General FAQ:
Why are we so overscheduled? Who needs to see 5 waterfalls?I would rather overschedule, and then cancel later, rather than schedule light and have to try to strategize the planning on the fly. For example, the visits to the Palolo Marine Reserve and the Giant Clam Conservation Lagoon are timed to coincide with high tide, so you can float over the clams and the reef. I have carefully pored over tidal charts, sunrise and sunset tables, and opening hours of operation and put the itinerary visits in place. Much easier to cancel than to move them around.
About the waterfalls: some are beautiful overlooks of the falls, and will make gorgeous panoramic pictures, but you can't get close. Others you cannot climb to the top of the falls, but you can swim around under the cascading water. Others you can climb to the top of the falls and swim in the dammed up pool at the top. You'd be surprised at how varied falls are.
But what if we make a friend or meet a relative? We won't have any time to visit with them.
We have 7 people riding in 2 cars. We have room for another person to ride along with us. And you won't believe how many locals have never visited tourists attractions that are five miles away from where they were born and raised. They would love to come with.
Budget FAQ:
Why are some activities excluded, while other activities are included in the $1700?
If costs can be evenly accounted for, or divisible, then that is a shared (and included cost). Some examples are admission prices that are 5 tala per person, or fiafia feast buffets that are 50 tala per person, or hotel rooms for all 7 people where the total cost of all rooms plus taxes and fees can be divided by 7. It also includes costs like gas, where the total cost for gas for 2 cars is paid by Val, then divided into 7 equal portions.
Conversely, if a cost cannot be equally shared, or is not divisibly by 7, is an excluded cost. Examples include a family dinner at Sook's Sushi Restaurant, where Al might order twice as much food as Pago, or the Apia open air market, where Patty might buy 7 lava lavas, but Maddie only buys a fruit drink.
Please explain the various types of costs
Free=free. "Prepaid" means that Val has already paid for the cost, like airplane tickets. "Val pays" means that the cost is a group cost, and Val will pay for it. You have to pay 1/7th of the cost the Val pays. "Sponsored" is where some person (either in the travelling party or back home) pays for the event. There may be a sponsored hike, or sponsored dinner. "Extra" means that the cost is not covered, and you have to pay it.
I dont want to attend an activity, but I am paying for it anyway. Can I get my money back?
If you tell the group ahead of time, you wont be charged. At the last minute (like, on the trip), this is difficult. You will have the itinerary in hand at least 1 month prior to the trip and it is your responsibility to let the group know that you dont want to do a particular activity. If enough people in the group don't want to do something, then we will cancel it.
I dont want to attend an activity that is free, can I just duck out at the last minute?
Make sure that there are no costs associated with the activity, such as gas. Although the activities with Dad are not mandatory, the whole point of this trip is to spend time with Dad recalling his memories. You can always go to Samoa again, but Dad might not be available next time. Also, Dad has stated his preference that we do most things together, as he wants to show us places from his memory. He doesn't care where we go as long as he is with us. He even said he would rather go swim in a waterfall than go to church, if we want to swim.
Why is there a cost attached to some activities, even though the cost is extra?
For your convenience, and to help you plan your trip, the cost of extra activities are estimated, so you can determine if you can afford the uncovered activity. For restaurants, the midpoint of a range is specified. If a restaurant's entres are estimated to cost between $10 and $30, the midpoint ($20) is your estimated cost.
Conversely, if a cost cannot be equally shared, or is not divisibly by 7, is an excluded cost. Examples include a family dinner at Sook's Sushi Restaurant, where Al might order twice as much food as Pago, or the Apia open air market, where Patty might buy 7 lava lavas, but Maddie only buys a fruit drink.
Please explain the various types of costs
Free=free. "Prepaid" means that Val has already paid for the cost, like airplane tickets. "Val pays" means that the cost is a group cost, and Val will pay for it. You have to pay 1/7th of the cost the Val pays. "Sponsored" is where some person (either in the travelling party or back home) pays for the event. There may be a sponsored hike, or sponsored dinner. "Extra" means that the cost is not covered, and you have to pay it.
I dont want to attend an activity, but I am paying for it anyway. Can I get my money back?
If you tell the group ahead of time, you wont be charged. At the last minute (like, on the trip), this is difficult. You will have the itinerary in hand at least 1 month prior to the trip and it is your responsibility to let the group know that you dont want to do a particular activity. If enough people in the group don't want to do something, then we will cancel it.
I dont want to attend an activity that is free, can I just duck out at the last minute?
Make sure that there are no costs associated with the activity, such as gas. Although the activities with Dad are not mandatory, the whole point of this trip is to spend time with Dad recalling his memories. You can always go to Samoa again, but Dad might not be available next time. Also, Dad has stated his preference that we do most things together, as he wants to show us places from his memory. He doesn't care where we go as long as he is with us. He even said he would rather go swim in a waterfall than go to church, if we want to swim.
Why is there a cost attached to some activities, even though the cost is extra?
For your convenience, and to help you plan your trip, the cost of extra activities are estimated, so you can determine if you can afford the uncovered activity. For restaurants, the midpoint of a range is specified. If a restaurant's entres are estimated to cost between $10 and $30, the midpoint ($20) is your estimated cost.