Five ways to keep the sun off you

Every time I hit the beach anywhere, I am boggled by the huge number of people who are so in love with sun that they lay themselves practically coverless on the sand to be baked in the heat. Well lucky those who come from the country of no sunshine. I, on the other hand was blessed to be born in India where the Sun God is merciful all year round. I have been travelling twelve months now with layers of tan all over me. It didn’t bother me enough but I finally got tired of seeing someone else in the mirror every time I looked so I decided to fight that sun.

And I learnt how the likes of me can protect our perfect, if may I say so, sun kissed complexion from being sun smooched:

1. Early mornings and late evenings – Wake up early, walk along the beach watching the sun rise. You will be first up and the privileged ones with the beach all to yourself. Switch to sun set if you are West coast. And evenings just as the sun is setting is the best time for a swim. There is still light and the sun is not scorching you as the waves wash that heavy dab of sunscreen
2. Cover up – I have seen women in Vietnam wear socks, gloves, full arm jackets, conical hats, typical of Vietnam and face masks to keep the sun off. You don’t need to go that far but you need a light cotton jacket to cover your arms and a scarf to cover your neck and face. A Cap or wide brimmed hat is must if you are going out. Over that walk under the shade of an umbrella if you don’t want to look like a shade card at the end of the day.
3. Go exploring indoors – Escape the sun and explore the things under a roof for your mid day sightseeing. Go checkout a museum, or visit that popular café that serves the best coffee or that church of architectural fame or historical importance. There will be tonnes of things you will be able to do without exposing yourself too much to the day. Just plan your day and time your movements.
4. Take elaborate lunches – if you are the one for the planning and like to just soak in a place then go hopping sight to sight in the evening but reserve late mornings and afternoons all for long lunch to enjoy the local delicacies, ordering one thing at a time .It is the time when the crowds in the restaurants are the least and service is the best. And the restaurants don’t mind you hogging the table as you hold the drink. And if you wonder where the crowds are, they are baking somewhere in the sun.
5. Siesta – Follow up your lunch with a siesta. Come on, you need to make up for the sleep lost while you grabbed that rising sun and partied the night before. You deserve it. Its your holiday.