The five tourists sighted at the Lalomanu Beach fales could have easily passed for being a family on vacation in beautiful Samoa.

But out of the five, only three are actual family members: Lynley Breg-Yhtes is with her husband Tony Breg-Yhtes and son Chris Breg-Yhtes. Andrew Curnow and Naomi Honiss are their family friends. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer at Lalomanu Beach, Naomi said their visit to the island which coincided with preparations for the Pacific Games was an eye opener as Samoa is now more cleaner unlike before. 

“I’m actually very impressed by how clean it is now and establishing the recycling system which is for the rubbish and the plastics. It’s very beautiful so keep it up," she said. 

"Samoa is a beautiful nation and it’s these small things that can make it more attractive and beautiful so well done Samoa. Keep up the good work.

“We also love the community spirit that each town takes in such things like in festivals with the flowers and so forth, so it’s awesome because we do the driving around and we come by every year and we love it,” she said.

The involvement of the schools in the Pacific Games' preparations has also been impressive, she added, as they have been impressed with how the schools and students have been engaged.

The last time the Breg-Yhtes visited, they brought their children and grandchildren, and they have been travelling to Samoa for the last decade. The hospitality of the Samoan people has wooed them, and it is one of the reasons they keep coming back to the island paradise. 

When the group of tourists were asked how they first decided to visit Samoa, the Breg-Yhtes family said upon their first visit many years ago, they decided to spread the word around about Samoa's beauty. 

“We still have more years to come and we’ll keep on coming to beautiful Samoa,” they added. 

The tourists refused to reveal their home country when asked by this newspaper, saying it would be better if their nationalities are not revealed and that they are really having a good time in Samoa.