Diving and wild sharks’ draw family to Samoa

15 November 2017, 12:00AM

Meet Neville Saywell from Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.

The self-funded retiree is in Samoa for a week with his two children and his wife and so far they love it.

Dear Tourist met him while learning the culture and tradition of Samoa at the Samoa Tourism Cultural Village.

“We arrived in Samoa on Sunday morning and we will be here until this Sunday,” he said.

They are staying at Hotel Insel Fehmarn Motootua.

When asked, “What made you come to Samoa?”

“We have always heard about Samoa but we had never been here until now,” he said.

“We knew that Samoa existed and that it was one of the Pacific island countries but we didn’t know what sort of things to expect.”

“Both my children are into diving and they wanted to see what the diving was like in Samoa because they were being told that the diving was good,” he said.

“And they heard about the wild sharks and so we thought we would give Samoa a try. At least be somewhere different from where we usually go for a holiday.”

When asked what he had in mind to do for a week-long vacation, Mr. Saywell answered, “everything”.

“We would like to see how the Samoan community operates and we want to see what the place is like in terms of the scenery and all that,” he said.

“Today we get to see how you guys make your ground oven or “umu” it’s just amazing, your people seem to enjoy it while you make it.

“It’s amazing how the guys are the protectors of their family and it is their duty to make sure that their family is well looked after and especially protecting their sisters.”

“The culture and the tradition are deep and everything has a meaning to it.”

“We’ve tasted what was cooked in the oven and it’s just amazing it was well cooked and that ‘palusami’ was just delicious.”

“In just one day of experiencing your culture I learned a lot.”

Mr. Saywell added he was looking forward to taking a drive down the south side.

“My kids want to go diving,” he said.

“So far we’ve taken a walk down the flea market in town because my wife is in to patch work and sewing in general and it’s the same with my daughter as well.”

“So on Monday we walked around and saw a lot of material shops and things like that.”

“We were so impressed by some of the patterns that Samoan women make and I’m sure they will want to take some materials back home.”

“As for the weather, Bundaberg gets quite warm and it’s not hot like here, but we are coping.”

“Hopefully the next time we come, we will stay longer than just a week but so far we are enjoying ourselves.”

15 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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