The islands themselves are also undoubtedly gorgeous, and I loved the volcanic landscape (there's big lumps of black lava covering the whole island).




It was lovely having a companion to share it all with too, and Chris and I hired a car on Savai'i island, seeing all the main areas in comfort.

Having our own transport was wonderful compared to our travels around the Upolu island on public busses! Now I'm proud to be a backpacker who always takes local transport, but after having been stuck for hours on a packed bus with wooden seats, bouncing along potholed roads with Chris on my lap and our bags on top of her, whilst suffering from a terrible flu/food poisoning, having the luxury of our own car was wonderful!