Visitors praise Samoan hospitality and respect

By Yolanda Lavata’i 22 January 2019, 12:00AM

Nothing has changed in Samoa for Australian visitor Candice Mowman – the hospitality and respect of Samoans remains.

She was at the Taumeasina Island Resort yesterday with her mother Myra Mowman, when Dear Tourist came across the pair.

Myra and her entire family are originally from Levili but have lived in Melbourne Australia for over 33 years now. The mother-and-daughter flew into Samoa a week ago for vacation and will head back before the start of school and work.

Staying at the Taumeasina Island Resort has enabled the Melbourne residents to take advantage of the ocean view restaurant and keeping cool at the poolside.

“My daughter loves it here,” Myra said of Candice. 

And Samoa is not confined like it is in Melbourne, added Candice.

“The kids are not in the rooms playing video games or on their phones all day. Since we’ve arrived they’ve been outdoors,” Candice added.

“What we love about visiting is the fact that nothing changes. Hospitality and respect remains,” Myra said.

They were able to visit a couple tourist attractions last week.

“We had gone to Piula, Maninoa beach and hopefully tomorrow if it doesn’t rain, we’ll go to sliding rocks.”

Over 33 years after leaving Samoa, Candice and Myra still recognised Samoa as home.

“We miss our family, friends and just the relaxing lifestyle here. So whenever we visit we make the most of our stay,” Candice added. 

While airfares between Australia and Samoa are expensive, the pair said it will not stop them from visiting again annually. “Samoa is home for us, no matter where we live and how long we have been gone,” she said.

As the saying goes, “you can take the girl off of the island but you can’t take island out of the girl” and that is exactly what the mother-and-daughter are about. 

With a couple more days to spare in Samoa, the Mowman family hope to make every moment count and look forward to coming in April this year for their grandfather’s unveiling.

By Yolanda Lavata’i 22 January 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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