Old Apia Market

Description:

• Once the town's vegetable market, this giant shed is now a crowded and very active flea market, with vendors selling everything from cosmetics to shoes (local wags say it's better stocked than Apia's regular stores because some goods may have been slipped past Customs on their way from American Samoa). Your best buys here are fine mats and other Samoan handicrafts; in fact, you can even watch local women at work in their stalls. The other handicraft shops usually have better-quality pieces, but you might find an exceptional one here. Especially look for the merchant who sells intricately carved tanoa (kava) bowls.

• © Frommer's 2013