TROPICAL SUN

SUNBURN
This is the same as under "LOCAL STUFF", 
but it can't be repeated often enough.

It's 4 times stronger than in California (or in Florida).
Make it 10 times stronger than in Scandinavia :-).
Actually, it's the strongest in the entire USA!
There's no funny stuff here, it's a deadly serious matter.
You can ruin your vacation, at best. 
I did on my first trip to Maui, 25 years ago.
At worst, you end up in the emergency room.

If you have no tan, don't lie down on the beach, the first day,
longer than 1/2 an hour under the midday (10 A.M-2 P.M.) sun.
If you have sensitive skin make it 15-20 minutes.
Increase it a little every day. Use sunscreen (15 SPF+) 
on your exposed skin when outdoors.

There're NO EARLY WARNING SIGNS of a sunburn. 
1. When you press your skin and it turns white, you have a burn
already, that won't let you go on the sun, for a couple of days.
2. When your skin is visibly red and painful, you have a burn
that will last for a week or longer.
3. If you SNORKEL you don't even feel that and you might get
third degree burns and end up in the hospital.
Wear a T-shirt and pants maybe (if you have sensitive skin),
the first couple of days, at least.

If you still get a sunburn use aloe vera. The raw plant itself 
is the best. Break it or cut it and rub the jelly on your skin.

Gel based sun blockers work better in water. Lotions are recommended 
everywhere else. Reapply them every 2-3 hours.

Carry plenty of liquids, because you will dehydrate faster here. 

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