Samoa impresses first timers

By Anina Kazaz 16 June 2018, 12:00AM

Meet Luke and Cara Baddington from Wellington, New Zealand.

When the Dear Tourist met them, they shared it was their first time in Samoa.

They arrived on Wednesday and according to them the main reason they chose Samoa to stay is to relax and escape from the cold weather and stress back home.

“We came to relax and see another beautiful country,” Cara said.

“And to have some free time,” Luke added.

Cara has been to Vanuatu and Tahiti.

“We think it is really nice here, it is actually well maintained. There is a lot of rubbish in Vanuatu. The landscape is quite similar with the mountains, but culturally it is different,” she said.

“Quite different from our experience in Vanuatu. The lack of infrastructure there is huge,” Luke said.

In terms of tourism, they said Samoa is good the way it is. 

“We had a really good experience. The people have been really nice, everyone has been welcoming and it has been easy to come to. I totally recommended to other people to come,” Cara shared.

“I think Samoa has got a right balance at the moment because it is not over commercialized, and that makes it unique,” Luke added.

“When it is going to be too commercialized it is going to be like anywhere else in the world.”

“I think a lot of people from New Zealand are going to Rarotonga and we think there should be more people coming here, but not too many,” she said.

Since they arrived they have enjoyed a lot of the offers from their resort.

“We have been relaxing. We will go around to the markets and we want to see the sliding rocks. But we as well just want to enjoy and going for a swim, snorkeling and relax,” Cara said.

“We haven’t really left the resort yet. We planned to walk to Apia this afternoon,” Luke added.

“The people are lovely. There is a very big Samoan community in New Zealand so we are quite used to the Samoan people. There is a good Samoan presence there. Everyone has been really friendly and it is great so far,” Cara explained to Dear Tourist.

“It is a very enjoyable experience, lovely,” he said.

Before they leave on Monday, the couple plans to soak in much of the Samoa’s sunshine before heating the cooler temperatures back home. 

“We totally want to come back again. We have two children who would love to be here. We keep looking and think the kids would love this,” Cara said. 

“I think it would be cool to go to the other island, that would be lovely to do. This trip around we decided we just wanted to relax and do nothing, normally we are quite adventurous and this time we thought we’d just chill,” Luke declared.

“It has been a great experience for us and everyone being friendly made it easier.”

Their fascination of Samoa’s uniqueness will definitely bring the couple back to the island.

By Anina Kazaz 16 June 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>