More tragic loss of life in Germany…Change in today’s planned story…Binalong Bay photos…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Entrance statue of Binalong Bay. Click here to learn more.

After hearing about the horrific news of yet another terroristic attack in an open market in Germany, we changed the subject of today’s planned story. We’d planned to include photos of the Penguin Market (open every Sunday throughout the year) where many holiday shoppers gather to purchase unique Christmas goods offered by locals in a variety of booths and shops. 

Binalong Bay in beautiful and expansive.

We’ll publish the pictures and stories of the Penguin Market another day. For today, we can’t stop thinking about the nightmare in Germany, details of which may be found in this article.   (Keeping in mind all the recent scuttlebutt about the media’s often inaccurate representation of actual events, we encourage our readers, as we do ourselves, seek information from a variety of resources).

We traveled off the highway when driving from St. Helens to Penguin to see the popular Binalong Bay.

With a commitment to avoid posting our political opinions on this site, there’s little we can say other than to express our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the loved ones of those who lost their lives and to pray for the healing of those injured. 

We have repeatedly mentioned such tragic events on our website and will continue to do so. Without a doubt, there will be more. How did we get here? How did these scenarios so easily unfold when there’s talk of beefed up security in prone locations?

Vegetation rich surroundings.
We all have opinions on who and what is to blame, often not only the perpetrator(s) but also politicians who’s decisions may have impacted the possibility of such occurrences. We live in a world where blame often extends well beyond the parties who conceived of, planned and enacted such attacks.
A path toward Binalong Bay.

Most of us don’t hesitate to share those views when we’re together in groups, during times of socialization and even at celebratory times such as during any holiday celebrations. 

Green bean looking pods on this plant in Binalong Bay.

Many of us don’t agree on these topics which can result in disharmony among family members and friends. Even on Facebook, a medium frequently used for political views, I find myself backing away when I’d prefer to keep myself from outrageous negative comments spewed by those who choose to use this means of communication with “friends” to let everyone know how they feel.

The wind causes a rippled pattern on the white sand beach.
Perhaps, how we “feel” is less important than what we “do.” We may ask ourselves, “How can I possibly effect change in this terrifying world?” I don’t have an easy answer, but I do know this… If each one of us, with humility and lack of desire for accolades for our good deeds, reached out to one another with kindness, love and compassion, the world would be a better place.
The scenery is exquisite with many inlets and lakes.

May this holiday season (and also for those not celebrating Christmas) bring each and every one of us an opportunity to reflect on who we are, who we’d like to be and how we can change to make this a better world.
Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, December 21, 2015:

Last year, upon spotting this ship while moving along in traffic in Suva, Fiji, we were curious as to the purpose of this vessel. Upon returning home we discovered this: “The Yuan Wang 3 is at the Suva Harbour. The vessel is used for tracking and support of satellite and intercontinental ballistic missiles by the People’s Liberation Army, Navy (PLAN) of the People’s Republic of China.” For more details, please click here.

Remembering 9/11…15 years ago…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment

Citizens of the United States are sadly aware that today is the 15 year anniversary of the devastation and loss of lives on 9/11, that changed life as we knew it forever.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies and prayers for the families and friends whose loved ones were lost, leaving sorrowful memories that will remain in  the hearts and minds of generations to come.

For the rest of us, we’ll always recall the day, the time, the place we stood as we watched the events over and over in a state of horror from wherever we may have been at the time, a memory deeply ingrained in all of us.

To the firefighters, the paramedics and all other rescue personnel, whether professionals or passersby, we extend our gratitude and love for all that you risked, all that you gave and all that you continue to carry deep in your souls for the remainder of your lives.

Who among us, personally untouched by the events of the day can even grasp the magnitude of the loss suffered by so many, the loss of loved ones and for many, the loss of a dream they’d expected and hoped to fulfil with those that slipped through their fingers on one fateful day?

There remains a vast number of rescuers who have since lost their fight for life who suffered severe illnesses from residual effects from the toxicity inflicted upon their bodies on that day and for many days to come, as rescue effort continued for weeks. We offer of deepest condolences for their suffering and the subsequent suffering of their family members and friends.

There are few Americans that weren’t emotionally changed on that day and for days and years to come, as we were all bombarded with horrifying images on the news that will be emblazoned in our minds forever.

There is no story in our simple, uncomplicated lives of world travel that warrant telling today. Thus, today we’re posting a few photos and no “Sightings on the Beach in Bali.” We’re including our “year ago photo” to maintain the continuity of the dates.

May all of us bow our heads in reverence and prayer for those who lost their lives, for those who were left behind and for those who bravely and unselfishly risked  and lost their lives to save the lives of others.

May we all remember this day forever and strive for peace and harmony in this uncertain world. Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, September 12, 2015 (the 11th in the US)

The first night in Fiji, one year ago, the bed was infested with thousands of ants. The next day, the owner replaced the mattress, pillows, beddings and fumigated the bedroom. We never had the problem again in the bedroom during the three months in Savusavu although there were ants everywhere else in the small house. For more details, please click here.