These flowers seen from the veranda remind us of Plumeria in Hawaii.

We’re disappointed we weren’t able to capture photos of the fireworks we heard from dark until well after midnight. The position of the house, on the edge of a mountain, prevented a clear view of the celebrations surrounding us. We hope all of our Hindu neighbors in Savusavu, Fiji, and throughout the world had a fabulous Diwali celebration.

Overall, on Facebook, I’ve kept a fairly low profile. Mainly, I post photos or stories I deem to be “share-worthy” although that may not always be the case for my FB “friends” who may or may not care about the photos I post.

It’s natural to assume the number of “likes” determines the degree of interest one’s friends may have in viewing a particular post. When there are few, if any likes, it’s easy to wonder as to what didn’t appeal to one’s friends. 

Our single house is located in the far right of this photo, down from the house above that has three rentals, a huge upper floor, and two good sized lower apartments.

The most innocuous posts may elicit a huge number of “likes” and “comments” while other seeming life-altering events may hardly attract a single click of a finger garnering attention our way.

Tom, on the other hand, is a Facebook fan, frequently posting a wide array of views, objections to other posts, and occasionally, bawdy humor. At times, I may mention (in person) that his comments may not be “PC” but he shrugs and reminds me about our civil liberties, seeming to be quickly waning in regard to freedom of speech. 

It’s hard to argue that point. I slither away, keeping my own mouth shut about him tempering his opinions when Facebook certainly inspires us to address our varying views about many topics. 

Another view across the bay from the opposite side. Our resort is located near the open brown spot in the far right in this photo.

With dozens of railroad friends on Facebook, many retirees, Tom is provided with an opportunity to stay in touch with the “guys” which he thoroughly enjoys. The laughter and banter they often enjoyed in the lunchroom at work are now enjoyed online. 

Many of Tom’s many family members are on FB, giving him more opportunities to enjoy time chatting back and forth, staying up on family events and activities. It’s this type of communication that keeps him engaged day after day.

View from the opposite side of the island where slightly to the left-center is Nawi Island and the village.

Occasionally, I can’t resist posting a mention of health or, unhealthiness, in regard to chemicals in food or the overuse of sugar, starch, and grain consumption and the use of certain prescription drugs with dangerous side effects, that a good diet may better serve. I can easily fall prey to the lure of Facebook in stepping atop my soapbox to express my personal causes and beliefs, especially when another post triggers a response.

Before the popularity of the Internet, we saved such discussions for the dinner table or water cooler. Today, social media provides us with the opportunity to bash, criticize or even extol the virtues of anything we believe regardless of the topic. 

As for my number of FB friends, I haven’t really encouraged our blog readers throughout the world to “friend” me on Facebook. There’s no particular reason why not. All of you are welcome to friend me.

As seen from our veranda to the steep grounds below.

If you’d like to “friend” me, please click here, since there are others with the same or similar names.  I’ll happily accept friend requests.

On average, I spend no more than 10 to 15 minutes a day on Facebook, mainly “speaking” to family and friends in the “chat” module or “liking” a variety of posts I find interesting, mostly revolving around travel, nature, and wildlife in an attempt to stay somewhat neutral in this venue.

Believe me, for those who personally know me, I’m highly opinionated on certain topics but, I’ve chosen to temper those opinions since we began traveling the world, especially in the written word. 

Dense vegetation surrounds us providing us with a sense of living in a rainforest.

While on cruises, we often find ourselves with others who are equally opinionated, providing all of us with an appropriate arena in which to express our myriad views without recrimination that may result from posting such opinions on social media.

As for Twitter, we are truly invisible. I have a Twitter account but never use it. Tom doesn’t have an account.  Writing, posting, and searching for photo ops each day occupies enough time that constantly staying in tune with Twitter is not on my radar. Plus, without a phone contract and the high cost of data, it makes no sense to incur additional expenses reading and posting on Twitter.

Plus, I can’t imagine what I could possibly say in a tweet that would garner enough interest or attention when the majority of our time is spent simply “living” and enjoying our surroundings as is the case for many retirees. 

Pineapples growing on the ground of this resort.

We’re not bored in our day to day lives, but others maybe if we tweeted. It’s not as if we’re at a club and have spotted a celebrity or, for that matter, that we’re “persons of interest” with a vast array of snippets each day.  Perhaps, on travels days and when we’re engaged in a variety of activities a tweet would be worth posting.

It’s hard enough to post worthwhile items on Facebook, let alone be bogged down by other forms of communication. We certainly appreciate and understand the enthusiasm others may experience in tweeting and in text messaging, another area in which we don’t participate much.

Again, without a phone contract and the outrageous cost for text messages using a phone SIM card, we see how easily texting could result in an added expense we don’t deem necessary. At no cost (other than data when online), we can private message on Facebook, and for a minimal cost, we’re able to Skype with our family and friends, regardless of where we may be.

View from the highway to Savusavu.

Without a doubt, traveling the world wouldn’t have appealed to us without the availability of the Internet and, with the use of social media, which to some degree, enables us to stay in touch.

It’s especially fun to connect with our readers in a more personal manner via Facebook if you so choose. Hope to see you there soon!

Today, we’re off to the village! Have a blissful day!

Photo from one year ago today, November 12, 2014:

Beautiful colors at dusk at the lava rock breakwaters in Maui, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.