At last ... the irresistible temptation of a subject beyond the confines of community chat. And with it, the honour of seeing my name close to (if only below) that of Michael Gaynor. Always felt that you were one of the true gentlemen on these pages, Michael. Good to "hear" your wise words again.
So, to the chosen thorny subject ... where to begin?
This whole homosexual/lesbian malarkey is a funny old business, isn't it? Like most heterosexual men (he rather dangerously assumes) I've had many a fantasy about slipping between the sheets with two (or more, if they were agreeable) lesbians. Of course, it’ll never happen, will it? I’ll not manage to tempt one, never mind a flock of ‘em. (Flock? Just what do you call an assembly of lesbians?) But we can always dream, eh? Gay men though … somehow I see them through very different eyes to the ones I use when I see their female counterparts… The idea of some guy fumbling around in the rear of my hallowed technicolour pants brings me out in a cold sweat.

Before I incur the wrath of the entire Northern hemisphere’s gay community, let me attempt to redeem myself to you…
The prime reason for my above ramblings is to provide the opportunity to express my admiration for one very special gay man … Jean-Marie Akkermann (yep, another damned Dutchman). I’ve only met him (& his partner, Michael {no, not Michael Gaynor}) once … a couple of years ago, when I was helping a friend with his Indonesian resort stand at the London Dive show. Well, Jean-Marie invited me into his home & prepared the most wonderful meal of roast leg of lamb with garlic cloves & sprigs of rosemary. We had absolutely nothing in common, except perhaps, an appreciation of good food & wine (oh, ok .. & Scotch), but he created such an impression on me that I’ve begged him to allow me to return his kindness ever since. He’s resisted until now, but has finally weakened & plans to make the 200+ mile round trip, with Michael, to visit me for Sunday lunch on the 18th of this month (I’ve been unable to persuade him to stay for longer). I tell you … I’ve not been this excited since I first saw Meryl’s profile picture 8 years ago!
He comes from a famous Dutch circus family (if there is such a thing) & his aims in life are admirable. Jean-Marie has created a company called “Cirque nova” which he uses as a means to train disabled people in the art of circus. Check out the following link to a facebook site that features Jean-Marie & shows a little of what he’s all about.
I’ll be surprised if my fascination & admiration of him doesn’t rub off on you … http://www.facebook.com/v/59522191760"

uh...tell us how you really feel Andy!

On the link, very very very cool. Have a nice time with your friends.

Hey there, FancyPants! It's great to see you on board with us again. How is the herd doing? Oh, the kennel, I mean. LOL.

Please don't run away from us again for such a long time, OK? CArole

PS Have you officially retired those pants as yet? Any nice kitty cats scratching around you lately? How about you, Martini? Any kitties hovering under your seat? LOL cb

Ah, Carole ... yet another one still alive! So comforting. And so nice to remake your acquaintance after all this time. And yes ... the things you mention bring back fond memories ... but I'm hungry for some mental stimulation here ...

I'm disappointed. 24hrs have passed since I posted above. I expected a pleasantly violent exchange of opinions. But none have come.
I can see that there are 73 'lurkers' (quietly watching every roll of the dice as the game unfolds), but, needless to say, I have no idea what any of you 73 are thinking. Maybe I'm going to have to drag my stick a little more firmly along the bars of the cage to provoke a response from some of you?

I appreciate that in this "virtual" world we're all 'would be' Bonairean citizens, but in reality the vast majority of the input here comes from folk in Dubya's homeland ... the US of A.
It's well known across the rest of the planet that 50% of the US population is gay (ok ... maybe I exaggerate ever so slightly). ... whilst the other half is homophobic (do I need to give the meaning?).

Well, come on ... defend yourselves. Put your case. Tell us why you're so goddamn sure that your take on this is the right one ...

Maybe the days of debate here are distant history? Maybe my time has been & gone? Maybe this'll be my last post? Maybe no-one will miss my passing? Time will tell.

So Andy just how do you see the lurkers?? and please say it isn't so that you will leave us again you will put a moderator out of business and then we can't earn our polo ponies!!! When you came back I got a new one a real sassy one that rides smooth!!!

and btw you are missing all the debatable threads by staying on Everything else!!!

Have I ever followed fashion, Freddie?

Never Andy that is why we love you,,, you are a rebel!!!

Andy, I say to each his own. Your fantasy is yours. Personally, I'd like to be between a young Paul Newman and a young Clint Eastwood, but then again, that's a whole other story, lol.
Gay is gay, straight is straight, and to me, that's all there is to it. I don't judge others, and I don't hate people because of what they are. I tend to dislike others for very individual and specific reasons, usually because they're SOB's or something like that. And, I like to live by the words of dear, departed British Nan who says, "live and let live". And I think many people feel that way in this day and age, hence the reason you're not getting your tacky, uh, I mean colorful pants handed to you.
But, I did enjoy your post. I bet you'd be a great guy to have a pint with.

Andy, I think a lot of the "regulars" you are waiting for to jump in here are still digging out of the tunnel in downtown Kralendijk (sp>?)......not everyone is out of that mess, yet. Maybe you could take a peak into the hole in the ground to see if any hands pop up looking for a lift out? LOL. CArole

Ah, at last a glimmer of hope! ... I figured I might tempt a few out of the woodwork with the gay taunts, but admissions of paedophilia are way beyond my wildest dreams, Lisa. In this fantasy of yours ... just how young have these Paul Newman & Clint Eastwoods got to be?

A pint? Did I hear the offer of a pint?

will a dram or two of the single malt suffice?

I've been known to climb mountains just for a sniff of the cork, Michael.

Pedophile, NO!!!!
Dirty middle aged woman? Oh hell yeah!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I'd like them when they were in their 50's.
To me, that's when they were prime.
And, yes, if we ever run into each other, whether on Bonaire, US of A, or across the pond, I WILL buy you a pint or two, or three.
And Michael will tell you, I'm true to my word.

I appreciate that in this "virtual" world we're all 'would be' Bonairean citizens, but in reality the vast majority of the input here comes from folk in Dubya's homeland ... the US of A.
It's well known across the rest of the planet that 50% of the US population is gay (ok ... maybe I exaggerate ever so slightly). ... whilst the other half is homophobic (do I need to give the meaning?).


BUTT,
it is a zero sum game, the straight half are in a constant state of you know... going "funny" and the "funny" queer half are going straight at the same rate of change in a really perverse Dy/Dx thing, in the average US lifespan a person goes full circle as many as three to six times (depending on the city), why I myself am my own uncle and the motto for WVA is "one big family, really"(I think they still also use "wild and wonderful")

In fact Rudyard, I am now a gay black woman since the last time we met. Is meryl still "here".

O M G will wonders ever cease??? GD how heck are you??? MERYL look who's back!!!

Thanks Freddie!
I just can't believe this...planets must be aligning or something!
BUTT.. I'm not sure I can really believe the above poster is whom he states he is until I see a picture of this gay black woman! I'd know those boots anywhere!
Andy,careful how many pints your "friends" bring on their visit.
Don't show your excitement on their arrivel..they could pick up the wrong scent and expect you to be swinging from a highwire or jumping through firey hoops!
Did I ever tell you the story about the summer job I had as Eurena the Gorilla Girl?

Looked at the link. Very cool. I just visited some friends in Nevada. High Sierra jujitsu.
I watched their classes and they had some student's practicing on those types of ropes. Very Amazing..and impressive. "Your friend" makes it sound and look very easy.

Gay people on Bonaire, are you sure?

For sure there are many gay people on Bonaire. My generation was taught gay meant happy. Isn't that what we are talking about - gay friendly - happy, friendly people on Bonaire?

(Old) gay black woman? ... can it really be you? ... Of all the gay gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine!!

Sorry Meryl, I was rude....

No, you didn't tell me about the summer job you had as Eurena the Gorilla Girl. Please do. Will there be erotic pictures? (he hoped, unapologetically) ... OK,OK. I'm sure there's no such word either, but it looks right, doesn't it?

All my favorite people in one place!

Poor Annie that started this thread! All in jest Annie!
Jerry I can Never be sure so could you make that your first priority tomorrow once you arrive? I can see the headlines now!

"unapologetic - unwilling to make or express an apology"
Andy you were neither rude or in need of a spell check. You may be on this thread for another kind of check...but we will see

Barry nice to hear from you as always!

The Gorilla story will be held till I get the end of your Godbot tale (I will have to dig through "the anal's of BT correspondences to see where you left off"

I don't believe the old gay black women is the real deal...why would her/his post be his first?
Do we lose our accumulated posts if we change gender and race?

"Godbolt", Meryl ... Godbolt! Somehow "Godbot" doesn't have the same ring to it. But no. Like down in the "thief" thread, I want to see yours first.

Oh, it's her! No doubt about it, Meryl. 1st post or 999th, it makes no difference ... no-one else can make their consonants curl at the edges like she can.

Barry, so refreshing to see that you haven't been attacked within 24 hrs of posting (though I guess there's still time). I think you're going to have to face it man ... after all these years of failed attempts to gain a toehold on the heterosexual BT sites, you'll probably be wiser to settle in here with the rest of us gays, transsexuals, sadomasochists & genderbenders, no? (I told Barry recently that it was always a puzzle to me how he only had to post "Good morning everyone." & 95% of the entire BT community would take it as a personal insult. Maybe he's committed past "crimes" here that are unknown to me?) Tell me ... do you still wear that little black leather jacket? You know ... the one with all the chains & the nipples cut out.

Oh, but it's so nice to be back. :-)

regarding "HER" number of posts.. she was either escorted out or asked to be taken off the list ergo she is back to number 1 .. I sure am glad she is back though... adds a bit of spice to the board..

Hey Meryl as a fellow Bonaire Talker and avid diver I would do anything for you but if your going to browse through "the anal's of BT correspondences to see where you left off" I'll probably pass.

I'm pretty picky about whose anal I browse through. Great laugh though.

Hey Meryl...

Glad to see you too! I kinda liked your "anal" pun considering the thread. Cute!

Andy...haven't forgotten your old puss. Just have been busy....hang in there and keep up the good barbs.

I just saw that Anal and Andy are a bit similar and I thought of you, Andy, when referring to that subject. Wonder why that was?

Bill,...I have BT "past" correspondences that are "tucked" away in the privacy of my own home.
I will be fiddling through them hoping to find the unfinished Godbolt saga (I didn't make fun of your typo's Andy!)
And why do I have to go first?!! I updated my picture doesn't that mean anything...unless maybe the saga isn't finished yet?
We've waited so long for the update I'm surprised I even remembered it began with a G!

That's a bit below the belt, Barry! But I guess I should just be grateful that my name wasn't Alan, eh?
Of course, I could say that Barry & Bast**d are a bit similar. But that would be equally ridiculous, & I wouldn't dream of offending you in such a way. (makes mental note .. amend "95% of the entire BT community to 96%) :-)
Truth be told, Meryl ... though I was telling an ever so slightly embroidered true tale about my dear old great gandpapa, William Godbolt, I'm not sure that even I can remember where to pick it up from again. Next chance I get I'll speak with Dr Alzheimer. He'll know. Seem to rely on him more & more lately.

Andy,,,I know the good doctor personally.
I have the story from start to your last post printed....just have to find the damn thing!...
It must be somewhere between the Eurena story and the history of 9/11.
It shouldn't take me more than a day or two to "dig" it out.
Now back to the GD post....are we wood?

Andy...I think we're all a little anal these days. I know I can say things such as that and you won't take offense because you know it was in jest.

Yes, it's a very sensitive bunch here. 96%? Not sure why. Most are very active with opinions and suggestions with others. I can't name some people's names cos I set them off and some think that if they ignore me I'll go away. Ha. I'll be 62 next month and am still here.

Oh, that's life I guess.

By the way, did you purposely use below the belt? Ah, the Bast*** was good. Thank you for thinking of me.

Anyone out there remember "Andy's Gang" on TV many, many years ago? (Andy Devine/Jingles).

Used to love Froggy and Midnight, the cat. Pluck your magic twanger, Froggy!!
Off course, but what the heck....it's good old Fancy Pants back here with us, kids! LOL.

Happy days are here again....cb

(Message edited by Carole on January 18, 2009)

I don't think we had "Andy's gang" over here Carole. If we did it then it was either past my bedtime or my Quaker parents considered it would likely corrupt my innocent young mind. I've much to thank them for ... here I stand in all my splendour, proud & erect ... a prime example of the true English gentleman abroad. But as to my childhood viewing … well, “Rainbow” was approved by my Mother, though Father thought that the colours used in the studio were way too exuberant & preferred me to watch the show on our old first TV … A 12 inch black & white model that had been relegated to the outside loo at the bottom of our garden, & fed by a 200yd extension lead. Ahhhh, such happy days. But I digress …here’s a clip showing Zippy & Bungle (I had their pictures on my bedroom wall) at their naughtiest. How mother & father laughed. I rarely saw what they found so amusing. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PKzHdtigElM

Can’t get much past you, can I Barry? You spotted the “below the belt” double-entendre. Well done! I reckon it’s time you moved on from Jakarta … the place is playing havoc with your rapidly diminishing grey cells
You know, I‘ve been sitting here for the past few minutes thinking how fortunate it was that you didn’t arrive at this thread immediately after Anne had raised her initial question. I doubt she’d have risked her 10th posting if you’d waded in with “Anne & Anal … now they sound rather similar don’t they?” I’m having a hard job hanging onto my keyboard here … I’m laughing so damned hard. Poor form to laugh at one’s own jokes I know, but I was rather proud of that one.

Anne, If you are still lurking out there somewhere … sorry for what we’ve done to your thread (ok, what I’ve done to it), but hopefully you can see that it was for the greater good? You’ve unintentionally made a lot of sad old f*rts (myself included) very happy. I’m sure I speak for all concerned when I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

99% ... 98% ... just 2 more positive responses (if you're really lucky), then it's all going to kick off again, for sure, Barry.
What was it you described yourself as, to me? ... the thread closer?

Vince, I've just checked out your profile pic. What the hell have you done to that poor turkey!? It's plain for all to see ... you're "one of us", right?
I'll mail you with a demonstration of the secret handshake as soon as time allows.

http://www.tvparty.com/lostandy.html

In case anyone besides me is interested in Andy's Gang & "Pluck your Magic Twanger, Froggy"...here's a link about the show.

Sounds like no one is really certain "what" the heck was happening back then! LOL. Ah yes, fond memories.

Andy, and I thought "I" was a thread closer....Barry, too. Et tu, Barry? cb

Plunk? Not pluck? Uh oh. All these years...

Forgive me, friends....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9pPFCjRPvM&NR=1

greetings..

"old" "escorted out" post 1. WTF
actually, thought I could sneak back in under the moniker uglyamerican, it was karma, I was in Kipling attack mode....shocked to see the post as me, the well known but never quoted geologydave, the middle aged gay black woman with post #1. snuffed out before I got started.

plenty of geology being talked about in a gay thread...the boys on the rig won't like that much.

found a better island, finally.... Andros.

really

cheers

Like I said, Meryl ... it couldn't be anyone else. Just look at those consonants ... How does she make 'em curl like that?

Please ... someone tell me how to stop myself placing three .s after virtually every other word I write.

Andy ... I think it is either a virus...or perhaps a nervous twitch...what is your take on it???

Wish ... I ... f...ing knew, Freddie...

(Message edited by modfreddie on January 20, 2009)

...std...

...got it in a gay bar on bonaire...

Moderator ... please replace my last "m" ... with an ... "n"

LOL... looking back up the thread ...seems that Barry and Meryl and even Carole B have it as well as You, Dave and Me...

Old gay black woman ... I saw your acceptance speech earlier today ... how the hell do you find the time to fit everything ... in?

...pandemic...

Most ... kind, Freddie.

For Lords sake don't remove all my .s or I'll really look a t...

Why ... the hell did I give her ... that ide...a?

Old gay black woman ... I saw your acceptance speech earlier today ... how the hell do you find the time to fit everything ... in?


...well yes, and to think that I am also Flipper and Lassie...in an Obama suit, if it weren't for this unbridled desire to transmit an "s" in code...things would be fine... ... ...

BAZ ok?...

As Meryl once said ... (or something along the lines of, anyway) ... Oh, I do so like it ... now that things are back to normal.

I agree with Meryl...... (egad that was 6...)

Hell, OGBW ... I've just noticed ... you're up to post 6 already.

At this pace you'll be challenging some of those present, for their "BT Deity" crowns in less than a fortnight!

Andros...

I spend some time today looking at New Providence, Andros sounds pretty good right now. How's the diving?

If you answer that question I can guarantee a trip to CC for you'z..

I guess your ears were burning, eh, Cexil?
Funny ... I was about to bring you up (mention your name, I mean)... How can any topic proclaiming hedonism, bondage & sexual deviance, consider itself to be bona fide, without you dipping your beak in?

Welcome!

tell us about Andros... Dave...

I've got bad feelings about this whole Andros thing... think I might turn in, what with it being 23.36 an' all.

The "And" bit surely refers to me ... the "ros" ending is likely short for "Rostrum"... Dictionary definition ... "The beak, or sucking mouth parts, of Hemiptera."
Not too sure what Hemiptera is, but pretty sure I'm not going to like it!

Night all ...

Tell me you don't see the numbers also?

Not sure what the Flipper/Lassie reference means..(slow at the gate here!)but I will take either over a suit!
Andy, I don't think either of you will go for the Deity crown...and I will be pleasantly surprised if you even post again...
But it would be nice..and the mental picture is enough to put me to sleep with a smile.

Andros is a very interesting read...how's the diving? Or is it just about the rocks?
San Salvadore was always on our to do list.
But now Andy has brought up insects with sucking mouth parts..and I'm not sure how all this "fits into the normal scheme of things"

Hi, Meryl, Remember, there is no "normal" with this crowd (you and me included.) What "is" normal, anyway? It's a matter of perception and interpretation. All in the eye/mind of the beholder. Scary, isn't it!? LOL. Sweet dreams, all. cb

"If you answer that question I can guarantee a trip to CC for you'z.."

Hmmmmmmm, cecil?

"If you answer that question I can guarantee a trip to CC for you'z.."

Thank you Dean, I couldn't make out the hidden text. sounds ... ominous...

Harping on Bonaire crime for what seemed like a decade, it is pretty strange I suggest Andros, the largest and least populated island in the Bahamas. An island completely avoided by recreational boaters for decades due to the extreme violence associated with the drug trade.
Things change...

Ran out of diesel at Chub key and was not to gay to see that the marina on our float plan was no longer there, something about a hurricane. Had a choice between Nassau or Morgan’s Bluff, Andros, neither being the destination which was to go up the Berry’s to the Abaco Sea then back to Miami, a gay friendly city.

Pulled out the trusty cruisers guide where it stated Morgan’s Bluff was a commercial dock, where yachts are "neither encouraged nor unwelcome" so...wtf, I'd rather take a good ass woopin than to see any port in Nassau again; into Morgan’s Bluff we limped, the big cats sputering and belching soot as they somehow ignited the algae from the very bottom of the tanks through smutched up racors, in a POS rented 50' mainship trawler.(Rudyard, is that what they call a run on sentence?) Damned if we were neither encouraged nor unwelcome. Four days later we got our 1200 gal of high sulfur good stuff. In the meantime I completely fell for this Island and the people, which for the most part have given up on the drug biz and killing white people... (this was always a concern of mine when I was white)

The diving is outstanding, east side of the island, TOTO, big walls but deep 120', big fish, great healthy shallow reef with unique pinnacle features in 60-90'. Two dive ops, Small Hope Bay, goes to the same shallow spots and Coral Cavern Divers on the south end of North Andros on Cargill creek does the real diving. For you old farts, the DM is Hall Watts Jr. They take you to whatever level of diving you want to do, owners are some oil field trash, that ran an operation in Belize prior to this one, my kinda folks.

One problem is the lionfish which are exploding in population and are shot on sight. Funny sight as divers usually stack themselves up to get a picture and here one boasts of how many are killed. They are about half again as big as their pacific brothers. If cave diving is your gig (you're going to die) there are plenty of blue holes on land and on the reef, and most are siphons so do watch yourself.

The diving is as good as West Caicos, which to me is as good as it gets in the Caribbean.

There is virtually NO tourism, There are damn near NO people, the two ops are somewhat rustic by most standards. Cargill creek is where you want to go. If you like fish, and lets face it who does not, one thing for sure is whatever you put in your piehole was swimming or crawling just a few hours prior. Pork Chops are very popular with the locals, so always carry a few on you, in case you get into a jam... ...

This had to be what Florida looked like 200 years ago. The mangroves on the western side are outstanding, if you like that sort of thing.

AUTEC is something you can look up.

You fly into Fresh Creek, Andros, on either BA or Gulf Stream International out of either WPB or FT. Lauderdale, which are two really gay friendly places... ...

I'm moving there, so that is one big fat reason you may want to avoid the place... ... ...

So Dave... I take it that a UFO got you while you were vacationing near area 51 and changed you into an Old Black Gay woman...
sounds like an interesting place to explore!!! thanks for the explanation...

Fred, how come I have 777 posts now, please tell me that I've not done that. and I'm not old, the gay part comes and goes....

Dave, I would guess while the Aliens had you ,you must have posted a bit... and you know that OGBW talk alot...

i was at andros almost 40 years ago when AUTEC and a westinghouse facility were the only things there. i hear now there is a hotel and everything. progress has come to the southern bahamas i guess.

So ... it's finally come to this, eh? ... OBGW an Extraordinary Bonaire Talker? Can it rally be?
Never thought I'd live to see the day.
Next thing you know ... she'll be a "born again" straight guy!

Mercifully, I've plenty of recently emptied glasses to cry into.

Cry away Andy... Cry away... single malt???

ha...Rudyard we have the same number of comments, yet I am extraordinary (which if you think about could be either good or bad) and you nave are a merely (sp)[meryly?] experienced.

There must be extra credit for multiple personas.

I don't believe the old gay black women is the real deal...why would her/his post be his first?
Do we lose our accumulated posts if we change gender and race?

apparently so Meryl, but now that I'm back up in the 700's; Andy is right, I'm starting to feel kinda butch and looking rather pale.

I reckon you've only got two choices Voortess...

You're either going to have to morph into Michael Jackson, or failing that, make yet another comeback as his sister... Yep, you've got it ... I'm talking Janet here ... that sweet young thing who's "wardrobe malfunctioned" at the Superbowl to reveal one of her silver sun encrusted nipples.

Bring it on, say I!!

Dean, man ... how the devil are you!? Only just noticed your post. Figured you'd be pushing up daisies long before now.

Hell Dean ... the last time I remember seeing you you were chasing that no good sob Jake (who ... I seem to recall, was wearing a little black Christian Dior number) from your operating theatre.

It looked like a scene from Nightmare on Elm Street as you ran ... with the MkII Grimshaw & Etheridge revolving shovel oscillating silently above your head.

Well... did you whup his sorry ass?

Jeez ... sometimes I write absolute b*ll*cks don't I?

Have to go ... matron says it's time for my afternoon nap ...

baz ok?

I'm sure this'll be greeted rapturously by many ... I have to leave you for a couple of weeks.

Marcia & I leave for Peleliu (Palau), via Amsterdam tomorrow. On our return we'll be stopping over in Amsterdam for the February 7th/8th Dive show there, where I hope to exchange manly hugs etc with Martin the Weigher. So this might be "Sampai jumpah" for a while.

Wouldn't be at all surprised if OGBW doesn't come up with a lame excuse for being absent for a similar length of time, too.

Nah ... surely they can't really be the same meryly twisted pervert ... can they? :-)

Andy, I moved to be closer to you. Currently we are living in London and enjoying it quite much.

Good to see those pants of yours once more. I have a snazzy pair now myself, kind of a jungle motif-spiders, big honking millipedes and strange leaf shapes. I wore them out to the newstand the other Sunday morn and while strong men didn't faint at the sight, small children did begin to cry.

Strange you mentioned the adventure with Jake, I was to have had a wonderful dinner with fellow Bonaire Talkers here (Jake and his bride to attend as well). However before the dinner took place I was booked into Princess Grace Hospital, hooked to an IV with some of the fine antibiotics I first sampled in Bonaire.

So sadly I was unable to attend. Wonderful place that hospital, had a view of the BT Tower from the bathroom.

Mel is right, shut it down. I'm going to Peleliu anyway, hope Baz is ok.

Geology Dave is right , shut it down , lights out , 28 days and I'm on the island anyway

Butt first I was just wondering,
Being 'related' to the Netherlands, is Bonaire a 'gay friendly' island?

"meryly twisted pervert?" hmmm
Have a good trip..as I think your all going away now
Hope to hear about your travels.

This was nice as it took away some of the winter blues...made me feel quite "sparkling"

GD...I don't think anyone is "related" any longer.
Butt..these days everyone is "something friendly",(ECO, Green, Sparkling)

03.55 here & I'm taking a few minutes break from packing ... how I hate it!

Mel ... a pleasure to meet you, I'm sure. Do I detect a slight bitterness in your tone? A past painful experience here perhaps? I've had many. Why, it seems like only yesterday that I was having my purse snatched at Mike's "More than a Mouthful" eatery in Rincon. Mike assured me that he'd never seen the two swarthy young frock wearing locals before. But I don't mind telling you ... it took several Tequila's from him to persuade me otherwise.
And then, of course, there was the time that Mary & Walt set upon me with broom handles!! I still feel they were a little severe. Why only a few hours earlier I'd been strutting my stuff without a stitch on at the Plaza without causing a single head to turn (well, not that many anyway) & yet here were M & W insisting that full frontal nudity was a no no at Lagoen Hills. I tell you, Mel ... it's a strange island indeed.
But what I'm trying to get over is that most things are tolerable there, but each has it's own place. BT is no different ... whinge & whine on the wrong thread & you'd better keep your head down. All hell will kick off for sure.
Of course, it goes without saying ... It's never happened to me here, simply because I never stray from the straight & narrow, do I?

God forbid that it ever should ... but if it did then I'd simply move on. That's a choice available to all of us, right?

OK, where's that damned case.

BTW, I was right about Dave tendering a lame excuse wasn't I?

Dean .. no time left my friend ... will "chat" (here, on this appropriate thread) upon my return.

So long! (or so I've heard)

Ever the thread closer, eh, Barry? I can see your scythe protruding from the folds of your black robe. I shall refer to you as the Grim Reaper henceforth.

Will try to log in from Changi ... a several hour stopover there but with the bonus of unlimited free internet access from many terminals scattered throughout the airport.

Can't listen to Marcia's screams of admonishment any longer .. really must go start the car.

Only 10 minutes at a time on the computer, now.

sorry this was closed for a bit.. had to figure it out

16.30 (local time) Changi airport...

Firstly let me say what a joy it is to find myself. Yep, both CC & Changi Terminal 3. What a beautiful, beautiful airport! Sure puts my own Heathrow to shame. Makes it look more like a vagrants hostel. Shame on us Brits.

But to more important issues ...

As aforementioned, this is likely to be my last post until Monday 9th Feb. Unless, that is, Dave & I can figure out a way to generate enough juice from a couple of local bicycles. Unless we do then we'll be lucky to have electric lights, never mind an internet connection. Besides, I have to admit that BT is a little lower on my list of priorities for the next few days than Palau diving.

May I welcome you all to the all to this new "all dancing, all singing" thread of Dave's & mine. Please do drop in whenever you please. Ah, but I see two of our recent complainants are already lurking in the shadows. Please do come forward boys ... No? Ah well, it's comforting to know you're there anyway.

Thanks for resisting the pressure to move us here for so long Freddo. I'm proud of you kid.

But of course, moving us here has only served to boost our audience. And many of you from the past know how I've always craved an audience. 100+ lurkers already... Wow!! I'm delighted!

So now that I've got your attention let's get back to our original query from Anne as to whether Bonaire is gay friendly ...

Sure, it's fine for a few of the good old boys to venture forth with comforting reassurances to the wary would be Gay travelling to Bonaire (as happened back on the original "Gay" thread), but in reality their feelings count for diddly squat.
What really matters is how they'll be received as they walk hand in hand down main street, & perhaps more importantly ... the reception they'll get from their chosen hotel.
So to follow Anne's query with another ... How many Hotels actually promote themselves as being Gay friendly by including the International Gay Friendly "Rainbow flag" in their advertisements? I'm not talking back street guest houses here (that have carved out a small niche for themselves) ... but major players like Cap'n Dons etc.
It would be nice to see a few of them volunteer their company's policy on the matter. Either here, or if considered more appropriate ... on the original "Everything Else" thread.

There ... I reckon that oughta put the cat among the pigeons, eh?

Was that ok for you Freddie? Sure felt good to me. :-)

Back on Feb 9th ... Must go, Mantas etc await ...

Hey Andy, It is interesting to see another Andy and Dave on BT. Have a good time where ever you are.

Andrea And David Bartlett

Have a good time. Not jealous at all!

I have never seen a promotion for a gay friendly hotel but what would be the benefit..since all are welcome. (is this a run on sentence?)
Bonaire is not that commercial(yet)for designer themed hotels.
Steve and I stayed at a hotel on the East Coast of Puerto Rico,not sure if I can mention the name?
Looking back we should have known what to expect just BY the name! But we were young and starry eyed.
The hotel was advertised as "A place without Distractons". It was gorgeous and they had a resident Macaw which started our bird addiction.(Again...hindsight!) We may have been the distraction as it seemed we were the only "odd couple".
This may be true wherever we travel, right Freddie?
I don't see why gay friendly is an issue though. Sorobon seems to be a welcome hotel to people who can feel comfortable showing their "real selves".
Your vacation should be whatever "you" need to relax and enjoy yourselves. Without of course distracting other's from their holiday.
When on any island we usually talk about the dives, dinners and "Where are you from?" That is personal enough for me!
Looking forward to pictures!!

Put that bottle down & peddle harder, Dave! ... Hell, we nearly had it the

Your vacation should be whatever "you" need to relax and enjoy yourselves. Without of course distracting other's from their holiday.
When on any island we usually talk about the dives, dinners and "Where are you from?" That is personal enough for me!

wow, well said Meryl, the only extra question I suggest for North Americans to non North Americans (aliens) in a good will ambassadorial gesture in order to make amends for being North Americans should be: would you like a pork chop?

could someone please point out exactly what was so offensive? is being gay so special that it is out of bounds? Was it the word queer? If so I am highly offended by being referred to as rocks and I can tell you on good authority the rocks are none too happy about it either.

To the offended, lighten up. You are now however certainly off my Christmas card list.

Put that bottle down & peddle harder, Dave! ... Hell, we nearly had it the


had it the what, Sir Keely? hope you haven't been cut down mid statement by Ms. Kruger the gatekeeper. little smiley face inserted here.

Now lets be gay and play nice...