Family bond brought John and Ashley to Samoa.

The couple is here to visit John’s cousin, who has been living in Samoa for two years now.

They chose a holiday getaway to visit families overseas. 

 “Samoa is really beautiful, everyone is friendly around here. The scenery is amazing,” John said.

 “One thing that I enjoyed was that in America, everything is so grey and brown and here all the houses are colourful and it is so green around. That was really nice to see.”

Ashley added: “Very colourful, very beautiful and the weather is nice.”

Not only did they take in the laid back and relaxed atmosphere in Samoa, they took time to visit John’s cousin who teaches in a local school and help out. 

Local dishes were also a highlight for them. 

 “We had taro, fish, palusami, almost everything. I enjoyed it, some a bit more than others, but it was good to try something new,” John said adding some of the places they have been to. 

 “We went to the blowholes in Savai’i and saw some waterfalls. The difference between Savai’i and Upolu is that here it is more a hustle and bustle and way more to do. Savai’i is just relaxed.”

Before they bid their farewells, they still have a few places to visit in the islands before it is back to the big city life. 

 “We had a great time here. I am sad that our vacation is coming to an end, but we have got to go home sometime. Maybe we will return.

 “I have a cousin here that would be a reason, but one thing is, it is a long flight from America,” John said.