An Australian couple, Owen and Christine Twist, expressed their joy at returning to Fiji. They were among over 2,000 passengers on a P&O Cruises Australia ship that docked in Lautoka on Monday. The Twists previously lived in Fiji during the early 1970s while working with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Suva.
“It feels so good to be back in Fiji. We were hoping to meet some of our local friends that we have contacted through social media,” Mr. Twist stated. He shared that they initially planned to stay for two years, but he ended up living in Fiji for nine due to his affection for the local people. Despite leaving, Fiji has always remained close to their hearts.
Their daughters, both nurses, spent part of their childhood in Fiji, adding to the family’s strong connections to the island, which made this visit particularly special. The couple also took the opportunity to purchase local handicrafts from woodcarver Jone Sito as souvenirs of their trip.
The cruise ship’s next destination is Taveuni before it heads back to Sydney.