Nikolics in Fiji: Danny lashes out as Yacht builder reveals he thought pair’s trip was ‘strange’

AUSTRALIAN jockey Danny Nikolic has angrily lashed out at media on a street in Fiji this afternoon, telling cameramen to leave his family alone.

AN angry Danny Nikolic lashed out at media on a Latouka Street this afternoon, telling cameramen to leave the family alone.

Nikolic had been shopping in Lautoka’s upmarket Tappoo City shopping centre with his mother Karen and another Australian man.

Followed by TV cameramen and a News Corp photographer back to their hotel, Nikolic steadfastly refused to comment on the June 21 drug bust on his brother’s yacht in Denarau Marina, and became frustrated, putting his hand up and pushing a TV camera away.

The family then holed up in the low-rent Lautoka Hotel News Corp Australia exclusively revealed on the weekend they were staying in.

Danny Nioklic lashes out at the media. Picture: Mark Stewart

News Corp saw the family returning to their hotel with fruit, vegetables and other groceries, ahead of Yvette Nikolic’s Wednesday’s court mention, on charges of drug possession and importation.

Her husband John (Jnr) remains in Lautoka Hospital’s intensive care unit after drinking a potentially lethal cocktail of what was believed to be liquid cocaine and ice.

Danny Nikolic in Fiji today. Picture: Mark Stewart

Danny Nikolic walks towards the media. Picture: Mark Stewart

The news comes as a Florida yacht builder who spent months repairing John and Yvette Nikolic’s luxury yacht thought it was unusual when the “newbie sailors” said they would be embarking on a round-the-world voyage.

Gabriel Fabre met pair last year as they prepared for a romantic “adventure of a lifetime” — sailing to South America and the Pacific Islands.

“I thought it was a little strange because he was not experienced at sailing,” Mr Fabre told News Corp Australia. “It’s strange for the trip he wanted to do, but that’s not my business.”

MORE: Nikolics holed up in low-rent hotel

MORE: Lawyer alleges AFP tip off lead to John and Yvette Nikolic drug bust

MORE: Yvette Nikolic staring down possibility of life in prison

MORE: Nikolic fiji arrest ends romantic ‘adventure’

Gabriel Fabre was shocked when he heard that John and Yvette Nikolic had been arrested. Picture: Angus Mordant

Mr Fabre said he was “shocked” to learn of the Nikolic’s arrest in Fiji last month, after $20 million of cocaine, 65 ecstasy tablets, cash and two handguns was found aboard their boat Shenanigans.

John, 45, is in hospital under police guard after drinking a toxic concoction of liquid cocaine and methamphetamine. Yvette is behind bars, facing a potential life sentence if convicted.

Florida yacht broker Kent Grimbeek, of Just Catamarans, revealed how the couple came to purchase their first ever yacht late last year, which at the time of sale was called “No Name”.

Yvette Nikolic is in a Fijian prison and her husband John is in hospital.

“No Name will take you places,” read the glossy advertisement for the 13.6m vessel.

It seemed the perfect fit — and price — for the couple who, according to Mr Grimbeek, “wanted a good deal and they negotiated”.

“They were straight up. They were watching their dollars and cents, being careful with their money.”

After securing their purchase for $335,000, they arranged major repairs and also renamed

it. Photos on Facebook show Yvette removing No Name from the stern of the yacht and replacing it with Shenanigans — a moniker that suggests fun and frivolity, yet is a far cry from the trouble that has beset the loved-up pair.

Images of the yacht called No Name, later renamed Shenanigans when it was bought by the Nikolics.

Mr Fabre said he spent at least two months carrying out repairs, including engine work, plumbing, and fibreglass maintenance. Long-distance radios and satellite equipment were installed.

“He was a very nice guy. He was here all the time wanting to see how the project was going,” said Mr Fabre. “The news does not match the person I know.”

John Nikolic is in hospital under police guard after drinking a toxic concoction of liquid cocaine and methamphetamine.

Mr Grimbeek agreed Nikolic was “great to deal with”. He did become upset at the delays with the work, which was pushing back their departure date.

“They took it sailing for a few days to test it out and we fixed a few things. They just seemed like people who wanted to fulfil a dream and they were doing it.

“Then off they went to Panama.”