'Singing in Samoa'

when
9 - 18th July 2009.

where
The island of Upolu - Samoa

what is this trip like?
Imagine 9 days of singing, dancing and swimming on an exotic unspoilt island ...
Some notes from previous 'Singing in Samoa' trip.....stepped off the plane into the warmth of pacific island hospitality. Met with sounds of ukeleles and well rounded island voices, greeted with scented flowers, hugs and huge smiles and we were off on the beginning of this extraordinary journey. A quick dip in the ocean with colourful coral fish looking on, ceremony with the Matai chiefs, a feast of island food, singing and drumming and dancing and this was just day one! Learnt a Samoan hymn from Tapu and a gospel number from Tony, we think we sung them perfectly to the locals, well everyone was surprised! We’ve woven our plates, made our bamboo drums, learnt a Samaon dance... the village join in with everything. We’ve made some really great friends. We stay in simple little thatched huts (2 in each hut) right on the beach. I never want to leave my island home!

Don’t miss out!.

cost

Currency converter

LAND PACKAGE 

Land package- adults:	AUD $ 1650.00
Package available for children on request.

Secure your place now by making a 50% deposit.

Payment by installments is available by request. 

What does this land cost include

What is included in the costs?

All accommodation & most meals. Transfers to and from resort to airport. All tuition/workshops. Island tour excursion. Organisation, administration and service by tour manager

What is not included in the costs?

Personal expenses. Travel insurance- essential. Air / fuel tax. Airport departure tax (allow approx NZ $50)

Snacks, drinks or meals bought on excursions or outside of set meal times at Faofao. Any alcoholic beverages. Personal laundry

All prices are based on a minimum of 20 participants and is subject to change if numbers are not reached.

Loyalty Reward

A discount of AUD $100.00 off land cost applies to anyone who has participated in ‘Singing in Sikkim’ ‘Singing in Siena’ or ‘Singing in Samoa' trips.

AIR TRAVEL

Group Air travel costs will be available soon . Please fill in contact form with your request.

travel insurance

Please note that travel insurance is essential for this trip.
Australians can purchase insurance at a 10% discount through Singabout.
It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance at the time of booking.

Click here to download 'Covermore' travel insurance policy

Print the form found on the back pages of this brochure, complete this form and post to Singabout- po box 532, potts point, nsw, australia, 1335

+Travel insurance is aged based - confirmed price on application

programme / itinerary

Two very different teachers are coming together to share their extraordinary talents on this wonderful island where song plays such a large part of every day life and spiritual tradition.

The programme will include daily sessions of singing, these will be led by Tony Backhouse and Tapu Legalo, co owner of Faofao Beach Fales. Tapu is also the local choir director.

optional / electives

You can also make a slit drum and learn to play it, learn a traditional dance, learn the SASA, and you can do some weaving with the women.

excursion / island tour

There will be an excursion mid week that will include a trip to the rainforest visiting Saleapago Waterfall and stopover at Togitogiga Forest Reserve for a rainforest stroll and swim. We will have a picnic lunch in the grounds of Robert Louis Stevenson's house and have a look around this wonderful piece of Samoan history.

There will also be plenty of time to relax and read, walk the beaches and swim.

Meals will consist of plenty of fresh island food and be served banquet style at our home stay.

accommodation

We are staying in simple traditional thatched roof fales on the beach at Faofao Beach Fales (huts). Faofao Beach Fales are situated on the south eastern side of Upolu. The fales will be shared - 2 people in each. Please let us know who you wish to share with. There is one fale with room for a family of 4 people.

Extensions: It is possible to extend your stay in Samoa with this arrangement. Please confirm your preferred day of departure at time of booking.

Please note:

If you are making your own travel plans to and from Samoa you will need to notify Singabout of the time of arrival in Samoa. You will also be required to meet the group at their time of arrival for pick up /transfer to Faofao.

Tony Backhouse, Choir Director

Singer, composer, vocal arranger, musical director, workshop leader and author Tony Backhouse, is one of the leaders in the Australian a cappella movement. He led the Café of the Gate of Salvation gospel choir for 21 years and has sung with male a cappella trio Heavenly Lights since 1996.
 

He has made several trips to the USA to research African-American gospel traditions. He has studied ethnomusicology at Memphis State University, observing and singing with black choirs, quartets and congregations. In 1995 he taught and performed at the West Coast A Cappella Summit in California. He has led four singing tours of the USA, taking participants to sing in black churches.

Tony was Choir Director of the 2007 & 2009 'Singing in Samoa' trips.

Tapu Legalo, Choir Director

Tapu is the co-owner of Faofao Beach Fales and the local choir master for the Congregational Church in Saleapaga. In 2007 the Singing in Samoa group was delighted to have the privilege of Tapu teach us a mixture of traditional Samoan songs and hymns. This was the first time he had taught anyone from outside his village.

Organiser/ Tour Manager, Jennifer Richardson, will ensure that you enjoy a unique and culturally rich experience and that the trip is seamlessly smooth for you to fully relax. Owner of Singbout and known for having organised highly successful trips to Italy, ‘Singing in Tuscany’ 2004 & ‘Singing in Siena’ 2005, 2006 and 'Singing in Samoa' 2007 & 2008.

how to book

click here to go to booking page

All bookings subject to booking terms and conditions.
SINGABOUT recommends offsetting your CO 2 emissions.
For further information please check out - http://www.climatecare.org

visa

A visa is not required to visit Samoa. Further information is available through your Department of Foreign Affairs.

singing experience

You do not need to be an experienced or confident singer to join this group, a love of music and a good sense of humour is all that is required. It is not compulsory to take part in the singing, however, it will be a lot more fun if you take part in the singing and work with the group towards a performance at the end of the trip. You will find it will assist in making a connection with the group and importantly a connection with our new Samoan friends.

general information

Weather

Samoa has two distinct seasons - the dry season, which runs from May - October and the wet season from November to April. Average monthly minimum temperatures are in the low 20's (Celcius, 70's Farenheit), with maximums in the high 20's (Celsius, up to 86 Farenheit) all year round.

People

Samoa's population is approximately 180,000. Samoans are the most populous full-blooded Polynesian race in the world.

Language

Samoan is the national language, but English is the official language of business. Most Samoans are competent in English. Below are some useful Samoan words to learn:

English	Samoan	Pronunciation
Hello	Talofa	Tah-low-far
Goodbye	Tofa	Tor-far
Thank you	Fa'afetai	Far-ah-fay-tie
Please	Fa'amolemole	Fah-ah-more-le-more-le
Yes	Ioe	Ee-or-e
No	Leai	Le-eh
Maybe	Masalo	Mar-sar-lor

 

Dress

Light summer clothing is appropriate all year round, with perhaps a light sweater for the cooler evenings. Smart casual evening wear is appropriate for hotels and restaurants. Visitors are requested not to wear bathing suits in Apia or in the villages. No nude or topless (for women) swimming or sunbathing. Women are recommended to wear a lavalava (sarong) or dress, rather than shorts or trousers, if they attend church.

Religion & Church

The main religious denominations in Samoa are Congregational, Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Assembly of God, Seven Day Adventist, Bahai, Latter Day Saints and Jehovah's Witness. Sundays in Samoa are dedicated to God, with families usually attending church in the mornings followed by a family to'onai (lunch) and resting for the remainder of the day. You are welcome to attend the services. Please ask at your hotel reception for service times.

 

This event may be filmed.

singabout
po box 532,
potts point, nsw,
australia

tel +61 2 93322213
fax +61 2 93322215

mob +61 (0) 411 467915