Samoa a first for couple

By Elizabeth Ah-Hi 28 October 2017, 12:00AM

It’s not just Ricky and Tiana’s first time to Samoa.

 It is the first time the hardworking couple from Timaru have left New Zealand at all.

It’s also the couple’s first holiday together by themselves so it was a celebration and a treat at the same time.  

While Tiana opted for a fruity cocktail by the pool, her partner Ricky was enjoying a nice cold local brew as they spoke with Dear Tourist.  

 “I got a couple of good friends who are Samoan and I just thought I like them and I always got on well with them so I always wanted to come here and have a look around,” Ricky said. 

“This is our first real holiday so yeah, here we are in Samoa.”

Ricky gave us our first impressions of Samoa when he landed on our shores.

“As soon as we landed it was like a heat wave. It was definitely different I’m not used to this temperature. As we started coming through from the airport to the hotel, it was definitely a good eye opener. As soon as we got here it was pretty awesome. The people are friendly.”

The couple had arrived late afternoon and Tiana was struck by how different everything was.

“I thought it was pretty good. Driving around I just thought everything looked so pretty. There are so many different things to see here, like we definitely don’t see this at home especially the school buildings. We must have arrived during the end of the school day and they have so many children.”

Having just arrived in Samoa and settled into the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, the couple made a mental note to hit the main spots. 

They were looking forward to exploring both islands and making the most of their time together being that it was their first holiday away from their children. 

“We are going to Savaii on Wednesday but other than I want to go diving and check out the To Sua trench. We definitely want to swim with the turtles and have a look around at all the beaches,” said Ricky

“As soon as we got here, we thought our hotel was really nice. The pool and the restaurant are pretty nice and open. We’re just enjoying our time relaxing. 

“We have children back in New Zealand and we’re just trying to make the most of this time away before we have to go back to reality, we work hard.”

Ricky works at the DB Draught Brewery and he was impressed with the local brew, Vailima saying it’s a pretty good draft beer and he’s hoping to have a chance to visit the Vailima breweries in Vaitele.

“Yeah it’s really nice, I like it! I could definitely have a couple more of these. Do they make it here in Samoa? I’d like to visit it if we have time. Are they the only brewery here?  I work for a brewery in my town, I’ve been there for a long time, and it would be interesting to see one in another country.”

By Elizabeth Ah-Hi 28 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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