Our Trip to Samoa 2023 (Part 1)

Day 1 : American Samoa

We woke up around 7 am and headed to breakfast around 8 am. After 24 hours of travel the day before.

At breakfast, we were surprised to see Supoesi (papaya + tapioca), one of my mom’s favorite dishes. We tried to keep it light knowing we would be eating all day iykyk.

We headed to the market my grandparents use to sell their produce at. My grandma was always proud of how loyal their buyers were. The best coconut water you can possibly have.

Day 2: Traveling to Samoa 🇼🇸

Our wishes came true. We had complimemtary sua alaisa (cocoa rice). Grandma use to make us it for breakfast every morning when we were kids. We determined hers was better. She used Nesquik powder instead of cocoa. 🍚🍫

✈️ We were preparing ourselves to take a putter plane to Western Samoa (now Samoa). Only seats 8 people. I just imagined it as one of those special Bachelor dates on TV. You can see everything unlike what you would see in a commercial plane.

The flight was only 25 minutes long and grandma didn’t blink an eye during the safe yet shaky landing. Like she’s done this for years.

Gerry picked us up, the hotel driver, to shuttle us to @taumeasinaislandresortsamoa. Turquoise pools next to private beaches. A spa that sits on an extended peninsula closer to the the pit of the sea. Complimentary “Ula’s” and grapefruit juice upon arrival.

Grandma has come a long way from her little village in American Samoa. A gift her kids can give back to her for the sacrifices her and grandpa made so many years ago. It’s finally come to fruition.

Today, we enjoy the hotel amenities and views before visiting our family here in Upolu.


Day 3: today we found purpose (from the Chief of Lauli’i)

My mom’s full name is Fetalaigaatuu’u (Lia for short in the mainland). My grandma introduced her to our great uncle, the now Chief and Mayor of Lauli’i. Him and his wife responded with affirming knods as if they were told surprising news. My mom has a special name. It’s a name given to leaders and Chiefs. The loose translation is she’s “a voice” or “announcer” for the people.

What’s crazy is my mom didn’t fully understand this either. I watched my mom find deeper purpose and understanding in who she was by understanding her own name.

That’s the magic of family. That’s the magic of culture.

We experienced even more magic. The Chief gave my Aunt her title; her Chief’s name. To’omalatai. It’s a family name that signifies her leadership to the village and the family home and land.

Being born and raised in the mainland, I always thought these topics felt like fairy tales of a life my grandparents use to live. But education and science can’t explain these concepts. But doesn’t make our traditions any less real.

This moment is real. And I felt ever part of it.

Just 5 days before our visit, Grandmas childhood home burned down and effected our Great Uncle Fiti. We wish we could’ve seen what it truly looked like, but the moments we had at the Chiefs home felt like a glimmer of love and faith.

Today we will visit Uncle Fiti.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Samoa
01:59 Day 1: American Samoa
40:41 Day 2: Western Samoa
52:02 Day 3: Visiting Lauli'i