd like to hear. On EITHER island. Otherwise I'll just depend on my intuition. I've been for two months in Tonga now and will fly to Samoa probably late January or early February and I'd just like to know a rough guide for my estimated daily expenses as this is probably the last place I'll visit before going home (to gather new money, hehe).

thanks