Robert Louis Stevenson
Its so easy to stay on the beach, read, lie a bit in the sand, watch the waves ebb and flow and generally just chill, however a tiki tour around the isle is a must. A much greater appreciation of Samoa is gained.
The Robert Louis Stevenson home, Vailima, is incredible. Here, there is an acute sense of history and his colonial mansion has been restored and I personally think, a visit here is on top of the to do list!
Robert Louis only spent 4 yrs in Samoa and died with complications of TB. A disease he had as a child and the reason his parents moved to the tropical climes of the South Pacific.
His writing in those 4 yrs was prolific and he wrote approx 13 books during that time.In total, if I remember rightly, Robert Louis wrote over 40 books in his lifetime dying at the age of 44. The well known ones we know,”Kidnapped” and “Treasure Island’.
He was an advocate for Samoan autonomy and was revered amongst the Samoan people for his generosity and humility. His tomb is at the top of a mountain close to his home and has ‘The Requiem’ engraved on his stone. Sadly his children also died later, both creative artists in their own rights and the Robert Louis Stevenson line disappeared. ‘Vailima’ and its magnificent tropical gardens imbue a sense of calm,tranquility and history.
Samoa consists of two main islands Upolu, the most populated, (where I stayed) and Savaii, where you will find traditional tapa making and much less people. This art is dying out but a resurgence to teach the young is underway.
