Back in December we posted 17 tips for healthy travel but we forgot one very obvious and important tip! If you’re planning a tropical trip anytime soon and you live in a northern climate, this post is for you.
Most of us north of the equator have fairly sensitive skin since we haven’t had a chance to build up a tolerance for the sun. So if you’re travelling to a sunny beach for a vacation or a destination wedding, please don’t forget to wear sunscreen with a high SPF factor and ensure you apply frequently.
The tropical sun is strong!
A few weeks ago, while we were reviewing Punta Cana resorts (part of our commitment as destination wedding specialists), a friend travelling with us burned himself so severely one day while wearing SPF 30 that 2 days later he ended up with 2nd degree burns.
He was sent to Hospiten Bavaro, the Dominican Republic international hospital and had surgery to remove the damaged skin on his leg. They put him on antibiotics for the rest of his trip and is now possibly facing plastic surgery for skin grafting.
Poor guy, just one day after he proposed to his girlfriend of 18 years.
Thank goodness he had RBC Insurance, which we maintain is the most important travel tip ever and how you can save a destination wedding gone wrong.
We didn’t even see the bill. The RBC representative was reached without any trouble and the hotels’ clinic, ambulance trip, hospital stay, anesthetic, surgery and antibiotics were all covered. Even his fiancée’s overnight stay at the hospital was covered, as well as breakfast and lunch for both of them!
RECENT UPDATE (July 13, 2010): Good news! Darren doesn’t need skin grafting done. Whew. And what a trooper – he’s ready to travel again! Now all we have to do is either cover him head to toe in zinc or keep him indoors until after 3pm…
We added up the costs and if he hadn’t been covered, this unfortunate and unforeseeable incident would have cost him $8,000 US.
If you’re travelling to a gorgeous island or beach, be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen, apply generously and often, and don’t forget your health insurance!
Related posts: