Returning holiday maker in Samoa to heal the body

By Sapeer Mayron 09 May 2019, 12:00AM

Landscaper, Rob Perry, is on his eighth visit to Samoa, and back to his favourite rest and relaxation destination - Taufua Beach Fales at Lalomanu Beach.

Mr. Perry is from the South Island town of Kaikoura in New Zealand, where he runs his own landscaping company. At least once a year, he returns to Samoa for a complete “body relax” after the toil of the past 12 months.

“I always come to Taufua. I find it very relaxing. I love the chilled aspect of the Samoan people,” he said.

“I’m not sure what makes them so chilled. Maybe it’s their surroundings? Their pace of life, the enjoyment of what they do, maybe? I can’t quite put my finger on what makes them so relaxed, they’re lucky.”

He has formed a close bond with his hosts at Taufua. Last year the managing couple took him out for a nice dinner, and gifted him a matching set of Samoan shirts for himself and his son.

“Not many places go you to in the world they give you gifts when you leave, most take,” Mr Perry said.

“These guys acknowledge the beauty of it I suppose.”

The family atmosphere of the accommodation, including the way the guests all dine at one table together, sharing heaving plates of food creates a special bond not only between the owners of Taufua but between the guests too. 

Mr. Perry said he still has close friends he speaks to often from different trips to the beach, which he considers very special.

“So many people come and they keep coming back, and there has got to be a reason for that.”

As a regular visitor to Samoa, Dear Tourist asked if there is anything Samoa could improve on. But Mr Perry said no.

He loves how Samoa hasn’t sped up to keep pace with the world of tourism and technology, and how the value of family is still paramount.

“You guys over here seem to have that, from what I see there seems to be a nice balance.

“I don’t know if it’s true, but what I see is there is lot of love in the people and there is a lot of love in the family and the structures are good. And I think our western society needs to learn from that, personally.”

Every time he visits, Mr Perry said he remembers not to live in his phone, and to enjoy the simplistic lifestyle and the Island pace of life. 

After his first couple of visits, and exploring the tourist sites on offer, Mr Perry now just makes a beeline for the beach, he said.

“I actually enjoy just coming and letting the body heal. I have done my exploring and I will keep doing but part of it is just to heal.”

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Dear Tourist
By Sapeer Mayron 09 May 2019, 12:00AM

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