The best part about Samoa are its people – Kiwi couple

By Soli Wilson 12 April 2019, 12:00AM

First time visitors to Samoa, Jenni and Colin Mason from New Zealand have found so many striking features about Samoa, both good and bad.

The first thing they noticed were the roads, which they said "wasn't the best first impression of Samoa".

"The roads from the airport was not a good trip. We took a taxi from the airport and we were surprised by the state of the roads," said 60-year-old Jenni to the Dear Tourist team. 

"We arrived pretty late at night, so we couldn’t see the roads, but otherwise it’s been really good," added Colin, 69.

In addition to this, the pair were shocked to find out about the norms of Samoa's road safety status.

"We were very surprised you didn’t have to wear seat belts here and children don’t have to have car seats. That surprised us a bit," smiled Jenni.

"We brought car seats with us because we didn’t know you didn’t have to have car seats here, but that taxi didn’t even have seat belts. There was one half but the other buckled half wasn’t there," told Colin.

The couple are on the island with their two children and three grandchildren and found out that taking the children around was not the easiest thing to do.

"Lots of swimming but can’t go far because were here with our children and grandchildren, can’t really push a pram around the roads with no footpaths and its fairly dangerous, can't go a long way in this heat," they both said.

"We haven’t seen very much yet, but we have gone as far as we can walk. We’re going to the other side of the island on Monday to Saletoga Resort, because we’ve got a wedding.

"Just the wedding and a bit of a break. Daughter’s best friend’s wedding. Shes a Kiwi but she has relatives here and decided to come here and get married and then we decided that we might as well come along and make it a holiday," she added.

Despite their desire to check out the big island of Savai'i, they decided against it saying "too much in the car with the kids, so we can’t see it happening, it’s just too much for everyone".

"We thought about it but it sounded like it was going to be quite a long journey and from what we were told, it would be 50 minutes from here to the ferry terminal and then another hour and a half on ferry.

"And if there was anything we wanted to go and see we would have to get a taxi at the other end, and with three children under five we thought that was too much traveling," said Jenni.

Currently staying at Sheraton Hotel, they are in Samoa for 10 days and said their favorite part of the trip are the people.

"People are so friendly, and really nice. And they look out for you."

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Dear Tourist
By Soli Wilson 12 April 2019, 12:00AM

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