Rain

Over the last 4-5 days we've had periods of rain, some rather heavy. Rain here is an interesting phenomena. As there are no seasons and the temperature varies only slightly, the only weather related issues are rain and wind. Palau gets about three times as much rain as Virginia, but typically it falls in short clod bursts. It will be sunny with only a few clouds in the sky and then a group of clouds will roll in, drop rain and then move on in less than an hour. Often, there is blue sky and sun visible during the cloud burst. On Saturday, every time I got ready to go outside, it would begin raining, which was a bit frustrating. But, the rain can make for a fascinating sky. On Monday, LB, Dave, Christy, and I went kayaking after work. It was a beautiful day, but on our arrival at Sam's it began pouring. We took cover for a half an hour before it cleared up a little. Despite some ominous clouds, we headed out around one of the nearby bays near the Malakal causeway. As the sun set, the sky was scattered with rain clouds and clear sky creating deep reds and purples and blues and grays. We did get rained on a bit, but nothing too extreme. Rain is a part of life here and while it can be frustrating, it can also enhance the beauty of Palau. It's just part of life here and you get used to the occasional drizzle and prepared for the sudden downpour. We're at the end of the rainy season, so the rain is decreasing and should be less of an issue.