When in Luxor, it is important to drink plenty of bottled water to keep up your hydration levels. This is even more important in the summer months when the heat can be almost unbearable. However, having said that, the heat is a dry heat which is a little better to cope with compared to the combination of heat and humidity.
A lot of travellers combine a trip to Luxor with a trip over to the Red Sea resorts and, although the heat can be just as fierce there, it sometimes doesn’t seem so bad because these resorts can be quite windy. It is therefore even more important to make sure you keep up your hydration levels and also to make sure you still use a high factor sun screen. You may not feel as though you are burning because of the wind – but you WILL be. The same can be said when cruising on the Nile - that welcome breeze could well be hiding the fact that you are burning!
Here is a list of some of the effects of dehydration:
- Tiredness
- Migraine headaches
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Muscle cramps or joint pain
- Irregular blood pressure
- Kidney problems
- Dry skin
Here is a list of some of the symptoms of dehydration:
- Dark Urine – Dark Yellow or Orange in Colour: Urine is usually pale yellow to clear when you have sufficient water consumption. A darker colour or strong smell is an indication that you need to drink more water.
- Dry Skin: Strange, but true, skin is the largest body organ and also needs its share of water.
- Thirst: Thirst is the most obvious sign that you are already dehydrated. Don’t wait until you're thirsty – it is always a good thing to drink more water when you are not thirsty (by the way, alcohol DOES NOT count and can actually make you even more dehydrated!)
- Hunger: A lot of people think that being hungry is an indication to eat more, but in actual fact, it might be that you are already dehydrated.
- Fatigue: Water is actually a source of energy, which you might find you’ll need when visiting the sites in and around Luxor.
A general guideline would be to drink at least eight glasses of water per day but, when in Luxor and when being actively involved in sightseeing, your intake of water should be increased substantially. The body requires between at least one and seven litres of water per day to avoid dehydration.
Remember to take water with you on your travels. It’s a good idea to buy insulated bottles to take with you so that the water remains fairly cool for a while. With the extreme heat, you will find that your drinking water does get warm, but even though this may be distasteful to you, keep drinking it in any case!!It is also important to use a high factor sunscreen, particularly in the summer months when the sun is at its fiercest. It is also recommended that you should cover up during the hottest part of the day, seek shade or perhaps have a rest in your hotel room/cabin – but don’t be tempted to turn up the air conditioning to its coldest as that can also make you ill!! When out visiting some of the sites, you will be in a desert area with lots of sandy and dusty uneven ground with no shade whatsoever, so it’s always a good idea to take some sort of cover with you so that you don’t burn, such as a hat or umbrella. The sun is also very bright and reflects off the sand, so it’s also a good idea to wear quality sunglasses to stop the glare and to protect your eyes.
Remember to re-apply your sunscreen regularly, especially vulnerable areas such as your shoulders, back of your neck, nose and the tops of your feet. Some people take damp cloths with them in polythene bags to help cool themselves down but remember that if you do use these on your face, you will be wiping off your sunscreen, so remember to re-apply. The same applies after you have had a dip in the pool.
This is part of an article that appeared in a magazine, and is very good advice: “The Australians lead the way in skin cancer prevention advice, so this summer take a leaf out of their book and: Slip, Slap, Slop!!”
- SLIP on a T-shirt.
- SLAP on a hat.
- SLOP on broad-spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before going outdoors and every 2 hours afterwards.
Happy and safe holidays to all!!