Beautiful Samoa impresses visitors

By Ilia L. Likou 06 September 2017, 12:00AM

The Teuila Festival is not just for tourists to see the best of Samoa.

It has increasingly become a reason for overseas-based Samoans to return home for a bit of sun and relaxation.

Lilian Jamieson is among many Samoans who have made the trip this year. 

She has been showing off her beautiful Samoa to her husband Larry from the United States of America.

This is the first time she has been back since she left Samoa 20 years ago.

“My father worked in Samoa as a Civil Engineer for ten years in the 70s,” she said. “Me and my other brother who’s now a Commander in the Army of America were raised in Samoa in our childhood.”

She hasn’t forgotten a lot about her childhood.

 “We used to live at Fagali’i back in the days and we really missed Samoa when we left,” he said.

“We had planned this trip together with my brother but due to other work commitments, he’s not able to come with us.”

The annual Teuila Festival has been perfect.

“It’s good to see that the Samoan culture is still alive,” she said, adding that they have loved the Festival.

Lomah Tony from Sydney Australia echoes the same sentiments.

“The place feels more like home when I first touched down at the airport last Saturday,” Lomah said.

“Samoa is a place I always look forward to visiting because I know it is safe. We all know that we don’t want to visit a place where you know it’s not safe."

“I read a lot about the country and that’s when I decided to come...especially (since it is a) Christian state, so I think, this is a safe place to visit.”

Lomah is a graduate student from the University in Sydney.

“I love sports and watching these fun games here today was really interesting,” he said. “That’s the other reason that I really wanted to come to Samoa - to see for myself where many of Samoan stars in sports and movies come from.”

His favourite part of his journey is the food.

“I love the food, and the delicious smell from the stalls just behind me is just fantastic, the music, the fun, I mean everything is just amazing,” he said.

He is looking forward to coming back.

“I always support the Manu Samoa team.”

The Teuila Festival is not just fabulous for visitors.

Food stall owner, Tauloto Ma’ilata, said business has been brisk.

“Having this opportunity to set up a food stall here during the Teuila Festival is a golden one,” he said.

“It’s good money, I’ve earned almost $200 and it’s nowhere near midday yet.”

The Festival continues today.

By Ilia L. Likou 06 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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