Visiting and volunteering in Samoa and Tokelau

Hello everybody,

A while ago I posted a similar thread about Tuvalu:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2249955&messageID=20306502#20306502

Since then I couldn't find a RTW ticket that meets my budget, so I decided to change the Fiji-Tuvalu route to Samoa-Tokelau, which is considerably more affordable..

I still have a few questions about both islands, and since the info about them is limited to "general" info, I'd be glad from some fresh tips.
Here goes:

1) I'd be getting to Samoa at the beginning of Feb 2013.
The ticket prices are rather dynamic: I found tickets at about $550 (including return) for certain periods, but for a few weeks earlier or later (not counting Christmas), prices can go as high as $800.
What's the reason for the sudden price change? Would you recommend on buying a ticket right now while it's still cheap, or wait until Jan? I tried consulting with a travel agent but she couldn't shed much light on the subject..

2) About booking a flight with a return date - since this is the wet season, boats to Tokelau can be postponed and I could easily miss my flight back from Samoa.. How would you recommend to go about that?
I thought I'd book my flight 1-2 days earlier than the date the boat leaves for Tokelau, and book my ticket back from Samoa a month later. Since boats leave Tokelau every 2 weeks or so, even if the boat is late in a few days I'll still be ok.
Would you recommend on taking a different buffer? Just want to make sure I'm right with the time-buffers..

3) Is getting there on the wet-season a bad idea? The tempertures don't seem to change too much. I know there's more occasional rain, but it still doesn't sound too bad.

4) About volunteering opportunities: I know there's woofing in Samoa, but I had another direction in mind.
I read that Tokelau could use some education volunteers, kind of like VSA does.
Since I don't have a New Zealand citizenship, I guess I'd have to do that independently.
I thought about mailing the schools directly but I'm not sure this is the right way to contact them, and I can't find their email address anywhere. Once again, I'm flexible and open for suggestions. There's not much to do in Tokelau except for some laid-back afternoons, so might as well give them a hand if I'm there :)
Same goes for Samoa.

5) One final questions if I may ask: what daily budget should I expect to spend (excluding extra activities like snorkeling, etc).

The total amount of time I plan to spend on both islands is 1 month and maybe a bit more (if more is needed for volunteering, I'm flexible).
I'm a backpacker.

Thanks a lot for your time!

What's the reason for the sudden price change?

Ticket prices reflect demand. The airlines reduce heavily after kids have gone back to school so early February flights are always cheap.
> Would you recommend on buying a ticket right now while it's still cheap, or wait until Jan?

Do it 6-8 weeks out at the latest. The earlier the better as prices rise as they sell more.
> 3) Is getting there on the wet-season a bad idea?

No. Still lots of sun but a little heavier rains and a bit more of it. Quite humid in the afternoons at times but what they don't tell you is that the dry season also has rain and humidity and overcast and rainy days too! You are right that the temperatures are pretty much the same all year round.
> . . . might as well give them a hand if I'm there :) Same goes for Samoa.

Handling volunteers is a big ask for locals. Think about it from their perspective. They have to organise you, teach you, train you and then hope that you can do something constructive that fits in with their programme. It's easy to assume that people want what you have to give, but that assumption is not always correct but building relationships with the locals in Samoa is always great. Thinking that you can help them somehow just because you want to can enter you into a real hornets nest! I would suggest that you don't pre-plan too much and take it as it comes. Befriend people and let it happen from there. Ask to visit a school to see what they do out of genuine interest and then if something happens from there, great!
> what daily budget should I expect to spend (excluding extra activities like snorkeling, etc).

Beach Fales are usually WST$70.00 and upwards for a night - two/three meals - some discount a little. Camp Samoa is the cheapest option at $30.00 but it's rural. Add your travel costs and tourisity things and you won't have much change from WST$100.00 per day over your entire time in Samoa.
> 1 month and maybe a bit more (if more is needed for volunteering, I'm flexible).

When we plan for voluntourists on the SWAP programme we recommend 6-8 weeks for blogging and photography and village-based projects. Anything less and you can't get a good handle on the new country and culture then do anything meaningful in the time.
> I'm a backpacker.

There are no dedicated Backpackers in Samoa. Beach Fales and Camp Samoa are your best options.

.

Thank you!
I guess I'll wait until I get to NZ to book a flight..

I contacted a nice lady from Fakaofo, Tokelau, and once I explained what I can do and that the food + accomodation costs are on me she was actually happy about the whole volunteering thing..

I can't find prices for Tokelau anywhere, so I've estimated 60$ per day for accomodation + food..

Counting the flying ticket to Samoa and back ($550), as well as the boat to Tokelau (~$240),
I guess that makes around $3000 for 40 days for everything.

(10 days in Samoa, $42 per day (total $945) + 30 days in Tokelau, $60 per day (total of $2460), both including transportation..)

Thanks again!