Samoa celebrates 50th Birthday of Hollywood movie

Samoa will next week celebrate the 50th Birthday of the motion picture “Return To paradise” filmed on Upolu Island in 1953. The movie starred Hollywood greats Gary Cooper and Roberta Haynes, as well as a supporting cast of international and local actors. The film’s story line follows drifter Mr Morgan played by Cooper who washes up on a Pacific Island under the puritanical rule of Pastor Corbett played by English actor Barry Jones. There’s conflict between the two and Morgan meets an island maiden (Haynes) and has a daughter named Turia. Morgan leaves the Island and returns years later in search of his daughter only to find she has fallen in love with an American pilot (played by John Hudson), who will do for Turia what Morgan did for her mother. As part of the celebrations, Haynes who is now in her 70′s and actor Donald Ashford from the US, will be join three actors from the film now living in New Zealand, Terry Dunleavy, Moira MacDonald and Noni Paul and local cast members in Samoa. The cast will be guests at a special screening of the movie on 5 November in Apia, followed by a hosted function the next day by the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Hans Joachim Keil at the Faleata Golf Club. On 7 November the cast will participate in a tree planting ceremony to celebrate Arbor Day at Mulinuu Point in the morning before departing for Lefaga Village (where the movie was filmed) for a Ava Ceremony and lunch.

The film’s script was written by Charles Kaufman based on the character Mr Morgan from the book of the same name written by James Michener. The movie was directed by Mark Robson whose directorial talent covered 33 films including such notable films as “Valley of the Dolls” (1967), “Von Ryan’s Express” (1965) and “Peyton Place” (1957). Following the making of Return to Paradise Cooper went onto to make a further 15 movies before his death in 1961. During his film career he starred in a total of 107 movies over 36 years. For Haynes, her film credits spanned 13 movies from 1949 when she first starred in “Knock on Any Door” until 1989 when she appeared in “Police Academy 6: City Under Siege”. She also made a number of guest TV appearances throughout her career on programmes that included “Knots Landing”.

Samoa hosts 2003 Miss South Pacific Pageant

Samoa will next week play host to contestants for the 2003 Miss South Pacific Pageant in Apia. Contestants have been confirmed from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Hawaiian Islands, Tuvalu, Samoa, Niue and for the first time at the pageant, Saipan, Northern Marianas. The theme for this year’s pageant is “Pasefika Isles of Paradise”. Programme for the Pageant is as follows: 5 November, Movie screening of Return to Paradise in Apia. 6 November, Float Parade down Beach Rd, Apia at 8.00am and Government Function hosted by the Minister of Tourism Hon. Hans Joachim Keil that evening. 7 November, Tree planting and then onto Lefaga Village for lunch. 8 November, Miss South Pacific Pageant, 6.00pm at the EFKS Hall, Mulinuu. The Pageant is a regional event recognising and promoting the attributes, intelligence and talents of young Pacific Island women and their contribution to regional affairs. Tickets for the Pageant night are on sale from the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale on Beach Rd.

Entry visa for Chinese nationals lifted

The recent requirement for Chinese Nationals to obtain an entry visa to visit Samoa has been lifted. Now all foreign nationals can enter Samoa and stay for up to 30 days visa free providing they have a valid passport (minimum six months) return or onward airline ticket and sufficient funds to support their stay.

PH Soft Landings & Pacific Keys deals

Polynesian Airlines has released its new air pass packages titled “Soft Landings & Pacific Keys” available on the PH network only. Travellers have the option of flying anywhere within the PH network as follows: Soft Landings – a choice of two destinations NZ (Auckland & Wellington), Australia (Sydney), Niue, Tonga and American Samoa. Price ex NZ – NZ$1399, Australia – AU$1299, and Honolulu – US$899. For an additional $200 in the respective currencies you can choose one destination from the list above and add either Fiji or Honolulu. The Pacific Keys product costs NZ$1799, AU$1599 and US$1099 and options include flying to or from any or all of the countries listed. Once again for an additional $200 in the respective currencies you can also add in either Fiji or Honolulu. Travel period for both products is 15 January to 14 December and all fares are based on economy class seating. Minimum stays on the Soft Landings and Pacific Keys products in each destination is four and two days respectively, while maximum stay is 30 and 60 days respectively. For a brochure contact your nearest Polynesian Airlines office or local travel agent.

PH part of “World Journey” global airfare deal

Samoa’s national carrier, Polynesian Airlines has joined “World Journey”, the largest round the world airfare programme featuring 18 international airlines and 500 destination cities to choose from. Airfares (excluding taxes and levies) start from NZ$2879 to NZ$4479 in economy class or NZ$7209 to NZ$11,069 in business class and based on the number of permitted miles flown. A maximum of 10 stopovers is permitted. A sample itinerary – Auckland, Kuala Lumpur, Madras, Delhi, Amsterdam, Bologna, Budapest, Madrid, Caracas, Panama City, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Apia and Wellington would cost NZ$3269 with 29,851 miles flown. Participating airlines on the “World Journey” programme are Aircalin, Air Europa, Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Vanuatu, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, Emirates, Kenya Airways, KLM, Jet Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Malev, Northwest Airlines, Polynesian Airlines, South African Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines. For a World Journey brochure, contact your nearest participating airline.

Trade Winds – The story of PH, Airline of Samoa

On Thursday 6 November, Sir Reginald Barnewall, one of Australia’s most famous aviators will present a copy of Trade Winds, the story of the founding of Polynesian Airlines to Government officials. The ceremony will take place in Apia at the Falelata Golf Club where the CR-ROM book will be presented. Sir Barnewall along with Samoan businessman Eugene Paul and other locals founded the airline back in 1958 The CD-ROM is the story of Sir Barnewall and his wife during the four years in the South Sea Islands following a suggestion by a colleague that there existed in Samoa an opportunity to establish a small local airline.

Jason’s Samoa 2004 Whats On & Passport Map out

Jason’s Travel Media has released its 2004 versions of its Whats On Samoa Guide and Passport Map. Both publications written in conjunction with the Samoa Tourism Authority feature up-to-date information on the destination covering things to see, to do, accommodation and more. For copies of both products contact Jasons Travel Media, email admin@jasons.co.nz or your nearest Samoa Tourism Authority office listed at the end of this newsletter.

Samoa arrival statistics for September 2003

Worldwide visitor arrivals into Samoa for the month of September 2003 were 7345, up 9.5% compared to the same period last year. Total arrivals for the year to date (January – September) were 66,642, up 4.9% from last year. Revenue earnings for September was estimated at ST$13.2 million, while overall earnings for the first nine months of 2003 was ST$115.5 million up 5.8% or ST$6.4 million.

Samoa 2004 Government school holiday dates

The Samoa Education Department has released the dates for government school holidays for 2004 as follows: Term One Holidays 15 May – 6 June, Term Two Holidays 4 – 19 September, Term Three Holidays 11 December 2003 – 6 February 2004.

Send your support to Manu Samoa

Samoa’s national rugby team, Manu Samoa gave the Rugby World Cup a shake up last weekend in their match against England. Many commentators said the game was the match of tournament to date, and the Samoan’s showed England’s weaknesses, and their flair for their unpredictably. This weekend Manu Samoa take on South Africa in Brisbane for a place in the quarter finals, an achievement Manu Samoa has emulated at previous World Cups. So why not give ours boys a boost of support and send them a fax message. The team is staying at the Carlton Crest Hotel, in Brisbane, Australia, fax number (07)32299618. Go Manu Samoa!

Samoa 2004 Calendar on sale now

The Samoa 2004 Calendar is now on sale. Produced by Brisbane photographer David Kirkland (who also produced the 2003 version) the high quality calendar features 12 new images of Samoa and its people. To purchase a copy of this limited edition calendar, contact your nearest Samoa Tourism Authority office listed at the end of this newsletter.

Samoa Tourism Authority Contacts
www.visitsamoa.ws

October 31, 2003   Posted in: South Pacific