An Australian cop has been intrigued by Samoa so much that he has now decided to explore other Pacific islands and experience the different cultures and food.

When 47-year-old Andrew Hartnett decided to take a break as a police officer in Australia, he and his wife Rebecca thought, why not travel to Samoa and experience life the Pacific way? The couple have not regretted that decision since. 

They arrived last Saturday from Melbourne and will be here for another week exploring what the country has to offer for her visiting guests.

They took an afternoon stroll on the Apia waterfront soaking in the beauty of the colourful wooden buses and the lovely people.

“We haven’t seen much yet outside of our hotel down south and we have just arrived in Apia today but we are here for another week,” said Mr. Hartnett. “We’re going to visit the ocean trench and Savai'i. 

"It’s quite warm and humid compared to home but the people here are extremely friendly and welcoming to us. This country is really beautiful and we are looking forward to experiencing a bit more of it.

“We basically want to try more local stuff and that’s one of the things we like to do when we travel, which is to see and enjoy the local culture and cuisine. 

"What brought us here was because we have never been here before, and it’s somewhere different, somewhere not many people from Australia go to so we thought, why not? We’re looking to probably explore more of the Pacific Islands going forward.”  

Mr. Hartnett works as a police officer back home and said that he noticed the police officers here do not carry as many tools as he usually does back home.

“I see that your police officers here don’t seem to carry as many tools of the trade as I have to at home because it’s much safer here. I have to carry a firearm as part of my regular kit and here I’ve noticed no firearms,” said Mr. Hartnett.

The couple hope that Samoa stays as peaceful as this and that police officers never have to carry a firearm.