Chasing the World's First Sunrise in Samoa 🇼🇸

Finally visited this Lonely Planet-recommended destination—one of the first places on Earth to greet the sun! The heart-shaped To Sua Ocean Trench and roaring Alofaaga Blowholes left me speechless. Essential Info 🌟 ✈️ Flights: Direct from Auckland/Fiji to Apia. 📱 Connectivity: Mobile roaming works (slow); local SIMs at the airport. 🚗 Transport: Rent a car at Apia Airport (cheaper than taxis! $80 for a 50km ride?!). Savai‘i island rentals: Cash-only, near the ferry dock (800m right turn). ⛴️ Ferries: Apia → Savai‘i at 6AM/10AM/2PM/4PM (90min; $10). Book ahead—limited capacity! 💵 Money: Mostly cash-based. Exchange at the airport (best rates) or Chinese restaurants. Itinerary 🗓️ 2 days Apia: To Sua Trench 💙 Lalomanu Beach (Top 10 globally!) Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Pacific’s prettiest building) 2 days Savai‘i: Alofaaga Blowholes 💦 Lava Church Ruins ⛪ Sopo’aga Falls (epic photo spot!) Quirks 🤩 Churches everywhere (highest density I’ve seen in 80+ countries!). Open-air fale (traditional houses) in every yard. Rainbow buses 🚌 with no schedules—just vibes. #Samoa #FirstSunrise #HiddenParadise