Samoa has been an eye-opener for Darryn Bennet and Laura Mcaffer, especially on travel opportunities. The Kiwi pair usually enjoy a more comfortable and “luxurious” vacation, but this time it was different with what Samoa offered.

Dear Tourist met Darryn and Laura at the Taumeasina Island Resort, where they stayed to enjoy the luxurious side of Samoa.

Darryn described their visit as a chance to experience something new.

“It’s been really eye-opening to see the Samoan way; it is cool to see how they live. In New Zealand we are really lucky, which I now see more after this experience,” Laura said.

After their trip to Samoa, they assured that they will definitely travel to more authentic cultural destinations. 

“I appreciate having this mixed experience in Samoa because we go to other countries to experience something new,’ he said.

“This resort (Taumeasina) is great; normally when we travel to Pacific Islands we don’t choose the fanciest, but still resorts. 

“Rarotong and Fiji are very popular, and Samoa isn’t that popular in New Zealand, but it is getting more known. This resort is the standard we are used to with table service, bar, the pool and local staff and here you still get the local experience.

“I think it is good the resort’s been separated, the western style doesn’t overrule the traditional, and it is a good gap between the two. They give each other space; you don’t want to loose the culture, when you go to Fiji it is much westernised, where Samoa is still cutlural even with the gap, which is probably why.”

He prefers Samoa than most commercialised destinations. 

“It is nice to go to a paradise that is not populated by tourists. When you go to Hawaii it is very American and we don’t really experience the culture.” 

They plan to visit Lalomanu beach and sleep in the fales before they head back to Christchurch on tomorrow.

“I think we will come back here, it’s not far from home and different and we really enjoyed our stay,” Darryn said.