Visiting Apia Fish Market was high on my Samoa to-do list because, well, it’s a fish market that I am semi-obsessed with.
Fortunately, it is conveniently located within minutes’ walking distance from our hotel, and on our last day in Samoa, we made our way there.
Apia Fish Market is an open-air market in a small concrete block supporting roughly ten to twenty fishmongers. Located right by the pier, with multiple fishing boats docked beside it and the strong smell of seafood, it would be hard to miss the fish market once you are within the vicinity.
I didn’t come expecting much, to begin with, as Upolo, where Apia is located, is a small island. Also, by comparison, when I visited Fiji Market, I didn’t even get to see the fresh seafood side of it.
So I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of fish in the Apia Fish Market. Even when we came after closing time and right before the last batch of fish was packed into the containers to be shipped to various fishmongers.
Samoan fishmongers were so friendly and permitted me to take pictures. I took a picture of cone-shaped leaf packages sold by a fishmonger and wanted to ask them what it was, but by the time I made my round, they had left.
Another thing that stood out for me in Apia Fish Market was the lack of seafood variety aside for the fish. I saw a dead giant squid, but that’s it ━ there were no crabs, mussels, clams and such.
When I was busy taking pictures, Jik was conversing with another fish fishmonger who informed us that even though the internet says Apia Fish Market is open every day until 11 AM, it’s best to come between 6 AM to 8 AM when the market is in full swing. We told him we were leaving the next morning, and he invited us to return to Samoa someday.
Someday…
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