ADVENTURE IN SAMOA
From Lu'ua we return to the Hidden Garden to meet our guide Eti Sapolu. Hidden Garden serves as a base for day trips to places like the slippery rocks, the homestead of Robert Louis Stevenson or the Uafato conservation area where traditional wood carvers reside in the jungle. These day trips along with meals are organized by the participants.
Eti takes us on a jungle hike to volcanic lake Lanoto'o where we will swim and camp beneath the starry skies of the southern hemisphere before continuing on through the jungle. Camping leads to scuba diving in the pristine waters of Lalomanu where experts await at Moanalei Dive Center. Surrounded by sea turtles, magnificent corals and other sea creatures participants will take part in a four day PADI diver certification course.
The remaining day is in the capital city of Apia shopping in open air markets, finishing up art projects and sharing them with the group.
In Lu'ua focus is on creating art in a medium of your choice reflecting your experiences and recording fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way. We stay in traditional fales on the beach owned by local families with at least two participants in each fale. A home-stay experience surrounded by familiar faces in adjacent fales. Each morning we spend time in the village talking to people, helping out where it is needed and working on our art. After lunch there are excursions to the rainforest preserve, the green turtle rehabilitation center, the dwarf caves, and many more. All afternoon activities are planned by the participants according to their interest.