Heat & Hydration

It is the humidity, not the number on the thermometer. Sweat cannot evaporate properly, so your body’s cooling system runs at a fraction of its usual efficiency. 34°C here is much harder work than 34°C somewhere dry.

Give yourself two or three days

Acclimatising takes the best part of a week. Landing and immediately doing a full day of sightseeing is how the first day of a holiday gets written off. Slow the start down deliberately, and shift activity to the morning and the evening.

Drinking

• Before you feel thirsty. Thirst lags a long way behind need in this climate.
• Water alone is not always enough. After hours of heavy sweating, an electrolyte sachet from any 7-Eleven does more than another bottle.
• Alcohol and coffee work against you, and a hangover in this heat is its own experience.
• Check the colour. Dark means drink more.

Older travellers, small children and anyone recently unwell need the most care. Children carry on playing long past the point they should stop — keep water going into them regardless of what they say.