12 October 2013 at 14:39
September 2013, I was promoted
to take over a Senior C level role within the Digicel Pacific
organization where I had an opportunity to choose my next residnacy
desitnation between Papua New Guinea, Fiji or Samoa and for sure I
choose Samoa Island.
My previous role as Head of Operations provides an opportunity to visit most of the Pacific islands and from Australia to experience each other’s cultural by living in foreign countries for few weeks.
I left Brisbane on the 6th of October I flew to Sydney and from there I flew out to the Exotic Pacific Island Samoa. I arrived Monday the 7th of October at 6.35am as I stepped off the plane, the first thing that welcomed me was the beautiful warm weather.
I was also welcomed by my first host from my Company who was a typical Samoan. The one hour ride into the capital Apia was tiring but insightful. We were cruising down the coast of the main island Upolu and to my left I could see the beautiful tones of blue water as the sun was rising. It was captivating and mesmerising and along the road I could see some very creative construction of fales. Fales are made with wooden poles that hold up a crafted roof with no walls. They are homes to many Samoans that mainly live in rural villages.
My stay with my host was only for few hours I managed to explore the Samoan markets and the town centre. The highlight of my first day in Samoa was visiting the office and meeting the team. My first meeting in the office gave wonderful feeling- their content expression on their faces and massive smiles made my day.
The second host and part of the team took me to the famous local restaurant, where I did explore the local taste of Samoa and some other locally made drink that I couldn’t stand to have it (the thing was that the smell was good but the taste was awful, very strange combination).
Next day, We climbed a long track up the mountain where we have a critical hope remote site. The track was 1580m and took us more than an hour to get up. It was a slippery and dangerous trek but still amazed about the nature.
Moreover, the humidity of the weather discouraged my climb. However, the view from the mountain looking down onto the island and to the sea was picturesque and I felt like I was on top of the world.
The team took me to the famous sliding rocks where I slid down a waterfall of rocks. It was exhilarating!
I also got to see the annual Siva Afi fire show that night where people from Hawaii came to compete against the Samoans in a battle of performing creative tricks with their fire wand. The following Saturday of my arrival was a special religious day (called Sabbath day) as it was close to the White Sunday which is another big religious event in Samoa. we went to church in the morning and since it was the Sabbath Day, the Samoan’s tend to relax and have a massive Roast.
Majority of the Samoan’s will prepare food and cook it in the ‘Umu,’ this is where they cook their food in a cooking pit with lava rocks. It is an Earth oven where the pit traps heat to bake, smoke or steam the food. The food included in the roast was taro, prawns and lobster. A whole pig was roasted for me as their special guest.
Week after the team took me to the other main island in Samoa, Savai’i.
We had to take a bumpy one hour ride on a ferry over to the island. We stayed one night there and I got to see and witness the beautiful blowholes, swim with the massive turtles and relax in a beautiful beach with light blue water and sparkling white sand.
Friday we went back to Upolu and went to the beautiful cave pools. That day I also got the honour to meet with few people form the Ministry of Telecom. They talked to me about the Samoan telecom evolution and we discussed about my journey in Samoa.
My next host was was also part of the team. She lives on the third largest island called Manono Island. We took a quick fifteen minute boat ride from the main island Upolu, along with other friends over to her place. Over on the island I got taught a traditional dance which involved me wearing a lavalava.
After learning the dance, we performed the fun dance some village's families members. We also had to attend church and wear all white as it was a Methodist Church.
A team member told us some legends and myths about her island and gave us knowledge on the history of Samoa. On the island Selai and I got a small fale right in front of the water. We also swam and kayaked around the whole island as it was only very small.
I got to live in a nice exotic residency on my last days in Samoa as my proper accommodation was not ready at this time. I also attended the Digi meetings of Apia and gave a presentation on the work plans and new strategies and challenges that I have ahead of me.
This week exchange was originally meant for me to discover the organization, country and culture. However, I was obliged to go back to AUS in order to complete packing my stuff ad close my final hand over.
I am very privileged to still get to go on this fulfilling journey. It taught me to be a better person in life and gave me a bigger understanding and perspective of the world. As young person, this wonderful experience gave me the opportunity to learn about a different culture, help to foster world understanding and goodwill and it encouraged me to mature and to be responsible.
Having to undergo this adventure alone gave me independence and freedom to discover and learn the insight of another culture single-handedly. It was a very blissful, educational and memorable trip and it is an adventure that I feel very grateful to all my team and to the Digi Samoa of Apia and Parramatta - I know I will cherish this experience forever.
Last, this was a week experience and I can’t wait to be back and share part of my life in this great country.
Talofa Lava!.
My previous role as Head of Operations provides an opportunity to visit most of the Pacific islands and from Australia to experience each other’s cultural by living in foreign countries for few weeks.
I left Brisbane on the 6th of October I flew to Sydney and from there I flew out to the Exotic Pacific Island Samoa. I arrived Monday the 7th of October at 6.35am as I stepped off the plane, the first thing that welcomed me was the beautiful warm weather.
I was also welcomed by my first host from my Company who was a typical Samoan. The one hour ride into the capital Apia was tiring but insightful. We were cruising down the coast of the main island Upolu and to my left I could see the beautiful tones of blue water as the sun was rising. It was captivating and mesmerising and along the road I could see some very creative construction of fales. Fales are made with wooden poles that hold up a crafted roof with no walls. They are homes to many Samoans that mainly live in rural villages.
My stay with my host was only for few hours I managed to explore the Samoan markets and the town centre. The highlight of my first day in Samoa was visiting the office and meeting the team. My first meeting in the office gave wonderful feeling- their content expression on their faces and massive smiles made my day.
The second host and part of the team took me to the famous local restaurant, where I did explore the local taste of Samoa and some other locally made drink that I couldn’t stand to have it (the thing was that the smell was good but the taste was awful, very strange combination).
Next day, We climbed a long track up the mountain where we have a critical hope remote site. The track was 1580m and took us more than an hour to get up. It was a slippery and dangerous trek but still amazed about the nature.
Moreover, the humidity of the weather discouraged my climb. However, the view from the mountain looking down onto the island and to the sea was picturesque and I felt like I was on top of the world.
The team took me to the famous sliding rocks where I slid down a waterfall of rocks. It was exhilarating!
I also got to see the annual Siva Afi fire show that night where people from Hawaii came to compete against the Samoans in a battle of performing creative tricks with their fire wand. The following Saturday of my arrival was a special religious day (called Sabbath day) as it was close to the White Sunday which is another big religious event in Samoa. we went to church in the morning and since it was the Sabbath Day, the Samoan’s tend to relax and have a massive Roast.
Majority of the Samoan’s will prepare food and cook it in the ‘Umu,’ this is where they cook their food in a cooking pit with lava rocks. It is an Earth oven where the pit traps heat to bake, smoke or steam the food. The food included in the roast was taro, prawns and lobster. A whole pig was roasted for me as their special guest.
Week after the team took me to the other main island in Samoa, Savai’i.
We had to take a bumpy one hour ride on a ferry over to the island. We stayed one night there and I got to see and witness the beautiful blowholes, swim with the massive turtles and relax in a beautiful beach with light blue water and sparkling white sand.
Friday we went back to Upolu and went to the beautiful cave pools. That day I also got the honour to meet with few people form the Ministry of Telecom. They talked to me about the Samoan telecom evolution and we discussed about my journey in Samoa.
My next host was was also part of the team. She lives on the third largest island called Manono Island. We took a quick fifteen minute boat ride from the main island Upolu, along with other friends over to her place. Over on the island I got taught a traditional dance which involved me wearing a lavalava.
After learning the dance, we performed the fun dance some village's families members. We also had to attend church and wear all white as it was a Methodist Church.
A team member told us some legends and myths about her island and gave us knowledge on the history of Samoa. On the island Selai and I got a small fale right in front of the water. We also swam and kayaked around the whole island as it was only very small.
I got to live in a nice exotic residency on my last days in Samoa as my proper accommodation was not ready at this time. I also attended the Digi meetings of Apia and gave a presentation on the work plans and new strategies and challenges that I have ahead of me.
This week exchange was originally meant for me to discover the organization, country and culture. However, I was obliged to go back to AUS in order to complete packing my stuff ad close my final hand over.
I am very privileged to still get to go on this fulfilling journey. It taught me to be a better person in life and gave me a bigger understanding and perspective of the world. As young person, this wonderful experience gave me the opportunity to learn about a different culture, help to foster world understanding and goodwill and it encouraged me to mature and to be responsible.
Having to undergo this adventure alone gave me independence and freedom to discover and learn the insight of another culture single-handedly. It was a very blissful, educational and memorable trip and it is an adventure that I feel very grateful to all my team and to the Digi Samoa of Apia and Parramatta - I know I will cherish this experience forever.
Last, this was a week experience and I can’t wait to be back and share part of my life in this great country.
Talofa Lava!.
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