Samoa a special place

By Anina Kazaz 09 May 2018, 12:00AM

Samoa is more than a getaway destination for Camille. 

She is in Samoa with her husband, Gene. They are from Wellington, New Zealand.

Camille’s mother is from Samoa and through this family connection Samoa is a special place to her. 

She shared she has grown accustomed to Samoa’s culture because of her mother. 

“I like to be connected to my mom’s family, where she grew up and the culture. It is a part of me,” she shared.

Gene added: “We have been talking a lot about coming to visit the place my wife is connected to and now finally we are here. It is something special to see this side of her.” 

Dear Tourist met the lovely couple in Apia Town. It was their first time to town after they arrived yesterday. 

They have been married for 14 years and they have three kids whom they left back home for a time on their own.

It is Camille’s second time to the island. The first time she came to Samoa about five years ago, she met some of her family members. 

“It is lovely. What I saw changed is the new hotel the Tusitala. But we are going to have a look around now, going to the market and see what changed. We want to enjoy the culture,” Camille said.

“It is absolutely beautiful. The beaches are impressive. Very different from what I know back home in Wellington,” Gene shared of his impression being a first timer to Samoa.

“The people are very friendly and nice. We arrived yesterday (Monday) and did not have the opportunity to meet a lot of locals, but from what I have experienced the people are really lovely,” he said.

Despite being a first timer to Samoa, his wife’s tasty Samoa dishes back at home has already given him a taste of island life. 

“I make sapasui, taro and I tried as well palusami back home, but it is not easy and now here it is cheap so we are going to get some for sure. I like all the seafood anyway,” she said

Gene added: “I really like the food she makes back home. First when we started seeing each other, she had already cooked this kind of food.”

They said there’s a need to improve street signs for easy travelling, especially for tourists.

“It seems people are doing their own thing, people drive how they want to drive. I guess the street rules aren’t as followed much here as they should, from what I saw. As a tourist, we are not used to this,” Camille said.

They hope to see more of their family members before they depart on Saturday.

By Anina Kazaz 09 May 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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