• Responding to email notices you receive.
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  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

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    Posted 08/15/2025
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    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

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    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Sitting tight in Fiji as Cyclone Gita bears down on us

Helenthereef said:
We have always had individual solar lanterns on hand - we get enough non-disaster related power outages that we use them frequently, and we have assisted villagers to install simple home kits with 3 or 4 lightbulbs and a phone charger. I totally recommend this brand if you are in the market:
http://www.dlight.com/
Click to expand...
Hmmm and available on Amazon. That brand has great reviews too. Thanks for the tip!
 
I missed this thread until now, I'm so glad you're safe Helen. And I learned something too...I didn't realize there are battery-operated fans. I need to look for one, in case of an ice storm (power outage) here, it would be so helpful to circulate the heat from my fireplace. It does look like you live in paradise, but every place has it's bad weather days.
 
bcr229 said:
Hmmm and available on Amazon. That brand has great reviews too. Thanks for the tip!
Click to expand...

The D-lights are TOUGH. We have had them in villages (the ultimate break-everything environment) in daily use for 2 - 3 years without a problem. Also if you are of a philanthropic bent you can donate to send lights to disadvantaged families in the developing world. My father's Rotary club put one in every home of the village I work most closely with, and it changed lives.

I wholeheartedly recommend them.
 
hotlips said:
.I didn't realize there are battery-operated fans. I need to look for one, in case of an ice storm (power outage) here, it would be so helpful to circulate the heat from my fireplace.
Click to expand...

Yep, there are drawbacks, but you don't see me heading back to the UK... :eek:!

The battery operated fans were Rich's tip, so I presume are widely available in the US. Only thing is, as he say, they do eat batteries - 6 x D cells in the ones I bought which will run on high power for just over 20 hours or low power for 40+. So stock up on batteries too!
 
Over 20 years in Fiji now - it wasn't really a plan - left the UK in 1989 and worked in various parts of the world (Middle East, Caribbean, Central America) in biological sciences, diving and the tourism industry. I now run my own marine biology consultancy (www.marineecologyfiji.com) and concentrate on environmental impact assessments, sustainable tourism development and working with local communities on fisheries management through coral reef conservation.

I don't think I could stand it in the UK now - too used to temperatures above 20oC, clean air and swimming around coral reefs for a living!
 
Sounds like an awesome career and I can see why you don't miss the UK...sometimes the things we don't exactly plan turn out to be the best experience ever, just have to be open to them.

I've lived many places but the most time was in California...I do miss the weather there (& other aspects too) but I wanted a "change" & now I've got one. Some things are better here- I'm big on clean air too, also don't miss "life in the fast lane".
 
Dammit, I hit send before I attached photos, sorry....
 

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  • Villagers and Solar lights presentation sm.jpg
    Villagers and Solar lights presentation sm.jpg
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hotlips said:
Cool photo! You'd better be careful...I think you're starting to make some of us want to join you there, lol.
Click to expand...

You are most welcome if you can carry in Nutribac - still waiting for my delivery 4 weeks after ordering - so no use coming to Fiji if you are used to delivery of
home comforts.... :hehe:
 
I can see where that would be frustrating. Hey, I live in the Ozarks...I have to send off for things I can't get locally too, but I'll admit, it does help to be sitting on a larger land mass... (I do love to swim though!)
 
Cyclones

Cyclones are very dangerous. I pray to GOD that cyclones never ever come to any of us and our families :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
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