Two things I keep on been reminded of, and think it would of been handy to know.
I just put on my comfy, soft, cheap white thongs(that I love)and I remember trying to walk with them on in the pouring rain this last trip, my cheap thongs have no grip and they were a pain in the butt when walking through the rain. I actually had to take them off once as I was slipping so much it wasn't safe, hubbies Havanas were fine.
If you buy beautiful frangipani hair clips in a very professional plastic wrap they might be wrapped up because they don't work!
When we were shopping at the night markets in Nusa Dua I found all these hair clips and slides packaged in clear plastic and the lady matched my best price, I had promised friends to bring lots back so I bought up big.
I thought I had done well until I opened one at home and found that the wire had been placed at the wrong angle and you can't open the big clamp like clips!! the little slide clips are so rough that they pull your hair, it really hurts, but every time I reef one out of my hair and my eyes start to water, I laugh at the cheek of these market sellers.
So don't scrimp when buying thongs and if it's wrapped up, no matter how good it looks, get them to open the package and check it works!