Gary and Jody Thomson from Auckland, New Zealand, love Samoa.

When the Samoa Observer caught up with them, they were reveling in the great weather and the beautiful view at Taumeasina Island Resort.

Mr. Thomson said it’s a pity they will be not be able to witness the Independence celebration today as well as the game on Friday night because they will be leaving early in the morning.

“We’ve been here for five days and it’s a pity that we won’t be able to see how Samoa celebrates their Independence Day,” he said.

“We didn’t know about it until we got here if only we knew we would have waited to come at this time but now that we know next time we will make sure we are here for the celebration.”

This is the couple’s first time in Samoa and they have already admired so much about the island, said Mrs. Thomson.

“You have a strong sense of family and the way people live in those fales is just simple.

“We’ve seen traditional dance and it’s amazing the way the girls move and the boys it’s unique and that’s what makes this country unique and beautiful.

“It’s winter at the moment in New Zealand so it’s nice to be here relaxing in the sun and be able to lie down and look up in the clear blue sky.”

What needs to be improved?

“Well, there nothing much that we think needs to be improved,” said Mr. Thomson.

“But what I do think is that Samoa needs to promote them to the world so that more tourists will come here.

“Samoa is in the shadow of Fiji and other pacific islands but I do think that there is so much more here in Samoa that the world doesn’t know about so your government needs to promote your country more.

“I guess more resorts with beautiful views will also draw more tourists here but all in all Samoa is the best place to come for vacation.”

So would you recommend Samoa to your friends and families back home?

“Oh definitely but to be very honest we don’t want to because we are greedy because this place is so beautiful that we don’t want to share it with any of our family members,” Mrs. Thomson told the Samoa Observer.

“We will definitely be coming back next year and we will make sure we will be here during the Independence celebration.”

Gary is an Operations Manager while his wife Jody is a Finance Manager.

They have three children.