Episode 22
June 14 , 2018
22. Chris Nand; India and Fiji Under British Colonial Rule, Captain Cook’s Tongan Turtle and The Beatles in 1960’s Liverpool (Father’s Day Special)
A fascinating insight into the South Pacific and what is was like to grow up under British Colonial rule. Living in a house made of bamboo the kids’ playground was the lush fields of the sugar cane plantation, mango trees, the winding river where they swam as their mums washed their clothes and of course the beautiful Fijian beaches. Taking us to Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, 1960s Liverpool (meeting the Beatles!) to Spain and more. Amid lots of laughter there are also a few tears!
On this episode we cover:
Fiji Indians – how they got there
Growing up on the farm – pet bull
Hurricanes and a tidal wave
Signs of war
Mother – losing babies
Being taken off in the van
Hardships at boarding school – violent Nuns!
Being taught boxing by the priests
The loss of his sister
Fighting in the streets
His boxing career/Suva
Travelling to Tonga – giant tortoise, giant prince!
His Dad going off to India
His plans to leave Fiji
(the man who told him to go to England)
Terrible boat journey to Tonga
Nowhere to go, no money, catholic lady
Abbatoir
Travelling to Europe – Panama Canal, New York
First arrival in England
Family he lived with
Liverpool in the 60s
How he was received and bus job
Meeting Lisa’s mum
Racism/obstacles
Doing well
Decision to move to Spain
What Spain was like in the 80s – Morrocco for Visa, crooks, dodgy people
Mum’s job before she retired (Mallorca, Turkey, Israel)
Never imagining coming back to England
Loving London
Holidays to India, Peru, Cuba, back to Fiji
DNA
The beautiful Fijian farewell song; Isa Lei
