Eighteen visits later...

By Emily Dunn 16 June 2017, 12:00AM

Paul Johnson and family move to Samoa! “We just keep coming back”


On his eighteenth trip Samoa, Paul Johnson, 60, and his family have become so intoxicated with Samoan life they’ve opted to stay! 

Taking respite from the winters of New Zealand, he has invested in property on the island. 

“I’m moving here for at least six months a year,” Paul said excitedly. “it’s the perfect getaway to escape from work”. 

The Samoan community has a strong presence among the other Pacific islands, however, Paul’s Samoan wife has continued to be drawn back to the islands. 

“We just keep coming back because we love the place and its hot weather.”

Although Paul has seen much of the world, he finds Samoa to offer something different. 

Wherever he goes he can’t replicate the “relaxing way of life” and “better beer” localised to the island. 

The frenzied culture of the West is something many people struggle with after they have experienced Samoa’s enviable climate and rare emphasis on hospitality. 

“I prefer countries like this to the Western World,” Paul added. 

Paul hasn’t kept the secret to himself. 

“I bring friends here and take them down to south coast and definitely to the other islands.”

 Savai’i, Samoa’s larger island has luckily resisted outside influence, opting to maintain its all-important traditions. 

“Going to Savai’i is like stepping back one-hundred and fifty years,” Paul adds. The island is a true escape for an overwhelmed worker seeking refuge from busy life. 

This is what separates Samoa from the surrounding pacific islands. Paul observes that the country is “not commercialised like the Cook Islands and Fiji tend to be.” “It’s not inundated with resorts, I much prefer to stay in the beach fales”. 

He summarises his stay in four words: “Friendly, cheap, laidback, warm.” Once you visit our tropical island you won’t want to leave!

By Emily Dunn 16 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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