Island Nation of Samoa Plans to Time Travel

The island nation of Samoa has announced plans to time travel.  No Samoan scientists haven't developed a time machine, rather, the nation's leaders have decided to move to the other side of the International Date Line.  By moving time zones, Samoa would actually jump a full day.  ABC News reports the move will put the nation in time with Australia and New Zealand, making it easier for the island nations to do business.

Two years ago, the government switched the side of the road on which Samoans drive and this year it reportedly plans to change the side of the dateline the country is on.

Samoan prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi is quoted in online media as saying he wants to make it easier for Samoa to do business with Australasia.

He says Samoa is effectively losing two business days a week with the region by being on the eastern side of the date line.

One oddity the move would create would be to separate independent Samoa from neighboring American Samoa, which is only a short distance away, but has no plans to change time zones or dates.

The full story from ABC News.

Photo Credit:  US Embassy in New Zealand via Flikr