samoa - hostel and belongings

well i realized i am arriving in Samoa in the beginning of September when Pacific games and the traditional samoan festival wind down along with that bustle culminating. Therefore 2 questions raised:

1] where is the best place to stay first night [or else morning - considering scheduled the plane's arrival at 1.30 am!]?
Im not looking to a hotel. Rather a reasonable hostel or a small resort - only for first day. What is your concrete and actual experience?

2] how everone solved the issues of personal belongings such as passport, c.cards? Is this safe to leave them first day somewhere in a hostel's safe? Mind you if you travel solo you surely can't all the time keep your eye on them.

much appreciate

I recomend Valentine's Motel in Apia for that first night.
But I might just stay at the airport till dawn.

If you hand money over to resort owners, tell them you know exactly how much it is.
Theft typically seems to involve taking only part of it in the hope you won't notice - if you make it clear you know exactly how much you have and will count it upon taking it back, that should be enouh to deter any attempts, hopefully...

1) The Airport Lodge at Mulifanua is much nearer (5 min ride only) and quite resonable. They offer a transfer too.

2) I doubt that most hostels have a safe ... Anyway, I fully agree with Laszlo: If you give valuables away to someone you do not know to store them for you, better show them what it is. If it is money, say the amount, count it before their eyes. When it is a bigger amount or anything of real value I usually even prepare two small papers as a receipt to be signed by them and me as that is the safest way to avoid any disagreement later on. Safer for them too - as I always point out to them. Usually they never looked at it that way so far. Because they don't know me too and who knows ...? I might be the cheater ... Taking the 'blame' on myself easily defuses any tension that might arise from the suggestion of mistrust.

Some of the more popular fale places are a bit more professional... Taufua, Virgin Cove, Litia Sini's. These 3 places for sure have safes to put your money, but head the above advice.

From my understanding, there is a hostel-like place in Apia called Betty Moore's Guest house... By all accounts that I have been told, it was pretty grim. It's too bad Seipepa is now closed, it would have been your best option.

In Apia, it sounds like you are going to have to opt for a cheaper hotel room. Valentine's is okay and so it the Princess Tui Inn (They have dorm beds if that is what you are looking for).

I stayed at Betty Moor's for a few days way back in '88 - and it was pretty grim then!

It was around the corner to the right, just after passing Aggie's and crossing the bridge over the river.

Separate rooms had partitions that did not reach fully to ceiling, and I think I used my own padlock to lock the door when going out. Shared bathrooms were also well below 5 star standard (!).

It was, however, only 8 Tala per night back then, and when you're young and on a tight budget, it does leave more money for the fun things (as did heading back into Aggies with tour groups to take advantage of the complimentary afternoon teas they used to put on!)

I'd be really amazed if Betty is still going though - she seemed to be a fair age then, but certainly kept an eye on her place - even if you came back at 2 or 3 am, she was always sitting in her chair near the door with one eye open, watching...

Don't know the family history or the connections, but Harry Moor was one of the leading figure of Colonial Samoa, around the time of the Hurricane (1889?), and during the period that the Stevensons lived at Vailima and dabbled in Samoan politics.

Just to reiterate the cash thing - my experience was in Mexico not pacific but same thing. I handed over my money and docs and when I got it back my money was halved. Nothing much I could do - particularly as I didn't look until I was hours into a bus journey to another town! Learn by my mistake.

Money belts!!!!!!!
Aloha