Top 10 Items To Bring To Samoa From Home...

1. Umbrella: It not only comes in handy for the daily downpours, but as one poster who pm'd me pointed out "As a first line of defense against aggressive canines".
   
   2. Sunscreen: It's really expensive in Samoa and the variety is just not there.
   
   3. Insect Repellant: Ditto. Aeroguard is tres expensive and for the most part useless.
   
   4. Padlock: For locking items in a lockbox in your room... Provided a lockbox is provided!
   
   5. Moneybelt: Bring one, wear one, use one. Don't take it off unless you're in the H2O.
   
   6. A deck of cards: Everyone plays a game... There could be long, boring wet afternoons and evenings.
   
   7. Batteries: Available in Samoa, but again expensive.
   
   8. Pictures from Home: Get a little album together. Samoans are very family and community oriented and love to hear about your family and your city. If you come from a snowbound climate, they are intrigued with snow pictures.
   
   9. Head Torch: There will be many situations where there just isn't enough light. You will use one.
   
   10. Little gifts: Bring a few little gifts from home... something that is representative of your country. You many make some friends and this is a great way to reciprocate.

#9 is a very good suggestion, quite useful as #10 as well. Same goes for #6. Bring more than one.

Oh, and you get very strong, long and thereby very useful all-purpose #1s at the CCK store in central Apia (close to the Post Office) for 10 Tala only (USD3.50). No need to carry it on the plane.