TUVALU: Homosexuality Is Illegal, Therefore Not Safe For Sexually Active Gay Travelers

Tuvalu is a group of low-lying islands and atolls in the South Pacific that form the fourth smallest country in the world.

It is generally believed that the earlier ancestors came mostly from Samoa, possibly by way of Tokelau, while others came from Tonga and Uvea (Wallis Island).

These settlers were all Polynesians with the exception of Nui where many people are descendants of Micronesians from Kiribati.There are three distinct linguistic areas in Tuvalu.

The first area contains the islands of Nanumea, Niutao and Nanumaga. The second is the island of Nui where the inhabitants speak a language that is fundamentally derived from I-Kiribati. The third linguistic group comprises the islands of Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti and Nukulaelae.

Today, Tuvaluan and English are both spoken throughout the islands. The first European Explorer to make contact with Tuvalu was Alvaro de Mendana y Neyra, a Spanish explorer.

He sailed westward across the Pacific in 1567-8 to discover, explore and name a substantial part of the eastern half of the Solomon Islands. On January 16, 1568 Mendana, with his ship Capitana, sighted his first island, which turned out to be Nui, and named it the Isle of Jesus.

The islands became part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. However, ethnic differences within the colony caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands.

The Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu and independence was granted in 1978.

In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name .tv for $50 million in royalties over the next dozen years.

The climate is tropical. Easterly trade winds moderate the weather from March to November, while westerly gales bring heavy rain from November to March. Natural phenomena do not occur frequently here, but low level of islands makes them sensitive to changes in sea level. Three cyclones were recorded in 1997.

Islands That Make Tuvalu:

- Funafuti - the atoll with half the country's population and the capital, Fongafale

- Nanumanga

- Nanumea

- Niulakita

- Niutao

- Nui

- Nukufetau

- Nukulaelae

- Vaitupu

Fongafale is the capital city of Tuvalu.

Nationals of all Schengen Area states may enter Tuvalu visa-free for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period.

All other nationals will receive a visa on arrival, which is valid for one month. This visa is free for nationals of American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands, the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Gambia, Gibraltar, Grenada, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, the United Kingdom, Vanuatu and Zambia.

For all other nations, a AUD $100 fee is charged.

There is one international airport in Tuvalu, on the island of Funafuti. Fiji Airways flies from Suva originating from Nadi in Fiji to Funafuti Tuesdays & Thursdays. Return trip costs around 1200 Fijian Dollars including tax (535 € )

However, this is among the most unreliable flight services in the world, be prepared to wait a week or more beyond your intended departure date.

Due to its monopoly status, Air Pacific has operated an unscrupulous business between Fiji and Tuvalu, now that Air Fiji which was partly owned by the Tuvaluan Government no longer operates.

There is one main road in Funafuti in addition to the runway, which is used for recreational purposes when landings are not scheduled.

Motorbike is the best way to explore the island some costing roughly $10.00 per day.

The other islands are only accessible by boat.

English is the language of government and of most business on Funafuti, but Tuvaluan predominates on the outer islands. Samoan and Kiribati, although not the official languages, are spoken as well.

Tuvalu is not a destination for those in search of spectacular sightseeing opportunities. The island nation is not only small, it also lacks any city-like destination or architectural heritage. There are no hills or mountain ranges, no rivers or gorges.

Yet, it is a delightful Pacific destination, where your time is well spent in the shade of a palm trees on one of the pretty beaches. Traditional local culture remains very much alive, making the people of Tuvalu one of the nation's best assets.

Traditional dancing is performed on special occasions, and the local maneapa the town hall is your best chances of experiencing one.

The Funafuti Conservation Area on the western side of the Funafuti atoll has some of the best natural sights, and includes reefs, the gorgeous lagoon, channel, parts of the ocean and islands habitats. Its diversity in marine life makes it an excellent place for scuba diving or snorkelling.

The massive stationing of US troops in the Second World War left the island nation with a number of war time remains, including airstrips, bunkers and plane wrecks along the main island of Fongafale and near the village of Nanumea.

The tiny island of Motulalo in Nukufetau has an airstrip too, as well as some plane wrecks. If you have any interest in postal stamps, the Philatelic Bureau on Funafuti is a must-see.

The Tuvalu Women's Handicraft Centre at the airport is a good place to see and buy local crafts. If you have time however, try catching a boat to one of the outer islands and admire the local people's skills in making ornaments, fans, mats, baskets or woodcarvings there.

The national game is te ano or the ball. Two teams line up facing each other hitting a ball. The objective is to keep the ball in the air as long as possible. This is similar to volleyball.

The official currency is the Tuvaluan dollar $, TVD, which is pegged 1:1 with the Australian Dollar. Hence, Australian dollars are universally accepted at par in Tuvalu.

There is a handicraft centre and a philatelic bureau on Funafuti.

Cost varies, but is fairly cheap.

There are many lodges that have restaurants that serve food and beverages. They serve many types of ethnic cuisines such Chinese, Italian, and Indian. Fish is abundant.

Bars serve soft drinks and alcohol during meal times.

Guest houses. There are a number of privately run guesthouses on the island of a very basic standard. You will find most of them in Funafuti.

Funafuti hosts a University of the South Pacific extension centre. Motufoua, the country's only high school, is a coeducational boarding school on Vaitupu island. The Tuvalu Marine School, on an outer islet of Funafuti, trains Tuvaluan mariners for service on foreign ships.

The non-native work force is mostly comprised of contract employees from Britain and other foreign countries.

A siren signals when to leave the runway for an approaching plane.

Violent crime is rare, and usually involves alcohol and family disputes.

Male homosexuality is illegal in Tuvalu; therefore, the country is not safe for sexually active gay male travelers.

The power plug used in Tuvalu is the Australian Plug with 240 volts and 50 Hz.

The international dialing code for Tuvalu is: +688

Local numbers in Tuvalu have 5 digits, with the first 2 representing the islands as follows:

Funafuti: 20, 21

Nanumaga: 27

Nanumea: 26

Niulakita: 22

Niutao: 28

Nui: 23

Nukufetau: 24

Nukulaelae: 25

Vaitupu: 29

There is available a GSM network in 900 Mhz, provided by Tuvalu Telecom, with ID: 553-01. Please review the roaming agreement with your company, This Network is very slow and should only be used for messaging and email.

What you can do in Tuvalu

With 9 atolls to explore, coral reefs and an abundance of oceanic life, Tuvalu is a dream destination for diving, snorkeling and yachting enthusiasts.

Tours are generally fairly informal and are best arranged once you arrive on the island.

Diving and Snorkeling

With islands made from coral reef, Tuvalu is a truly inspiring location for Scuba Diving. 33 sq km of lagoon, reef, ocean and island habitats form part of a conservation area. It is still open to visitors for walking, snorkeling and picnicking.

You won’t find any local dive shops or operators in Tuvalu but most of the hotels will be happy to assist you. On arrival you can rent equipment and they will direct you to the best places to go.

Yachting

One of the best ways to explore the nine islands of Tuvalu is by chartering a yacht and going island hopping. A good company to consider is Neverland Yacht Charter, they rent yachts and catamarans and will organize excursions around the islands that you visit.

If you are interested in fishing, you can also contact Neverland to inquire about a boating and sport fishing excursion.

Cultural and Traditional Dance

If you are in need of a little culture, you can head along to your nearest Maneapa (local town hall). Throughout the year numerous traditional and cultural ceremonies are performed. Chat to the staff at your hotel.

They will know about all upcoming events and can advise you on where to go and what to wear.

The Matagigali bar near the airstrip holds discos most evening except Sundays and guests at Vaiaku Lagi Hotel guests are usually invites to functions held at the hotel

Local Sports

The national game is te ano or the ball. Two teams line up facing one another and competition begins with one member throwing the heavy ball toward the other team, who must hit it back with their hands.

Points are scored if the opposite team lets the ball fall and the first team to reach 10 wins. The game ends with the losers performing a funny song and dance routine intended to bring the winners back to earth.

Touring the islands

The most popular way to tour around the islands is by motorbike. Bikes are readily available and reasonably priced. Ask your hotel for advice. They may have their own bikes, if not, they will certainly know the best place to go.

Historic and Archaeological Attractions

During the World War II, large numbers of American troops were stationed on the islands of Tuvalu and airforce bases were strategically located to allow the allied forces to attack enemy bases in Kiribati.

An old runway exists on the north eastern side of Nanumea and the remains of World War II planes are visible in the scrub. A wreck of a landing craft can be seen on the reef near the village on Nanumea.

There is another World War II airstrip on the islet of Motulalo in Nukufetau, along with the remains of plane wrecks.

Funafuti atoll was the main base and remains of World War II debris can be seen along the main island of Fongafale. A well-preserved underground bunker is found on the islet of Tepuka.

On Funafuti, the site of the drilling by scientists to prove Darwin's theory on the formation of atolls can be found. Darwin's theory was proved to be correct and evidence of submerged volcanoes was found after drilling to a depth of more than 1000 feet.

Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau

The Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau is located at the southern end of the township of Funafuti. Stamps depicting facets of Tuvalu are printed overseas and are highly collectable.

Since 1975, collectors from more than 60 countries around the globe have eagerly sought new issues of Tuvalu stamps.

Why are Tuvalu stamps so popular?

In 1975, when Tuvalu separated from the Gilbert Islands & Ellice Islands now Kiribati and later became an independent constitutional monarchy, the Philatelic Bureau was created to deal with all stamp issues for the newly-created territory.

The popularity of our unique and original stamp designs quickly became evident and is reflected in the catalogue values of obsolete Definitive and Commemorative issues.


Tourism Observer

SAMOA: American Tourists Attracted To Samoa By Culture

Samoa’s culture attracted two New Zealand university students from the United States to the islands.

With a background in anthropology and environment, Jasmine Olins and Brette Lennon were mesmerized by the bond and the value Samoans place on their culture.

They are originally from America and will be in New Zealand until June.

They both agreed that they had to come and see and feel what Samoa is like after hearing so much about it.

They arrived on Friday and will leave on Thursday for New Zealand and for them; it’s been so far, so good.

We have a friend who has a friend that is studying here in Samoa which is the reason we came. He said he really liked it here and we wanted to come too, Jasmine told the Dear Tourist team.

Since it was close by New Zealand and it was an easy trip to come here for a mid-semester break before school starts again.

They shared their experience of the cultural performances at the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale.

The traditional dance here is way different from New Zealand. The Maori’s are more aggressive in the way they perform, Brette says.

Watching the performances indicates how strong the culture is and its value in this country.

The dances and performances are a big part of the culture and we really enjoyed that. It was cool that kids were trying to teach us how to dance.

Just by watching, there were young kids who were giving instructions about the culture here and it seems like they were taught at a young age.

They also commented on the difference between New Zealand and Samoa.

The people here are so friendly, and it’s not that the people in New Zealand aren’t friendly, but it is way different kind of atmosphere we get here.

Seeing the children and their different kind of happiness showcases their independence.

Samoa for them was a perfect place for relaxation. They enjoyed the good food, the hot sun and especially the ocean.

In America the water is very cold and salty, for New Zealand the water is cold too. But here in Samoa, the sea is so much warmer. It is the perfect temperature.

You can go snorkeling for hours without realising that you are getting sunburnt.

We will come back again, it is a good place to visit, have a holiday and experience a different culture.



Tourism Observer

AUSTRALIA: South Pacific Tourism Organisation Launches New Website

Travelers interested in visiting the South Pacific are now able to access instant information on Pacific countries through the www.southpacificislands.travel site, launched at the 4th South Pacific Tourism Exchange in Sydney, Australia last month.

The new domain name linking the key words South Pacific islands and travel is the new home for the South Pacific Tourism Organisations (SPTO) revamped website reflecting the organization mandate as the regional agency responsible for marketing and developing tourism in the region.

The new look website has been developed in line with the new SPTO brand launched one year ago at the 26th Council of Tourism Ministers meeting in the Cook Islands reflecting the key message of “Ours is Yours’ which is also an invitation for the world to come and discover the South Pacific and share in what the region has to offer.

The website has also been tailored to meet the requirements of SPTO’s corporate clients in particular clients who work with SPTO to market the region to the world.

These clients will have access to the large database of accentuated Pacific images to assist them with doing their work, through the password protected area of the site.

The refreshed regional tourism website will strengthen SPTO’s capacity in a number of different areas, including regional destination marketing and servicing membership requirements and providing more information in the area of niche markets, SPTO Chief Executive Officer, Chris Cocker said.

It has been tailored specifically for the different types of clientele served by SPTO and we are excited that it has been launched and we are now live, so let us work together to make tourism happen in the region!” he added.

The site is expected to also boost the marketing efforts of SPTO member countries by providing visitors with access to specific pages on activities and tours available in the different countries and help them plan their trip by linking them directly to tour operators and destination websites.

The site has a specific portal for travel agents who choose to become South Pacific specialists where they can access training material for 16 Pacific Island destinations and for specific niche markets in the region. These niche markets include, weddings and honeymoons and diving.

Other aspects of the site include an interactive map of the Pacific with specific in country maps and links to all SPTO
Social media sites, as well as blogs on the region and latest news releases from SPTO.

About SPTO

Established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)
is the mandated organisation representing Tourism in the region. Its 18 Government members are American Samoa,Cook Islands,Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia,Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the People’s Republic of China.

In addition to government members, the South Pacific
Tourism Organisation enlists a private sector membership
base.

BELARUS:UNWTO Supports Scraping Visa Requirements

UNWTO has expressed its full support to the decision of the Government of Belarus to launch the 5-day visa-free policy that will be applicable to travelers from 80 countries.

The measure aims at advancing seamless travel and attracting visitors, particularly those on business trips.

The Government of Belarus has recently decided to advance visa facilitation as a means to stimulate tourism development. The decision introduces visa-free entry at the Minsk National Airport and visa-free stay in Belarus for up to five days for the citizens of 80 states.

Among those, there are 39 countries of Europe, including the entire European Union, Brazil, Indonesia, the USA and Japan.

“Visa facilitation is among the most effective strategies to induce tourism development in a region or in a country, so we are sure that the tourism sector will experience a positive shift in Belarus,” said UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai.

The promotion of seamless travel is one of UNWTO’s priorities, considering the proven capacity of visa facilitation to stimulate economic growth and job creation through tourism.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has signed a decree scrapping visa requirements for residents of 80 foreign countries for a period of no more than five days, the press service of the Belarusian president reports.

“The document establishes visa-free procedures of entry into Belarus for a period no longer than five days on entry via a check point across the State Border, the Minsk National Airport, for citizens of 80 countries,” it said, specifying that the decree covers 39 European countries, including all EU countries, as well as Brazil, Indonesia, the United States and Japan.

First of all these are migrant-friendly countries, strategic partners of Belarus, states that have unilaterally introduced a visa-free regime for Belarusian nationals,” the press service explained. The decree also applies to “non-citizens of Latvia and stateless persons of Estonia.

“The document is aimed at giving a boost to travels of business people, tourists, individuals having domestic passports and will not apply to foreigners making official trips: diplomatic, business, special and other passports equivalent to them will not be taken into consideration,” the press service commented.

As for the citizens of Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia and Samoa, a compulsory additional demand for them is to have in their passports a valid multi-entry visa of a EU or a Schengen zone state with a mark confirming the entry to their territory, as well as plane tickets confirming the departure from the Minsk National Airport within five days from the entry date.

These visa-free travels don’t apply to people arriving in Belarus by plane from Russia, as well as planning to fly to Russian airports (these flights are domestic and have no border controls). The decree comes into effect one month after it is published officially.

SAMOA: South Pacific Tourism Organisation Markets Samoa Tourism

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (S.P.T.O.) is creating greater awareness of tourism in the South Pacific Islands region across Europe, through a series of marketing events over the next two months.

Meet the Pacific is a series of one-day business-to-business meetings that’s held across five European cities, namely Barcelona, Milan, Prague, Zurich and Manchester from 22 February to 6 March.

It creates the opportune platform for Pacific tourism suppliers to meet with key European tour operators (buyers) who are committed to or interested in selling the South Pacific as a destination to their clients.

“Meet The Pacific is a great way for South Pacific tourism bodies and operators to meet with key industry buyers in Europe in a short period of time, and maximize their resources with maximum impact for their particular destinations, product and service offerings,” said S.P.T.O. Marketing Manager, Alisi Lutu.

Now in its third year, the event is organised by Rosie Holidays (Fiji) and Turama Pacific (Cook Islands) and supported by S.P.T.O.

On 25 February, S.P.T.O. will also participate in a consumer tourism event called Visit Pacific in Malmo, Sweden.

Visit Pacific organiser Tour Pacific, a Swedish-based South Pacific Travel Specialist, has confirmed 33 exhibiting companies including airlines, cruise operators, tourism offices and hotels from Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti and Vanuatu expected to attend.

S.P.T.O’s presence at Visit Pacific will help ensure that the region’s smaller Pacific Island destinations get a voice at this key event.

These events lead up to South Pacific Islands’ participation in I.T.B Berlin, the world’s largest consumer and travel trade show in Europe from 8 to 12 March along with national tourism offices and private sector (airlines, resorts, tour operators) from Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands,

New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu.

The annual event attracts thousands of participants and experts mainly from the European travel and tourism industry, as well as globally.

Participants at I.T.B. range from all sectors of the tourism and travel industry including travel agents, wholesalers, tour operators, hotels, airlines, media, government representatives and other travel related companies.

S.P.T.O. will use the I.T.B. platform to promote the new South Pacific Islands brand identity, launched in October 2016 into the wider European market, which is highly diverse and remains one of the key consistent markets in the world today.

Total visitor arrivals from Europe to the Pacific Islands region have fluctuated from 177,828 visitors in 2011 to 173,278 visitors in 2015. A decrease of 172,824 visitors is estimated for 2016, which may be largely attributed to impacts of Brexit. The forecast for 2017 is 173,222 visitors.

Participation at Meet the Pacific, Visit the Pacific and I.T.B. 2017 allows Pacific Island countries to invigorate key networks; re-establish contracts; enter new markets by creating business opportunities through sales leads and introduce new products and services to the European travel market.

Europe is the 3rd largest tourist source market, representing about 10% of all visitor arrivals to the Pacific Islands region; following Australia and New Zealand holding steadfast, a combined 50% market share.

“It is important for the sustainability of Pacific tourism that we are maintaining marketing and promotional presence and engaging productive partnerships with European travel partners on selling our Pacific Island destinations.

This will help encourage the needed growth of visitor traffic and yields out of these long haul markets into our Pacific island economies,” said S.P.T.O. Marketing Manager Alisi Lutu.

S.P.T.O will also promote its online South Pacific Specialist programme to train European travel agents on how to best market and sell the South Pacific to their clients

FIJI: South Pacific Tourism Organisation Hosts Miss Pacific Islands 2016, Anne Christine Dunn

National and regional pageants give recognition to young Pacific Island women and their contributions to regional affairs across diverse fields.

This was highlighted by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation that welcomed and hosted Miss Pacific Islands 2016 Anne Christine Dunn to a luncheon at their office in Suva today.

South Pacific Tourism Organisation Chief Executive Officer Chris Cocker says Dunn, who is also Miss Fiji 2016 was recently crowned the overall winner at the 30th Miss Pacific Islands pageant last week in Apia, Samoa.

Eight Pacific Island beauties from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Samoa competed in this year’s event.

Cocker says that the Pacific’s tourism assets are its people, environment and culture; and pageants serve as a unique platform to celebrate these assets.

He adds that SPTO, as the leading regional body for tourism promotion, will continue to support national and regional pageants that celebrate cultural diversity, promote our idyllic Pacific destinations, and contribute to foreign exchange earnings of the host country.

Miss Pacific Islands 2016 Anne Dunn is championing awareness on climate change and tourism in the Pacific, with a special focus on young women and youths.

KOSOVO: Man With A Heart For Kosovo

A pilot from Kosovo visited Samoa to say thank you for recognising their independence.

James Berisha was in the country for three days.

Kosovo declared independence in February 17, 2008 from Serbia by Kosovo’s former Prime Minister Hashim Thaqi. However, not many countries recognised the independence of Kosovo.

That‘s when Mr. Berisha started a mission called “Flying for Kosovo,” to raise awareness about Kosovo’s independence.

“The main reason why I started the mission was to help the people of Kosovo and the nation to get on their feet and to spread the word to the rest of the world that Kosovo exists and that they are independent,” said Mr. Berisha.

His mission was mostly voluntary and self-funded in the beginning and it began when he was residing in El Paso Texas.

“I purchased a small airplane and painted the flag of Kosovo on the sides with the saying “Please recognise the independence of Kosovo.”

“And I wanted to do only the Western Hemisphere countries. I thought that I would do just that then I’m done. And I did this by talking to the media and having press conferences and being in constant communications with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And it took me a year to finish all the countries in the western hemisphere.”

When Mr. Berisha returned to Kosovo, his popularity grew and the government and the people of Kosovo were “impressed” with his work.

“The government asked me to continue my mission and they will provide funding for the mission, and will try and get people to help me,” he said. “People came on board and they helped me on the mission and of course a lot of donations from people. And we got to finish all the countries in the African continent which consists 54 countries.”

For the mission, Mr. Berisha has covered 97 countries and has convinced them to recognise the independence of Kosovo.

“Because you need 2/3 of the countries to recongise your independence in order for your country to have a seat in the UN. And it is very important for countries to recognise the independent of your country.”

According to Mr. Berisha, the recognition of a country’s independence means there will be trade, importation and exportation of goods and services.

“Not forgetting sharing of ideas and aiding for other countries needs and wants.”

The ‘Flying for Kosovo’ mission did not come to Samoa. But Mr. Berisha said Samoa was one of the first countries to recognise the independence of Kosovo in September 2008.

“There are 194 nations on the globe based on the UN, and from that 194 nations, we didn’t have them recognising our independence and it was bad. But Samoa did recognise our independence the first year we declared our independence and we are grateful to the government and the people of Samoa for that,” he said.

And now he has come to Samoa, Mr. Berisha said he is amazed by the beauty of Samoa.

“This place is absolutely beautiful,” he said. “The natural surrounding is amazing and you have such loving people.

“I am here to visit and see the island. The globe is my home so I am very attracted to the nature, to different cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and the different people. And coming here and being in contact with the people of Samoa, I’ve loved the experience.

The people of Samoa are really extremely nice. They welcome the outsiders to their homes and treat them very nice and respectful, and for me, that is very touching. One thing that impressed me about the people of Samoa is that they are very hard working. You know it’s a small island, but you see people working hard in trying to keeping the country clean and beautiful.”

“Take this from someone who have been around the world and have been to 140 countries in my lifetime aside from the mission. And I have seen the different and the uniqueness in the people of Samoa from all the other nations. I will definitely come back and will spread the word to the people of Kosovo so that they could also come to Samoa.

“Every country has its unique way of life and its unique lifestyle.

“In Samoa, everybody is so friendly and hard working. The roads are very beautiful. And I know that the government of Samoa is doing a great job with the developments of this country. I’m sure every government have their own problems but the thing I like about Samoa is that the country is very “live”. You see progress and see that everything is moving.”

He also confessed that he wished the people of Kosovo could be friendlier like the people of Samoa.

“Our people are not as friendly as the people of Samoa. I wish I could take this aspect of the Samoan culture and take it with me to Kosovo.”

The 44-year-old started flying in 1993. He is married to Zoga and they have two children.

Asked to describe Kosovo, he said: “Kosovo is a beautiful country with high mountains and fertile lands. It has four seasons and wealthy minerals.

“Tourism is not big and has a population of less than 2 million. Their culture is more like the European culture and agriculture is the main source of income.

“The Albanian language and English are the main languages used by the people of Kosovo.”

SAMOA: Cultural Shows & Activities

SAMOAN CULTURE EXTENDS BACK OVER 3000 YEARS - MORE CULTURE THAN YOU CAN ENCOUNTER IN JUST ONE VISIT!

A holiday the Samoan way wouldn’t be complete without attending a Fiafia Night.
It is a celebration of Samoan culture with a traditional buffet and entertainment featuring beautiful songs, graceful dances and the spectacular fire knife dance.

Fiafia can be translated as happy get-together, and the performers are very enthusiastic and proud to be able to share their traditional culture with the audience. The performers wear traditional lava lavas (by the men) and puletasis (women) which echo the vibrant colours of Samoa.

Following a sumptuous buffet using fresh produce from the local area, the night’s
entertainment of story telling commences with the women performing the beautiful Siva dance. The energy transforms as the men perform the Faataupati (clapping dance) and heats up with the Siva Afi (fire knife dance).

The evening culminates with the Taualuga (final dance) and guests are invited to join in where they will learn a few moves to take back home to show their family and friends!

Attending a Fiafia Night is always entertaining and provides the audience with an insight into the rich 3,000 year old culture only found in Samoa – Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan Way).

SAMOA: Discover Samoa

Samoa, the vibrant and uniquely beautiful country located in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific. Featuring volcanic landscapes, pristine coastlines and tropical flora and fauna, it is an island getaway destination you’ll never forget. Surrounded by the warm, crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, travelers to Samoa will find a tropical paradise where people are friendly and hospitable, and the culture treasured by all.

Comprising of 10 islands, Samoa boasts secluded beaches and warm air temperature at 30°C. Enjoy your vacation with a refreshed and relaxed state of mind.

Enjoy the pristine sandy beaches of Lalomanu Beach, take a trip to do some deep sea game fishing, hike to a hidden waterfall, explore rainforests or swim with turtles. The choice is yours.

Among all the natural beauty and pictureqsue valleys and coastline you will find villages with their churches, meeting house and open homes encircling the village green (malae).
Attractions & Activities

Samoa is known as the 'Cradle of Polynesia'. Historical sites and a wealth of historical and cultural attractions make Samoa a great place to experience authentic Polynesian culture. The natural beauty of Samoa is equally fascinating. Spectacular blowholes, amazing waterfalls, picturesque coastlines and mountain lookouts are some of the many natural attractions of the country.


The two major islands of Upolu and Savai'I, and two of the eight outer islands are inhabited (Manono and Apolima). Upolu, with the country's capital of Apia, offers a wide range of activities and attractions. Among the sights not to be missed are the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, the sacred burial grounds at Mulinu'u, and the Papase'ea Sliding Rocks, which are all within close proximity of Apia. The Falemata'aga Museum of Samoa is located in a historical old government building and offers information about the culture, history and environment of Samoa and the Pacific. The Piula Caves are a perfect spot to enjoy nature's beauty. The natural pool here is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and picnicking. The eastern tip of Upolu also offers great snorkeling areas such as Lalomanu beach.


Savaii is Samoa's largest island. Here visitors can experience the faaSamoa, the Samoan way of life, which takes place at an easy and gentle pace. A well-paved road encircles the island and connects many attractions such as the Tia Seu Ancient Mound, the largest ancient structure in Polynesia; the Alofaaga Blowholes; the Aopo Conservations Area; the Lava Caves; the Aula Green Turtle Conservations; and the Falealupo Rainforest Preserve with its forest canopy walkway.
Culture & Events

Samoa is a traditional society with a distinctive Polynesian cultural heritage. A fully independent state with a parliamentary system of government, Samoa is the largest full-blooded Polynesian country in the world. Over 90% of the country's population of 177,000 people are full Samoan.

First inhabited by humans over 3,000 years ago, Samoa has a long history that includes everything from island invasions to territorial squabbles between Germany, the US, and Britain. Samoans are believed to have migrated from the West, (the East Indies, the Malay Peninsula, or the Philippines). The oldest known site of human occupation in Samoa is Mulifanua on Upolu dating back to about 1,000 BC. By far the most important agents of change in Samoa were the Western missionaries. The missionary influence on Samoan life was so strong Samoans are now devoutly religious people. Between 1962 and 1997, Samoa was known as the Independent State of Western Samoa (or more simply Western Samoa), but has since dropped the 'Western' from its name.

Samoa is famous for faa-Samoa. This Samoan way of life runs at its own pace and culture and tradition are an integral part of the society. Despite centuries of European influence, Samoa maintains its historical customs, social and political systems, and the Samoan language.
There are over 362 villages in Samoa with a total of 18,000 matai (chiefs). The land of the villages are owned by extended family units called aiga, which are headed by matais. The two main structures in a typical Samoa village are the Fale Fono central structure of in each village is the church as well as the Fale Fono, where the matais meet to discuss village matters.

The traditional Samoan dance is the Siva. This dance is similar to the Hawaiian hula, telling a story with gentle movements of the hands and feet. Traditional Samoan medicine is often practised as a first-line before hospital medicine. This is a type of alternative medicine using plant leaves to massage the affected area. The traditional women's clothing is the puletasi which is a matching skirt and tunic with Samoan designs. Some men have intricate and geometrical patterns tattooed onto their lower body and upper legs.

The highlights of the Samoan event calendar are the Independence Celebration the beginning of June and the Teuila Festival (www.teuila.ws) the second week of September.
The Independence Celebrations feature parades by various schools, associations, clubs and organizations, the raising of the National flag, traditional singing and dancing, boat races, and a marching girls competition.

In August 2007, Samoa will host the South Pacific Games. This multi-sports event takes place every four years and includes athletic events that are synonymous with the Pacific.

NIGERIA: Visa Free Countries For Holders Of Nigerian Passports

As a Nigerian citizen with a Nigerian passport, there are certain countries which do not require a visa or a visa-lottery upon entry so long as you have your Nigerian passport.

However, for some of these countries, there is an estimated amount of time you are expected to spend before a visa will be demanded for. The period of days for which you can stay varies from country to country and then you would have to obtain a visa, at least this is not like a gamble when you play the visa- lottery.

The easiest way to know the visa free countries is to list all the countries you may visit visa free is to split them into continents. In the Americas you may access Barbados for six months, Dominica for 21 days, Grenada, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis for three months and Turks and Caicos Islands for 30 days.

In Asia you can freely arrive in the following countries to which you will then be issued with a visa once in the country. In Azerbaijan, Laos, Macau and Timor-Leste you are granted with a 30 day visa. In Bangladesh you are granted a 90 day visa.

In Oceania you may access Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Vanuatu and Palau for 30 days, Cook Islands for 31 days, Tuvalu for one month, Samoa for 60 days and Fiji for four months.

In Africa Nigerian passport holders can visit the following countries visa-free; Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger Senegal and Uganda, basically all the West African countries.

Please note that this posted was last modified on the 5th of March 2014. Kosovo is no longer visa free for Nigerians and many African countries.

You can also get visa-on-arrival in Kenya.