Contrary to when we stepped into a winding down scene in Apia Fish Market, Savai’i Fish Market was fully buzzing when we made our way there around 10 AM the local time.
We travelled to Savai’i, the largest island in Samoa, by ferry from Apia the same morning.
The first stop was Savai’i local market.
After a short walk around the market and drinking Kava with the village chiefs, we made our way to the fish market, which is located in the same vicinity.
Savai’i Fish Market
Size-wise, Savai’i Fish Market is relatively small compared to the Apia Fish Market, with maze-like stalls that could fit ten or more fishmongers. But there was way more variety of fish in this market, including the bright blue coloured ones that I had never seen before.
I was also surprised to see pufferfish (fugu fish) sold by a fishmonger, which I later learned is not an unusual seafood choice for Samoan people.
The star of the market, though, was humongous-sized skipjack tuna. They looked so fresh, making me wonder how Samoans cook their seafood aside from serving it raw.
While I roamed the maze taking pictures, I saw a few purchases made. There was not much haggling; the local Savai’i-an knew their fishmongers enough to make the transactions based on trust and a years-long relationship, not unlike Amma and her trusted market stalls back in Jakarta.
Since visiting Savai’i, I have had this farfetched dream to take a month-long break there with Fafa.
We would rent a room in one of the resorts by the beach and spend our days swimming, reading and relaxing. For food, I’d very much want to cook (let’s figure out the logistics of cooking in a resort later). And I envisioned many seafood curries, all freshly bought from the Savai’i Fish Market.
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Id love to spend a month there with you 😍