Promoting Tourism in Post-tsunami Samoa
Samoa has scored another scalp! Here, our resident left-wing, Marxist videographer Ben Cooney let’s fly in an emotional political rave against religion, capitalism and more. [Ed: The Editorial Team are still debating whether or not our disclaimer applies to this piece!] [Read more...]
A day in the life of a Web Ambassador . . . it’s sad, really! [Read more...]
Programming in Samoa is an interesting and somewhat different experience. [Read more...]
It may not be the first thing on your travel checklist, but if I am to be honest one of the top questions I had on my mind once I had applied for the web developer job at S.W.A.P. was: “What is the local beer like?” [Read more...]
Numerous sources will tell you to beware the many marauding dogs that line the streets of Samoa. Wikitravel.org and Lonely Planet both allude to this. The Palagi see them as a flea-harvesting colony, impending danger and nuisance; the Samoan don’t seem to see them at all. [Read more...]
The entire SWAP team will be at Aggie Grey’s Resort this Wednesday again presenting our business plans. [Read more...]
. . . Len Lye and his Impact on Redstar309Z.
Synchronicity vs Metaphysics + Future Thinking = Unknown Potential(isms) [Read more...]
Matt and I have made it to Samoa. [Read more...]
Catching a cab in Samoa is an absolute breeze! [Read more...]
Samoa is a place of mystic. The mythologies of the land have captivated visitors for years. [Read more...]
This morning I awoke to a trembling house. Coming out of a dream state, I was confused, was some one smashing around in the kitchen? did the freezer blow up? When my bed started to rattle, I realized I was experiencing my first earthquake. [Read more...]
Samoan being the land of beauty and contradictions extends across all areas. But the area that is of most entertainment to me. [Read more...]
We arrive at the Apia Central markets to a melee of pedestrians, busses and cars, people not running but meandering towards the hub. We get out of the car and walk into the markets. The locals greet me cross-legged cutting coconuts and peddling their wares. [Read more...]
SWAP is hosting our first Trade Night this Friday after work at SWAP HQ in Lotopa. [Read more...]
So there I was In Auckland at 3:27am sitting on my suitcase outside my flat in central Auckland, still reeling after watching a strangely enchanting yet compelling post apocalyptic film, and then shifting into Mr Tarentinos EPIC 70′s exploitation film “Death Proof“. I’m entering the unknown myself today! [Read more...]
Word is getting around quickly. SWAP Headquarters is turning heads all over Lotopa. [Read more...]
Keen photographer, blogger and experienced traveller Kylie is on her way to paradise through no fault of her own! Her mate Matt swung the deal and scored her ticket from the SWAP team because word has it she’s so keen to blog and snap and get to see the place she will say WONDERFUL things about us all until her dying days! Well, something like that!
They say that it’s not WHAT you know but WHO you know that gets you ahead around the world but in Samoa this is really important. Kylie’s trip to fun in the sun is proof of that. We look forward to Kylie’s pix and blogs in due course!
Matt is our PHP Developer and has an IT skills list as long as your arm (probably more like Pinochio’s nose but all geeks talk about how clever they are eh?). Systems are very important for us Internet webby type people and Matt’s your man in that department.
Matt has travelled a bit and has always wanted to visit Samoa so . . . Bob’s your uncle.
Business with a Palagi in Samoa often consists of requests for “TWO TALA!” “FIVE TALA!” “TEN TALA!” It seems everywhere you go there is this constant cry, and always that “Palagi price” – a little like when I visited Mexico. [Read more...]
A big congratulations to Matt Cooper from Wellington for scoring a stint in Samoa, courtesy of the SWAP team. [Read more...]
"What were you doing when the tsunami hit?" It’s a reoccurring question asked among the Samoan people. What happened on the 29th of September 2009 will mark this nation’s history. It is awful to say, the Tsunami put Samoa on the international map. [Read more...]
An invitation to spend time with the SWAP team was a challenge, mixing the pressures of work, family and play, but it was well worth it, especially for the friendships created while “working” there. [Read more...]
The village of Lepa has become a make shift home for fifty volunteers under the Habitat for Humanity organization. The team is mostly made up of New Zealanders and Australians. There are skilled tradesmen, laborers and ordinary individuals that came here to muck in. [Read more...]
You’d think that in a South Pacific Paradise, that there’d be a shortage of water. There’s not. Samoa seems to have a million and a half beautifully cool refreshing pools. [Read more...]
The plantation is vital to the health and well-being of Samoa’s social structure. [Read more...]
I met with an expat kiwi recently, now living in Samoa, who had to balance the two cultures.
Semi Samau moved back to the islands so that her children wouldn’t miss out on their culture. What she found on her return is that the two cultures – Samoan and Palagi are very much connected and overlapping in modern island life.
It has taken them some adjusting back to the Samoan way but they’re here to stay. She invited me into her home. It is light and spacious with all the trappings of a Palagi home. On closer inspection, Samoan and Palagi exist side by side. She offered me Milo, or tea then pointed out the window and said “or a coconut?” laughing.
I have experienced these incongruences all week.
She and her husband (Eneleata) own and operate Eva Eva Transport which is the local “luxury” bus company. [Read more...]
Homework is homework anywhere I guess, a drag . . .but imagine doing your homework with eleven other cousins! [Read more...]
A local man, passing in the street, noticed our renovations to the SWAP HQ, and popped in to see the boss looking for some work. Dennis sent us to meet and greet his family and I got my first taste of poverty in Samoa. [Read more...]
Samoa is Different. Very different. Visiting Samoa as a Web Ambassador has answered a dozen questions for me, many that I never thought to have asked. [Read more...]
Two weeks ago I was one of many new graduates looking for work in Auckland. What I came across was a Seek job post that was unlike any other. An invitation to have fun in the sun in Samoa, needless to say, I was interested. But what was it all about? [Read more...]
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