Today’s destination is another tiny island nation, this time in the Pacific.  To me at least, Samoa is bigger than I expected as it is larger than Hong Kong. 

Despite the fact that Samoa is only 125 km from its nearest neighbour, American Samoa, it is 24 hours ahead. It’s only been this way since 2011 when Samoa moved west. Samoa is now the first country to start the New Year as a whole.

Samoa has recently been ravaged with an epidemic of obesity as diets have changed. More and more imported, processed foods have resulted in rising levels of obesity and one in three residents suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

One more positive thing about Samoa is that it has for a long time recognised a third gender, or “faʻafafine”, people who recognise themselves as having a non-binary gender role. Now that’s something I can drink to. If only I could get hold of a Vailima in Copenhagen…