If you ever want to build a house in the tropics .. make sure it's raised a long way off the ground so it won't be affected by monsoons and flooding (think tree house or house on stilts). All this space under the house also helps with ventilation. Have an overhanging roof with eaves to help the rainfall run off easily and to provide shade. Don't let the jungle come right up to your home, otherwise you'll find that the rats and snakes will be joining you in your home. Instead, scorch a large area of earth around your property and keep it barren. Have chickens and pigs in this area to gobble up unwanted animal/ insect visitors heading towards your home.
After listening to our guest speaker John talking about his life in the tropics and hearing tales of dyssentry and 250 mosquito bites in one evening from classmates who'd lived for extended periods of time in South America - I came to the conclusion that the tropics are a romantic and atmospheric holiday destination, but a tough place to live.
John said that there is so much sun and rain in the tropics that life (including bacteria) can only teem and reproduce itself at a crazy speed - which is somewhat overwhelming. 'Get off the plane," he said "and the sweaty heat and strong odours of both flowers and things more noxious will put you under a spell."
I tend to do best in drier Mediterranean climates. With the overcast weather we've had here this weekend I am feeling sorely sun deprived!
For the record, places I've visited that are officially "tropical" - falling between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn 23.5 degrees above and below the equator are .. Fiji, Queensland, Tanzania, Thailand and Hawaii.
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