The houses are all of wood, raised about six feet on substantial posts neatly painted blue, while the walls are whitewashed.
They all have a verandah enclosed with a neat balustrade, and are generally surrounded by orange-trees and flowering shrubs.

The surrounding scenery is verdant and picturesque.

Coffee plantations of extreme luxuriance, noble palms and tree ferns, wooded hills and volcanic peaks, everywhere meet the eye.

I had heard much of the beauty of this country, but the reality far surpassed my expectations.
About one o'clock we reached Tomohon, the chief place of a district, having a native chief now called the "Major," at whose house we were to dine.

Here was a fresh surprise for me.