Hi,

Just thought I would tell you what my sun protection plan is for Pip.

I am using Rit Sunguard on a collection of clothes today--it's a wash-in sunscreen that imparts an SPF 30 to t-shirts, etc. I am treating our snorkelling t-shirts (a necessity to prevent sunburn on your back) and a long-sleeved shirt for me to use as a cover-up. I did this last trip, and it worked very well.

David's allergic to many sunscreens, but the Neutrogena ones seem to do the trick--I'm patch testing him with the spf 45 right now! I will bring several bottles of this, plus a small stick for touching up my face.

I have two floppy hats, and will dig up a baseball cap as well--David will have his cap--if I could find a way of packing his straw fedora I would, but I think it would get ruined.

I basically hide from the sun whenever I can, seeking any tiny bit of shade available. I break out in a rash long before I burn, so this is not an option for me.

Oh, and I will probably bring along a little bottle of Off Skintastik, in case there are midges or sand fleas on the motus--haven't run across many bugs myself, but it can happen.

Hello Wendy, Can you believe it? You will be on your way in just over 3 weeks. Suggestion for packing the straw fedora. I have had good luck with this. Put it top side down in case. Fill with scarves or underwear(or whatever)then roll your tshirts or shorts packing around it till that layer is level. Have a very good straw hat I pack that way, hasn't been damaged yet. Question: are you checking your luggage straight thru or picking it up at LAX then checking in at ATN?Jeanine

Hi Jeanine, thanks for the hat trick!

Can't help you with the baggage thingy--we are overnighting in LA on the way through. Perhaps Suzanne can help you--she is coming from SF I think.

But if I were you, I think I would rather get my bags than trust them to arrive with me. Ngaire has posted info on this in the past somewhere, don't know where.

Wendy - where is the best place to get the Rit Sunguard? What section of a store would you usually find it? I've looked kind of half-heartedly with no luck. I really like your tip for using it on shirts and t-shirts.

The Off-Skintastic is a good idea too.

Jeanine - great tip for packing the hat!!

Hi Cyndi, up here in Canada, you can't find Rit Sunguard. I had to buy it over the internet. The website is here: http://www.ritdye.com/sun_guard/

There's a "where to buy" section with a list of stores. Good luck!

I would like to tell you about a wonderful piece of clothing you can find at scuba shops...a sunguard shirt...it is a long sleeve lightweight lycra suit that protects you when snorkling. It is wonderful. About $45.

Here is a site where you can buy either long sleeve rash shirts or full-body suits.

http://www.divingduds.com/

Cheers. Fred

I am flying United to LAX. I phoned ATN directly to make sure they had a "baggage arrangement" or whatever they call it with United so I could check my bag through to Tahiti.

Ngaire is now advising to check your bag through to its destination. Make sure you call ATN to see what relationship it has with your originating airline before you fly as it varies.

As for sunscreen, I am bringing a half gallon of 50 spf.

The Sun is Strong on the P.G.!
My wife burned the left side of herself, just sitting on the balcony reading in the shade (the sun bounced off the ocean and got her good!!
Have a great trip ALL!!!
Bob

Sun-sensitive PIPsters and other PG cruisers - Here is another source of sun blocking swim T-shirts. The Havaa Water Tees are 50 SPF and dry much faster than cotton t-shirts, as well as being far better for sun-blocking than cotton. (And the people at this store are very nice; they called me from Hawaii to let me know that one of the shirts I'd ordered was on back-order - they were worried that it wouldn't get to me before I left on my cruise.) Here is the site: http://www.surfwearhawaii.com/dropin/performance/guys/rashguards_men_cluster.shtml

Cheers, Fred

We were glad we had a balcony on the PG as there is NO shade on the deck of the PG. Be careful. Always wear a coverup and 50.

Cyndi, Wal Mart sells the Rit Sunguard. It was in the isle with the laundry detergents and the other rit dyes.

Mounds - thanks a bunch. On to Walmart!!!

hats & high SPF's are the way to go.

Fred & Sedona have good place to get top notch tops for protection.

When Andi (Sedona) & I were on the PG, I pointed out a number of folks in the early days who I was sure would be in sunburn hell in a few days, sun worshippers all... I wasn't too far wrong, sorry to say.

Respect the sun in FP.

Doug

Yes, I agree with Doug. I was a sun worshipper for years before I got sense. That sun is MEAN. So are the mosquitoes! So take repellant as well.

We took our diving skins last year (like the ones on the diving duds site Fred posted) and wore them most of the times we snorkeled. They were great for FP. At Motu Mahana we hung them to dry from our umbrella and at the Bora Bora Motu we hung them from a tree.