Let The Junk Trips Begin
Jessica Tryde
Guest Blogger
LET THE JUNK TRIPS BEGIN.
May the blue skies and sunshine be forever in your favour.
Every year, as early as February, you’ll start receiving Facebook invites and Whatsapp notifications asking you if you’re interested in going on a junk trip. (You’re probably thinking, “it’s still 15 degrees outside…”)
Junk trips take time, patience, and a hell lot of sweat and blood to plan, so don’t ruin someone’s junk trip (as well as your own fun) just because you don’t know the proper Junk Etiquette.
With our simple Junk Trip DOs and DON’Ts, you’ll find joining a junk bash to be relaxing, fun and memorable.
Let’s begin with what NOT to do.
DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT:
Calling a No-Show. (If this is you, may you forever rot in purgatory.) Junk trips are usually planned weeks, months if even, in advance so for you to agree and then flake out is simply unacceptable, not to mention rude. If you really can’t make it, pay your part so the host doesn’t have a panic attack about how much more money he/she needs to fork out to cover your imbecility.
Getting wasted. Not a smart idea. Drinking on land and drinking on a man-made floating land are two entirely different stories. Keep your drinking to a minimal (tipsy is fine) but nothing that may put your life in danger! Remember, you are surrounded by an enormous body of water.
(men) Wearing anything less than a speedo. The only thing the word ‘junk’ should ever mean to me is the boat and only the boat. You have to remember that on a boat, personal space is limited and so is the view. Keep your treasure to yourself.
(women) Caking up your face. C’mon ladies, do you really want to spend 90% of your time preventing your makeup from smudging? Opt for a waterproof makeup and keep it light and natural so after returning to the boat from a quick wake-boarding escape, it doesn’t look like Halloween came early.
ABSOLUTELY DO:
(women) Bring shorts. For all you water sport daredevils, for the love of god, bring shorts. I talk from personal experience – you do not want to find yourself with one hand on the wakeboard handle and the other making sure your bottoms don’t slip off. Imagine the photo…and the horror of social media.
Wear sunscreen. I repeat, WEAR. SUNSCREEN. And I mean smother every inch of your body, from head to toe, even your armpits, with sunscreen no less than SPF 100 PA++++ (or something of that kind). The Hong Kong sun is brutal and dangerous. Even with sunscreen, you will still burn, so make sure you reapply every hour or so!
Try water sports. Junk trips aren’t just about drinking and sun tanning. Put your coordination to the test on the wakeboard or go for a spin on the banana boat. Become Ironman for one day on the Fly Board (www.flyboard.com.hk)! (Tried it, and will definitely do it again).
Drink water. Don’t forget – you’re under the sweltering heat for at least 8 full hours and probably consuming too much alcohol. It’s critical you replenish yourself every so often with water so you stay hydrated, refreshed and well, alive.
So, before you embark on your next junk trip, keep these in mind! You’ll thank us one day.
Jessica Tryde, born in Australia, bred in Taiwan, is a creative English copywriter living in Hong Kong. Her job includes whipping out creative ideas and digital executions. During her spare time, you’ll find her weight lifting in the gym, training for a gladiatorial bloodbath in a Muay Thai class or attempting to perform a yoga pose. If not working out, you’ll find her mingling with the locals at the wet market or reading at a local Hong Kong café.