Travel Asia: Asakusa Samba

Toyko’s version of Rio Carnaval happens every August, in Asakusa district. Travelers to Asia and natives alike are amazed by colorful sequined costumes and feathers of dancing Samba girls, along with their full bands marching down street alongside them.

Travel Asia: The Festival of Hungry Ghosts

Hong Kong hosts this unusual yearly event, held on 14th day of seventh moon (sometime in August, during a full moon). Legend says that gates of Hades were opened on this day, and dead who cannot rest were left to run streets mischievously. The Yue Lan Festival, as it is known in Chinese, has natives of city putting up odd paper monuments all over streets, which are then ceremoniously burned on last day.

Travel Asia: The Monkey God Festival

The Monkey God first appeared in Chinese literature during Ming Dynasty in book, “Pilgrims to West”. Since then, this deity has been celebrated during month of September at Kowloon’s Sau Mau Ping Temple, by recreating a bizarre attempted execution by other other gods – which includes such things as a ladder of knives, and charcoal set on fire. Travelers to this strange Asian celebration need not be concerned, though – Monkey God lived, and so do participants in this celebration.

In addition to sunscreen, you should always wear a hat with a brim wide enough to offer sun protection. Do not forget to sufficiently cover your body with a light-weight cotton long-sleeved shirt when you suspect that your skin has had enough sun. Finally, be sure to provide your body with an adequate amount of water. Becoming dehydrated in hot Bahamas sun can make you very ill and can cost you a day of your vacation.

Beware, aside from a nasty sunburn or dehydration, outcome of over-exposure to sun can be much worse. Skin cancer is very serious and if left untreated can be fatal. Watch for signs of skin cancer on your body, notably, irregular or discolored moles or sores that bleed and do not heal. You should be checking yourself from head to toe and do not forget top of your head!

Sunscreen helps build a barrier against sun’s harmful ultra-violet rays; it not only decreases your chances of sunburn, but also helps safeguard your body from skin cancer. It takes little time and preparation to safely enjoy wonderful rays of Bahamas sun!