An Australian couple, Owen Twist and his wife Christine, are delighted to be back in Fiji. They were among over 2,000 passengers on a P&O Cruises Australia ship that docked in Lautoka on Monday. The Twists lived in Fiji during the early 1970s while serving 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,” said Mr. Twist. He reminisced about initially planning to stay for two years but ended up staying for nine due to his fondness for the people. “Then I had to go home, but Fiji has always held a special place in our hearts,” he added.
Their daughters, who are now nurses, also spent part of their childhood in Fiji, adding to the family’s emotional connection to the islands. The couple noted their appreciation for the lasting relationships formed during their time in Fiji. They also took the opportunity to bring back Fijian souvenirs, purchasing handicrafts from local woodcarver Jone Sito.
The cruise ship’s next destination will be Taveuni before it heads back to Sydney.