By theresa vogel (BonaireTalker - Post #37) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 2:24 pm: |
just wanted to give a heads up if using the ladder to get out of water after snorkeling or diving carib inn's house reef there is fire coral all over the ladder. wow!!! ouch. my fingers got it bad, swelled and were on fire for 5 days even with vinegar soaks.
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By bob fraser (BonaireTalker - Post #30) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 2:58 pm: |
Theresa,
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By theresa vogel (BonaireTalker - Post #38) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 3:57 pm: |
bruce was off the island when i was there,but i did tell ralph his employee and he said they were aware of it. after talking to some of the people that were staying there, they also said they encountered the same problem.wish i would have known before. i guess i could e-mail bruce himself.
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By Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1647) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 4:38 pm: |
The ladder at the end of the pier is used as a last resort. That is an easy beach entry/exit, and if anything grows on the ladder is because it is not used much. Mother nature thinks it's OK, and so do I... Ron
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5725) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 4:53 pm: |
Theresa, is it OK now? My husband accidentally rubbed against some fire coral when we were in Jamacia, it was on a swimming line and bouys. Man did it swell and blister IMMEDIATELY! He was in a lot of pain the first day.
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By theresa vogel (BonaireTalker - Post #40) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 5:21 pm: |
cynde, i am o.k. now. i had blisters immediately and it felt like i just stuck my hands in a firepit. i could not bend any of my fingers for 5 days because they were so swollen it happened our first dive day,but hey i kept on diving because it kept my mind off of the pain. my hubbey basically put all of my equipment on and off for me and rinsed it all too.(what a great guy.)about the 3rd day my fingers started itching like crazy.by the 5th day the swelling was gone and the itching. we saw several people divers and snorkelers using the ladder.my hubbey let me go up the ladder first being the nice guy he is, but needless to say he did not use the ladder after he saw what happened to me.
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By RA. 40days but who's counting! (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2693) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 5:56 pm: |
WOW Theresa, sorry you had to experience this! I'm glad to hear you didn't let it ruin your vacation and I know how much pain you were in having done a similar thing on my first trip to Bonaire on a different ladder.
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By ModCyn (Moderator - Post #711) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 9:05 pm: |
here's what michael's side looked like after about four hours of hydrocortisone cream, zyertek, and ice. You can't really see the blisters but they are there. theresa, you know what i'm talking about. I can't imagine having this on your hands. the pain was excrutiating to say the least. he had to walk with his arm out by his side because anything touching it was painful. that lasted about four days.
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By Kobi in Virginia (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6897) on Monday, July 7, 2008 - 9:56 pm: |
OUCH!!!
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5732) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 10:23 am: |
Michael is healed up Kobi, but he has the memory! He didn't want to go near the swimming lines and bouys again, but i did to take a look to see exactly what it was he rubbed against...yep...fire coral!
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By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #607) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 10:51 am: |
Cynde
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By DIVER DEBBI (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #584) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:04 pm: |
vinegar is the first step....pour lots of vinegar on the area...fresh water( ice ) will only restart the stinging, so never wash the area with fresh water...repeated vinegar applications works and stops the stinging process..then hydrocortizone creams...we keep a small bottle of vinegar in the divemobile at all times...well...good to know for the next time..hope the burns heal quickly for you, but tdivers usually say it takes time
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5752) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 12:43 pm: |
Debbie, i had jellyfish sting stuff and michael put that on it at first, did nada. so the gal that saw him running out of the water screaming took us to the nurse. she put the hydro cream on it. i had a zyrtek, and then the nurse said "lots of alcohol will help" so we headed to the pool. he did put ice on it and he said it made it feel better and it did take the stinging away. i asked the nurse about the benadryl or zyertek and she said it wouldn't help, but he took it anyway. Then he used my benadryl hydro cream for the rest of the trip.
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By Tom Nic (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 2:33 pm: |
Is it difficult to remove fire coral from the railing of steps that go into the water? Is it commonly done at other resorts that have ladders with hand railings? Is there a policy on this? I'm just wondering...
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #233) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 3:45 pm: |
The DAN First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries course says the following. Note that vinegar is NOT recommended, based on some Australian studies that suggested the acetic acid could fire off any remaining nematocysts. The vinegar treatment is reserved by DAN for box jellyfish. Hot water seems to be the key, followed by hydrocortisone cream.
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By theresa vogel (BonaireTalker - Post #42) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 6:54 pm: |
that picture looks way to famaliar. just an update bruce did e-mail me and said he was aware of the fire coral and it was taken care of. i put benadryl cream on mine and actually took tylenol p.m which has benadryl in it, but i don't think it really helped.i think time is what helped the most. ice did not really help the swelling,but it was definetely a comfort tool. the vinegar soaks seemed to help the burn and itch, but maybe it was all in my head.wish i would have known about the hot water, at the time it happened i would have tried anything.kinda wished i would have taken pictures,but did not think of that at the time.i was very hesitant to use the ladder at oil slick and yes i made my hubbey go up it first and i think i spent like 10 ,minutes examining the ladder,i guess i will be a little "gun shy" of ladders from now on.
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5810) on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 9:43 pm: |
theresa, good idea on making hubby go up the ladder at oil slick first that ladder gets used a lot, so not too much growth on it....i'd be gun shy as well.
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By Bob Davison (BonaireTalker - Post #75) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 11:20 am: |
Guess this is another reason why I always wear gloves .... not meaning to start a flame war ... I was on a boat a number of years back where a gentleman that was a neurosurgeon followed the "no glove" rule and was using the anchor/mooring line to stabilize his descent as he was having difficulty clearing his ears. Can you say covered with lots'O nasties ... we had to cut his wedding band off and the swelling in his hands kept him from practicing his trade for close to a year and required him to take high-doses of steriods which also created some additional complications. Its an extreme case but highlights our conservation efforts sometimes have unintended consequences.
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By Tom Nic (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 11:25 am: |
OK, also not trying to start a flame war... this makes me want to carry a pair of gloves in my bc pocket, and use them on exit only. I don't have occasion to hang on a line, and I would never touch the reef or objects underwater, but I also don't want to ruin an expensive vacation for what amounts to no reason.
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5825) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 1:14 pm: |
Bob, the marine park rules used to be you could wear one glove when descending the mooring line at the hilma hooker. sadly, they have changed the rule and you can no longer do that. our first trip to bon, we did the hooker as a boat dive...didn't wear gloves, and the hand i used to descend got those nasties as well...didn't cause problems for more than a few days, but it did hurt.
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By JD (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 6:27 pm: |
They have a no-glove rule in Cozumel as well, and both there and on my recent first trip to Bonaire I have always adhered to the rule.
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By theresa vogel (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 7:01 pm: |
JD,you probably saw my husband and i get "rolled" at the hilma hooker exit. when we looked down we saw black sea urchins which luckily we managed to dodge/miss. so yeah when you find those "flesh" colored gloves let me know.after the experience i had on the carib inn ladder and that rough exit at the hooker i agree with what you posted.
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5851) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 7:18 pm: |
Keep in mind, that if the Marine Park catches you breaking MPRules, i.e. wearing gloves, they will confiscate your gear, and your diving is over for the rest of your trip. Unless you can get a medical waiver, I'd think twice.
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #234) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 7:40 pm: |
I am amazed that the BMP can get away with a rule that is in complete contradiction to the recommendations of training agencies and DAN. How do we get that rule changed?
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5852) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 8:02 pm: |
Maybe a conversation with Ramon the next time you are on island? I would imagine it would have to include information from Dan and training agencies in regard to the issue. Also, examples of injuries, like the neurosurgeon and Theresa? Just thinking out loud.
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By JD (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 8:38 pm: |
It would seem that an exception during shore entries and exits or when using a line or ladder would be logical. Even a fall onto ironstone while wearing heavy scuba gear offers the potential for a nasty laceration. I have several times read suggestions that one should wear a wetsuit when diving on Bonaire at least partly for protection in the event of a mishap during a shore entry/exit. I don't know about the rest of you, but if I were to stumble and fall, I am likely to use my hand when falling and when trying to get up.
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #235) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:32 pm: |
I understand some Bonairian divemasters are being deputized to enforce the BMP rules.
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By Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1653) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 9:23 am: |
The ladder at oil slick has no problem with crusting or fire coral, the reason being, that is the only exit for that site. The use of that ladder keeps it clear of all other LIVING things. The ladder at carib Inn is NOT the intended exit from the water. The few people that use it should do so at their own risk. If I were the owner, I would remove the ladder and install a retractable one, in it's place, so we wouldn't have to KILL any of the wildlife to please the lazy divers. If I see anyone wearing gloves, I will be the first to turn you in! No matter what color they are...
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By JD (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 11:38 am: |
I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Gould. Removing fire coral or other hazards from a ladder or other man-made structure for the safety of those using that man-made item is not an environmental threat nor is it unreasonable. No one is advocating the removal of fire coral from non man-made places. I assume the boats in Bonaire, like anywhere I am familiar with, periodically have their hulls cleaned and repainted, don't they? Same concept.
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #236) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 11:54 am: |
Mr. Gould, best not to get into a turn-each-other in contest, or folks will be watching YOU at all times to make sure you don't do anything untoward. Or, maybe you are perfect!
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By Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1654) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 12:17 pm: |
Shape the rules for your own needs! Just remember this: If your not part of the solution, then your part of the problem!
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #237) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 12:27 pm: |
"Just remember this: If your [sic] not part of the solution, then your [sic] part of the problem!"
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By RA. 40days but who's counting! (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2718) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 1:22 pm: |
Ron, I respect you concern for the environment but I also think respect for one another takes precedence. Calling people lazy because they use a ladder to exit (which it is intended for) and simply disregarding all common courtesies makes me think you are either:
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By Debbie B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7531) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 1:46 pm: |
Ron, I agree with RA on this one and I will also add that your comments are totally un-BT-like. There is no reason to be such a nasty person. Oh and I agree that the fire coral should be removed or the ladder taken out. I have had fire coral burns, not on Bonaire, but they sure are not fun and I don't believe any resort should have a ladder with it on it. Not everyone who goes to CI will know that ladder has it on it or that it is not used that much. Ladders are not for "lazy" people either, I know folks who use them and I also know folks who do not. The folks I know who use ladders are FAR from lazy.
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By JD (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 1:47 pm: |
I'll be part of the solution. I hereby volunteer to assist in scraping/chiseling the fire coral off of the Carib Inn ladder next time I am down there. Mr. Bowker, if you read this, please send me a PM and we will work out the details.
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By RA. 40days but who's counting! (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2719) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 2:20 pm: |
Please excuse my use of the word "you" instead of "your". My r button sticks and you really have to slam it hard.
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By Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1655) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 2:48 pm: |
Calgirl, I do enjoy people, and I don't like to start trouble. I have a great respect for nature, and BTW, have expeienced fire coral's rath!
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By Debbie B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7533) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 3:06 pm: |
I am sure once Bruce is back on island, he will take care of the ladder situation. He is a wonderful man and cares deeply about Bonaire, the reef's, and wouldn't want guests getting hurt by fire coral on his ladder. I will send him an email letting him know about it. I am sure he was unaware that fire coral started to grow on it.
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By RA. 40days but who's counting! (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2720) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 3:19 pm: |
Ron, so you should understand many of us have personal issues that prevent us from being perfect.
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By Debbie B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7534) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 3:20 pm: |
Email sent.
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By Debbie B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7535) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 4:13 pm: |
FYI: I just received a lovely email from Bruce. The ladder has been cleaned and is fine. Thanks, Bruce!
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5865) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 4:28 pm: |
Whew, glad that's over
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By Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1656) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 4:50 pm: |
It seems like if your opinion doesn't go with the flow, a person is on the defense. I have been taught by some of the best, and over the years have developed a way of doing things, not saying my way is the right way, but I try to not harm anything, and respect the environment. Diving is nothing more then a bunch of skills that you try to improve on eveytime you get wet. I Plan my dive, and dive my plan on every dive for the past 44 years. That plan also includes Entry/ Exit... You don't become a Divemaster by looking cute, because I'm not... :-)
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By Debbie B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7538) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 5:17 pm: |
I know I am going to regret this, but a little honey goes further than a lot of vinegar, which Ron, you are a little heavy on the vinegar with your posts sometimes. No here has accused you of harming anything or not having respect for the environment. Just need to brush up your skills on agreeing to disagree without all the nasties. I don't agree with lots of things said on this website, but I don't have to be nasty to get my point across either. Enough from me, I am not here to start a fight with you Ron, but don't want you to think cause you think different or not with the flow, you are attacked. I, myself, am not always good at relaying what I want to say as nice as others do, but I do try to do so the majority of the time.
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5866) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 7:07 pm: |
Ron, I have to ask, how do you know that The ladder at carib Inn is NOT the intended exit from the water.
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By theresa vogel (BonaireTalker - Post #45) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 8:00 pm: |
just wanted to say that yes we were told at orientation the ladder at carib inn could be used for exit.
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5867) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 10:15 pm: |
Theresa...thank you for the orientation information, it's exactly what I thought would be said.
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5868) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 10:18 pm: |
OK, I have to add this for Ron, who knows I like him The ladder at oil slick has no problem with crusting or fire coral, the reason being, that is the only exit for that site. The use of that ladder keeps it clear of all other LIVING things.
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By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #426) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 11:21 pm: |
You guys crack me up -- on July 8th (6:54pm), Theresa reported that the fire coral had been taken care of. And yet the debate rages on...
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5873) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 11:40 pm: |
David, we LOVE to debate PS: I hear a new ladder with a better climbing angle also is in the future of the CI dock
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6615) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 7:21 am: |
Just how long do you think it is going to take for this conversation to pull a Goodwin or someone mentions trebuchets?
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By Debbie B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7539) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 8:09 am: |
David~~Thanks for pointing that out, seems it got lost with all the other "debating" going on. (must be time to get some new eye glasses) ~~~
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By Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1657) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 9:13 am: |
The ladder at Sand$ is like a staircase type structure. The ladder at C/I is at the end of the dock and is a hand over hand type ladder, not a easy exit for a diver with gear on. That is the reason it is not used often.
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By ***Boat Chick*** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5875) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 9:18 am: |
Thanks Ron...
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By JD (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 11:01 am: |
Well, I think the topic of cute DMs has a much brighter future than the topic of fire coral. Perhaps that is worthy of further discussion.....
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By David Bridenbaugh, wife Kathy (BonaireTalker - Post #48) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 8:13 pm: |
Wow, if Bruce had the ladder clean, it must of been a problem. There is not anyone I Know more more caring about marine conservation than Bruce. I have mixed emotions also about removing ANY marine life and understand where Ron is coming from.
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By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #427) on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 10:08 pm: |
Personally, I am hoping for a dive valet.
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By Brian* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3943) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 5:31 am: |
A few years we were invited by the hotel manager to do a shore dive at Harbour Village. We were a group of three Sue, Max Margarita and myself. The bellboy met us in the car park and took our gear down to the dock and an hour later he was waiting for us to take the dive gear back to the car. Now that's shore diving!!
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By Brian* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3944) on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 5:40 am: |
That was too dark
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By MzFish is back in the Real World... sigh (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #159) on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 3:25 pm: |
I think Murph over at Buddy Dive is a cute DM... for the guys, his boat partner looks rather spectacular in her bikini.
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By Yo MO - Meet me at the 3Day in Atlanta (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3734) on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 11:20 am: |
Murph is my idol!
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By Becky H - majorly into PBD (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1779) on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 8:40 pm: |
Murph ROCKS!!! and if you want him to LOVE you... bring him some beef jerky
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By JD (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 12:15 pm: |
Well, being a guy, this isn't going in the direction I was hoping for.
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