Samoa impress Sydney tourists

By Nefertiti Matatia 09 March 2018, 12:00AM

Samoa, for Haley Clifton, is an unforgettable destination. Haley is from Sydney, Australia, and she’s in Samoa with her daughter, Layla and her mother, Kelly. 

They’ve been here for three days and they noted the simple lifestyle of the Samoan people, which amplifies the importance of culture, especially respect. 

“People are just really nice. They are very appreciative with what they have and the people make you feel so important,” Haley told the Dear Tourist team. 

“The people never complain with having less and being here brings us back to reality and teaches us to appreciate what really matters.

“Back home as Australians, we just work and go home and the next day it is the same thing. We are just basically busy all the time and you have to do it since there are so many things that need to be done,” she said.

Haley mentioned the hospitality shown to them by the Taumeasina Island Resort staff exceeded their expectations.

“As a tourist we felt really welcomed, everybody was very friendly. The staff were very friendly, from the girls who were cleaning the rooms, they were very hospitable and accommodating, also the people who were serving us.

“Like for breakfast the staff went out of their way to help us, it was self-service, but instead they still did everything for us.

“We weren’t aware that there was food outside but they came and offered to help us get food.”

Samoa is more than a place of relaxation for Haley. Her partner is Samoan and they’re separated, but she’s here to celebrate Layla’s fifth birthday and for her to understand that she carries a Samoan bloodline.

Despite not being able to see her father more often, she wants her daughter to explore her father’s homeland.

 “My daughter is half Samoan, which is why we came to Samoa, it was kind of like a present for her.

“Everything that happened in the past it does not change the fact that Layla is Samoan, it is not her fault and I know she will grow up and will know it.”

As a mother, Kelly says this is a good break from all the busyness.

The highlight of their trip so far was the Faafafine show, which was entertaining. Haley is also a big fan of Samoan food especially taro, pork bun, palusami and chopsuey.

Before they depart, they look forward to going to the Papaseea Sliding Rocks and the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.

By Nefertiti Matatia 09 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>