This past August, my family and I embarked on a two-week journey to the South Pacific, visiting Fiji and Samoa. It was more than just a vacation—it was a pilgrimage to the islands where my father had spent two years as a missionary nearly 60 years ago. Along the way, we experienced breathtaking landscapes, thrilling activities, and deep cultural connections that left us with unforgettable memories.

The inspiration for our trip began last Christmas when I called my parents with a bold idea: "I'm buying my family tickets to Samoa. We are going. You need to go too. It's time!." My father, now 77, had lived in Samoa from 1966-1968, but he hadn't returned since. It had always been his lifelong wish to show his family the beautiful islands and meet the amazing people in that area, so we decided to make it happen. In the end, four of my parents' six children, along with some grandchildren, joined us for what turned out to be a mini family reunion.

Our trip began in Fiji, where we spent three days exploring the island. We embraced the island’s natural beauty through a series of adventurous activities. My sister, who had lived in Fiji as a volunteer during college, was our guide as we ziplined through lush forests, explored caves, and relaxed in natural hot springs. We spent an afternoon rubbing mud on our bodies and soaking in the warm pools. 

Another  highlight was hiking through vibrant gardens and visiting a Hindu temple, where we marveled at the tropical landscapes. For my sister, it was also a chance to revisit the island where she had spent a transformative summer as a volunteer, helping to build homes for local communities. The combination of adventure and nostalgia made our time in Fiji both fun and meaningful.

From Fiji, we flew to Samoa, where we spent ten days exploring the islands of Savai’i and Upolu. My father had lived in Savai’i for six months, and revisiting the places he loved was a deeply emotional experience. Savai’i is a rural island, less developed than Upolu, with a strong sense of community pride. The villages are made up of "fales"—open-air structures where families and tribes gather, relax, and hold meetings. Seeing people going about their daily activities in these communal spaces offered a glimpse into the simplicity and richness of Samoan life.

In Savai’i, we visited Afu Aau waterfall, where we swam in crystal-clear pools and jumped from the falls. At the Alofaaga Blowholes, we watched powerful ocean waves shoot water into the sky, a thrilling display of nature’s force. One of the most memorable parts of the trip was visiting a Samoan village, where the chief's wife gave us a tour and shared insights into local life and subsistence farming. It was a unique opportunity to learn about the culture first-hand and connect with the people.

We visited towns my dad lived in and areas he had loved while serving on the island. We went to a preschool and sat in a class while the children were learning English. It was so great for my kids to be around the Samoan children for a little bit and sing songs with them. Seeing the kids interact in such a lively, joyful environment was heartwarming.

After exploring Savai’i, we took a ferry to Upolu, and visited many places my dad had lived while living on the island for a year.  We stayed at the Taumeasina Resort near the capital city of Apia. The island was more developed, with a bustling atmosphere and modern amenities, but it still exuded the charm and warmth of Samoan culture. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the resort was its family-friendly activities—We learned how to play rugby, we watched a fire show, we did a traditional open fire cooking class, learned how to weave bowls and gates from the palm leaves, drank coconut water that the locals climbed the trees to gather for us, snorkeled and paddle boarded. The resort was amazing for families and you could have spent all day, everyday there and been happy. 

Each day, we ventured out to explore more of Upolu. Saniatu Falls, a peaceful village in the hills, was a personal favorite. This is where my dad used to swim almost 60 years ago. Another area my dad took us had sliding rocks where you could ride the water down the mountain side. We found a video my dad had filmed from 1966 of him and 10-15 other missionaries sliding down the rocks and waterfalls. It was amazing to reenact the same activity at the same spot nearly 60 years later. It was a highlight of the trip for my kids. We spent hours here and had so much fun.  It was a magical moment for our family, bridging the past and present in a way we will never forget.

We also ventured to the To Sua Ocean Trench, a stunning natural pool where the ocean flows through a large hole in the ground, allowing visitors to swim and float in the cool, turquoise waters. On the west side of the island, we swam among giant clams, sea turtles, and starfish in the shallow waters of Savaia. Piula Cave Pool, a freshwater cave next to the ocean, offered another incredible swimming experience with its crystal-clear, warm waters and large, shimmering fish.

The true highlight of the trip was the time spent with my parents, especially seeing my father return to a place he loved so much. Experiencing this area with my parents and my family is the trip highlight. Seeing my dad so excited to be back at a place he loved so much was so special. And seeing my mom experience the area for the first time and loving every place was really special. This was my dad's dream to return and I'm so grateful we did it while he was still active and remembered so many of the wonderful places. Listening to him recount stories and memories and finding spots he had also enjoyed holds a special place for us and our family. 

The people are incredibly kind, the landscapes stunning, and the experiences are truly one-of-a-kind. For my family, this trip wasn’t just a vacation—it was a journey of connection, adventure, and legacy that we will cherish forever.