Travel with Sunbuns - Latest News

A complete list of my new blogs (January 2019):

Follow me on Twitter:
@sunbuns or @cmnm (both are open to all)

Take a glance through my Guys Into CMNM Blog.

Visit our Clothed Man / Naked Man (CMNM) website (includes social networks) and a CMNM Events and Info Links

See list of upcoming CMNM events on Eventbrite:
CMNM Events: See list of upcoming CMNM events on Eventbrite:

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Eurail Pass or Cheap Air Routes - which is better in Europe?


Original posting: ashman_TO
07 Nov 2008, 02:22

so. how excactly does this work ???
When it says '3 days' does that mean let's say from Feb. 10-13 are the only days I can use it?
$213 sounds an awful lot for 3 days Railpass



Follow up: pisspig1
07 Nov 2008, 02:43

"$213 sounds an awful lot..." it's the biggest bargain in Europe!



Follow up: pdxswim§ *
07 Nov 2008, 06:25

Usually you can use the 3 days in a two week period. The biggest problem these days with Eurail is that you have to pay big supplements to get on the fast trains. Depending how far you are traveling, it is usually cheapest to fly easyjet etc and buy a few lone rail tickets when you need them.



Follow up: ashman_TO
07 Nov 2008, 14:56

use the 3 days in a 2 week period???
so, what it means is I can use up 36 hours aloted for me?
Or like I asked, is it for (let's say) Feb. 1-3 dates only (starting from when I bought the ticket and 3 days counted)?



Follow up: hardfuck2
07 Nov 2008, 19:32

Its divided into zones. you pick the countries you want to visit and your rail ticket is priced on that basis. this is an irish website but there are links to europrail and it will give you more info..

www.irishrail.ie



Follow up: hardfuck2
07 Nov 2008, 19:34

actually a direct link is www.interrailnet.com



Follow up: sunbuns99
07 Nov 2008, 22:29

ashman,

The site below explains Eurail passes in detail.

http://www.seat61.com/Railpass.htm
Look at down the list to find:

How do Eurail passes work

pdxswim is right -- cheap airfares are best for long hauls.
If you're going to be staying with a certain area, then the Eurail pass _may_be_ a good deal .. it really depends on what you want/need in terms of convenience / speed.

To answer your question, the Eurail pass comes in several areas, lengths of use, and class/age ranges.
Look at railpass.com and also www.eurorailways.com/
for more info.

You have to qualify for the cheaper railpasses -- Senior (over 60) ,Youth (under 26) and Saverpass (2 or more people traveling together).
Some countries offer 1st and 2nd class for the regular Adult Eurail pass.
One of the best deals for railpasses is the East Europe Regional pass or the Balkan pass.
You can also add on some countries (such as Czech for $75 US) when you buy another pass (Germany / Austria).

Although a 3-day pass is possible - most single or 2-3 country passes are 4 days minimum (a few are 3 day minimum). For example the Spain and Portugal Eurail Flexipass is $314 US for 3 days unlimited travel for any three 24 hours periods during a 2-month time span.
But the the France-Spain Eurail Flexipass is a minimum of 4 days (although you can choose 1st ($374 US) or 2nd ($326 US). I found that in most cases the difference between 1st and 2nd were not so large. There is a tendency for a different clientele in 1st class -- 2nd class has more students and youth travelers.

If you take a night train, it normally counts for only the day you depart. (check to make sure). However, in most cases, if you want a sleeper car or couchette (fold down seat that converts to to a bed), you'll need to pay an extra 'supplement' over and above the portion that included in your rail pass. Sometimes, long distance trains (Intercity - special international trains that travel cross-border or have limited stops will also charge a 'extra' amount or reservation fee (over and above what you have paid for the rail pass fare) - So pdxswim is right again -- that these fees can very soon increase your overall rail fare cost -- by a little but sometimes by a lot -- if you trying to keep a rigorous schedule or to cover a lot of territory.

Some of the sites listed let you calculate train fares (with a rail pass) between selected cities so you can see how much the costs would compare.

However, it really depends on the country and the type of train. In some case, you would come out cheaper by taking a night train (using a railpass) and paying the supplement in 2nd class for a couchette (it usually is no more expensive than for a cheap hotel room -- although it is certainly NOT very comfortable since it's not really easy to sleep on a train. But if you are trying to get some far away city, it does save time to take the night train.

For example, I took the night train from Madrid (after spending a 1 1/2 there) to Barcelona (so I departed about 10pm from Madrid - that counts a one day). I arrived the next morning at Barcelona Sants (but it was the termination of my original train ride so my railpass was NOT deducted a second day) since I departed the train for a couple days of sightseeing in BCN. So I've spent only 1 day of my Eurail pass so far. Then a couple of days later, I travel to Carcassone (France) on a morning train, and then take a evening train to Montpellier where I spent the night. So I've only spent 2 days of my 4 day pass.

TGV or other high-speed trains are going to cost your more and are usually NOT included in a Eurail pass. However, you can get discounts (sometimes sizeable ones) on such trains -- for example the Eurostar from London/ Paris and Thalys train from Paris to Brussels and Amsterdam.

Also there are special 'free' rides with a Eurail pass on certain boats and ferries (or sometimes reduced fares). Check the 'bonus' offered for each country or region.
For example, some cruise line on the Danube are included in Austrian or other railpasses. The ferry passage from Italy (Brindisi) to Greece is covered by a railpass or the passenger ferry boat is 50% off from Ireland to France.



Follow up: sunbuns99
07 Nov 2008, 22:35

Eurail passes - particularly the ones with the most discounted fares are ONLY available for advance purchase to tourists from outside Europe (non-EU citizens). They must be visiting (non-residents) and you cannot purchase them in country (normally).

The rail passes is sent to your in Canada and it is validated the first day you use it and subsequently the remaining number of days of validity is reduced on each following (not consecutive) day that you use it.

P.S. First decide where you are going to visit and then look into the best cost/value way to travel to those places.

There are quite a few discount and cheap fare airlines -- more than in North America.
See wizzair.com
sabena brussels airlines
Search Google: Europe low fare airlines



Follow up: ashman_TO
08 Nov 2008, 02:51

ok so that clears up everything
3 days pass doesn't mean Day 1-3 (eg Feb. 1-3)
it means a total of 3 days, on whenever and whichever days as long as the total time of my use of Eurorail comes up to 36 hours. (eg I used the train on Feb. 1, Feb. 6, Feb. 8)
I got you now, cause that's what I was wondering



Follow up: kimshep
08 Nov 2008, 11:23

Correct.

Also, if you are travelling in Germany only, A German Rail Pass is far cheaper than a Eurail Pass. The passes are generally valid for x days travel, in a 30 day period. They include travel on the high-speed ICE trains (InterCity Express) and are offered in both First and Second Class. For details, go the http://www.diebahn.de and find the section on "Offers For International Visitors". The site also has an integrated booking engine so that you can choose journeys, see the stops and find out the regular (non-pass) costs. I have always found this an excellent way to travel.

The beauty of the German Rail Pass is that you buy, say, a 4 day pass. The days do not need to be consecutive, but just within the 30 day period. The ticket has 4 coupons. When you take your first 'day', you are required to write the date on the first coupon and it will be validated during your journey. But the great thing is .. that it allows unlimited travel for the entire day. So, you could start in Munich (as an example) and travel to Frankfurt (a 3 hour trip), get off the train, have lunch, visit / sightsee, and then board a Frankfurt to Berlin service. Your original coupon will be revalidated on the second leg .. and so on. You could then get off the train in Berlin, have a quick look around and then reboard another train to Hamburg. Get the idea ?

Also, with the German Railpass you can :
- slip marginally outside the German border, for no extra cost ie: Innsbruck is included as a boundary point, even though it is in Austria.
- buy the 5 and 10 day passes on arrival in Germany, but you need to show a non-EU passport. For other variations, buy them on the site, and they are sent to you.
- As is mentioned, a number of boat services are also included, particularly if you want to go cruising up the Rhine, from Koln etc for a few hours.
- on a DeutscheBahn trip to say, Amsterdam or Brussels, you only pay the 'add-on' from the appropriate German border town - not from your original point of embarkation.

I've actually found that travelling from Berlin to Frankfurt, then to Brussels and changing over to the Eurostar, is cheaper if you do it on a German Rail Pass and purchase a supplement, rather than buying an outright Eurail pass. That will depend however, on whether you are basing in just one or two countries .. or floating around multiple Euro nations.



Follow up: kimshep
08 Nov 2008, 11:27

Should have added :

"I've actually found that travelling from Berlin to Frankfurt, then to Brussels and changing over to the Eurostar, TO LONDON, is cheaper if you do it on a German Rail Pass and purchase a supplement, rather than buying an outright Eurail pass."



Follow up: kimshep
08 Nov 2008, 11:37

The other thing to remember is that while cheap, LCC travel by air is available, it usually has to be booked at least a month out to get the best airfares, which limits your flexibility. With a rail pass, you don't have to specify the days you want to travel. You just rock up to the station and board the train. In Germany, if travelling in Economy / 2nd Class on 'busy' days, you can buy a Seat Reservation or 'Sitzplasse' for 2-3 Euros, which ensures a reserved seat. Otherwise, you take pot-luck, but I've never found this to be a problem.

Also, if travelling by air, you need to count in the cost of taxis to and from the airport, which can get expensive (especially in London). Whereas, the train generally dumps you right in the heart of the city. That can be a big saving.



Follow up: ashman_TO
08 Nov 2008, 11:47

I was planning a rail pass in Spain if my Morocco plans don't work, I'll fly to Madrid, spend a few days there, head to Malaga then take the ferry to Tangier for a few days. then back to Madrid



Follow up: fckbud
09 Nov 2008, 22:40

Traveling by rail is fun in Europe, but it has gotten so expensive over the past 10 years that it is no longer worth it.

You're best bet (cheaper and saves time on long distances) is to go by air. Air travel has gotten so cheap here in Europe, not at all like in the US or South America. Try some of the cheapo carriers such as Vueling.com, Ryanair.com, easyjet.com, Spanair.es, etc.

Another good site (by in español) is vuelosbaratos.com or atrapalo.com

Rail is good between Madrid and Málaga... the new high speed AVE is 2 hour 30 minutes for €35 each way. Have fun in Madrid.



Follow up: fckbud
09 Nov 2008, 22:45

Oh, and for the Eurail pass, it DOES mean three days within any given time period, e.g. three months. The 3 days are not subsequent.

With a little planning, use the rail passes to get you between long distances, e.g. Madrid-Paris, Paris-Rome, and for shorter distances, Paris-Brussels or Amsterdam, buy the ordinary tickets when you get here.

Saturday, November 08, 2008

[ymna2] Beach weather in Florida

--- On Fri, 3/3/06, SORRENTO-GUY sent these Florida pics into the Yahoo Group: ymna2 (at) yahoogroups.com

Playita beach, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

[This article was originally posted on [ymna2] Yahoo Group by atitlan]

Some more information about Playita, the gay
nudist beach at Manuel Antonio on Costa Rica's
Pacific coast.

Here's a link to a gay travel article:
http://www.gaycitynews.com/gcn216/travel_costarica.html

Here's a gay guide to Costa Rica:
http://www.gaycostarica.com/lugares/hoteles.php?idioma=en

If you're on a budget, stay in Quepos town and
take the bus to the beach - or you could stay
with the backpackers in basic accommodation
right beside the main beach at Manuel Antonio.
You don't have to take the tiny plane, there's
a regular bus service from San Jose.

If you've got a little more money to spend,
there's quite a few gay and gay-friendly hotels
dotted along the road between Quepos and the
main beach. They tend to go up and down in
their standards, depending on who's looking
after them during your stay. I've stayed at
Casa Blanca a couple of times. I wouldn't
rave about it but the four apartments have
a great view and overlook a pool which is
(or at least was) clothing optional:
http://casablanca.server1.de/en/


As for Playita beach, see the pics attached.
You'll share the jungle behind you with
monkeys, iguanas, sloths and the odd harmless
boa constrictor. It's almost a mile north of
the main beach. Here's a travel review:

"If you're standing on Manuel Antonio beach looking at the water,
and turn to your right, you will see where the beach ends at some
black volcanic rocks far in the distance.

The beach doesn't actually end there, it just LOOKS like it does.

By clambering over some jagged rocks and a short drop off a 3-foot
ledge, you find another pocket of light sand and blue water backed
by thick rainforest.

Perfect spot for gay men to claim as their own, eh?

This section of Playa Manuel Antonio has been used by gay men for
many years. Often times high noon on weekends will find 20-50 men,
half of them naked, frolicking in the water or sunbathing.
Doubtless a few more will be back in the trees engaging in
unspeakable acts! *wink*

Public nudity is forbidden everywhere in Costa Rica. So you sunbathe
nude at your own risk. Officially you can be arrested for it, but I
haven't heard of ANY foreign visitor being arrested for it. The worst
I've heard is that tickets have been issued. More frequently you're
asked politely to put your clothes back on. But FAR MORE OFTEN you
don't even have to deal with it.

This beach is used as frequently by Tico gays as by foreigners. It's
extremely cruisy, especially up in the forest behind the beach. Just
be sure you know what a Manzanillo tree looks like before you let
someone bend you over a branch, because you don't want giant blisters
all over your body, now do you?

Enjoy, and take a flashlight if you plan on returning after sunset.
It gets dark REALLY fast, and climbing those rocks at night is NO fun!"

The area behind the beach was being threated by
development. It might be worth checking before
you book, just in case this slice of paradise
is no longer what it was.

Have fun
atitlan

Outdoor fun

Photos posted originally on the Yahoo Group [ymna2]

[ymna2] coral sea

--- On Wed, 2/22/06, atitlan sent the above pic.

Friday, November 07, 2008

Nudist delight


--- On Sat, 11/8/08, atitlan sent out the above photo on his Yahoo Group [ymna2]:

Naked Pumpkin Run 1-3

--- On Sat, 11/8/08, atitlan sent the above photos out on his Yahoo Group [ymna2] :

The annual Naked Pumpkin Run takes place in
various locations, mostly at night and
mostly involving students. More information,
pictures and videos here:
http://nakedpumpkin run.org/contact. html

__._,_.___


Saturday, October 04, 2008

Hawaii Nudism: places to get naked and to hook up

Is it possible to really have 'sex-on-the-beach' that's more than just a cocktail drink?

Originally written in 2005, Revised May 28, 2008, republished October 2008

(Note: some info may not be accurate since conditions change - such is the nature of nudism across the world - the weather and erosion, changes in attitudes of the local community and prohibition or surveillance by law enforcement or public park authorities may cause significant changes to the 'facts' listed in the article below).

I frequently get requests about his topic so I have a standard blog entry and just keep adding more to it.

If you have more specific questions later, I'll try to answer them. But for now, I hope this general introduction to Hawaii nude beaches and gay spots will help.

The first part is mainly about Oahu. There is also specific information about The Big Island, Hawaii, at the end of this article.

Nude beaches, heh? Do they exist in the Hawaii islands?


Warning: Nudity on public beaches is illegal. Do not do so without taking adequate precautions to be discreet. However, there are a few places where it is tolerated (or at least overlooked) by the authorities. However, most of these are NOT located on Oahu. Nevertheless, nude sunbathing does happen on Oahu (the main island, where Honolulu and its famous, Waikiki Beach, are located).

Queen's Surf
There is a section of Waikiki Beach called Queen's Surf -- where you guessed it - the queens gathers. It is not a nude beach. No, not drag queens (LOL), but gay men tend to gather there.
It gets its name from Queen Kapio'lani, an important member of the formerly rich and powerful royal Hawaii family - there's huge park just adjacent to this whole area of Waikiki that is named after the 'real' Queen. To reach it go east on Kalakaua (the main avenue running east-west in Waikiki, go passed the Honolulo Zoo (on your left at the corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua), which sits at the corner marking the edge of the Kapio'lani Park, and continue walking along the edge of the beach. Queen's Surf located just two hundred yards before the Waikiki Aquarium. You find it just passed the snack shop/restroom. However, there is absolutely no nudity on this very public part of the beach. Many people don't even notice that it's chocked full of mainly only guys in skimpy bikinis - (unless the knee-length boardshorts that most of the tourists wear), and you're likely to have families or tourist/visitors sitting near or even among the 'guys' on the grass lawn just across the beach side sidewalk.

I really doubt anything goes like actual cruising on in the public restroom that's immediately adjacent - but you'd not have to be too indiscreet to quickly make eye contact with some interested guy while lounging on your towel or grass beach mat. It's just too busy a place and heavily trafficked by the beach-goers for any hanky-panky to occur. However, I suspect that it not the case for the now - almost unused and slowly deteriorating 'Natatorium' just a 300 yards further east along the beach. In times past, it was used for outdoor swimming competitions and probably for swimming lessons or training. It's a large outdoor pool with stadium-like bleacher seats on the mauka (shoreline) side.
The structure is closed and falling into disarray, except for the restrooms and lifeguards/beach patrol offices housed under the stadium bleachers. It's open only during daylight hours -- but it seems to be a frequented by some local and a few tourists who are looking for more than a cold shower in the nude or a foot massage. Once I was showering -naked - when a young local guy came in - alone and seemingly enthralled by my lack of embarrassment at being bare assed. He proceeded to tease the hell out of me mercilessly (and unknowingly so) by his pretending to take so long to get the sand washed out of his swimsuit. It is a public facility - so buyer beware and cruisers should be very caution - since the beach patrol staff have their office and park their vehicles nearby.

Diamond Head Beach (Lighthouse Beach)
For nudism, the closest place to Waikiki where you can go to a gay and sometimes discreetly nude beach on Oahu is at Diamond Head Beach (below the Light House). It can be cruisy but you need to be aware that it is part of a public beach and not everybody walking down along the shore is a guy looking for sex. Tourists, people walking their pets, and families sometimes walk through and even stop to enjoy the beach too. It's a popular place for viewing sunsets; however, most sungazing tourists, bent on photographing their one-in-a-life-time of the sun going down, congregate on the lookout points far above - on Diamond Head Road. Still, you need vigilance since some of the more assertive ones, think they need to get as close to the sun as possible to get a good shot. So you sometimes have Fredia from Columbus taking photos along the beach -- a slight problem if you're sitting there in the all-together or somehow have a guy's cock down your throat (LOL) while cavorting behind a rock.
However, it does get cruisy at times. Oddly, it is sometimes best when the sun has started to set or after sunset. Just be discreet and cover up if somebody who looks like a cop comes through. I have never seen a police office or been stopped myself but I've "heard" that arrests have been made for public indecency. I have received a parking ticket - so don't park where it is prohibited or after the posted hours (10pm ?). There are places to "hide", ledges to sun nude without being seen from below and I've had some wild times there both in broad daylight and after dusk.

To get there..
From the east end of Waikiki, you can drive there or it is even possible to walk (20-30 minute walk across and down along Kapiolani Park) to its eastern end and then walk up about 700 yards to the drive way that goes down to Light House Beach. You can't miss Diamond Head crater's peak looming overhead -- which can be seen from anywhere in Honolulu. If you drive, then you can follow Kalakaua east to the Zoo and then continue due east along Kapiolani Park to its end and then turn right on Diamond Head road. There is a small road down the beach -- but there is limited parking there (don't leave a car at most Diamond Head Road street parking after 10pm or as posted!!)

If driving, it is easier sometimes to go on passed the light house and look for parking up at the look-out point(s) along Diamond Head Road. As any place in Honolulu - don't leave valuables in your car and don't park where people can easily sneak up and open your car -- car break-in are the highest in the country in Honolulu -- more than NYC by far.
If you're really worried then drive (or take bus (#14) or a taxi and then walk back to the nearest bus stop or all the way back to Waikiki) -- good exercise too. The walk through Kapiolani Park either way is beautiful. On the beach side parallel with the Park and eventually leading to Waikiki proper just across from the Zoo (at the interection of Kalakaua and Kapahulu) is the extension of Waikiki Beach. There you'll find Queen's Surf Beach between the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium, where a lot of gays hang out - but there in NO NUDITY absolutely at such a public place.


Being Discreet and Avoiding Trouble
You should know that public (beach) nudity is illegal in Hawaii (as in most US States) -- this is posted at most beaches -- and there has evidently been more police patrolling of Light House beach. But I myself have never seen a police officer on the beach -- although the stories / rumors keep going around. My advice is don't be blatant -- it is a public beach with families and tourists -- who don't expect to see a nude guy especially one with a hard-on or engaged in sexual activity. They are probably the ones who call the police (if they ever do come down to look for "sex perverts".) I prefer to stay up above the beach -- (but not TOO high) or the tourist at the look-out point above can see you -- and have towel/swimsuit to cover up if somebody obviously NOT gay comes snooping around.

Nonetheless, I've had some good "looks" and quite a lot of sex in the bushes and in the coves/nooks, especially around dusk. If you aren't interested in the cruising part, then you can just enjoy the sun and see what other guys do. They can't arrest you for thongs or skimpy bikinis in any case.

Mokuleia (near Polo Field) on the North Shore (Oahu)
(part of a discussion Yahoo! Group Hawaii Nudist -- it is not very active, but there was information about a North Shore 'nudist' beach - Mokuleia.)

Since there are no legal nude beaches on Oahu or its too far to go there, some guys do lie out on the north shore near the Polo Fields at Mokuleia. Others lie out at Diamond head below the lighthouse right outside Waikiki. (by Honolulust)

The beach on the North Shore (Polo Fields) is much nicer than the Diamond Head lighthouse beach. The water is clearer, cleaner and much more secluded. At the end of the public access trail, go to the right for the gay nude area. As you walk you will see a bushy wooded area.
That's the gay area. You can situate yourself on the beach or in the little areas in the bushes. I 've had some very hot sessions on that beach!
(by Musl2Pound)

I'm still not sure where that beach is - Polo Fields at Mokuleia. Is in off of Crozier Dr. (the street closest to the shore) or is it further west out Farrington Hwy? If you don't have a car (a tourist
or visitor) would you be out of luck? I mean is it worth take a bus to Waialua and then walking?
(These question are from sunbuns99 - p.s. Nobody ever answered my questions so I still don't know much about Mokuleia (May 2008). You can find the place and the polo fields on Google maps.)

Further out from Honolulu toward East Oahu

If you want a lot of privacy and have much more free time, then you could take a drive out H1 East -- passed Hawaii Kai area and passed Hanauma Bay (which is not cruisy at all - but a wonderful short trip -- you can rent snorkeling gear (closes at 4:30pm). After Hanauma Bay -- there is the blow-hole and look-out points where you can sometimes catch glimpses of humpback whales (from the shore). Continuing on passed Sandy Beach,(smooth and with big green fields) you'll come to a rather deserted rough beach -- at the far eastern end -- guys sometimes go nude because there are lots of bushes, low rises and make-shift rock shelters to hide your butt and balls --except from those who are eager to find. Still, it can be very hot -- no water and rather isolated -- so don't stay there after dark -- sometimes car doors are pried open while guys are out "sunning" themselves.

WARNING: Nowadays, the thieves don't both to pry open the locks, they just take a big rock and smash the driver's side window in order to get in. DO NOT LEAVE anything --- visible or not, the risk of vandalism remains high.

I hate to sound so CAUTIOUS but people who live locally can read the signs and know what to expect, but I don't want to give you (perhaps a tourist for the first time) a lot of over-confidence. If you live in NYC, you should already have street smarts -- but they are different in every place -- and Oahu has its own street culture -- that's for sure. Fortunately, it's pretty laid back and relaxed. Hawaii has one of the lowest rates of violent crime in the US -- although the property crime ranks at one of the highest -- especially automobile theft and (break-in) robbery.

Further out from Honolulu toward West Oahu (toward Makaha)

Most tourists don't even bother to drive out to this part of the island because the road (Farrington Hwy eventually stop out by Makua Valley a few miles passed Makaha) Civilizations stop too - it's pretty wild country. There are some great views along the way and also some totally deserted expanses of sandy beaches bordered by rocky coast line -- but no cliffs, so it's easy to get down to the water. I've bicycled out there (I used to stay in a vacation condo in Makaha a lot) along the highway and found many spots to sunbathe in the nude privately.
Local fisherman and some a few tourists might come up on you - but if you have a towel handy to cover up it's no problem.

NOTE* BIG PROBLEM TO AVOID (automobile robbery - breaking/entering thefts)-- Robbery of vehicles is a BIG problem here. So.. take everything out of the car and open the windows. If the would-be robbers (who usually drive up in a car with darkly tinted windows, see that you have nothing worth taking and you don't even lock the car, then they figure there is nothing worth smashing the windows to try to get.
( Keep you bicycle/motorcycle in plain sight, too)

Yes, it's kind of scary - but it is STILL worth going out there by all means - if you take simple precautions.

If you go to Yokohama Beach -- just a bit after Makua Valley Military Practice Firing Range, you see a public parking lot and because there are military guards on duty (sometimes), there is less possibililty of a car robbery if you park there. From that point, you can walk / hike further north out to Kaena Point (described below).

Kaena Point: In fact, at the far northwestern tip of Oahu is an amazing natural park. Kaena Point is a federal (or state?) nature preserve on the tip of the islands perhaps thousand of acres in size. It's amazing because here you can co-mingle with nesting albatross, a species native to Hawaii, or watch them flying over head, there are sea turtles cavorting in the rough waves, and sometimes you can get close to Hawaiian monk seals sunbathing on the long sandy beaches.
Be sure to take plenty of drinking water and sunscreen -- there are hardly any places to find shade and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the park and another 30-60 to walk around (or reach the North Shore exit on the far side).

I've gone nude hiking there myself because it is pretty deserted (however, not completely - because you'll encounter one or two other people with 'nature on their minds'. There are even some old bunkers (probably left over from WWII days or prior to that) for 'shelter' from wind (not from the sun bearing down). The Waianae Mountain Range which you followed all along the western (leeward) coast of Oahu slopes down to a small hillside by the time it reaches this western-most point of the island.
No cars can get through to Kaena Point - but it's possible to take a bicycle through it and then head back east and reach the North Shore (on foot)-- the sand / terrain makes riding any thing but a mountain bike difficult until you reach pavement. I have been there in a few years so I can say what the conditions are on the trails coming from the Makua Valley side. You should check or ask local or local Internet sites before you go. Likehike is a gay-friendly hiking club that meets regularly for hiking excursions to many places on the island - they should be able to provide you with up-to-date information on trails to and from Kaena Point. Of course, this mainly gay outdoor recreation group are a bunch of nature enthusiasts so they aren't particularly intersted in nudism or nude hiking (but I'm sure there are individuals members who can give good advice and information about that once you join one of their outings/hiking - mainly scheduled on the Saturdays.

P.S. I believe it is possible to follow the Waianae Mountains ridges to reach Kaena Point - but I have never done so myself.

----------------------------------------

Cruising Spots

See the local gay magazines for other "ideas" if you're trying to cruise... (links below)

Here is a link to the latest issues of the local gay guides magazines, Odyssey and DaKine.
http://www.hawaiiscene.com/odyssey/
Odyssey can be viewed online or you can also download the pages or entire issue.
http://www.dakinemagazine.com/
(NOTE: DaKine is a download-only PDF of the entire magazine)... so if you want to download this large file, click here to go to its home page: DaKine

Max's Gym - located on the 4F of 444 Hobron Lane, approximately two blocks off of Ala Moana Blvd. Turn left (heading into Waikiki) onto Hobron Street (McD's and ABC Store are on the corner). This is the first left after you cross the Ala Wai Canal bridge (marina is on the right side of this bridge) - just one block for the Waikiki end of Ala Moana Center. Go down Hobron Street two short blocks, and the building with Max's is just to your left as your turn right. NOTE* The gym has two sections (not connected) - one is the gym and the other is the sauna/private rooms part. That's where guys got to cruise. WARNING: They are very strict about bringing in alcohol, etc, therefore, NO BAGS of any kind are allowed. You should leave anything that does not fit in your pockets back at the hotel or at home. They refuse entry to backpacks, shoulder bags, and hip pouches. (August 2007)


I love the west side of Oahu - the leeward coast -- I get nude there -- although I am not flashing or exposing myself (normally). There is a place(s) on the North Shore of Oahu too, but I've never been there to those so-called 'nude' beaches.

I can also recommend the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai, which do have some great gay beaches -- but you can find more at the site below or check out names such a Donkey Beach (Maui), Honokohau Beach, and Kehena Black Sands beach (both on Hawaii) just by googling them along with nude or gay as keywords.


Here is a link to the latest issues of the local gay guides magazines, Odyssey and DaKine.
http://www.hawaiiscene.com/odyssey/
Odyssey can be viewed online or you can also download the pages or entire issue.
http://www.dakinemagazine.com/
(NOTE: DaKine is a download-only PDF of the entire magazine)... so if you want to download this large file, click here to go to its home page: DaKine


In Odyssey, look at the ON OAHU section or the BEYOND OAHU section to see what to do and where to go -- not an extensive listing since this is paid for advertising but a start.

======= Big Island, Kauai and Maui


For some general info about nude beaches in Hawaii (or the lack of) see:

http://gohawaii.about.com/cs/beaches/a/nude_beaches.htm

Gay beaches in the Hawaii islands (brief version and longer versions) see both below

Hawaii - The Big Island

Honokohau-Kaloko National Park


see more information below in the longer description or elsewhere in this blog

Diving nude on the Big Island
and other posts.
http://sunbuns.blogspot.com/2006/11/diving-nude-on-big-island.html

Kehena Beach

Fine black sand distinguishes this small secluded beach on the Puna coast. On Hwy. #137, one mile from Kalani Eco-Resort at the Mile Marker 19 phone booth. Wear sturdy sneakers for lava rock trail to beach. Nude sunbathing (unless authorities decide to enforce anti-nudity regulations). Caution: strong currents and undertow.



Waialea Bay “Beach 67”

Wailea has (actually Waialea Bay Marine Preserve's) two beaches which are nicknamed Beach 69 and 67. Beach 69 is the larger and is great for snorkeling and diving - but it's not clothing-optional. Beach 67, on the north side of the bay, is smaller and frequented by naturists, nudists, hippies, and gay men. On Hwy. #19 at Mile Marker 71, turn into Puako Village, then right onto old Puako Road. Access Beach 67 by taking the gravel road at telephone pole #67, onward to the bluff, then hiking down to the beach. Nude sunbathing (unless authorities decide to enforce anti-nudity regulations).

Maui

“Little Beach” at Makena

About one mile south of the Maui Prince Hotel in Makena, turn right at the second paved road to the parking lot. Walk to the beach, turn right, and hike over the promontory at the end to "Little Beach." The far end is the gayest. Nude sunbathing is the custom (unless authorities decide to enforce anti-nudity regulations). View photos.



MORE complete description of these BELOW:

Kehena Black Sands Beach
There are several of 'nude' beaches around the Big Island - the largest and most 'official' (being that the nudity there is just accepted by the local authorities/police/community is the Kehena Black Sands Beach at milemarker 19 on Hwy 137 (Kalapana-Kapoho Road (Puna's coastal road).
It's crowded on Sundays - with all kinds of people -families, hippies, locals, gays, tourist, etc..- many engaged in 'trance dance' but a lot of people are picniking, partying, and just having fun. On quiet days and times, there is sometimes cruising in the far left area of the beach.

Kalani (see info at Kalani.com is a gay-friendly resort not far from Kehena - it has a clothing optional pool (after 4pm).

There are other places where people get naked / nude swimming/sunbathing:

Honokohau (on US National park property at Kaloko-Honokohau National Reserve:
DIRECTIONS to
Take Highway 19 north from Kailua-Kona. Turn left between (4-5 miles out of town) Mile Markers #97 and 98. Take the first right and then park in the north lot of Honokohau Harbor and Marina, and then walk on into the K-HNP (reserve) and take the trail to this beach, past Ai'opio Beach. Although nudity is prohibited - it's still pretty common for gay to men to discreetly disrobe (get naked and cruise) in the area to the far right. Park rangers do patrol - but not that frequently (or maybe I've just been lucky).

Beach 67 (sometimes mistakenly called Beach 69)
Another 'unofficial' nude beach can be found in South Kohala (past Waikoloa) about 30 miles north of Kona (often times one of the sunniest places on the Big Island) and between Puako and Hapuna State Beach Park and not too far from the junction on Hwy 19 that lead to Kawaiihae (left) and Waimea (right). It's called Beach 67 (although you'll probably here more about Beach 69 (also known as Wailea or Waialea Beach). Wailea is certainly a beautiful tree-lined stretch of beach(es) in and among a sheltered cove (partly bordered by private property). But Beach 67 (telephone pole number - NOT milemaker) is located further north and is a much small beach where clothing optional is enjoyed by all.
To reach it follow the sign to turn off of Hwy 19 toward Hapuna State Beach Park (A large parking lot with additional parking above - there are hundreds of cars)
Go passed the Hapuna entrance and continue along the rough road about 600 feet further, you see a dirt road leading up to a ridge that overlooks the north end of Wailea. Park where the other cars (there won't be too many) and head downhill, coming through the trees to the small beach where nudity is accepted (if not encouraged. BTW, Wailea Beach (Beach 69) is the about 300 ft further passed Beach 67 - there is a longer driveway up the the entrance - usually there are a lot of cars. Note: you can also come in from the Puako side, existing Hwy 19 at Puako, and then making a right on the beach access road (mostly unpaved). So you first reach Wailea Beach (Beach 69) and then come to telephone pole 67 next - in the middle of the next rise (the entrance looks more like a dirt bike track).


Hope you enjoy getting some 'sun' on your buns on your trip to Hawaii.
Aloha!

Sunbuns99 (Kelly)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

'Gay travel': Why gay men so obsessed with being separate/different?



Except from a discussion on another site: Dudesnude Travel Forum


Ash (from Toronto) started off with the topic:

Am I the only one who travels here without having to put "gay itineraries" in my agenda whenever I travel?



I find that a lot of gay guys have this need of searching for places that are gay-friendly, and that really strikes to me as saying "can I cruise for sex here?"

I may be wrong, but chances are I am right about this.
When I travel I focus on the sightseeings, cool things to see, street festivals, kickass pubs and comfy lounges, and such...doesn't matter to me whether it is gay friendly or not.
I mean, yes it would be great to meet other gay guys during my trip, but I just find it that guys are limiting themselves of 'where to go' for a vacation when they're focusing on gay-friendly-accepting-areas.
Sorry if I have offended anyone, but I'm just wondering?

----------------------------

Response from Sunbuns (me) to Ash's question:

Let me assure you that I am NOT arguing your point.
Just commenting and adding my own opinion.

It is a curious thing. I believe that in the future (hopefully not so long a time to come) that most gays won't be in a position and in the state of mind that limits them to choosing only a 'gay' destination. But -- at that point in time -- there won't be a need for sites such as this one either.

It's a matter of perspective and purpose.

You're on the gay channel -- remember. I am very sure that if you went to a general travel forum -- such as TravBuddies, etc, and similar sites, IF you could ask the members and get an honest answer (from some of those who post travel blogs, photos, review, etc), about who is gay, you'd find a lot are. I am positive you would get a larger than 'average' percentage of members. They are on that site because they want to learn about and talk about travel. Their purpose is not anything else - while people join and visit Dudesnude mainly for other reasons - than to talk about travel.



This site is called 'Dudesnude' for a reason. The population is heavily weighted to guys who are
horny, seeking some kind of gratification (not only sexual), and / or who like looking at (or talking/chatting) with similar guys.

The fact that there are plenty (still a minority) who are here for other reasons or who aren't always looking for sex / hook-ups shouldn't allow you to draw major conclusions about all 'gay' people or gay travelers.

Another thing is your age.

You seem to be of the latter generation (younger) - one that has (possibly) grown up without the layers upon layers of prejudice (still existing to a large degree) and discrimination (exists far, far less than 20-30 years ago) when the 40+ generation was going through late adolescence and young adulthood. Note please; I did not say that your generation has never experienced those things but it's a matter of degree. (We older folks always think things were tougher back in our 'days'. *lol* - so allow me that delusion (although I do believe there is enough truth in the idea. )



It was a different time even 20 years ago - at the time just before the first big AIDS epidemic -- and what seems normal behavior for young gay men nowadays was hardly tolerated at all -- except in some special 'gay' places. Some gay men today tend to think that way. Just one theory.

Another reason may be the way you can express yourself (in your home community) and also what you want out of a vacation may be very different -- sometimes quite extremely so. Coming from liberalized, enlightened Canada, especially a very cosmopolitan place such as Toronto (I think that where you're from) - you probably don't feel the need to go off for a vacation -- just to be your 'gay' self - it is something you can do happily right in your own community - without free of reprisal or even physical danger.

But even today in small town rural America - in Kentucky for example (where I lived most of my adolescence) seeing guys hold hands (or God forbid - kiss) is still an absolute social no-no. There are no gay bars except for a hour or 2 hour drive away and Pride is considered to be one of the 7 deadly sins -- not a summer event for the gay crowd. Gay people still don't have much of a face on the local state college campus even now -- nearly 25 years since my friends and I started the first GLBT Association on that campus.

Your purpose for travel may include things that some people can't (or don't want) to be involved with. Travel seems to be a very highly personalized activity - especially how one perceives of the 'travel' experience and its meaning.

   

A vacation is not the same time as travel -- although travel can also be a vacation is (usually) much more -- especially for people like you and me.

Perhaps some just see the trip (or vacation) as an extended long stay version of 'the one-night stand," whereas you (or me) might see if as something more or different or maybe not. They don't necessarily see their trip (not matter how well planned and expensive) as a real travel experience - but simply as 'vacating' their normal premises (changing spaces -- not 'exchanging' places (becoming someone new by experiencing a new cultural perspective in an unknown place in the word).

For me it is often a time of reflection, self-discovery, having new experiences or cultural lessons, and even spiritual development. But it can also be about sex and physical gratification (pleasure/desire), too. Some people may see it as a combination of all of these.

Perhaps too you're happy with your sexuality and satisfied with your romantic and sexual relationships. So you are looking for that desperately -- like some men are. For many people, the urge to find a 'mate' forms a major part of the agenda for a vacation. So the idea of choosing a 'gay' resort / gay-friendly area increases the chances of consummating that desire.

I agree totally. There are so many wonderful places in the world worth visiting - -why limit yourself by going ONLY to gay 'resorts'. However, it is also true that more and more of these great vacation spots are actively trying to 'recruit' new tourists who are gay and are actively selling themselves as 'gay-friendly' destinations. The average income of gays (in general) is fairly high - so it has become a segment of the population that is often courted by the travel industry.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

[Homo-A-Go-Go] Europe: By plane or by train?


--- On Mon, 9/8/08, Bent Events, moderator of the Yahoo Group:  Homo-A-Go-Go sent out this article. Check his Yahoo group for more interesting articles on gay travel destinations and travel advice.

Europe: By plane or by train?

Air and rail: Which offer the lowest price, convenience, connections, more

Sarah Schlichter and Caroline Costello, MSNBC, Thursday September 4, 2008

Europe's extensive network of railroads was once the only affordable option for folks traveling around the continent, but lately the rails have lost their supremacy. Discount airlines like Ryanair and easyJet have made jetting around the continent quicker and cheaper. Ryanair has sales that sometimes offer tickets from just 10 GBP (about $18.50 USD), and claims to be 50 percent cheaper than easyJet, its biggest rival. (Not necessarily true — see our findings below!)

With fares this cheap, does it make sense even to consider traveling by train anymore? The answer: It depends. For one thing, the discount airlines aren't generally quite as cheap as they appear. Even if you do net an incredibly affordable flight, taxes and fees bump the price up to at least $25 or $30. Then, if you're traveling on Ryanair, you'll have to pay for each piece of checked baggage — 8 GBP per item (about $14.90) if you book it ahead of time when you make your reservation, and 16 GBP for each unreserved item ($29.75) that you bring to the check-in counter. These fees are charged per one-way flight; carry-on baggage is free. Ryanair also charges "handling" or "transaction" fees if you book your tickets using some credit or debit cards; these are 4 GBP (about $7.40) per one-way flight.

One more factor to take into account? Discount airlines tend to fly into smaller airports that can be an hour or more outside of the city you're trying to visit. Trains, on the other hand, typically arrive in or near the center of town, and usually link up easily with the city's mass transportation system.

We tested fares on easyJet, Ryanair and Eurail to see who had the lowest price, the most convenient connections and the quickest journey. We tested prices using the same dates over a two-week period in February, though we sometimes had to tweak our dates a bit when pricing train tickets — most European rail operators don't allow reservations more than 60 days in advance.

London - Paris - Rome – London

This popular itinerary was our first test subject since London is the cheapest gateway to Europe for most Americans. It's important to note that London has four different airports, and that most Americans will fly into Heathrow or, less commonly, Gatwick. The discount airlines, meanwhile, fly from Stansted, Luton or Gatwick, not Heathrow — so be sure to allow plenty of time to transfer between airports if your itinerary so requires.

The winner: easyJet edged out Ryanair for first place. It offers direct flights for each leg of our itinerary, so booking was a breeze. The total price with taxes: $161.30, with a total of about five hours in the air. easyJet's site was also the easiest to use, allowing us to search "all London airports" when booking. Note: We had to fly in and out of five different airports —Charles de Gaulle and Orly ( Paris ), Luton and Gatwick ( London ), and Ciampino ( Rome ).

The runner-up: Ryanair offered somewhat similar pricing to easyJet — $158.31 — but, strangely, offered no direct flights from London to Paris , forcing us to manually test several possible connecting cities. (The search function on Ryanair.com won't make connections for you, so you have to search each leg individually. ) We found a good deal on flights from London Stansted to Dublin and then from Dublin to Paris Beauvais, but the extra flight and layover boosted our total travel time significantly. Also, our price above doesn't include the cost of checking baggage on each flight — so assuming you check two bags and reserve them ahead of time, you'll pay an extra $119.20 to check them on four flights. A few other caveats: Beauvais is probably the least convenient airport for Paris-bound travelers, requiring a shuttle bus ride of over an hour to get into the center of the city. Finally, while Ryanair.com was easy to use, there was no option to search all London airports; instead, we had to test each of the three individually.

The loser: Eurail was the clear third choice for this itinerary since the cities involved are so far apart. The total estimated time of all three legs was a vacation-eating 60 hours — and the price couldn't compensate for the transit time, adding up to a hefty $560 per person when buying tickets individually. A cheaper alternative would be to buy a France-Italy Pass , covering four days of travel in France and Italy over a two-month period from $354. But you'd still need to buy the tickets to London individually, meaning that the savings might not be as great as they look. (The price we found from London to Paris was $109 each way.)

Rome - Florence - Venice – Rome

This itinerary is a common one for first-time visitors interested in seeing Italy 's highlights. We assumed here that our test traveler flew from the United States into Rome , usually the cheapest Italian gateway city for Americans. Because of the relative proximity of the three cities involved, this turned out to be a much more train-friendly itinerary than our first test case.

The winner: Eurail won this round by a landslide, offering both the shortest total travel time (9 hours and 56 minutes) and the lowest price. We priced each leg individually and came up with a total of $178, which is less than it would cost you to buy an Italy Pass for $225. However, the prices were so close for our travel dates that it's worth checking both options when you book. One final perk of taking the train? In most cases you'll arrive at a train station near the center of each city, with quick, easy connections by subway to hotels and sightseeing.

 

The runner-up: Neither airline really shone in this comparison. Ryanair gets our vote for runner-up with a total price of $261.34. The travel time was almost twice as long the train's, not because of time in the air but because of lengthy layovers. (That doesn't even take into account how early you need to arrive at the airport before your flights to get through security!) The only direct flight available for any of these city pairs was between Venice and Rome , which we priced at just $14.61 with taxes. But we ran into trouble booking flights between Rome and Pisa (Ryanair doesn't go directly to Florence ) and between Pisa and Venice . In both cases we had to test each possible connecting city to see which one yielded the best schedule and lowest total price. We ended up connecting through Brussels Charleroi for one leg and London Stansted for the other. Another drawback is the inconvenience of the airports —the Pisa airport is a good 50 miles away from Florence , and connecting between Rome 's Ciampino airport and Rome 's major international airport, Fiumicino, requires a convoluted and lengthy transfer process. And don't forget that extra fee for baggage — about $149 to take two pre-reserved bags on five flights.

The loser: easyJet's flight schedules were even less convenient than Ryanair's, resulting in a total price of $304 for six flights. When booking, we again faced the painstaking process of searching connection cities one by one — in this case for all three legs, since there were no direct flights between any of the cities on our itinerary. We ended up with layovers in three different cities ( Berlin , Bristol and London Gatwick). Like Ryanair, easyJet flies to Pisa rather than Florence and to Rome Ciampino rather than Fiumicino, making for some inconvenience in transferring during and at the end of the trip.

Paris - Barcelona - Lisbon – Paris

This itinerary is a bit less common than our first two, and it proved impossible to book on Ryanair, which doesn't offer flights to Lisbon . We used Paris , another common gateway for U.S. travelers, as a starting point. Because the cities are relatively far apart, this itinerary favored easyJet over Eurail.

The winner: easyJet came out on top with a relatively low total cost ($247.66) and direct flights for two out of three legs: Paris Orly to Barcelona , and Lisbon to Paris Charles de Gaulle. (The latter Paris airport is the one most U.S. travelers will use for international flights, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.) We found a connection in Geneva to get from Barcelona to Lisbon .

The runner-up: Eurail comes in at a distant second place, at $504 for a Eurail Selectpass Saver. We added up a total of about 48 hours (including two one-hour layovers) of travel time. The overnight train is a potentially economical option, allowing you to save time (and money on a hotel room) by traveling at night. Priced individually, we couldn't get an exact cost; two of the tickets were not yet available for sale.

The loser: Ryanair is the loser by default, as the airline doesn't fly to Lisbon . It does fly elsewhere in Portugal , to Porto and Faro, both about three hours away from Lisbon by train. Ryanair flies direct between Paris Beauvais and Barcelona Girona -- but Beauvais is more than an hour by bus from downtown Paris , and Girona is a similar distance from downtown Barcelona .

The bottom line

We learned quite a few things in the oft-laborious process of testing all these itineraries — first, that finding a good deal takes time! Though easyJet.com, Ryanair.com and RailEurope.com are relatively easy sites to use, it often takes a bit of manipulation to get the itinerary you want, especially when connections are involved. But keep trying — it will pay off in the end!

Our second lesson was that although discount airlines may be on the rise, you shouldn't dismiss the train option altogether. Particularly for itineraries where the cities aren't too far apart, the train may still be your most economical and even your quickest choice. However, the more distance your itinerary covers, the more appealing a plane is likely to look.

You might also want to consider combining your options. easyJet may offer the cheapest fare for the first leg of your trip, but the next leg may be better served by train. If easyJet doesn't fly to your city of choice, there's a chance Ryanair might. To search more than one discount airline at a time, try SkyScanner.net, which shows you estimated prices for routes within Europe on various airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, bmi, Aer Lingus and more.

Finally, "free" flight offers aside, beware of the hidden costs that could boost your price tag — everything from baggage fees and credit card surcharges to the price of transferring from one London airport to another. Keep in mind that flights may look shorter on paper, but you'll also spend more time going through security and transferring into the city you're visiting than you would for a journey on the rails.