Samoa is made up of nine islands about 1700 miles north east of New Zealand. The islands were originally settled about 1000 BC by a thriving Polynesian culture. In Apia, explore the colorful Maketi Fou (food market) on Fugalei Street, and the flea market – the perfect souvenir haunt where you’ll find everything from clubs and kava bowls to Samoan sarongs, baskets, and jewelry. Discover alluring blue lagoons, serene tropical beaches, cascading waterfalls, and lush rainforests. On Mount Vaea lies the beautifully restored home of author Robert Louis Stevenson. Tempt your taste buds with ocean-fresh fish wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an umu , an earth oven of hot stones.