I Had A Dream About The South Pacific
- 19
- May
Mum told me…
A few years back my mother told me that ever since I was about 15 years old, I was dreaming about living in a small South Pacific island. Of cause, I wasn’t aware of this anymore but I knew that I always had a longing to experience the incredible beauty I found in pictures and travel brochures from remote islands in the Pacific.
Coming from a cold country like Sweden, it wasn’t surprising that I looked for a warmer destination. I spent many years in the yacht charter business, cruising between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean and later after working in the hotel business, life took me to a small island called Samoa.
When I stepped out of that plane in October 1995 I just knew that it was my place. I had never been to Samoa before and I knew very little about the country.
It was raining and I told the taxi driver that I like to go to a hotel, that someone told me about, called Aggie Grey’s. All I could see was the white stones along the road and I was just happy.
Looking for my family…
I was joking to myself, asking where is my family in this place?
After 6 days out of my 10 days visit, I was introduced to a beautiful local girl that promised to show me the island. We took off in my rented small car and just outside of Apia she told me that she never been to that side of the island before.
I ended up showing her own country to herself. Today we have been married for 22 years and we have altogether 8 kids (own and adopted). I did find my paradise and my feeling and dream were right from the beginning.
What I later discovered was that most people travel the earth looking for their perfect paradise only to discover that they have their paradise at home where they live.
Traveling certainly opens up your mind and one of the most rewarding comments that I have heard was from some visitors staying with us:
“Samoa changed our lives, finally we know what our true values are and what we want to focus on in life”
WHO SHOULD VISIT SAMOA?
Samoa is not for people just looking for a party. There are so many places on earth where you will find great nightclubs and where you can party the whole night long…
Samoa is for people that are looking for a genuine experience together with natural and beautiful local people that are living their culture every day. Samoa is all about relaxing and experiencing natural beauty together with the local traditions.
Don’t expect everything to be perfect and working out the way you have it at home. You need patience and time, if you are in a rush, don’t go here…
If you want to have a down to earth experience with friendly, smiling local people that could change your life, Samoa will be perfect for you.
Please make a comment below and let us know about YOUR EXPERIENCE in Samoa if you have already been here. This will be a great help for people who are planning to visit Samoa very soon.
Mats & Sia Loefkvist
we have been there in 2007 after a very hard period of our life….our first doughter’s name is Samoa, do I need to add anything else?
thanks a lot
Thanks for your comments Francesca,
This is absolutely wonderful that you named your daughter Samoa… I am sure she like to see where here name is coming from.
Mats
It is about 6 to 7 years ogo,I have been to Samoa.In this time I travelled for 9 month around the Pacific,organized by myself.I started in Tahiti,then Bora Bora, Cook Island,Aitutaki,Fiji,New Zealand,Tonga and last Station:Samoa.And in Samoa,the last Station was VIRGIN COVE ,organized by Mats.I have been there for some weeks and it is the truth: This was the most beautiful place all over the South Pacific.I will never forget it.Well Mats,I do not know how is this wonderful place today,but when I have been there,I felt like in paradise.So all I can do is to recommand you to all travellersand to say thanks to you for this wonderful time. PETER.
Thanks Peter,
We are very happy you enjoyed it in Samoa. After the tsunami my family didn’t want to stay on the beach anymore, so we moved back to Apia. Today I like to help people getting the best experience when visiting Samoa. Hope to see you back one day.
Mats
We first visited Samoa in 1994 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary on the South Coast of Upolu. We had arrived in Paradise. On the way out we saw a poster at the airport featuring a Samoan lass in a tropical setting, finger to her lips whispering “Savaii Shhhhh!”. We decided then to return the following year to discover the big island Savaii. Truly another branch of Paradise. We were hooked and have returned every Sydney winter (except one),usually dividing our time between the two islands. This year, 2014, will be our 20th visit. Need we say more!
Wow… That’s incredible. Thanks for sharing. This is the best ever promotion for Samoa… Hope you will come for another20 years.
Mats
Hi Mats,
My husband Barney and I stayed with you at Virgin Cove in April 2009, just before the tragedy of the tsunami. We stayed in the “Secluded Fale” and it was an incredible experience. We still talk about those most visual, healthy and beautiful breakfasts in the restaurant.
We are trying to return to Samoa. I just loved it there. We were struck by the incredible night skies, watching the entire Milky Way wheeling above us, the pristine beaches, and the incredible people! Warm, very funny, and a collaborative society. We’ve been to a few of the Pacific Islands, and it’s all great, but there is a special place in our hearts for Samoa.
Thanks for the nice words in your comment. Unfortunately Virgin Cove is not operating anymore but there are plenty of other beautiful places. I am happy to help you with suggestions or just see what suits you best on the website.
Mats & Sia
Hi Mats – we got married at Virgin Cove 10 years ago and you were very helpful during our stay. Now we are back with our two kids – in fact we visited the priest who married us in Saanapu village just a couple of days ago. Is anything left if the resort ? Or has it been pulled down and removed ? Hope you and your family are happy and well – regards Peter and Heather Welham
Hi Peter & Heather,
Great to hear that you are back in Samoa showing your kids where Mum & Dad got married. My family and I moved back to Apia at the end of 2009 after the tsunami. After we left the resort gradually went down and in the end, it was sold to a Canadian couple. Nothing has been done at the place and we hope that one day we will be able to lease the land and rebuild the resort again. Thank you for staying in touch and I hope that you will have a great remaining holiday in our little paradise.
Mats & Sia with family