Amelia returns for Samoa

By Vatapuia Maiava 13 December 2017, 12:00AM

After having a small taste of Samoa back in 2009 with her family, Amelia Dewhurst from Christchurch, New Zealand, just had to return.

Despite her prior visit to Samoa with her family being around the time of the traumatic 2009 tsunami that ravaged the south part of Upolu, Ms. Dewhurst explains that her experience in Samoa left her wanting more.

The hospitality of the people, the way of life, the smiles and Samoa’s general physical features all drew the 22-year-old university student back to Samoa but this time, she brought along her partner to experience the island that left marks in her memory. 

But with just 11 days to spend in Samoa, Ms. Dewhurst has made it her goal to make the most of her time by seeing as much of the island as possible.

Spotted in the Village of Siumu along the roadside on a hot Saturday afternoon, Ms. Dewhurst explains how they were just waiting around for the local bus and that her and her small group of travel mates are slowly making their way around the island, seeing the villages bit by bit.

“We are enjoying our stay here in Samoa,” she explained to Dear Tourist.

“Samoa has been very hospitable and we have enjoyed our stay here so far. We are visiting as much of the island as possible right now.”

Asked about the highlights of her trip so far, Ms. Dewhurst explains that there were quite a few, but the forest walks at Falefa and interactions with the locals would be on top of her list.

“Trying to communicate with the people and the hospitality they show is just great,” she said with a smile as she continued.

“I love how the people will make the effort to speak to us in English and when we can’t understand each other, we would try to draw out what we are trying to say into the sand.

“Hiking through the forest at Falefa and experiencing as much of Samoa as possible has also been a great experience for us.”

Ms. Dewhurst explained that the only difficulty she and her travel mates had come across was transport in the rural areas.

“As I said before, we are trying to see as much of Samoa as possible,” she began.

“But making our way around through the local buses is a little tough; it would be great to have buses that just go around the island.”

Other than the traveling inconvenience via the local bus system, Ms. Dewhurst said she couldn’t think of anything else that needed improvement in Samoa.

But rather, she had nothing but praise for the country.

As for her favorite characteristics of Samoa, Ms. Dewhurst said it would have to be the way Samoans made great use of the land given to them.

“My favorite thing about Samoa is the fruits,” she said with a grin.

“Samoa is blessed with this land and I love the way the Samoan people make use of it. Back in New Zealand, people need to work in order to live but here in Samoa, the people are able to live off of the land and that’s just great to see.”

Ms. Dewhurst also extended her well wishes to Samoa during this holiday season.

By Vatapuia Maiava 13 December 2017, 12:00AM
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