Sorry this is so long.

Unfortunately we never stayed at Club O and it took us 15 years to actually stay on the island as a visitor to the island after numerous cruise visits. If Club O rebuilds before we are too old or dead we will stay there.

We had planned to go September 9th through the 16th 2017 for our 39th anniversary but a beeotch named Irma changed our plans. We decided to tempt fate again this past September for our 40th anniversary and it worked out great. We stayed in a VRBO condo on Billy Folly Road right on the water (villa Carisma). We were a little tentative about exploring too much because we were unfamiliar with the roads so we stayed mainly around the immediate area of Pelican.

We did make a trip to Philipsburg one day but didn't stay too long. We went to Back Street to try to find some local things rather than the typical tourist stuff that is all from China etc. It was very hot and Barbara was getting disgusted that all of the shops seemed to have the same things so we cut it short.

Another trip we made was to Orient Beach. Not knowing the roads I reached out to Elaine (BillandElaine) for directions and she gave me perfect guidance. We had been to the non-Club O section on our previous cruise visits but never the "Nekkid Beach" before. This trip was to get out of our comfort zone, more so for my wife than I. Well suffice it to say it was a no ships-in-port day on Monday, September 10th. We arrived so early the chain across the lot was still up so we parked in the taxi area behind what used to be Pedro's and walked to the Club O section as the guys were just starting to set up a few chairs. About 5 minutes later 2 other couples showed up (one couple was DonnDe from this forum and his wife).

It took us a minute to set up the chairs and put our towels and bags down. Not wanting to belabor the ultimate fear/anxiety of being nude outside in a public setting for the first time in my 61 years I just stripped down and walked into the water. I looked back and saw the love of my life, who had never been topless much less naked in her 65 years in public, suddenly take her top off and walk into the water. The other couples had already removed their clothes and we sitting on their chairs by this point. We stayed in the water a few minutes and then Barb walked back to her chair and to my surprise she removed her bottoms before lying on her chair. That was the beginning of our newfound freedom and neither of us felt awkward. A huge part of the reason was that the other 2 couples we met that day made us feel so welcome that we didn't even care that we were naked. DonnDe and his wife along with the other couple (real names not mentioned as I don't have their permission) were the epitome of the acceptance that we had read about on numerous blogs/articles about the non-judgmentalness of naturists. We stayed there a few hours until my fair Irish-heritage skin was getting more sun than I needed. As we were leaving and headed back to our condo Barb turned to me and said she had a great time and was shocked that after a few minutes she didn't care about being nude and actually forgot that she was. She said she wanted to make a return trip on Wednesday.

Wednesday came but the weather was rainy so we decided against going. Thursday came and the weather was better but not perfect. Thinking we'd have to cancel again I was afraid we wouldn't be able to have a return visit. Barbara looked at me and said "Let's have some breakfast and head out to Orient Beach." We ate something at the condo and we got ready to go to OB. I knew Barbara was OK with the idea of being naked on the beach because as she was getting dressed she put on just a t-shirt and gym shorts. I asked her if she was going to put her bathing suit on to which she replied. "Nope, not needed."

Enroute to the beach the skies were overcast but we saw spots of blue here and there. We arrived at the beach and parked behind the Perch Lite. When we arrived DonnDe, his wife, the other couple and few others had gathered under the covering because it had rained a few minutes earlier. DonnDe's wife had made some guacamole dip, which by the was fantastic, and offered some to all as we killed a few minutes waiting for the weather to cooperate. Ten minutes and a Presidente later, the ski was blue and chairs were being set up. Once we got settled in our chairs it was as if these folks were lifelong friends. We had numerous conversations and then others joined in. We had another couple from Florida take chairs next to us and there was a gentleman that was there also. Most of the folks had been at Club O and even though the description was that the resort was "rustic" there was nothing but positive reviews. We hated to leave but had made late lunch plans at the Buccaneer Beach Bar.

Barbara said she now sees that the convenience of the Club O resort could make for a great vacation because you could spend a week on vacation and only have to pack a carry on bag! The same outfit worn from home to the resort would be the same outfit worn home. No other clothing needed unless going off property. I hope they rebuild soon, we'd like to check a week at Club O off our bucket list.