Clothing-Optional resorts: Request for info

Greetings:

I've tried three times to post this request for information. But it
doesn't seem to be showing up. If it gets posted multiple times -- my
apologies.

We are in the very beginning stages of planning our first "resort"
type vacation and are looking at clothing-optional facilities --
primarily Hedonism in Jamaica (because that's about all we know
about). In the process of doing basic online research we've come
across some confusing and sometimes even conflicting information. So,
I'd like to elicit some firsthand accounts from folks who've "been
there; done that" recently. Thanks!

Firstly, how "optional" are clothing-optional facilities? For example,
I've heard that at Hedonism, they are divided into a "nude" and a
"prude" side. On the nude side you *MUST* be completely naked whereas
on the prude side you are *forbidden* from being unclothed. Is this
true? Furthermore, I read in one place that all the dining facilities
areon the prude side. Yet, I read someplace else that there is a nude
waterslide that passes right over the dining hall. So, as I said,
confusing and conflicting......

Secondly, as I mentioned, thus far all our attention has been devoted
to Jamaica. But this past weekend, we met a couple (non-nudist....I
think) who'd just come back from the Amer. Virgin Islands and RAVED
about the wonderful time they had. Are there any clothing-optional
reorts to be recommended in the Amer VI's?

Finally, what is the situation with photography? I've seen posting
that state that photography is "strictly forbidden" on the nude
beaches of Hedonism, etc. But then I have seen just as many websites
featuring photos the authors have personally taken. Being an avid
photographer, I'd like to have a good understanding of the situation
I'm going to face before I pack up and haul my equipment with me.

Any and all assistance is appreciated....I just hope THIS post makes
it!!

Thanx!

"Quiet Voice" <voice_of_reason@australia.edu> wrote in message
news:9428c6a7.0312181326.15cae480@c om...
> Greetings:
>
>>
> Secondly, as I mentioned, thus far all our attention has been devoted
> to Jamaica. But this past weekend, we met a couple (non-nudist....I
> think) who'd just come back from the Amer. Virgin Islands and RAVED
> about the wonderful time they had. Are there any clothing-optional
> reorts to be recommended in the Amer VI's?

My advice to you would be to avoid the Hedonism resorts unless drunken
debauchery is what you're interested in. For something more tasteful and
romantic (not to mention more beautiful), I would highly recommend Orient
Beach in St Martin. It is not in the American VI group, but is close by.
There are several hotels right on the beach.

>
> Finally, what is the situation with photography?

Orient Beach is a public beach, so photography is allowed. But I think it is
common courtesy to ask people for their permission before taking a snap.

Good luck,

Patrick

On Fri, 19 Dec 2003 16:23:27 GMT, Jaime Leroi
<jaime_leroi@m> wrote:

> Orient Beach is even a
>destination for cruise ship excursions and fully dressed cruisers feel
>free to walk up and down the beach and gawk.

This is so true, the gawking and I find that the cruisers or other
gawkers don't understand that to the nude, the show are the gawkers,
not the nudists.

We've got this whole nude/clothed thing backwards and although I
understand how it has happened, I, for the life of me, do not
understand why.

Hi,

Thank you so much for the suggestion! Just the sort of info I'm trying
to elicit.

>For something more tasteful and
> romantic (not to mention more beautiful), I would highly recommend Orient
> Beach in St Martin.

Sounds great!! Just so long as clothing is truly "optional"...neither
mandatory nor forbidden...

>....unless drunken debauchery is what you're interested in.

Well, it does have its appeal.. ;-)

But I certainly don't want to be limited to that (or shunned for not
indulging)

> Orient Beach is a public beach, so photography is allowed. But I think it is
> common courtesy to ask people for their permission before taking a snap.

Oh of course! I'm more concerned with being able to take photos of
myself and the SO. I'm worried about being sanctioned against even
bringing camera equipment to the beach at all.....which is why I'm
curious about all the photos that populate websites taken at resorts
that supposedly "forbid" photography.


"P Jonke" <pjonke@ldeo.columbia.edu> wrote in message news:<brv0lj$pbu$1@newsmaster.ldgo.columbia.edu>.. .
> "Quiet Voice" <voice_of_reason@australia.edu> wrote in message
> news:9428c6a7.0312181326.15cae480@c om...
> > Greetings:
> >
> >>
> > Secondly, as I mentioned, thus far all our attention has been devoted
> > to Jamaica. But this past weekend, we met a couple (non-nudist....I
> > think) who'd just come back from the Amer. Virgin Islands and RAVED
> > about the wonderful time they had. Are there any clothing-optional
> > reorts to be recommended in the Amer VI's?
>
> My advice to you would be to avoid the Hedonism resorts unless drunken
> debauchery is what you're interested in. For something more tasteful and
> romantic (not to mention more beautiful), I would highly recommend Orient
> Beach in St Martin. It is not in the American VI group, but is close by.
> There are several hotels right on the beach.
>
> >
> > Finally, what is the situation with photography?
>
> Orient Beach is a public beach, so photography is allowed. But I think it is
> common courtesy to ask people for their permission before taking a snap.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Patrick

"Quiet Voice" <voice_of_reason@australia.edu> wrote in message
news:9428c6a7.0312181326.15cae480@c om...
> Greetings:
>
> I've tried three times to post this request for information. But it
> doesn't seem to be showing up. If it gets posted multiple times -- my
> apologies.
>
> We are in the very beginning stages of planning our first "resort"
> type vacation and are looking at clothing-optional facilities --
> primarily Hedonism in Jamaica (because that's about all we know
> about). In the process of doing basic online research we've come
> across some confusing and sometimes even conflicting information. So,
> I'd like to elicit some firsthand accounts from folks who've "been
> there; done that" recently. Thanks!
>
> Firstly, how "optional" are clothing-optional facilities? For example,
> I've heard that at Hedonism, they are divided into a "nude" and a
> "prude" side. On the nude side you *MUST* be completely naked whereas
> on the prude side you are *forbidden* from being unclothed. Is this
> true? Furthermore, I read in one place that all the dining facilities
> areon the prude side. Yet, I read someplace else that there is a nude
> waterslide that passes right over the dining hall. So, as I said,
> confusing and conflicting......
>
There is a nude and a prude side at Hedonism, but it's not a case of thou
shalt not meet. Nudist are asked not to go naked on the prude side, but
non-nudists can get away with being on the nude beach whilst only going
topless. Although i think if you are the only person with a bikini bottom /
shorts on, it will soon come off.

> Secondly, as I mentioned, thus far all our attention has been devoted
> to Jamaica. But this past weekend, we met a couple (non-nudist....I
> think) who'd just come back from the Amer. Virgin Islands and RAVED
> about the wonderful time they had. Are there any clothing-optional
> reorts to be recommended in the Amer VI's?

Don't know about AVI but my sister said Grenada was nice. She and her
partner go nude when they get the chance. More often than myself. She's
currently in St Lucia, so it will be next week before she gives me the
lowdown on that island.
>
> Finally, what is the situation with photography? I've seen posting
> that state that photography is "strictly forbidden" on the nude
> beaches of Hedonism, etc. But then I have seen just as many websites
> featuring photos the authors have personally taken. Being an avid
> photographer, I'd like to have a good understanding of the situation
> I'm going to face before I pack up and haul my equipment with me.

Think it depends if you are going to take sneaky voyeur type shots and hope
you don't get spotted :-) I think if you ask you may get some good
responses. Some may even strike a pose. If my sister knows she is being
photographed she will always let him have a good show, standing in front of
the camera, or lying on her back and letting her legs go apart.
>
> Any and all assistance is appreciated....I just hope THIS post makes
> it!!
>
yep, it made it

Ian