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You know it is a very bad thing #244082
01/04/2021 05:52 PM
01/04/2021 05:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Mandknky Offline OP
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Mandknky  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky


When you check out the Soggy webcam and the Quart-O-Nancy webcam at cooper on Jan 4th, and there is not a soul (or boat) to be seen. Kind of depressing, can't imagine how not only strange, but economic tragedy, it must be for BVI residents....

Looking forward to vaccines getting administered and being able to travel a little, once again.

Last edited by Mandknky; 01/04/2021 06:46 PM.
BVI Sponsors
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244115
01/05/2021 07:16 AM
01/05/2021 07:16 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
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Shifty Offline
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Shifty  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
I’m with you. This is brutal for the folks in the BVI and my heart goes out for them.

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244164
01/05/2021 11:30 AM
01/05/2021 11:30 AM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
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Husker Offline
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Husker  Offline
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Bay Area
Cooper Island resort is closed for the season. I heard they decided a while back that 2021 was not going to be worth the expense of opening. We were at Soggy in early December and I have to say it was kinda nice without the crowds.

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244165
01/05/2021 11:35 AM
01/05/2021 11:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
cwoody Offline
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cwoody  Offline
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Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
At least there are signs of life... foot steps in the sand.
For months the beach was completely smooth untouched by humans.


Chuck W.

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244172
01/05/2021 12:04 PM
01/05/2021 12:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Cane Garden Bay is very pleasant this year. I'd guess only 25ish people on the beach most of the weekend. Sea life is all back and the water is very clear!


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244343
01/06/2021 06:37 PM
01/06/2021 06:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Mandknky Offline OP
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Mandknky  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky


We were at Cooper first week of February in 2018, about 4 months after the Hurricanes. Cooper was closed then too, but we still decided to stay there on a mooring for a couple of days, the beach and water were still very good. Was on a CYOA catamaran we chartered then. The BVI was certainly nice then without the crowds , but we could still see a lot of storm damage and people were still working to put everything back together. When they announced the re-opening for December 2020, I expected to see at least a few boats on the webcams down there, especially over the Christmas - New Year holiday time frame. I looked again today and saw one boat at Cooper, and White Bay was empty at the time I checked it. I have done at least one or two bareboat charters down there over the last dozen years or so, miss getting down there. We contemplate a possible USVI charter this spring if things improve with respect to Covid ----

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244740
01/13/2021 07:49 AM
01/13/2021 07:49 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 503
ski2play Offline
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ski2play  Offline
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Posts: 503
There is no where to go but up in my humble opinion. wave

March 2021 marks 6 years of home ownership in the BVI, East of Jost Van Dyke to be specific.

It certainly has been quite a wave to ride.......

Our villa has been rebuilt post IRMA (boy was that fun!) and ready for guest since November of 2019.

We were issued our Gold Seal Certification Certificate yesterday afternoon.

We are hopeful things will get better and travel will resume.

On a side note, super excited to get back down ourselves. dine

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: ski2play] #244742
01/13/2021 07:59 AM
01/13/2021 07:59 AM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,419
Bucks County, Pa.
toast Offline
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toast  Offline
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Bucks County, Pa.
Glad you are ready to go. As they say, hopefully... "soon come". Missin the BVI very much.


Toast.......to Life; White Bay...heaven on earth.
Diane
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244801
01/13/2021 01:24 PM
01/13/2021 01:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 87
Lake Stevens, WA
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WillM Offline
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WillM  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 87
Lake Stevens, WA
Are things open in BVI?

Soggy, Corsairs, Pirate's Bite, WilllyT (ok, if it is closed my next morning will be better)

If things are open - I am really looking forward to by February trip! As long as there are no more hurdles to jump through!

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244804
01/13/2021 01:29 PM
01/13/2021 01:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Most things are open. Soggy - yes, Corsairs - no, but the owner was due to arrive back yesterday, Pirate's - yes; Willy T - yes.

In CGB everything is open except The Elms and there is a great new place at the west end of the bay called Indigo Beach House.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244812
01/13/2021 02:37 PM
01/13/2021 02:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 87
Lake Stevens, WA
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WillM Offline
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WillM  Offline
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Lake Stevens, WA
Great - I have the Cocunut Breeze webcam in CGB up more than I should!

Looking forward to seeing myself out there on one of those many lonely mooring balls next month!

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #244876
01/14/2021 09:41 AM
01/14/2021 09:41 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc Offline
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ndfaninnc  Offline
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Kannapolis, NC
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Most things are open. Soggy - yes, Corsairs - no, but the owner was due to arrive back yesterday, Pirate's - yes; Willy T - yes.

In CGB everything is open except The Elms and there is a great new place at the west end of the bay called Indigo Beach House.


Jason, did Val and Kareem sell the Indigo House? We stayed there a couple of times years ago. I remember when we were with them after Irmaria Val saying something about rebuilding or selling Indigo House. A restaurant now?


Go Irish!!

Bill

[Linked Image]
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: ndfaninnc] #244885
01/14/2021 10:41 AM
01/14/2021 10:41 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
No Val and Kareem still own Indigo. They have transformed the first floor into an art gallery/bar/restaurant (soon come) and the top floor is being built out and will become a vacation rental again. Cane Garden Bay's favorite bartender, Vishaal, is a part of the team. He's running the place and making great drinks for all his happy customers!


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244905
01/14/2021 01:21 PM
01/14/2021 01:21 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc Offline
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ndfaninnc  Offline
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Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
The view from upstairs is awesome. I was amazed at how many cruise ship passengers would walk right up on the porch whether we were sitting there or not. I do hope they left the spiral staircase in place. Is the art gallery all local?


Go Irish!!

Bill

[Linked Image]
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244934
01/14/2021 07:37 PM
01/14/2021 07:37 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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Manpot  Offline
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Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
The Pascoes, who owned Indigo House before Val and Kareem, told me they would find cruise shippers using their bathroom! They sold it and built the house up on the ridge where Quito and Kim now live. At least now Vishaal can sell them a cocktail on their way out after taking a leak ( and washing their feet in the sink)!

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244965
01/15/2021 09:18 AM
01/15/2021 09:18 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Luckily, no cruise ship passengers washing their feet this season! It's a very quiet and peaceful CGB lately...


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #244966
01/15/2021 09:19 AM
01/15/2021 09:19 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc Offline
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ndfaninnc  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
Mal, that explains the sandy feet prints we saw one afternoon.


Go Irish!!

Bill

[Linked Image]
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #247307
02/11/2021 03:19 PM
02/11/2021 03:19 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Mandknky Offline OP
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Mandknky  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Encouraging, I checked webcams today and see a few boats at Cooper and White Bay JVD..... hopefully things are getting a little better. I am hopeful of a late Nov early Dec 2021 bareboat charter. Though about a USVI only as we are pretty familiar with it, having stayed pretty much everywhere (bays) on ST J.... it is certainly nice. Trip though, just would not be same for us without spending time in BVI, at the usual stops lke Norman, North Sound, Anegada, little JVD, Scrub and White Bay..... fingers crossed for later this year. We have our vaccine now, so feeling better about that to. Would not be much fun to travel far from home and contract virus not really knowing how it might affect you, especially when responsible as skippering the boat and crew (usually just me and the "admiral" though).

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #247331
02/11/2021 08:21 PM
02/11/2021 08:21 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 517
Michigan
SoakInSaltwater Offline
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SoakInSaltwater  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 517
Michigan
I look at the Quito cam or Soggy cam and remember fondly days gone by but my heart aches for the friends I have made over the years who rely on the boat people for their livelihood.


Norma
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #247333
02/11/2021 08:56 PM
02/11/2021 08:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 735
Panama City Beach, Florida
xrayman67 Online content
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xrayman67  Online Content
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 735
Panama City Beach, Florida
Top of the Baths announced today that they are closing until the economy gets better. They are unable to stay open due to the restrictions.

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: xrayman67] #247345
02/12/2021 08:40 AM
02/12/2021 08:40 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 508
long island, new york
M
macaroni Offline
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macaroni  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 508
long island, new york
No..... our favorite spot for breakfast.... I am wondering if we should put off our land based March trip.... would hate to arrive to everything closed....

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: macaroni] #247350
02/12/2021 09:30 AM
02/12/2021 09:30 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc Offline
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ndfaninnc  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
Originally Posted by macaroni
No..... our favorite spot for breakfast.... I am wondering if we should put off our land based March trip.... would hate to arrive to everything closed....


We cancelled our land based trip to Anegada this coming May with the same concerns. Well, that and the quarantining doesn't work for a 7 day trip. But we are hopeful for November '21.


Go Irish!!

Bill

[Linked Image]
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: ndfaninnc] #247351
02/12/2021 09:39 AM
02/12/2021 09:39 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Originally Posted by ndfaninnc
Originally Posted by macaroni
No..... our favorite spot for breakfast.... I am wondering if we should put off our land based March trip.... would hate to arrive to everything closed....


We cancelled our land based trip to Anegada this coming May with the same concerns. Well, that and the quarantining doesn't work for a 7 day trip. But we are hopeful for November '21.

There are a lot of things open. People are discovering new favorites and meeting new people.

I talked to a lady at Quito's last night that has been coming for 30 years for the month of February. She was describing how important it was for her to come and support the people she's known and loved here for the last 30 years but was sad that so many of her regular friends that normal visit in February weren't here. Now that she's finished quarantine and been out to the places that are open, she's excited that she's found new place, met new people, is seeing new things, and enjoying different aspects of Tortola that she would have normally skipped because they weren't the people and places she was used to from the last 30 years. She was also thrilled to experience a quiet, simpler, more peaceful BVI that we likely won't see again in our lifetime.

i encourage everyone who has time and patience to get thru the quarantine to come down and enjoy life in the BVI like it was 20 years ago!!


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: ndfaninnc] #247362
02/12/2021 11:21 AM
02/12/2021 11:21 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,345
Washington DC
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bailau Online content
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bailau  Online Content
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,345
Washington DC
Originally Posted by ndfaninnc
Originally Posted by macaroni
No..... our favorite spot for breakfast.... I am wondering if we should put off our land based March trip.... would hate to arrive to everything closed....


We cancelled our land based trip to Anegada this coming May with the same concerns. Well, that and the quarantining doesn't work for a 7 day trip. But we are hopeful for November '21.


Sorry to hear my brother...hope to see you there again soon

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #247375
02/12/2021 12:39 PM
02/12/2021 12:39 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 508
long island, new york
M
macaroni Offline
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 508
long island, new york
We will be in VG... it's hard to go when your favorites are not open.... We thought Saba Rock would be open by now...

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #247379
02/12/2021 01:10 PM
02/12/2021 01:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,345
Washington DC
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bailau Online content
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bailau  Online Content
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Washington DC
I cant speak for March but at least in June we took the last 514PC out of Moorings so I am hoping that means more demand...

Of course a lot of this is driven by charter boat and airplane credits that expire this year...

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #247381
02/12/2021 01:16 PM
02/12/2021 01:16 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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RatmansWife Offline
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RatmansWife  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
One explanation might be that June is popular with families with school children, for whom Covid is less of an issue. Plus people may figure they can be vaccinated by then. This time of year is popular with retirees, who are at greater risk.

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: ndfaninnc] #247539
02/14/2021 04:20 PM
02/14/2021 04:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 87
Ipswich, MA
fabbr1 Offline
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fabbr1  Offline
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Posts: 87
Ipswich, MA
We stayed at Indigo once and has the cruise crowd stopping by as well. It’s cool place but the wife was not okay with the security of it being down at the end of the beach and the uninvited visitors. We hope to get back down there when all this is over. CGB was getting to crowded during the day on our last trip from the cruise ship crowd so I’m not sure where we would stay the next time we are down. I would be sure to visit there as well still as we enjoy the different spots during the evening. Val in Kareem are outstanding hosts. The elm tones would let my son sit in on guitar for a song over the years and we always enjoyed that. I hope that it gets back to normal for all of the hard-working locals.

Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: bailau] #247572
02/15/2021 09:48 AM
02/15/2021 09:48 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc Offline
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ndfaninnc  Offline
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Posts: 788
Kannapolis, NC
Originally Posted by bailau
Originally Posted by ndfaninnc
Originally Posted by macaroni
No..... our favorite spot for breakfast.... I am wondering if we should put off our land based March trip.... would hate to arrive to everything closed....


We cancelled our land based trip to Anegada this coming May with the same concerns. Well, that and the quarantining doesn't work for a 7 day trip. But we are hopeful for November '21.


Sorry to hear my brother...hope to see you there again soon


Thanks Rob. After chatting with Peter I do feel better about our island friends longevity. And I also agree with Jason's comments. But mostly for me, the quarantine of 4/5 days is a deal breaker. I am not criticizing the quarantine. It is what it is. But I cannot get away for more than a week due to business. That leaves us with just a day and a half to enjoy the island. So as Peter recommended we will enjoy at week at Wild Dunes (Charleston) in May for our 30th and look forward to getting to Anegada in November. Don't be surprised to get a call that we are heading to DC this summer. If we do I will absolutely let you know.


Go Irish!!

Bill

[Linked Image]
Re: You know it is a very bad thing [Re: Mandknky] #247613
02/15/2021 08:29 PM
02/15/2021 08:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,345
Washington DC
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bailau Online content
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bailau  Online Content
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Washington DC
Understand my friend and look forward to seeing you in DC


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