We rented a car in Apia and took a two-day drive around the island of Upolu. The main road more or less hugs the coast and this route was almost completely lined with dwellings, with only signs to let us know as we were passing from one village to another. The majority of the islanders live in traditional buildings called fales, which generally look like less grand versions of the large structure in this photo – a roundish roof of corrugated metal or more traditionally wood and palm thatch, and poles to support it but no walls. Curtains, or palm shutters, or tarps are used for privacy or to keep the rain out but as we drove along the coast most people had their homes wide open and you could see them hanging out inside. Definitely the coolest housing option and more energy efficient than air conditioning! Most houses also had huge gardens with taro, coconut, bananas and decorative plants and flowers. Villages were generally very neatly kept with pretty hedgerows with flowers or colourful plants.