Posted on 12/30/2005 11:10:23 AM PST by Millee
From hot spots to cold bots, here are Lonely Planet's ideas for where to shed your clothes
Onsen antics, Japan Soaking in onsen (natural, mineral-rich hot springs) is a centuries-old health-giving tradition in which most Japanese immerse themselves. Onsen etiquette prescribes that the soaker washes thoroughly before entering the male or female bathing area. When walking around, you should cover your private parts with tiny towels and, once in, don’t make waves. Some onsen waters are also for drinking, so check before you gulp. And some don’t allow bathers with tattoos.
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The 300 Club, Antarctica Initiation to the 300 Club involves the wannabe member enduring a 149C (300F) change in temperature. Mother Nature takes care of the cold factor: Antarctic winter temperatures plummet to -73C. To make up the difference, nudies crank up the sauna then dash, steaming and screaming, to the geographic pole. The tricky part is trying to avoid running too hard, as the freezing temperature outside can damage lungs — not to mention exposed bits.
Forty Foot Pool, Ireland The historic Martello tower, 5 miles (8km) south of Dublin, is a James Joyce museum that keeps a number of treasures, including a precious edition of Ulysses illustrated by Henri Matisse. Below the tower is a seawater pool mentioned at the close of Ulysses’ first chapter. In the tradition of Joyce celebrating “heroic commonplace”, many locals become everyday heroes by braving the skin-shrinking temperature of the sea sans swimming costume. But heed the sign: “Togs must be worn after 9am.”
Sizzling saunas, Finland First shower, then swelter in an 80C hot box before streaking starkers outside and rolling in the snow or jumping into a small hole cut into the ice. Then repeat. In summer, gently flagellate yourself with wet birch branches, which stimulate circulation and smell nice.
The traditional wood-heated sauna was born of necessity, it being the only practical place to wash during long Finnish winters. Today there are more than 2 million saunas throughout the country, as well as a Finnish Sauna Society with 3,100 members.
Take a bath, Hungary Budapest’s bountiful baths are fed by 123 hot springs. Locals have been taking in the combination of hygiene, health- giving properties and sociability since the 4th century BC. The health benefits of the mineral springs are instituted in the national health plan, which subsidises regular visits. Pad your way through labyrinthine chambers of various showers, pools (from tepid to hot), saunas and steam rooms. Wallow in the Art Nouveau surrounds: think cherub statues and sea-creature mosaics on the floor.
Bay to Breakers, USA This historic foot race, traversing 7 miles of San Francisco’s peninsula, began in 1912 as a morale booster after a devastating earthquake. Many of the 75,000 participants run in costume (notables include Smurfs and a gang of Elvises); others choose to run sans costume. Nude runners are advised to wear a sun hat and shoes, plus the racing bib for those officially registered. Male runners are reminded that nature takes care of their floppy bits — genitals naturally tighten during exercise. Ladies: unsecured breasts may cause discomfort; wear a flesh-coloured bra as necessary.
Maslin Beach, Australia Best Bum, nude Frisbee Toss and tug-of-war are not usual Olympic events, but at Maslin Beach’s Nude Olympics in South Australia, they’re the norm. Maslin Beach’s coloured cliffs afford it some seclusion, as well as providing the perfect viewing platform (provided you’re naked) for this event, held annually in January. Australia’s first nudist beach, Maslin, near Adelaide, was officially declared “unclad” in the late 1970s.
Tiergarten, Germany A section of this stately park, bang in the centre of Berlin, is reserved for nude sunbathing. Once a hunting reserve for royalty, this section of the park is now something of a hunting ground for the mostly male sun worshippers looking for more than an all-over tan. Getting nude in the centre of the city is thrilling only in summer, otherwise just chilling.
Golf... bending over to pick up your ball out of the hole...
(That sounds wrong...)
Tending to roses.
BIG no no.
LOL...too funny!
(and probably true)
Oooo, having a naked plumber would be bad, too.
I know, hanging insulation! Bad naked.
It did mention that the naked place was SanFran, so getting your ball out of the hole is appropriate.
Yikes, and dangerous...fiberglass, not good!
Naked welding. That'd probably go over pretty well in the VoTech schools!
And you thought sand was bad "down there".
Sometimes those fireballs get past the helmet and all the leather anyway. UV will tan pretty quick, too. Never mastered overhead, too much pain.
Once again you have a..er...a...hmmmm..leg up on me!
Drat! Didn't think you'd notice.
That reminds me it's been a while since I've been to the beach...LOL.
I hate sand. I really do. Unless it is made into glass. Then I like it.
Teeny, I've always wondered why people would say they've always wanted to have "sex on the beach". Have they no idea the fact that sand makes for one lousy lubricant?
And I don't care how many blankets you're doing the deed on, that stuff just gets EVERYWHERE!
I agree, I agree. Some things might sound good, but in real life, no thanks.
While interesting, I agree with most comments so far. There are really only a few "good naked" places, and one involves a stage and a pole.
The one at your house?
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