Trish Cummins returns after twenty years

By Anina Kazaz 26 October 2018, 12:00AM

It’s been 20 years since Trish Cummins last set foot on Samoa.

Now she is back for the third time together with Eric Phimister.

The first noticeable change she highlighted was the increased traffic and infrastructure, and also the amount of rubbish around Apia. 

“I see people dropping rubbish all over town, it is mainly in Apia, in the villages it is actually very tidy,” Eric said. 

The amount of litter has increased compared to her last trip and she said this time around she would just love to meet the locals. 

“That didn’t change everybody is very friendly,” Trish said.

Dear Tourist met the pair at the agriculture show in Apia.  

Trish highlighted her concerns about Samoa losing its culture in the future, adding: “That’s why it is quiet refreshing talking to people who are actually promoting the culture, and also agriculture in growing things for their own lives.

“I do worry that young people seemed to want to have technology and the fast food. There is such wonderful food that they grow here I would prefer to see that promoted.

“That was exactly what I wanted to see - promotion, growing, and cooking with their resources because I think that is where the future needs to be.”

Trish said as a tourist, she does not want to experience a westernised Samoa, but an authentic one. 

“If I am coming to Samoa I don’t want to see more of what I can see anywhere in the world, I want to see the things that are particular to Samoa because to me that is what tourism is. 

“That’s for me, some people might just like going to a resort. There are lots of lovely resorts, but I think that could isolate you from real culture and people,” she said. 

They are staying at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel in town, which Trish stayed in 20 years ago.

After they complete their 10-day vacation, they are going back home to Napier in New Zealand.

By Anina Kazaz 26 October 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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