Destination MAXIM: SAMOA
Halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, is one of the South Pacific’s hidden gems — Samoa. With only a small amount of tourism, arriving to Samoa was like a step back in time — back to a simple time where food is fresh, the people are friendly and the waters are clear.
We were greeted with a sincere and genuine welcome at the airport and again at Taumeasina Island Resort. Our immediate switch into “island time” was an unexpected part of our arrival into a, what felt like, secret new world. There simply is no need to rush in Samoa. It was like a new calm energy that took over our group and we quickly learned that the priorities of the people are focussed on family and quality of life in a way that you do not see often when travelling to glamorous destinations. We didn’t realise that our island getaway was going to give us so much more than amazing pictures and incredible tans. It seems the spirit of Samoa is focussed on celebrating the simple things in life and this taught us a lot during our stay.
The traditions and culture of Samoa were demonstrated with pride throughout our stay at Taumeasina. Whether it’s the local foods or the evening entertainment in the form of fire dancing or local singers, we were constantly reminded of the islands beauty and its people. There is just something incredibly unique about the people of Samoa which is difficult to describe. Their authentic pride and commitment to service made us feel at home immediately. Every person we encountered simply wanted us to love their country as much as they do and nothing was too much trouble for them to do to make our stay enjoyable.
Walking onto a deserted beach or incredible waterfall and having it all to yourself is not a unique experience in Samoa. It happened to us time and time again. The fact is there are so many picturesque beaches and crystal waterfalls and so few people that it’s almost guaranteed. It was a feeling of privilege to explore the island and its beautiful jungles and lush landscapes without ritzy attractions and large resorts. Traffic delays due to coconut harvesting above the roads or random families of a mother pig and her piglets wandering along the beach tracks were the norm and all part of the experience.
The To-Sua Ocean Trench is something that needs to be seen to be believed. For once, the super hyped destination
