Leaving Samoa after 2 years

Well, that’s it! After 2 long years being on the Island created by GOD, Samoa.

In the illuminated Islandscapes I’ve now spent so many times, it’s easy to forget about all the problems, issues and frustrations that come as a downside to work with Digicel – at least the experience was amazing! But stood on top of Mont Vaea amazing location, I had time to think back and remember my time on this Island with mixed feelings.

Packing up my apartment and personal stuff into a shipping container after 2 years is one heck of a job. Evidently the 2 years I’ve now spent in one place is enough to turn me into a hoarder, with box after box of things I hadn’t actually seen since first arriving on Island – note to self, pack lighter next time.

But that was it: Time to say goodbye to my home in Ulololua. No apartment in Apia is ever perfect – in a city where quietness happens 24 hours a day and communication is “challenging” at the best of times, even if you do speak the language(!), things just often fail to get done. But for all its quirks, it’s been home to me for one of the longest periods I’ve spent in one place in my life.

So, now preparing to leave, what will I miss about Samoa?

Quite a lot, actually…!

I’ll miss all the staff, who was with me for the entire 2 years, informing me of the expected bad and good things each day. Granted, a lot of the time, I’m sure it was me going where they wanted – not the other way around – but they also been there with me on every journey and everything I did over the whole time I was there!

I’ll miss Derek, my right-hand guy, and my technical team. While I’ll still be sending trouble emails to them to solve– I will no longer be sitting and chatting for hours about what’s going on with the industry while waiting to see how certain projects will be delivered with all difficulties.

The random Apia street scenes, which you just don’t get anywhere (something that you can’t describe in writing), will be in my past; Pinnate; Home Café, Coffee beans, Bistro and a lot more.

While frustrating at times, I’ll miss the crazy interpretations and translations of Samoan words and phrases. Granted, I won’t miss trying to work out what the Samoan characters are.

I’ll miss the hiking – in a city with so many high places. In a place where anything is possible. It’s a million times easier to get to where you want than most other places I know in the world.

I’ll miss the random weekends – like going to a BBQ, or a beach side just outside the city . When you’re in Samoa, “ Popping Cross Island” for a night or two, or even “to Savaii” never needed a second thought before booking.

Will I miss the food? In a word, NO. Eating food that I still don’t know the contents of is enough to put you off mealtimes for a while. But, these were also the times I spent with some great friends in fantastic places around the Island – so I have to remember them fondly. Hey, at the very least, a “bush-tucker-trial” would no longer worry me…

This is the city where any night can mean an extravagant drinking party (and they really are extravagant!). Yes, this is a place of real parties…

…but in some way, I’ll always love it for its quirks.

You’ll find places who “know” you well enough to fill your table up with unlimited supplies of your favorite drinks. The Marina side is a sight to see – a complete scale model of the entire water area that you can walk around. You’re on an island where there are crazy hot nights inside nightclubs – and a place where they have many of the world’s amazing churches within many acres of land.

When you leave a country, it’s natural to look back with fond memories – but I cannot forget that I worked and lived in one of the most fantastic Islands ever.

Yes, that sunrise when you wake up in Samoa. The sun “rises” above the Samoan horizon in a different way.

While Samoa is an Island that I believe everyone should visit at some point in their life (it really is spectacular to see), the work was one of the largest factors in the decision to leave.

So, Samoa – it’s been GREAT, it truly has, but it’s time to move on.

Samoa, you’ve given me some of the most amazing experiences, biggest challenges, funniest moments and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

I’ll always love this Island – I’ll definitely be back to visit. 

For now, however, it’s time to refill with Vailima Pure before leaving and taking this part of my life away…!