S-E-A of Rain

Weather is certainly something that one has to deal with while visiting tropical regions. Things can get dramatic with typhoons and such, but usually, its simply rain which gets to you.
On occasion, rain isn’t even the correct word for such a weather event. There was the time in Bangkok when I was caught in something that felt more like standing in a shower, fully clothed. And not your shower at home, mind you, one of those hotel showers with superior water pressure. Aside from coming from above, one has to watch out below. Many spots just aren’t up to the task of draining torrential rains once they’ve hit the ground. More than once, I arrived at work with soaked shoes, simply unable to avoid the meters-wide puddles which blocked the walking routes along my commute. An evening out Indonesia was marred by a city-wide puddle which dampened my jeans up to mid thigh.
What can one do in the face of such torrents?

Stay indoors, or at least under cover.

But, because this is not often feasible, here are some other ideas to protect you.

Be like the locals, whenever possible, carry a rain slicker. In Vietnam, everyone carries multiple slickers (a.k.a. rain ponchos) on their motorbikes. they simply pull over and don these whenever it starts raining.
Umbrellas are helpful for shorter trips, say from a building to a taxi, but walking any distance in a strong rain renders them useless.
If you are walking or travelling by motorcycle or bicycle, aside from a rain poncho, consider plastic bags to place over your feet. You can fasten them with rubber bands.
Wear sandals. While this might not be possible for someone on their way to work or going out for the evening, it is the surest way to avoid a day of squishing around in damp socks.

I had a whole “rain suit” for a little while. The plastic pants which were supposedly to keep my pants dry did the exact opposite, trapping the humidity underneath and causing my legs to perspire like I was in a sauna.


The most important advice: rain and wetness are unavoidable during the long wet season. If all else fails, you can enjoy jumping in the puddles.