Holiday

However, essential workers like the police, fire and emergency and Ministry of Health staff worked during that period.

In the newly approved changes by Cabinet, civil servants received paid leave  

Over the two-week holiday, Apia city was quiet until civil servants returned to work on 10 January.

The city and bus terminals bustled with life.

The initiative attracted mixed reactions from the public.

But two Asian cities, according to a new report by market researcher Euromonitor International, are welcoming more visitors than any other destination.

Now when we go on vacation, the loved ones we've left behind feel like they are there with us.

We Snapchat our journey, Tweet from the beach and -- once we're back home -- Instagram a #throwback image of our favorite sunset.

But midway through our trip -- despite the phones in our pockets -- we head down to the souvenir shop and pick out a postcard or two for friends and family.