Destination Samoa 🇼🇸

My friends and I have always dreamt of traveling together one day. We’ve dreamt of cruising in the Caribbean and watching the sun set in Santorini. We’ve pictured ourselves dining in Paris and taking a safari tour somewhere in Africa. All these plans, and we finally hopped on a plane together and spent a weekend in none other than beautiful Samoa.

We rushed to Nadi on the Friday morning for our check-in at 2pm. The drive was long and dreadful and all we wanted to do was get to Samoa and join everyone else in the party. Nadi was hot and humid as usual and we made it just in time for the opening of the check-in counter. After checking in, all 8 of us went through customs and made our way upstairs to have lunch. We couldn’t wait to get to Samoa. The wedding was on Saturday and our flight back to Suva was at 3am Monday morning, so it was literally a bit more than 48 hours in Samoa for us so we really wanted to make the most of our time there.

Two hours later and we were finally boarding. The adrenalin rush was no joke guys. Our duty free bottles were on standby and our plans for the night were all set. It was a gentle cruise on our way up to Samoa. We were a few minutes away to landing when we started experiencing very bad turbulence. In fact, one of the worst turbulence in all my traveling experiences.

FJ257 headed back for Nadi due to the weather condition. We were all bummed and thought that that was going to be the closest we’ll ever get to Samoa. Upon arrival we were told that Fiji Airways had organised for our accommodation and meals for the night and to our surprise, we were given rooms at the Sheraton Fiji in Denarau with a $100 tab each for the night. I mean, can it get any better than that?

Next morning we were told that we’ve been put on the 7am flight to Apia and so we had to check out of the hotel at 4am. There was a slight problem with our transportation to the airport as we had other passengers traveling to Apia as well, so we had to wait till around 6am to get to the airport. We rushed like we’ve never rushed before.

Hours later and we were on board that Nadi Apia flight and this time hoping that there wasn’t another turn-around like the day before.

We landed safely at the Faleolo International Airport in Apia. The weather was in our favour. The skies were blue, the sun was out and the wind blew fervently as we made our way through customs. 45 minutes from the airport and we arrived at the Return To Paradise Resort in Lefaga Samoa. It was about 12 in the afternoon, we checked in and immediately got ready for the wedding at 3pm.

And of course, our Bounty Rum was already in the jug mixed with the local Taxi sodas, Paris was already in his Haus of Koila top while Wilfred was busy winging his eyeliner up to Jesus. We were so excited to see Liza walk down the aisle.

It didn’t feel like I was in Samoa at all. From the drive to the resort to the few hours we were there, l still felt like I was somewhere in Nadi.

It all started to sink in when we were at the wedding ceremony by the beach. The Grooms party were already waiting up front and as I looked around I realized just how beautiful the surrounding was. The sun was stunning and the waves crashed onto the shoreline while Christina Perris ‘thousand years’ was playing in the background. All my girls were there with me and that’s when it all sank in.

Liza and Jesse looked spectacular that evening. The bridal party slayed and sashayed away and there I was filled with emotions because it felt so good to see something that’s been in planning for two years come to pass.

And it was at that moment that I realized something. It didn’t have to be Paris or Sanotirini or even the Caribbean. As long as we’re all together, as long as we’re having fun and as long as we have Mrs Bounty to keep us turnt, that is all that matters and that is really what makes a vacation the perfect vacation.

Congratulations Liza and Jesse and I wish you both nothing but the best in your future.