An Australian couple, Owen Twist and his wife Christine, have expressed their joy at returning to Fiji. They were among over 2,000 passengers aboard a P&O Cruises Australia ship that docked in Lautoka on Monday. The couple had 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,” shared Mr. Twist. He reminisced about their two-year plan which turned into nine years due to their fondness for the Fijian people. “Then I had to go home, but Fiji has always held a special place in our hearts.”
Their daughters, now nurses, also spent part of their upbringing in Fiji, adding to the family’s emotional connection to the island. The couple is thankful for the lasting friendships they formed during their time in Fiji.
During their visit, they purchased various local handicrafts from woodcarver Jone Sito, taking home Fijian souvenirs. The cruise ship is scheduled to continue to Taveuni before heading back to Sydney.