One of the reasons I was so thrilled to be travelling to Fiji on Sequoia in 2004 was knowing I would be able to once again reunite with the Fijian family our Canadian family had known so many years previously.  It was interesting to meet everyone and their extended families, and to be treated as an honoured guest.

How we connected - A friend of Epeli Naua (living in the USA) found his name mentioned on my 1975 Fijian Family web page, since my JoeTourist website is in all the search engines.  Epeli and his wife Rebecca called me in 2003 - what a pleasant surprise after all those years of having lost touch with the Naua family.  A year later when my trip to New Zealand and Fiji aboard Sequoa was arranged, we re-established our connection just a few days before I left.

Epeli is the youngest son of Waisle Naua, who my family had met way back in the 1960's when he was a seaman on the freighter Lakemba.  Waisle's wife's name is Lavinia.  Their other sons are Iniasi (oldest son), and Tabu (middle son).  Iniasi and his family live in the original family home in the Raiwai district of Suva.  Tabu and his family live on the island of Moce, in the Eastern Lau Group of the Fiji Islands and follow the traditional Fijiian way of life. Epeli and his family live in the Kinoya district of Suva.

Read the story and see the photos of my 1975 reunion in Suva with the Nauas.

On my first visit May 14, 2004, Epeli picked me up in Suva and we had a visit while the family celebrated a 16 year old's birthday with a traditional ground oven feast.  The second visit on May 17th was the day of my departure from Suva (back to Auckland), however we manage to have lunch at Epeli's house, and have a chance for another meeting.  We exchange gifts: Waisle gives me a beautiful yangona bowl he carved. I reciprocate with gifts made by Joe Wilson, a BC Native carver.

It was wonderful to meet everyone again in Suva, and I hope to travel back to Fiji again so I can spend more time touring this wonderful country.  Of course, meeting my Fijiian family will also be a highlight of future trips.

Return to >>> Suva 2004

Side Trips to >>> Fijian Family - 1975, 2004 Beqa, Fiji - 1975