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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: JimDS]
#35361
01/21/2015 01:53 PM
01/21/2015 01:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,614 originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223
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I suppose Ed & I would be considered 'older'. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> But we first visited St. Martin on a RC southern Caribbean cruise trip. We took a cab over to Orient Beach because we had heard it was one of the nicest beaches on the island and wanted to see it. I honestly can't remember, but I'm not sure we even knew about the nude section before we went, though it's likely we had at least heard about it. Not sure. In any event, we had lunch at Pedro's that day and saw the Club O section. Having visited other clothing-optional resorts before, we decided to take a walk and see if it was perhaps somewhere we might want to stay in the future. We first walked with our clothes on, as others were also doing, just to get a feel for the place, but ended up getting chairs and spending the day there (sans clothing). We had a wonderful time and did indeed return the very following year to stay on the property at Club O.
I have no doubt that a lot of first-time visitors are just curious. I also have no doubt that others (probably younger) visitors do it just to 'see what they can see' or to have a chuckle with their friends over all the naked people. Now, 10 years later, there are occasions when Ed gets annoyed at all the cruisers who gape at those on the beach. But I gently remind him that we were once among them and people might have thought the same about us. With that being said, at least Ed & I minded our manners, kept our eyes where they should be, and joined in on that first occasion.
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: irish1223]
#35363
01/21/2015 02:52 PM
01/21/2015 02:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
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I agree with you, Irish. We have met many nice people who first visited Club O's beach from a cruise. Their next step is to return to the island, stay elsewhere, but visit the beach several times Next, they've stayed at the resort and found out why the regulars love it so much. Of course, there will always be those who just want to see as much as they can. I try to ignore them, unless they're taking photos. But, we always are friendly and polite to those in the first group, and love to answer any questions they may have.
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: Biturbo]
#35364
01/21/2015 08:31 PM
01/21/2015 08:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
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Eastern Caribbean
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Is there any truth to the story I remember hearing about how it was the complaints of these same cruiseship tourists that put an end to naked people making use of the whole beach for strolling or whatever? When we first went to Orient 10 years ago (time flies) I remember that you would see naked people all day strolling the length of the beach. Our next trip three year later this seems to have been curtailed and, except for the early mornings when we're all out for our early walk, naturists stick to the Club O area. I mean, as if these tourists were offended.
So if this is so, it's creepily ironic that these same people, once they get off the bus with their shiny sneakers and Disney sweatshirts leer across the boundary and take snapshots of the titillating view.
Please note the 27 days in my signature image. I am so excited I could pee my pants. Man I need a vacation.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: Ritchard]
#35367
01/22/2015 12:42 AM
01/22/2015 12:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,614 originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223
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originally Long Island, NY/now...
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Ritchard said: Is there any truth to the story I remember hearing about how it was the complaints of these same cruiseship tourists that put an end to naked people making use of the whole beach for strolling or whatever? When we first went to Orient 10 years ago (time flies) I remember that you would see naked people all day strolling the length of the beach. Our next trip three year later this seems to have been curtailed and, except for the early mornings when we're all out for our early walk, naturists stick to the Club O area. If I remember this correctly, I don't believe it was the cruise ship passengers who were offended, but rather the locals who visit the textile part of the beach with their families. I could be wrong about this, but it seems that was the case. I remember the gendarmeries patrolling the beach from time to time during that period, occasionally handing out warnings to those who were nude beyond the Club O section.
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: JimDS]
#35368
01/22/2015 02:40 AM
01/22/2015 02:40 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 636 Palm Beach County
jenniboston
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Palm Beach County
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I started in on a treatise on bodies and self acceptance, but you know what? Is isn't about the people staying at Club O, it's about the rest of society. Religion teaches us that there is something inherently dirty about our bodies, and at the same time human nature is drawn to titillation. Since most of western "civilization" equates nudity to sin, you've got and irresistible draw to the nude beach.
Good news; people without clothes are remarkably friendly people! And a lot of non-naked people discover that they like hanging out with such laid-back people and making friends, and truly relaxing.
I'd find a cruise ship limiting, but that's my world-traveled background. Of my friends who go on cruises; they're actually testing their boundaries as best they can.
I like to think, as they stand there at Pedros, or even *tittlegigglegiggle* venture onto Club O sand, they're looking and learning.
Yeah, most are irredeemable buffoons. But I know we have have some Traveltalk regulars who started with that walk, and are now Club O regulars. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by jenniboston; 01/22/2015 02:41 AM.
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: jenniboston]
#35369
01/22/2015 08:27 AM
01/22/2015 08:27 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 459 Decatur Illinois
astropilot
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Posts: 459
Decatur Illinois
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jenniboston said: Yeah, most are irredeemable buffoons. But I know we have have some Traveltalk regulars who started with that walk, and are now Club O regulars. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> Yes, you are correct. We discovered Club O and nudism, via a cruise ship visit to the island. That first time across the line was a bit intimidating, and I'll admit we were nervous, me more so that my dear wife. But after the initial shock wore off, and we (I) discovered that the no one was paying any particular attention to us we relaxed and enjoyed our visit. The next year we came back, staying on the island this time, and visited the club O beach every day, and we have been coming back every year since. In addition, when we cruise, and we still do quite frequently, the first thing we look for on the itinerary is a stop at SXM. We have met, and made many lasting friendships at the Club O beach, and hope to continue doing so for many years to come.
Dave & Diana
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: jenniboston]
#35370
01/22/2015 12:57 PM
01/22/2015 12:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628 Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
Bill_S
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Posts: 2,628
Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
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Add us to the long list of couples who got our first taste of social nudity when we went to "check out this nude beach" while on a cruise ship stop back in 1997.
We became converts in our first half hour swimming nude in that crystal clear 82*F water and Man, we have NEVER looked back!
So yes, some boat people can be "glassbowls" as Carolyn Hax calls them, but a great many become enthusiasts like we did!
Bill
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: jenniboston]
#35371
01/22/2015 03:54 PM
01/22/2015 03:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
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Clearwater, FL
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Thank you Jenni - once again a voice of reason! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: Biturbo]
#35372
01/23/2015 12:12 AM
01/23/2015 12:12 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 46 Raleigh, NC
RaleighToSXM
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Posts: 46
Raleigh, NC
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We are mid 50s and I have wanted my wife to go with me to a nude beach/resort/campground/??? ever since I worked with a gent in '94 who was a nudist. It never happened. I discovered Club O online around 2009 or so, and have followed the Club O forum ever since. Between my conversations in '94, and reading the forums, I had a very good idea what it would be like to go to Club O. My wife likes to cruise, so finally March 2014, we took an NCL cruise, stopping in St Maarten. Our 30 yo daughter and her husband, and 2 of our friends were also on the cruise. They all knew where I was headed, and they wanted no part of it. I told my wife I was taking a taxi to Club O. I hoped she would join me, and I stressed to her that it was clothing optional. She would not be forced to go nude. We got to Club O at 9:00 AM, were one of the first people on the beach, and my wife was completely nude within 10 minutes, and 30 minutes later was commenting about how relaxing it really made her feel. Completely NOT what she was expecting.
We enjoyed it so much, we went on another cruise in October 2014, and went back to Club O on that trip too.
So while we were cruiser visitors, we went to Club O with the intent of joining in before we even got there. And the farthest we have walked with our swimsuits on is from Pedro's to our Club O chairs.
I am desperately trying to figure out how to go spend a couple of weeks there. I know we would love staying at Club O, but it is pricey.
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: RaleighToSXM]
#35373
01/23/2015 12:38 AM
01/23/2015 12:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176 Nebraska
joyonthebeach
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Nebraska
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That's a great story RaleighToSXM! You can rent budget studios in the Orient Beach area or other parts of the island. Look at VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner).
Don't Postpone JOY
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: joyonthebeach]
#35374
01/23/2015 08:00 AM
01/23/2015 08:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
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Posts: 518
Eastern Caribbean
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Great stories everybody. To tell the truth, I wish I had the self confidence to disrobe, but sadly, I do not.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: JimDS]
#35376
01/23/2015 04:01 PM
01/23/2015 04:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176 Nebraska
joyonthebeach
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Nebraska
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JimDS- I'm not the one with inhibitions about disrobing on Orient, that would be Ritchard!
Don't Postpone JOY
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Re: Visitors to Orient Beach
[Re: JimDS]
#35378
01/23/2015 04:42 PM
01/23/2015 04:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176 Nebraska
joyonthebeach
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Traveler
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Posts: 176
Nebraska
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LOL JimDS what's the clue?
Don't Postpone JOY
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