Fiji Visit Dream Come True: Carnes

Visiting Fiji is a dream come true for US Coast Guard Lieutenant Junior Grade, Carli Carnes.
The 20-year-old, who is from California, is part of the crew on board the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro, which arrived in Suva on Friday.
How she knew about our small country in the Pacific was not surprising either – thanks to a very popular drink in the US.
“Fiji Water is very popular in the US and I’ve always wanted to visit Fiji,” she said.
“I was so excited when I heard that we were coming here. Fiji is exactly the way I expected. Fijians are very friendly and I love the weather.
“In California it hardly rains and coming to Fiji, the weather change is definitely lovely. I just wished we could stay longer.”
Ms Carnes yesterday joined staff members from the Lami Town Council and US Embassy to clean up along the shoreline near Tikaram Park in Lami.
“It feels good to be picking up the rubbish here. This is one way we can give back to the community. Fiji is a beautiful place,” she said.
“It feels good to be here representing America. I love to do volunteer work whenever and wherever I can.”
Ms Carnes hopes to return.
The US Coast Guard is expected to leave the country tomorrow.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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