Retired navy captains, husband and wife Walter and Jane Lecompte, have been living in Fiji for four years now because Fiji spoils them.
Despite their numerous years of service at sea, the Lecomptes’ love for the ocean continues and nothing has failed to deter them from sailing.
They left the United States in June 1992 and have been sailing around the world in their yacht “Calisto”.
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Mr Lecompte is 77-years-old, his wife is 72; they have three children and five grandchildren.
Four years ago they toured the Pacific Ocean travelled to Wallis and Futuna, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Palau.
They came to Fiji in 2014 and have been here since.
“We love to travel, soon after retiring we travelled around the world in our yacht,” Mrs Lecompte said.
“Most of the time we would cruise around, and get to see a lot of countries, meet a lot of people and most of these places are really wonderful.
“We came to Fiji four years ago and we have stayed longer than we had anticipated,” she said.
“We are spoilt here and the people are very friendly; that makes us feel like we’re at home.”
Mrs Lecompte shared her experience during the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka as one of the memorable one.
“We have faced many challenges at sea, like typhoons, Category five cyclone in Palau, etcetera but the one we will always remember is the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka,” she said.
“In the midst of the events we had to react and protect ourselves and our boat.
“When you are at sea;with every challenge that arises, you take them as they come, but we always try to avoid getting into any trouble.”
“Our children worry a lot for us, but one advice that we have always given to them is: if you have a dream, go for it because you only have one chance in life,” Mr Lecompte said.
