Sand ephas: what it looks like, where it is found, is the snake dangerous. Kemer beaches - are there sandy ones? Is a pillow needed for a strip foundation?

The snake that will be discussed in this article belongs to the family of vipers, and they, in turn, are considered the crown of evolution of reptiles and are recognized as the most poisonous snakes in the world. The sand efa, despite its beautiful appearance and quite friendly character, is capable of poisoning its opponent in a matter of seconds with a very strong poison, which, even after the administration of the serum, will remind the bitten person of health problems for the rest of his life.

What does sand efa look like?

These cold-blooded animals are not large in size; their average body length is 70–75 cm, and individuals longer than one meter are very rare. Males are slightly larger than females. Their body is decorated with white spots, and two zigzag lines run along the sides, giving the snake an elegant and unusual appearance.

There is a design on the head that looks like a cross or a bird soaring in the sky. The eyes are large, round in shape, the color of the iris depends on the overall color of the scales, the pupil is vertical. The ventral side is light yellow, and the color of the scales can be either golden or brown - the exact color depends on the area where the snakes live.

The body of the epha is covered with small and rough scales, some of them grow in the opposite direction and are used by the snake to notify others of its appearance - they make a special sound, similar to rustling or a kind of rustling.

Did you know? The sand epha is capable of jumping to a height of more than one meter and approximately three meters in length. An angry female, guarding her nest, will rush at her opponent with lightning speed without warning of the attack. That is why snakes are especially dangerous during the mating season.

Is the bite dangerous for humans?

It is not for nothing that the sand epha is one of the ten most poisonous snakes on Earth. Every fifth person bitten by the sand ephas dies. The toxins contained in its venom have a special effect on the hematopoietic process - they sharply reduce the level of fibrinogen, a special protein responsible for blood clotting.
Without providing the necessary assistance, the bitten person will soon begin to bleed heavily - from the wound at the site of the bite, nose, ears and even throat. A particular danger is the long wait for the body's reaction to the poison - death can occur 40 days after the epha's bite.

It should be noted that these snakes prefer to lead a reclusive lifestyle and avoid meeting people. As practice shows, most efa bites occurred because of humans - the victims either stepped on the reptile or stirred up its nest, even if this happened unintentionally.

Where does it live?

Efa prefers to hide in thickets of branchy bushes that grow in sandy areas, on the banks of shallow rivers, as well as in areas where loess and clay soils predominate.
This type of poisonous snake is widespread in the deserts of India, northeast Africa and in the arid areas of countries East Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.

What does it eat?

Sand ephs differ from their relatives by their increased activity - they are in constant motion, even after a hearty lunch. The main part of the sand epha's diet consists of various insects - locusts, beetles and centipedes. Adults are not averse to pampering themselves with small rodents, chicks and even small lizards.

Important! One of the main rules for providing first aid for a poisonous snake bite is to suck out the poison from the wound at the site of the bite. This technique significantly reduces the amount of toxins that enter the human blood. But this is effective only in the first ten minutes after the bite.

The snake goes out hunting after dark, but encountering it during the day is not uncommon.
True, on particularly hot days she does not leave her hole, preferring to move in the cool of the night. With a slight decrease in temperature in winter period they can easily overwinter without hibernating.

One of the most popular threads on FORUMHOUSE is the section on foundations, because our experts are always ready to answer any question. Many novice developers are interested in why a sand cushion is needed for the foundation and whether it is needed at all. In this article we will look for the answer to this question.

Sand bedding is done all the time during most work on the foundation of a house. But some builders believe that it is mandatory in all cases, others believe that it is only under certain conditions, and in other cases it is simply harmful.

To find out why you need a sand cushion and whether you need to add sand over the entire area, let’s turn to the practical experience of the experts on our site.

The main purpose of the foundation is to redistribute the load from the weight of the house to the underlying layers of soil. Any negligence committed during the preparation of the foundation

under the house

It can lead to unpleasant consequences - the appearance of cracks in the walls due to subsidence of the foundation.

Is a pillow needed for a strip foundation?

Almost everyone makes a sand cushion under the strip foundation of a house, since it seems to be a guarantee of its strength and durability. However, many people can pour sand into a dug trench, guided by the principle: “the more, the better, because everyone does this.” Neither the geology of the site, nor the characteristics of the soil and its bearing capacity, nor the groundwater level are taken into account.

DenisminkoFORUMHOUSE user

I read that a strip foundation must rest on an undamaged (untouched) layer of soil, and does not require a sand cushion. But many of my friends did it before pouring. When asked “why” the answer is “we saw it with our neighbors.”

To clarify, you need to clearly define for yourself: what type of strip foundation for the house we are talking about. Namely:

shallow - MZFL;
laid below the freezing depth;
monolithic;
assembled from FBS blocks.

Each of these four types requires an individual approach when preparing the base.

Why do you need a sand cushion for a monolithic foundation?

RNikonov:FORUMHOUSE user

A pillow under a strip foundation may not be made if we are talking about a monolithic foundation. But only if the following conditions are met:

The soil is not heaving;
The soil under the base is sandy;
The tape is poured below the freezing depth, with concrete preparation under the base;

For a prefabricated base, made of FBS blocks a sand cushion is simply necessary, because... Only with sand can you level out all the unevenness that remains after sampling (i.e. removing the loosened layer) of the soil. Only sand can be compacted to almost natural density.

If this is not done, the foundation block will lie unevenly on the ground (not with the entire surface of the sole), and there may be voids underneath it. This will lead to uneven pressure from the foundation of the house on the ground. Accordingly, the likelihood of its uneven drawdown increases.

RNikonovForumHouse user

When installing a prefabricated foundation, sand preparation with a thickness of 10-15 cm is performed.

Why do you need a pillow under a strip base?

putnik 777FORUMHOUSE user

I once asked the chief engineer of a construction company why there was a sand cushion in the foundation. He said: to level the base to “0” and to save concrete.

If you get a job monolithic strip base, then it is no longer necessary to achieve a “mirror” foundation, because Due to its plasticity, poured concrete fills all irregularities. Accordingly, the sole of the base will rest on the soil with its entire surface and redistribute the load on the ground.

When it comes to MZFL, then a sand cushion is necessary, because with its help, heaving soil is replaced with non-heaving soil. Moreover, MZFL requires the installation of a drainage system, an insulated blind area and insulation of the foundation itself. These measures minimize the frost heave forces acting on it.

When installing a sand cushion, it is important to understand what kind of soil is under the future foundation. If the soil has low water permeability (this primarily applies to loams and clays), then sand, being less dense, will become a place where water will constantly accumulate. The result is that over time, the bearing capacity of constantly waterlogged soil will decrease, which can lead to subsidence of the foundation.

Conclusion - a drainage and stormwater system is needed to remove surface and ground water from the foundation of the house.

You can read articles about the correct type of warm blind area and the features of the drainage system of the foundation and site by clicking on the links.

The issue of using a sand cushion should be considered based on the specific characteristics of the soil, groundwater level, weight and structure of the building, and freezing depth. A sand cushion cannot be considered a universal means suitable for the construction of any foundation, without relating it to the specific operating conditions of the building.

Backfill for the foundation: sand or crushed stone

20-30 cm is the minimum thickness of the sand cushion;
To level the base, a thickness of 5-10 cm is sufficient;
Coarse sand is best suited for backfilling.

Sand must be compacted in layers, no more than 15-20 cm per pour - if a mechanical tamper is used, and added 10-15 cm if a manual tamper is used.

Before compacting, the sand must be moistened. Because water, thanks to surface tension, “glues” sand particles together and prevents them from “scattering” when compacted;
It is best to moisten the sand before placing it in the trench, not in it. This will avoid waterlogging and “softening” of the soil under the base;
To further compact the sand and obtain a better base, you can use coarse crushed stone (40-60). In this case, after compacting the sand, crushed stone is poured onto it over the entire area in a layer of 5-10 cm, and they are tamped over it again. Thanks to a point load (impact), crushed stone is driven into the sand and, due to the wedging effect, the compaction depth increases from 15-20 to 30-40 cm.

To avoid siltation of the sand cushion and mixing of sand with the surrounding soil, material such as geotextiles can be pre-laid in a dug trench over the entire area.

Backfilling the foundation with sand and waterproofing.

The algorithm for designing a strip foundation for “dummies” is clearly outlined here. This topic is about the Finnish version of a shallow strip foundation. Why insulate the foundation with polystyrene foam, you will learn from this topic. Reinforcement of the foundation in the corners - we do it correctly by reading this topic. And this video shows how to build a foundation on swampy soil.

The foundation for any house performs a very important function; the duration of operation of the building, as well as the quality of life in the house, depends on its reliability and strength. To make the foundation easier to fill and to make it especially reliable, you need to make a sand cushion before installing it. Its main function is to provide a flat and stable surface for the foundation, even on marshy soil.

Definition and functions of sand cushion

A sand cushion under a strip foundation is a backfill of a certain layer under the future foundation. In order to understand why it should be equipped, you need to look at its functions:

Smoothing out uneven ground, thereby creating a flat surface favorable for the installation of a reinforced concrete base.
Uniform distribution of loads from the building on the underlying soil and foundation.
Separating concrete from wet soil, which helps to avoid the adverse effects of heaving forces in cold weather.

Advice! If the area has high groundwater or is even a swamp on the surface, then before installing a sand cushion, you need to lay geotextiles on the bottom of the trench, which will prevent siltation of the sand layer.

Materials for mounting the pillow

For the pillow under the foundation the following are used:

River sand without any impurities.
Pebbles.
Crushed stone with sand.

If a cushion under a strip foundation is erected on swampy soil, then a mixture of sand with crushed stone or gravel is used for its construction in a ratio of 40% coarse sand and 60% crushed stone or gravel. Such pillows are suitable for the base of a light one-story house. They usually require additional moisture and compaction. This mixture shrinks less than just a sand layer.

Important! For heavy buildings, compacting the sand cushion is mandatory.

The foundation cushion should not be made of sand mixed with clay. This is due to the fact that water is retained under such a cushion and, as a result of low temperatures, heaving begins, which adversely affects the structure of the base and the entire house.

Cases when a pillow is optional

There are cases during construction in which the arrangement of a sand cushion is either completely useless or can even be harmful. It is impossible not to mention them:

Filling in hard soils such as loams and clays can be a problem. This is due to the fact that the sand will not be as dense in structure as the soil and will begin to absorb all the water. There it will accumulate and make the base of the foundation less strong. To avoid such a turn of events, it is necessary to additionally equip a drainage system in loamy soils, which will remove excess moisture from the base.
Due to the presence of steam in the soil, it can pass through the sand bed and settle on the foundation. To prevent the formation of condensation, moisture-resistant concrete is used and waterproofing is done.

Backfilling is required for those foundations that are made from prefabricated blocks in order to eliminate soil unevenness that could cause voids under the foundation. The result of unevenness of the surface under the foundation can be deformation or destruction.

Important! When pouring a monolithic slab, it is not necessary to install a sand cushion, since the concrete fills all the voids and preliminary leveling is not necessary.

Arranging a sand cushion for a strip foundation

A strip foundation is a foundation that can withstand any load, which is why its arrangement is so widespread. It seems possible to make a strip foundation on a sand cushion with your own hands; for this you just need to know the technology and choose the right material.

Pillow device

First you need to mix sand and crushed stone or gravel in the proportions described above, and then you can begin the main work:

Digging a trench or pit depending on the dimensions specified in the project.
Leveling the bottom of the trench.
Filling the bottom of the trench with sand and crushed stone in a layer no thicker than 20 cm.
Gradual moistening and compaction of the sand cushion using a vibrating plate.
Advice! If no traces of a person remain on the sand cushion, then the tamping is done efficiently.
The sand layer must be strictly horizontal, without distortions or slopes.

To compact sand, you can use a vibrating plate or roller, but this is suitable for large volumes of work. For several trenches under a strip foundation, it is quite possible to use a homemade unit.

You can water the sand only when the surrounding soil is not so moist, but if the strip foundation is installed in a swampy area, then the sand must be moistened before laying it in the trench. Also, if you moisten the sand in advance, you can wash out the clay particles that are in it.

Installation of strip base

After arranging the sand cushion in the trench, you can begin the actual installation of the strip base. A waterproofing material is laid on top of the sand layer, which can be roofing felt or more modern materials that do not allow moisture to pass through.

During the installation of the reinforcement frame, a small layer of concrete base is made, equal in thickness to 6–7 mm.

Before pouring cement mortar, it is necessary to provide holes in the foundation for utilities and ventilation, so that in the future you do not have to gouge them out in the finished foundation.

Formwork must be installed for the foundation, which can be metal or wood. Reinforcing mesh is placed in it and concrete is poured. To ensure uniform filling without voids and bubbles, the poured concrete solution is treated with a deep vibrator. Concrete must be poured at one time, so it is a good idea to order a concrete mixer of the required volume in advance.

After the entire volume of concrete has been poured, you need to cover the finished foundation with film to prevent debris and sediment from getting into it. Every day the surface of the base is moistened with ordinary water. These actions are carried out until the concrete becomes half strong. This usually takes about 5 days in warm weather and up to 10 days in cool weather. Only after the foundation has completely strengthened can further work be carried out, or rather, the removal of formwork, waterproofing and construction of the walls of the structure.

It is very important to take into account when building a house to prevent moisture from entering the sand cushion under the foundation. To achieve this, measures are taken such as installing gutters on the roof to divert water to the side, as well as installing a blind area around the perimeter of the house so that melt water in the spring cannot get under the base of the foundation through the ground.

Features of strip foundation

In this topic we cannot fail to mention the advantages of a strip foundation on sand. By itself, it represents a structure in the form of a tape, which is laid under the load-bearing and internal walls of the house. Thanks to this placement, the foundation distributes the load from the building evenly throughout its entire structure.

Strip foundations can be of three types:

Prefabricated is a structure made of concrete blocks connected with cement mortar and installed inside a trench.
Monolithic is created by pouring mortar into pre-prepared formwork with reinforcement inside.
Combined is a combination of these two types of foundation in one structure.

So, about the advantages of the tape type of base:

Affordable cost of work high quality the final result.
If the construction technology is followed, such a foundation will serve its owners for a very long time.
The ability to carry out all the work yourself, which provides significant savings.
The ability to support both a light frame house and a heavy multi-story one.
You can build a basement or ground floor under the house without wasting time and money on installing walls there, since the foundation itself serves as the walls.
In addition to all the positive aspects listed, the strip base also has its disadvantages:
The need to wait a long time for concrete to harden.
The need to carry out accurate calculations, which include the depth of the foundation, the thickness of the sand cushion and other characteristics.

Before installing the strip base, it is imperative to check the strength of the reinforcing belt and its equivalence on all sides, since in the case of weak reinforcement, the foundation can be divided into several parts.

If the site has dense soil, then the trench under the tape must be expanded to the extent that will allow the installation of formwork. But if a strip foundation is installed on clay soil, then you will need to leave space for further filling it with sand. Such a comprehensive cushion will become a shock absorber during ground movements.

Conclusion

Strip foundations are very popular in private housing construction and this is not surprising, because the foundation has many advantages over other types. But to be sure of long-term operation, you need to arrange it correctly. In most cases, a sand cushion is placed under this base, the design of which also has a lot of nuances and subtleties, which are fully reflected in the article.

Bored foundation for a house
Foundation for a brick bath
Laying depth of strip foundation
Strip foundation for a two-story brick house

Many people know that there is a sand cushion for the foundation, but not everyone can say exactly why it is needed and how it is created. As a result, newbies in the construction business often pour sand into the trench without any understanding and end up only harming the entire structure.

The cushion under the base of the foundation can perform three functions:

Leveling. If the soil is not heaving and not mobile, then the only task of the sand is to level the bottom of the trench or pit for uniform placement of the solution or proper distribution of the load from the FBS.

Compensating. Heaving soils under the support of a house in winter can greatly influence the distribution of loads, leading in difficult cases to the destruction of the concrete strip or slab.

In this case, the task of the sand is to compensate for the deformations and reduce them to a level acceptable for the given foundation.

Replacement If there is organomineral or organic soil under the house (for example, peat), then you have to put up with the continuing processes of decomposition.

In this case, the soil will necessarily be mobile, heaving and characterized by low bearing capacity. It has to be taken out greater depth, until the end of the organic layer and fill the trench with sand.

How thick a foundation cushion is needed depends on what function it performs in this particular case.

Pillow device

The easiest way is to create a bedding that plays a leveling role. As a rule, its thickness in this case does not exceed 15-20 cm. It is enough to pour sand once, carefully level it, spill it with a small amount of water, moisten it and then compact it.

But such a minimum can be done either on non-heaving soils, or in the case of a deep foundation, below the freezing level and supported by non-deformable soil layers. In other cases, you have to lay a compensating cushion. Its dimensions depend on the width of the foundation base. Exact data can be calculated from the table.

50-70	2.4*b	1.2*b
70-100	2*b	1.15*b
100-120	1.8*b	1.1*b

For example, if a foundation is laid with a base width of 60 cm, then the width of the cushion will be 60 * 2.4 = 144 cm, and the height 60 * 1.2 = 72 cm. A strip foundation with a strip width of over 120 cm does not need a compensating cushion .

A compensating sand cushion is laid as follows:

The dug trench is cleared of bulk materials and leveled.
If the site is characterized high level groundwater, measures are taken to prevent siltation of sand - geotextiles are laid or other methods are used.
Sand is placed in the trench in layers, no more than 20 cm per layer. After each layer, the material must be thoroughly compacted.
After reaching the required height, a material should be laid on top that will prevent the penetration of cement laitance from the solution into the cushion. If you plan to lay FBS, then a protective film is not needed; you can lay the blocks directly on the pillow.

Sand is considered a non-heaving material; also, due to its structure, it prevents the capillary rise of moisture from the underlying layers to the concrete. But all this is typical only for sand not filled with water.

If a lot of moisture gets under the foundation, it can radically change the properties of the pillow.

Therefore, in areas with a high groundwater level or where there is a possibility of sedimentary water getting under the concrete, it is imperative to provide a moisture removal system - drainage.

The process of laying a replacement cushion under the foundation is not fundamentally different from the compensating one. The role of geotextiles and water drainage systems is only increasing. Anyway important point is the correct tamping. It is worth considering in more detail.

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The architecture and beaches of Croatia are two of the main attractions of this country. And if the first “good” in Europe is enough, then problems often arise with a vacation by the sea. While France is expensive and Spain is far away, the blue sea of Croatia makes everyone fall in love with it every year more tourists. Croatia is becoming more and more popular destination for a beach holiday, both among European tourists and travelers from the CIS.

Best time for holidays on the Adriatic coast of Croatia - the period from mid-June to September. At this time, the sea heats up to +24°C, there is practically no rain, the water is calm and clear. Are there sandy beaches in Croatia and where are they located? Where to go on vacation with children and what do experienced tourists advise? Find out the answers in our top list of the best beaches in Croatia.

Sandy beaches

It is immediately worth noting that sandy beaches there are not so many in Croatia and they are located mainly on the islands. But it is still possible to find them.

Find out PRICES or book any accommodation using this form

The beaches of Croatia are places where tourists who like to combine sightseeing of historical sights and seascapes relax. Be inspired by photographs of the Adriatic Sea, choose the beach that suits you and go towards the warm waves. Have a nice trip!

More details about the beaches of Croatia are in this video.

Where to stay: With an eye on the “excursion” - of course, in numerous hotels and boarding houses, guest houses and hostels in the capital of Portugal, the many-sided Lisbon - here you can find an option for every taste and budget. Sun worshipers are invited to the resorts of the Lisbon Riviera - they are located just 15-30 minutes drive from the capital, so they are not far from historical monuments and nightclubs. Holidays in Sintra are relaxed and leisurely, surrounded by excellent beaches and ancient attractions. It’s easier for surfers to stop right away in Nazaré.
What to see: In Lisbon - historical Center and St. George's Castle, oldest district Alfama, where the facades of the houses are decorated with azulejos tiles, Cathedral, the Carmo monastery, the port, the statue of Christ (a copy of the Brazilian one) and the majestic palaces. From the Lisbon Riviera it is worth going on an excursion to Cape Roca, the Catholic shrine of Fatima, the ancient towns of Obidos, Coimbra and Évora. Nazaré is a must-visit place for surfers. Here it is worth climbing to the top of Cape Sitiu - the views are breathtaking. Must-see Sintra - Royal Residence and Pena Castle, private palaces, Botanical Garden, as well as several interesting museums and galleries.
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Holidays on the beach on Hainan Island are a dream for many tourists, but there are small insects that can turn a holiday on one of the best beaches on this island into a living hell. We are talking about sand fleas, which tourists simply call “midges.”
Sand flies in Hainan can be found not only in the Sanya area, but also in other places. In general, the problem of sand fleas is common throughout Southeast Asia, so reports of someone being badly bitten by midges appear not only in Hainan, but also in Nha Trang, Boracay and other places in the region.
Note that not every person is allergic to midge bites on the beaches of Hainan Island. For some, sand flea bites can cause acne that itch terribly, while others may not notice the bites of these fleas at all.
People who have already experienced midge bites in Hainan know that they can be quite painful. If left untreated, they can cause a lot of suffering for days or even weeks before going away on their own. Although sand flea bites in the Sanya area are generally not dangerous, sand flies can carry diseases and transmit viruses. So sometimes, in the case of multiple midge bites, it is worth consulting a doctor, especially if you experience serious symptoms after the bites.
Although midges on Hainan beaches are very small, they can cause serious skin problems. They tend to bite your feet because they are closest to the ground, and sand fleas can only jump 20-40 cm. However, if you decide to lie down on the sand, then there is a chance that midges will bite you everywhere. The same thing can happen if you lie on a sun lounger.
It is important to note that midges in Hainan most often bite in the evening, at night or at dawn. It is at this time of day that sand fleas are most active. So when walking along the beach in the evening in shorts or a skirt, you should be prepared for the fact that you will be bitten. During the period from late morning to the pre-sunset hours, midges on the beaches of Hainan are not so active, but this does not mean that they do not bite at all during this time.

How sand fleas bite

There are two types of sand flea bites. The first one looks like a mosquito bite. That is, the flea jumps on a person and sucks blood, after which it goes in search of another victim. These sand flies inject saliva as they feed to prevent blood clotting, and it is this saliva that causes skin irritation and can cause allergic reactions.
The second type of bite is a little worse, as it is part of the sand flea's breeding process. With such a bite, the flea lays eggs under the skin. If you see swollen areas on the skin with black spots in the center, you can be sure that this is where the sand flea laid eggs.
In any case, both types of bite will cause symptoms such as itching, pain and discomfort.

What to do if you are bitten by midges in Hainan

If you were bitten by sand flies on one of the beaches near the city of Sanya, we advise you to immediately begin treatment. First of all, never scratch the bite site, as this increases the chances of infection getting into the wound. Check the bite site for eggs, as sand flies can live under the skin and suck blood for several weeks.
How to protect yourself from sandfly bites in Hainan? Many local residents It is advised to first rinse the bite sites with cold water mixed with baking soda, and then immediately apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to relieve pain and reduce swelling. All these products can be bought at any pharmacy in Sanya. You just need to show the bite spots on your body, and the pharmacist will offer you the right remedy.
Aloe Vera and essential oils of lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree and cedarwood are also good for numbing pain.

What to do to avoid being bitten by midges in Hainan

You will be 100% protected from midge bites in Hainan only if you walk along the beach in a wetsuit, high rubber boots or some other clothing that completely covers your skin. But you're unlikely to be interested in spending time at the beach in anything other than your bathing suit. So you have to accept that sand flea attacks are still possible. However, if you follow some tips, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of midge bites on the beach in Hainan.
First of all, don't go to the beach when it's raining. Sand fleas are very aggressive when the air is cool and humid. For the same reason, we advise you to stay away from the beach in the early morning, evening and night.
Secondly, use insect repellent if you feel that midges are attacking.
Third, try to cover yourself when sitting or lying down to avoid bites on your body.

Advice (and absolutely free) on how to live the entire course of treatment in Sanya and not get into trouble (everything is based on actual facts).

Everyone knows that we create all our problems ourselves and, unfortunately, learn from our own mistakes, and not from those of others. We have been receiving treatment for 6 years and came to the clinic in Sanya to pick up our doctors from the city of Xingcheng. I won’t bore you with our diagnosis, but each of our children has their own diagnosis, and you and I have only one task - to help them overcome their illness, to at least make their life easier and adapt to life in this society without us!!! (as sad as it is, we need to think about it now)

Since you are on this site and forum, it is already clear that the main task of your life is your children!!! So we are in Sanya, receiving treatment and living for a long time. As a rule, we like to create problems for ourselves (including me, no matter how much I like to be smart and give advice)

1. Don’t forget - you are in a foreign country, with its own culture, way of life and rules! Be appropriate and respectful!

2. All Chinese have great respect for foreigners. If people smile at you on the street and try to say something, smile back. It won’t cost you anything, but they will help you with facial expressions and gestures.

3. Stretch your brain (there will be no insanity in old age) and learn at least a few words in Chinese: “nihao” - hello!, “budun” or “wo thi budun” - I don’t understand anything, “se-se” - thank you!, “Why” - how much does it cost? "Sanya Van" or "Sanya Bay" and taxi drivers will take you to central beach Sanya, the trip from our house to the beach costs 9 - 11 yuan. By the way, here I am focusing on distances calculated in yuan.

4. Hainan Island is one of the most expensive resorts world and is considered the island of rich Chinese - you can buy everything here, but very expensive! Clothes and shoes are expensive, equipment is expensive and often of poor quality (counterfeits). There is nothing here that you can’t buy here in Russia (and even at a fraction of the price). Don’t waste time shopping!

5. It’s better, if you can, relieve stress at sea, walk along the surf line, swim (I only do this from 9 to 10.30 in the morning) while the sun is not active! Don't forget that we are near the equator! In the tropics! On the Sanyavan beach, do not sit or lie still - otherwise you will be bitten by the smallest midges, and cruelly (everyone manifests themselves differently, but the itching from the bites is uncontrollable with abscesses and scars. So, again I’m being clever, but every time I myself end up on the same same rake. The most effective medicine from Russia, Beneocin, helps against bites.

6. I bring all the medicines that I use myself and give to my child from Russia.

7. Wash your hands and your child’s hands more often (I take hand sanitizer gel with me on the road).

8. Drink only bottled water.

9. Don't eat at street eateries if you don't want to be a hostage to the closet (toilet).

10. The supermarket in our Huatin residential condo has everything, including marketing rules that exist all over the world (I won’t teach you, everyone is a scientist, but look at the expiration date).

11. There is something to see in Sanya and places to go and visit. Take a free one at the airport tourist map Sanya, Tanya Karus will tell you everything, how and what is best.

12. When we always listen to the advice of strangers, we think that everything they tell happens to anyone, but not to me!!! But in vain!!!

One example: a family came to the clinic for treatment - mother, father and child. The child is active, restless, wants to go to Monkey Island. (Apparently someone in Russia advised) I tell them it’s dangerous!!! Monkeys bite (there are already many of us among our patients as examples). They went to the “Deer Turned its Head” park, which is within the city limits and beautiful.

And what do you think. Wild monkeys live there (they are local inhabitants of the Hainan jungle) and have settled in the city. Dad decided to feed the monkeys... The result was disastrous:

Dad's leg was bitten, monkeys grabbed the child's hair.

Stress for a child (they were attacked by a wild animal)

Dad (she never saw him again after this incident) was bitten and now has to go to the hospital. If only you had read reviews on the Internet at least a little before going on excursions, listened to the advice of experienced patients, you would have been more careful. Monkeys carry not only the rabies virus, but also many other terrible diseases (AIDS, hepatitis C, Ebola virus, various tropical viruses and hemorrhagic fevers).

photo at the Nanmunan clinic - http://china-tcm.ru/

As my favorite TV presenter Andrei Malakhov says: “Take care of yourself and your loved ones”! If any of my tactless advice comes in handy, it’s already a success! I wish you and your loved ones health - this is the greatest value of our lives!

With respect and love to everyone,

Timofey's grandmother.

clinic group on VKontakte - https://vk.com/nanmunan8

And finally, after almost two weeks of wandering around the heavens, having made a trip more than 3,000 kilometers long, tired and exhausted, we finally arrived in a piece of paradise, the most southern part China, on Hainan Island. Here we are promised long-awaited relaxation on the beach, rest after the work done and the opportunity to wash thousands of kilometers of travel in sea water, clear our heads before the final forced march through Chinese megacities.

What does an ordinary guy like me know about Hainan?

Yes, in principle, almost nothing except that the core of Hainan is:

an island in the South China Sea, located in a tropical climate;
something like Crimea, only for yellow-bellied Chinese;
the southernmost point of the PRC, not counting individual islands for which it fights with other countries;
a show-off vacation spot for the rich and Russian tourists who are tired of Thailand.

And in Hainan there is a huge hotel that looks like a jellyfish or a flower, in the city of Haikou there is a stage of the Kite Surfing World Cup, it is hot and very humid here. That's all I can tell you about Hainan at the time of our arrival.

Before the trip, I very briefly studied the local attractions and places to visit, but to be honest, the main purpose of the trip here was to hang out on the beach and munch on some seafood and fruits, because... this is the best activity for a tired traveler.

During our visit to Hainan Island we managed to visit three beaches: Dadonghai (3 days), Yalong bay (2 days) and the city beach in Sanya (2 days). All three beaches are easily visited by taxi or shuttle buses, or are within walking distance from our place of residence. Of the three listed beaches, Yalong deserves special attention.

This is probably the cleanest and most comfortable beach on the coast near Sanya. Since the most expensive hotels are located mainly along the beach, it is relatively uncrowded. The beaches are accessible to anyone, they are clean, and there is practically no garbage in the water.

Describe beach holiday, to be honest, it’s still boring, so in this part of the report I’ll try to put together notes on certain moments of my stay on the island, with photographs that are characteristic of this note, and maybe not at all relevant to the topic.

For example, a lot of Chinese go swimming with large inflatable rings, and some have no hesitation in throwing huge inflatable unicorns into the water!

I was surprised by this moment: in Yalong, Dadonghai, and Sanya, at exactly 20:00 several ATVs with flashing lights start driving along the shore. Local police officers sit in quadrics in tandem with rescuers, blowing whistles and shining lanterns at swimmers, forcing them to leave the sea. Somehow I hadn’t noticed this before on the seas, or I didn’t pay attention.

It turns out that the camera remote control is not waterproof, and after taking this shot, a few hours later it began to look like this:

If you go to Yalong, you may have problems with food, because... There are almost no cafes in the area of expensive hotels, and they are all concentrated in the central part of the village. From a financial point of view, everything is not cheap, prices are 10-15% higher than the Chinese average, both for food in cafes and for juices and waters in shops.

If we're talking about food, it's worth mentioning that dinner at a seafood restaurant on average costs about 150 RMB for two, and that's not particularly luxurious. If you show off, you can easily miss the 200-250 RMB, and if you are stupid and don’t check the receipt, then it may contain dishes that you didn’t buy. They tried to sell us one of these on the sly, but the narrow-eyed one never managed to deceive us.

The cost of housing is average in China, a room costs 120-160 RMB per night, both in Sanya and on the beaches. In Dadonghai we lived 100 meters from the water for this money, in an apartment converted into hotel room, and in Sanya in apartments for the same money. Normal hotel rooms start at 450 RMB, but it’s a complete waste of money for a family to shell out so much money for a hotel.

Although Ruslan and Natasha did just that, settling at Mariott, and were terribly pleased with this circumstance. There was even a special bus that took them to the beach, and I’m not even talking about towels and slippers.

OVERNIGHT IN A TENT IN HAINAN.

Apparently, it is in this part that it is worth mentioning one incident that happened to us somewhere on the third day of our stay on the island. While Ruslan and Natasha were basking in the Mariott, and Valera and Almira were trampling White sand on one of the beaches of Sanya, Oksa and I decided to test the possibility of spending the night in a tent on this wonderful island.

The fact is that back in winter we read that there are 43 campsites in Hong Kong where anyone can go with a tent. The most accessible campsites are mostly located near the city and have amenities, water, showers, etc. There are few people there - there is a lot of nature, which in turn bribed us with the opportunity to look at the metropolis differently, to break away from the bustle of Chinese life and drilled into our heads the desire to experience it all on our own skin. Well, how can you feel something like that without training? So it was decided to train here in Sanya, trying out an overnight stay in the tropics, on the shores of the South China Sea, under palm trees and on white sand. Romance, blah!

Of course, for such an occasion, we were well prepared: we took with us a small, thin tent for 999 RUB from a sports supermarket, bought a foil blanket somewhere in Changsha, brought a fleece blanket halfway around the world in a backpack in order not to freeze, took food in the store, beer, juice, all sorts of goodies, and went to the best beach in Sanya, Yalong Bay. Since this beach is mostly inhabited by hotels, closer to sunset it was decided to go to its western part. According to satellite, there is a section of coastline where there are no buildings and it is possible to stay in a tent.

No sooner said than done, we waited for sunset and went to the place. From the very beginning, I somehow didn’t think about the reasons why this section of the beach was not developed. And there was only one reason - the shore by the sea was rocky, or rather, it was a huge stone slab against which the waves crashed. In appearance, the slab was of volcanic origin and resembled a piece of frozen lava. The stove itself was a little dirty, or maybe no one cleans it because... no owners. This is probably why part of the beach was not particularly popular among tourists, and those vacationers who walked along it did not stop and passed by.

We found a site more or less suitable for living and settled on a five-meter sandy cliff, with a beautiful view of the sea. There were large palm trees above us, forest on all sides, 200-300 meters to the nearest building. From the very beginning, even when we were setting up the tents, I was surprised by the strong sound coming from everywhere - it was cicadas, ringing so loudly that sometimes it resembled an all-penetrating ultrasound. It was a little unusual, but we didn’t attach much importance to it, especially since after about an hour the cicadas died down.

You know, the Chinese like to wrap everything in bags, and these bags again in bags and so on ad infinitum, or rather until the singular number. For example, you bought a pack of some cupcakes and each cupcake inside the package will be wrapped in another individual package, and inside this package the cupcake will be wrapped in thin paper. Even when we were transferring things into the tent from backpacks, I noticed that one bag of puffed rice seemed to burst, but knowing that we had already opened the main pack, I somehow did not attach much importance to this. Moreover, at exactly 19:00 a flock of some nasty, large, but not biting winged ants or midges flew at us. It was cruel, we thought these bastards would eat us or rape us. We jumped into the tent and waited. We can barely breathe.

After about an hour, the midges disappeared. By this time we were already sweating from the heat and almost suffocated. The fact is that our tent for 999 RUB has only one layer and, in theory, its design suggests that it should protect more from rain than from tropical heat. The tent coped with midges excellently, but there were huge problems with access to fresh air. In search of a breath of fresh air, they opened the only window, but since it was essentially a piece of gauze fabric, the air didn’t really pass through it.

After an hour of confinement, we slowly began to open the entrance to the tent, trying to make up for the lack of oxygen. Along with oxygen starvation, I was tormented by another question: we are in the tropics, there could be snakes, scorpions, vampire bats, malaria mosquitoes and some other blood-sucking or poisonous thing around, after the bite of which we may not crawl to civilization . Therefore, it would be logical not to fully open the entrance to the tent and not tempt fate.

Exactly an hour later, we were lying half-naked with our heads on the street, dying from the heat, not caring about the living creatures, which, theoretically, were simply eager to kill us in the Sanya palm forest. By this point, we already had the thought: “Shouldn’t we evacuate to a hostel somewhere?” Time passed slowly, only three hours had passed since moving into the tent, but the impressions received were already off the charts. Then I remembered the poor Americans who crawled through the jungle for days on end in Vietnam after the Viet Cong - it was much harder for them. But it’s hard for us too, because... we lie with our head towards the entrance, and this part is a little lower, so the blood inevitably rushes to the head.

After some time, my frantic thoughts are interrupted by a super idea. Since at this point we were already quite tired of this “romance” and we seemed to have absolutely nothing to lose in this life, and the thought of evacuation does not leave our tired brains alone, a proposal arose to try the most radical way to deliver us from the heat in the tent - make a hole in it! Yes, a huge hole on the side of the head, i.e. legs In theory, then the air will have to pass through the tent, we will be able to breathe and theoretically we will not die until the morning on this fucking shore.

Even before leaving Sanya, I bought myself a cool folding knife in some store, which, as it turned out, is great for cutting fabric near a tent. I made a hole about 50x50 centimeters. The air has gone! This is probably the most vivid impression from a trip to Hainan - what a pleasant air there is!

After tossing and turning a little, we finally fell asleep and would have slept until the morning, but this story was not destined to end quickly. At about two o'clock in the morning a new test awaited us - we were almost eaten by mosquitoes. They drank a liter from Oksa, a glass from me. Since we had a hole in the tent, and there were no mosquitoes, we had to completely wrap ourselves in a fleece blanket in order to somehow protect ourselves from them. It seems like it happened this time too. Well, come on, morning, come!

Morning didn't come. After some time, the mosquitoes disappeared, but the mosquitoes turned out to be not the main problem. At one point I woke up from a strong roar. No, this was not a war between the Americans and the Viet Cong. It was just ordinary thunder from a thunderstorm and lightning all over the sky around us, above us, on all sides. It seemed to me that this was the apotheosis of our history. Two sleep-deprived tourists in a tent, tropical forest, in a thunderstorm, hugging each other, we look through the hole in the tent at the sparkling lightning, swarms of mosquitoes, snakes, and scorpions around... and suddenly, somewhere along the edge of our cliff, about 3 meters from us, a huge rat runs! AAAA! Guard! Oksik screams! The rat is panicking! Meanwhile, I seem to have guessed who opened the package of puffed rice last night.

The rat ran away, it was not that huge, but expressive. Like in the comics, when a huge rat silhouette is reflected in the reflection from the lightning. Having calmed down a little, we began to wonder how to solve the problem if the rain still covered us, especially since dark clouds were inevitably approaching our tent. We decided to cover the hole with a foam blanket to prevent it from leaking. We spread it out, tied it up, went to sleep, we thought: I wonder, we’re lying in a tent, lightning is flashing around us, the tent is covered with a foil blanket... won’t lightning kill us?

At about 6 am, Oksa and I woke up. There were approximately the same remnants of thoughts in our heads - it was a complete fuck-up! We’ve never been caught up in such a series of stupid events in our lives, and we don’t want to get into that again. Probably, it was the most memorable night that we spent in nature, having learned all the hardships of this matter. Therefore, as soon as my things were collected, I didn’t hesitate for a second to throw away the tent in the first place I came across, so as not to repeat this feat a second time during my trip.

This is such fucking romance!

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS OF HAINAN ISLAND.

What does an ordinary guy like me know about Hainan? Yes, in principle, almost nothing, except that the core of Hainan is:

heat below +33 with humidity up to 95%;
a warm sea, from which you don’t want to leave for hours, with a temperature approximately similar to the ambient air temperature, and even warmer in the evening;
a huge number of Chinese in inflatable rings, swimming in fenced splash pools;
a great place to take a breather from your travels.
a place where they love Russian champagne and sell it for 188 RMB (actually, almost 1,900 RUB in our opinion)

And in Hainan there is a huge hotel that looks like a jellyfish or a flower and is clearly visible from all sides.

One evening we sat on the shore, watching the changing picture - the hotel was turning into a huge video wall, where beautiful and bright pictures were broadcast. Nice and unusual, and considering the scale of the illumination - great!

Is it worth going to Hainan specifically to relax by the sea?

Probably not. If you are just passing through or accidentally wandering here. With the current cost of flights, with current prices for accommodation and food, with the impossibility of a Russian tourist renting a motorbike (the police arrest the motorbike, the fine is huge, although you may not get caught, depending on your luck), with the absence of alternative types of entertainment here, such as surfing or kiting, I’m thinking of going here on purpose - expensive nonsense. There are more interesting and cheaper alternatives nearby.

On the other hand, if the main thing for you when traveling is a change of picture, the opportunity to experience something new, a beautiful vacation, delicious and unusual seafood food, seasoned with the Chinese style of cooking and Asian flavor, then you should definitely visit this place to collect and create your own your own idea of a holiday on Hainan Island.

Agree, it’s not very pleasant to go for a romantic walk on the beach somewhere in California or Thailand and be bitten by sand flies. These species live on the coast and bite vacationers, being carriers of various diseases. We will tell you how to get rid of annoying insects, what scientists advise, what to do if you decide to relax on the coast for a couple of days or your home is located in an area where they multiply en masse, what means: repellents, traps and dog collars are best to use.

Sand midges are dipteran insects that are widespread on the coast, near canals, in tropical and subtropical climates. They settle in various plant debris - washed ashore or fallen from trees.

Sand midges breed in moist soils in intertidal zones. Also, midges can fly into a human home if it is located on the coast, especially if there is a lot of greenery around. In windy weather you almost never see them, but on cloudy, windless days they are right there.

In midges, like mosquitoes, the female bites and consumes blood, which provides the necessary substances for the development of eggs. After which the larvae develop (they must live in a nutrient-rich semi-aquatic environment) and finally, adult insects. And so on in a circle.

Their bites cause redness and swelling. If there are multiple bites, an allergic reaction may occur.

If you decide to relax on the coast for a couple of days, then it is necessary:

Use repellents. We will tell you about the most effective ones below.
Walk directly on the wet sand near the water - midges live in algae washed ashore, fallen leaves and other plant debris that accumulates near the water. However, they do not fly to the water itself, so if you go a little further you will be safe.
If there are a lot of midges, don’t stand still, move around - their wings are small and it’s not easy for them to keep up with a person.
Take a bath every 5 minutes. Midges do not land on wet skin. Once it dries out a little, they begin to attack.
Points 1-5 apply to people in swimsuits, but if you want to completely protect yourself from midges and are not going to swim, then just wear pants and a long sleeve shirt. They won't bite through clothes.
You can use fatty creams or cosmetic oils; they form a thin film on the skin that midges cannot bite through.

How to get rid of midges if your home is in an area where they breed in large numbers

If your home is located in or near areas where they breed, then to prevent yourself from being bitten and to ensure a quiet life without midges, follow the advice of scientists from the University of Florida:

Remove vegetation from the house; bushes and trees, on the contrary, can be left. This will reduce the number of hiding places for insects and increase air flow. Mow your lawns on time.
Install fine mesh on all windows, and additionally hang a curtain made of light fabric on the door, and also hang a canopy made of fine mesh over the bed.
Close the windows on the leeward side, midges are very light, so it is difficult for them to fly against the wind.
Install ceiling fans in your home to reduce the heat and keep the midges away. They rarely bite if there is even a small air flow.
Do not leave water running out of hoses after watering or washing your car. Try not to engage in such activities late in the evening, when midges are especially active.
Pay attention to how midges behave in your area relative to the lunar cycle; this species bites most actively in the few days after the full and new moon. Based on this, plan barbecues on days when their activity is minimal.
Wear light clothing with long sleeves and use repellent early in the morning and late in the evening.
Use electronic CO2 insect traps.

The best remedies for sand flies

According to scientists from the University of Florida, the main substances active against sand flies are the same as for other midges and mosquitoes: DEET, Picaridin and Permithrin. We provide you with the English names of the active substance so that you can buy such products when you relax at sea abroad. We have selected the best for you: two for the body and face, and one spray for clothes.

In the USA, the most popular repellents are those based on DEET (known in Russia as “DEET”). The best-selling brand on American Amazon is Repel 100 Insect Repellent. Costs approximately $7.19.

The second most popular repellent with picaridin is Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin. This inexpensive yet effective $8.88 repellent is effective for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks and promises to provide up to 8 hours of protection against midge bites. Used worldwide since 1998 and most popular in Europe. It is safe for the whole family to use and will not damage clothing, bags, watches or synthetic fabrics. It is completely safe and has a pleasant citrus scent. If you need to use it together with sun cream, apply the cream first and only after 10 minutes apply the repellent.

There is a special repellent for clothing with permethrin.- Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent. It costs about $14.71 and although it is more expensive than other repellents, it provides protection for up to 6 weeks. The repellent is universal and will cope not only with midges, but also with mosquitoes, ticks and 55 other types of biting insects - which makes it an ideal option for both hiking and long forays into nature.

Permethrin is approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but just in case, keep the spray away from cats - it can negatively affect their nervous system. And the spray has been successfully protecting people from midges for many years: the uniforms of American army soldiers are treated with permethrin.

The repellent is applied directly to clothing and continues to work even after washing (can be washed 6 times). Unlike DEET, which can damage some fabrics and materials, permethrin can even be used on fabrics such as silk, as well as synthetic and waterproof fabrics (does not affect plastics or trims). That is why it can be sprayed not only on clothing, but also on the outside of tents, backpacks, hammocks, outdoor furniture and mosquito nets. Asthmatics should use the product with caution indoors.

How to protect yourself from midges while you sleep

Protecting yourself is often required not only on the street, but also indoors. In order not to splash sprays everywhere and not to smear yourself with lotions and oils, protect yourself with special canopies on the bed. They start at $19. Unlike a regular mosquito net, it has a finer mesh (225 per square inch) and can even be rolled under your mattress to keep it in place even if you toss and turn a lot in your sleep.

Such a net will come in handy not only at home, but also when traveling, especially if you plan to visit an area rich in blood-sucking insects. If you use the canopy outdoors, shake it thoroughly after removing it from the mount - there may be stuck midges on it that tried to get through the net, but were unable to. There are special hiking options. Along with the net comes a cord that allows you to secure the canopy to a branch, so you have enough free space for a comfortable sleep. The net is made in such a way that the lower part overlaps underneath the sleeping mat or bag, which, just in case, will protect you from insects that could sneak in from below. This “physical barrier” is an excellent option for those who do not like to apply insect repellent to their skin when camping at night.

How to protect your dog from sand flies

Not only people, but also pets suffer from annoying insects. Moreover, unlike humans, they cannot dress or hide. To protect your pet from midge bites, use special collars impregnated with repellent. The US Department of Defense in its instructions advises the use of collars with deltamethrin.

First, Scalibor Protector Band for Dogs for $19.94, protects your dog from ticks and fleas for 6 months. It is highly adjustable and suitable for adult dogs from 12 months. But ticks and fleas are not everything - Scalibor Protector Band is recommended for use in those regions where your dog can be bitten by leishmaniasis carriers.

The second collar is a more budget-friendly analogue of the first one called Salvo Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs 2pk Large for $18.95. It is beneficial that the package contains not one, but two collars at once.

The active ingredient in both collars is Deltamethrin, which causes allergic reactions in many dogs. Owners who have already purchased such a collar for their pets are advised to wear the collar loosely and watch the dog for a while. If the dog becomes lethargic, it is better to remove the collar. Some people advise that before putting a collar on a dog, air it out for 24 hours and only then put it on.

Natural Remedies for Sandfly Bites

It happens that you went on vacation and were not prepared to meet midges, or you are allergic to chemical repellents, and you don’t want to experience insect bites at all. Natural remedies are suitable for allergy sufferers and small children.

Both yourself and your child can lubricate exposed areas of the skin with greasy baby oil; this will reduce the number of biting insects, because they have short mouthparts that cannot penetrate the oil film that forms on the skin.

A second option would be a mixture of citronella or lavender oils. And, of course, try to avoid places where midges accumulate. But there are no guarantees; many scientists are skeptical about natural remedies. But you can try, if it doesn’t help, you can always return to proven DEET-based repellents.

Sand midge bites

What to do if the bite could not be avoided?