Minna Karvonen returns for more

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 16 December 2017, 12:00AM

Minna Karvonen just can’t get enough of Samoa’s beautiful white sand and the scenery during her first visit to our shores in November.

The 36-year-old is from Finland, Europe.

She told Dear Tourist that her first experience of the island life made her plan to return.

“So this time I just came on Wednesday and I will be here for two weeks.

“It’s beautiful and it is easy to come and stay and go around and find places and meet people.

“It’s just a really easy place to come for a holiday.”

Ms. Karvonen added she never knew there was a country called Samoa.

“I didn’t know Samoa until I moved to New Zealand and lived there for a few years,” she said.

“I also met some friends who either have a Samoan link or ancestors of friends who came here for holiday.

“So it was really word of mouth that I came to know about Samoa.

“Then I had planned that I will work and save up to come and see this country that all my friends tell me about.

“And so this year I finally did it and it was a great experience.

“I never regret it and I said I will be coming again to spend Christmas here.”

So this time she just wants to visit some friends she met on her first trip and see how Samoan people celebrate the festive season.

“This time I’m just going around the island,” said Ms. Karvonen.

“I saw some beautiful places to go to like the waterfalls as well as the scenery.

“I had also met some nice people on my first trip so this time I will be visiting them again and spend time with them.

“At the moment I have been staying around town but in a few days I will go on the south coast and stay there.

“I really enjoy the beach on that side so that’s why I want to go there and get a tan.

“I know the weather keeps changing but I’m hoping that I will get some tan on the days left.

“It’s just me and the good thing about is that when it’s just you; you meet other tourists and some friendly Samoan people.

“Samoa is just different from Finland because we are more independent and busier but here people are more relaxed.

“They focus more on the community and families and they don’t really care much about the time but home we go by time and we plan things but here it is more relaxed,” she added.

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 16 December 2017, 12:00AM
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