Thirty-two-year-old German tourist Stephanie Kuehn came to Samoa with no expectations, but definitely got amazing experiences that she least expected.

Stephanie found that travelling in Samoa required readily available cash, especially when it comes to paying for parking fees at beaches.

"I’m a person who travels usually without cash so that was kind of a problem to me because I’m used to using credit cards to pay and it was a thing I had to get used to it again, with cash and pay the people for what they need," she said. 

"Also kind of special experience was I went to the beach and get a little lunch at the restaurant and it was kind strange to pay like a parking fee. I think if you are a customer and want to grab some food, relax there; I don’t think it’s necessary to pay a fee just for parking."

Stephanie told the Dear Tourist team that she was in New Zealand for a three months holiday, and decided to visit Samoa as a "holiday from a holiday".

"Honestly I had no idea about Samoa because I went to New Zealand for travelling three months, I got a recommendation because she already stayed on an island in the South Pacific and so I thought okay lets give it a try.

"I booked a flight to the island without any idea honestly, I just know that it must be two beautiful islands with a lot of nature and beaches and time to relax, so that was my expectation but I received a lot more," said Stephanie.

Dear Tourist team caught up with the Education Consultant while she was at the Samoa Tourism Cultural Village. She said she absolutely enjoyed the cultural tour as well as the little things she discovered around the island.

"Especially this center here is really helpful and so great to see how the culture in Samoa is or was and so to me I can take a lot of interesting stuff home and I think I would recommend going there," Stephanie said. 

"I think it’s good to get in touch with locals to see how they are and what they like and what kind of culture they have, so that’s good.

"And it’s also good that I rented a scooter and cruised around just to stop wherever I want and it was nice to see that the people are friendly and they wave hello when they pass the street, it was a good experience," she said.

Stephanie commented on the noticeably colorful features of the island from the village gardens to the wooden buses.

"Also nice to see that everything is so colourful so they try to make their villages really beautiful and colorful with plants and flags or whatever."

Stephanie recommended that Samoa maintains its cultural roots for as long as it can as she would love to return for it in the future.

"I think it’s really important for the people to keep it really traditional, of course life goes on and Samoa will change.

"And wondering how Samoa would be when I come back in 10-20 years or whatever, I am excited about it but I would recommend that you keep it as it is because it makes it special and that’s why people just come here and have a good time," she said.

Stephanie said if she was to take something back with her, it would be the the relaxing island vibes and island time.