US couple’s holiday surprise: A ‘Fiji Baby’

What began as a Fiji honeymoon turned into a life-changing moment for US Marine Elio Rodrigues and his wife Juscelia Meireles—the birth of their first child at the Nadi hospital.

The couple from Boston, Massachusetts had booked Fiji as their dream honeymoon destination more than a year ago. At the time, Ms Meireles, who owns a house cleaning company, wasn’t pregnant.

“When we found out she was pregnant, we couldn’t cancel the trip because the flight and hotel were non-refundable,” Mr Rodrigues said.

Their wedding was held on September 13, and just a day later, the newlyweds were on a plane bound for Fiji.

The Surprise of a Lifetime

For the first three days at Club Wyndham Denarau Island, the couple relaxed on the beach, soaking in the tropical sunshine. Then, in the early hours of day four, their holiday took a dramatic turn.

“At 5 in the morning, she woke me up and said, ‘My water broke,’ and I thought she was joking,” Mr Rodrigues recalled.

“I was thinking everything in a minute—Oh my God, we fly back home in three days—but then we rushed to the hospital.”

Doctors at Nadi Maternity Ward tried to delay the birth so they could return home, but their baby boy had other plans.

“The baby decided he wanted to meet Fiji because the medication didn’t work,” the Marine said with a laugh.

On September 21 at 7:11 am, their son Elio Junior Meireles Rodriguez was born five weeks early, weighing 2.45kg and measuring 48cm. Despite the early arrival, the baby is healthy.

Doctors at Nadi Maternity Ward tried to delay the birth so they could return home, but their baby boy had other plans.

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A Warm Fijian Welcome

The couple say it was Fiji’s kindness and generosity that turned what could have been a stressful experience into a heartwarming memory.

“Everybody from the hotel, the cab drivers, the hospital staff and all the Fijian people are very welcoming and loving. It is a very exciting and unique story,” Mr Rodrigues said.

He recalled a cab driver checking on them at 5am, and a midwife who, after a 16-hour shift, accompanied them to the pharmacy to get supplies for their newborn.

“We had only vacation clothes; we were not expecting the baby to be born here,” he said.

Back at the resort, the staff and guests have been just as overjoyed. “Everybody is asking for the picture of the baby at the hotel and can’t wait to see him there. It has been a great and unique experience.”

Staff of Club Wyndham Denarau Island have been checking on the baby and his parents.

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A “Fiji Baby” Forever

Now, Fiji has become more than just a honeymoon destination for the Rodrigues family—it’s their son’s birthplace.

“Because he is a Fiji-born baby,” Mr Rodrigues said proudly.

“Some name him ‘Koi Colo’, Viti, and I welcome all the suggestions for his nickname.”

Back in the US, relatives were stunned. “My mother was surprised, telling us that she had never heard of that. Now we are going back with a Fiji Baby. It was a blessing.”

The family is now arranging for a Fiji birth certificate and an emergency passport before returning home to Boston on Saturday.