Getting a little bit of sunshine is why Di and Kerry Ireloid visited Samoa.

Not only does the weather and culture make a country special, but the people too, they said. 

In contrast to freezing temperatures back in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, the couple love Samoa’s temperature.

Dear Tourist met them in Apia town. They arrived on Monday evening – their first visit to a Pacific island – for a week-long holiday. 

According to Di, their two children chose Samoa as a present for them.

“We just didn’t think about coming to the islands. We saw advertisements of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in New Zealand, but we didn’t come,” Di said.

Speaking of her first impression upon their arrival, she said: “Actually the airport is really nice. The people are really friendly, which back home it isn’t the same. Even young people we don’t get a lot of that back home. For me the people were the most impressive from what I have seen, yet we felt welcomed absolutely.”

“The way from the airport was quite different. They don’t drive on their side sometimes because the roads aren’t this good.”

Kerry added: “The churches are beautiful.”

As retirees, they just plan to relax and enjoy the new scenery. 

“We are retired, we want to relax. As part of the tour we will see a village as well, which I really want to see,” Di said.

The couple is staying at the Taumeasina Island Resort.

“The resort is lovely, very beautiful. We have been to Las Vegas, this here is a real resort,” Kerry joked.

The food experience for them has been good so far. 

“Tuna was lovely, the breakfast is really good, such a lot of varieties to choose from and so many different fruits,” Di said.

“We look forward to the next few days. It has just been lovely, everybody has been so friendly. I think we would like to come back, maybe in the same resort, we haven’t seen any other yet, so can’t really compare.”

Samoa, according to them, was a perfect present.