warmer

palm trees sway back and forth amidst warm trade winds in the mild island winter

a palm tree on the edge of a vast and blue ocean

majestic views of volcanoes surround this four season's golf course

rainbows are common in these here parts where rain falls on more days than not

it all starts with a flight out of a city in the contiguous united states as the sun rises in the eastern winter sky

the view from the hotel - there's not much to see - mostly hotels and apartment buildings sprawling up near the waterfront

but there are some beautiful sights to behold - a bright rainbow arches over a field of grass that stretches almost as far as the horizon following a brief shower

and this beautiful glass of beer - i believe this one is a blonde bock from our friends at gordon biersch

in a remote rural village, a young girl stands still - mesmerized by the glow and cacophony of the fireworks that she has just set off on one fine new years eve

it is quite an impressive sight

meanwhile, back in the hustle and bustle of the main tourist regions, visitors from the mainland and asian countries crowd a downtown shopping mall late into the wee hours

an old house surrounded by palm trees weathers the tropical weather - but not all too well ....