Melbourne, January 2014
The summer has finally arrived with a vengeance in Australia this week with temperatures soaring to forty plus degrees centigrade even in the coolest states. As the country goes into meltdown (literally) over how to deal with the heat, here's some advice and tips and how to manage extreme heat when you're on your travels, picked up from experiences in far flung destinations and from four year's living and travelling in the harshest summer temperatures that the Middle East could throw at us.
1) Keep Cool and Hydrated:
Let's get the boring stuff out of the way. Drink lots of water, avoid direct sunlight, avoid caffeine and alcohol fuelled drinks, wear lots of sun block and a hat if you must go out, but best to stay inside as much as possible during the most intense hours of the day.
2) Book and keep a Cool play to stay:
That's Cool as in chilled, not necessarily Cool as in funky. Do your research, and if there is a chance you'll be in extreme heat, pay extra for air con and a well insulated room with the entrance door off an internal corridor and not to the outside world. This is where Motels can be a bad idea, even if it seems great that you can park your hire car right outside. It might be the best extra ten or twenty bucks you spend on your entire trip. When you're not in the room, keep the curtains closed and your air con on.
3) Access to a Fridge:
Also book a room with a fridge, or at least access to a fridge, so you can keep your bottled water chilled. Even better if it has a small freezer for ice packs which will cost one or two dollars each from a local store.
4) Go straight to the Supermarket:
Make a trip to a local supermarket a priority as soon as you land. Get yourself ice packs and a small cool bag or esky as the Aussies call them, and copious amounts of water if the local water isn't up to scratch.
5) Dress like the Locals:
The locals know how to deal with the heat, so observe how they dress. It isn't a coincidence that the Indians dress in loose fitting, very lightweight cotton shirts and trousers, or even sarongs (yes, I have one from Malaysia and it now goes with me to all Asian destinations!) Once you've worked it out, find a shop where the locals shop and get kitted out. It won't cost much, and even if it isn't high fashion, you can limit it to day wear. The bonus is that whatever you choose will most likely be culturally acceptable too, great for when you're visiting religious or culturally significant sites. [Word of caution: be respectful, a western man wearing an Arab dish-dash in the Middle East isn't acceptable, but western women would be OK wearing a female abaya.]
6) Get Up Early:
You still want to make the most of your limited time on your holiday and it doesn't have to be completely spoiled. Work out quickly with the locals what time the sun comes up and which attractions doors open early. Make the most of the cooler hours between six am and nine am, and you may even have the place to yourself. This can be difficult if you're a night owl so...
7) Do what the Locals Do:
The Spanish aren't crazy, and that's why they invented and perfected the afternoon siesta. So after your early morning explorations above, head back to your nice cool room for a snooze through the day's hottest hours. Once you wake up, have your lunch in an indoors venue, and burn off the last of the afternoon sun by planning out your schedule for the next few days. As temperatures cool again by around four pm, it's a perfect time to get sight- seeing again, before heading back for an early night to get ready for tomorrow's early rise.
8) Don't go to the beach:
As soon as there is a heat wave, the newspapers are filled with pictures of thousands of people cooling off in the sea. Is there really a worse place to be? You'll be exposed to direct sunlight both on the beach and in the sea, the sea itself is probably going to be warm, and more often than not, there is no freely available shade cover. Even if you're a beach bum of the highest order, it makes no sense and should be limited to early morning or sunset. If you want to swim, find a chilled pool with shade cover and stay out of the sun.
9) Avoid long distance road travel:
It can seem like a good idea to do a road trip when it's ridiculously hot, as you may be offered the comfort of an air conditioned vehicle. But no matter how well air conditioned a vehicle is, if you're sat by a window in a crammed car or bus in direct sunlight for a few hours, it really is no fun whatsoever. No window blinds in the world can protect you from the sun's rays at its most extreme.
10) Fall in love with history and art:
As much as you may love exploring the great outdoors, this may be the time to fall in love with the Arts. Map out the best Galleries, Museums, Theatres, or other historical sites that are indoor venues and visit them during daylight hours. Or take a local arts or crafts course for the day and try something new: we tried Jewellery making in Bali and loved it. Or if that isn't your thing there's always yoga and spas!
11) Take warm clothes:
Huh? Let me explain. If you have to spend time indoors, and most likely in air conditioned buildings, then don't forget to pack full length trousers and a long sleeved top. They can get cold. You won't regret it.
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