Jacques and Jill’s Samoa escape

By Elizabeth Ah-Hi 05 August 2017, 12:00AM

At the Fugalei Market, we meet another New Zealander seeking refuge from the current cold climate of Aotearoa.

Jill Hutchinson walks around the markets enjoying cool coconut water and looking for her husband, Jacques, who she has lost somehow. 

“It’s my first time here in Samoa, and gratefully so because it is so cold over there in Auckland and it’s so wet so we love it here,” she said.

For a blissful warm week, the couple has been relaxing. 

“We’re here for a week and flying out next Wednesday. We were looking for a tropical holiday and Jacques has been here before. He was here four years ago and we thought we’d come back and have a look.

Staying at Return to Paradise was a good choice for them and they are really enjoying their time there.

“We are staying at Return to Paradise and it’s really lovely. On our first day we hung out at the resort and we had a movie night, it was a Cary Grant movie, a 1950’s film which was filmed on the beach where we’re staying. So that was quite fun! “

Their holiday so far sounds idyllic and dreamy, with the cold temperatures a distant memory behind them. 

“The water is so beautiful, we went for a swim this morning and yesterday and it was so nice.  And then to top it off we had a spa and massage.  It’s been a really lovely holiday so far” 

She rates Samoa as being one of the best islands she’s been to with an authentic vibe about it that sets it apart from other island holiday destinations.

“Ive been to Fiji and Tonga. I like here better than Fiji, I think it’s got a nice feeling about the place, probably a little bit more relaxed. It’s a little less commercial here which adds to the appeal I think. We are going to have another look around the markets, looking for little trinkets for the grandchildren. “

On Sunday though, Jacques and Jill will be found where just about every Samoan can be found on a Sunday, “we are going to go to church on Sunday, I’m not sure which church it is but the last time Jacques was here he went along and he said the singing was beautiful”

On a final note, Jill admits she has been naughty and tried to do some work while on holiday here but her plans of doing some remote office work were thwarted when the internet connection wouldn’t cooperate.

 “The internet is not good, I’m trying to do some work and it’s not going well. I underestimated the capability of the internet.” 

By Elizabeth Ah-Hi 05 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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