To Sua or not To Sua?

That was the question for Hugh and Tash Bolton of New Zealand who overcame their fear of heights when they decided to descend the intimidating ladder into the To Sua Ocean Trench.

“Yesterday we went to To Sua Ocean Trench that was a place that was on my bucket list. It was such a spiritual experience,” said Tash. 

“It’s pretty daunting because it’s a big massive hole in the earth. And then there’s this huge ladder that looks as high as a coconut tree and you have to climb down it and we are both not okay with heights, but when we got there, we thought we’ve got to get down there. We said to ourselves ‘we’ve got to get in that water’ so we climbed down and we swam for an hour and a half.”

According to Jo, it was just as nerve-wracking to climb back up but that in the end, it was worth it. 

“That water was just beautiful, so clear, and it’s got this aqua colour that’s just gorgeous. It’s so worth it. Even climbing up the ladder was terrifying. I stopped three times. I just told myself that this will be the only chance I would get to do this and it was amazing. I talked to my family at home about how amazing it is; it was so nice.”

The Bolton’s holiday in Samoa almost didn’t happen as their plans to come over with their Samoan best friends fell through, but deciding that the show must go on, the couple went ahead with their travel plans with their 23rd wedding anniversary in mind.

The couple is staying at the Sheraton Aggie Greys Beach Resort at Mulifanua, a slight deviation from their original plans of staying at the Sheraton Aggie Greys hotel in Apia, but according to Jo and Hugh, they have no complaints about that.

“We were transferred to Sheraton at the beach resort, it’s beautiful out there and the staff members are amazing and they have just really looked after us well,” said Jo. 

“I cannot say enough about them, anything we want, our needs are met and the staff members go out of their way to accommodate us and not just that, they go over and beyond what you ask of them. So we have been very happy with our stay over there, it’s incredible.”

Both Jo and Hugh have travelled the world and they told Dear Tourist that like other islands, Samoa has a lot of fantastic things if you look for them. Preferring not to stay in the resorts, the couple loves to get out and about.

For the rest of the day, the Bolton’s were about to embark on some “me” time with Hugh going off to get his Samoan tattoo, which he had a local artist design for him and Jo was heading off to what she describes as  “the best massage she ever had” at Nezian Hair and Day salon in Apia.

“I went in there the other day and got a $60 tala massage, it was the best massage I have ever had,” said Jo. “I have to say the lady there is amazing. I have had massages in Singapore, Bali, Australia and on cruise ships, Fiji and even at the Sheraton here and for just $60, she gave the best massage I have ever had, I left there so relaxed. I’m telling you, she does and amazing job so I am going to go there again.”

The Bolton’s certainly do not regret coming to Samoa on their own, but they have already decided that the next time they return they would definitely be coming over with their best friends they had initially made plans with.

“I love Samoa. The people make the country, the culture, just the whole villages, the whole family thing, it is similar to Fijians but it’s next level,” said Jo. 

“The people here are beautiful, so beautiful. I certainly don’t regret coming here. If we get to come back with our friends next time, we will definitely be back because that will be a whole different experience as well.”

“We want to go over to Savaii and check it out because we have been told it’s beautiful over there.”