An Australian couple, Owen and Christine Twist, are thrilled to be back in Fiji after many years. They were among the more than 2,000 passengers aboard the P&O Cruises Australia cruise ship that docked in Lautoka on Monday. The Twists lived in Fiji in the early 1970s, where they served 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 shared. He reminisced about their time in Fiji, saying, “We came for two years, but I liked the people so much that I stayed for nine. Then I had to go home, but Fiji has always held a special place in our hearts.”
Their daughters, now nurses, spent part of their childhood in Fiji, which made the couple’s return visit even more special due to their deep familial ties to the island. The couple expressed their appreciation for the lasting friendships they formed during their time in Fiji.
During their visit, the Twists also picked up Fijian souvenirs, purchasing handicrafts from local woodcarver Jone Sito. The cruise ship is set to continue its journey to Taveuni before returning to Sydney.