Photo Album & Trip Report Photos and Trip Report From the 2003 Cancun Nude Week

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Nude Week at the El Dorado Resort & Spa BACKGROUND El Dorado Spa & Resort was picked for NUDE WEEK because the property already fit several requirements: The resort is able to accommodate over 300 guests in an economical, all inclusive program, almost 300 acres of private property surround the hotel with no development nearby plus the resort's beautiful south beach features a long, wide and sandy foreshore with snorkeling available on the Great Mayan Reef, right in front of the property. Only one road leads into the resort and, of course, the Cancun International Airport is nearby with numerous tourism attractions within an hour of the resort. El Dorado already had experience with an adults only, all inclusive program including daily and evening entertainment plus a choice of three restaurants and snack bar, two swimming pools, hot tub, unique bars and spacious guest accommodations, many of which feature Jacuzzi suites with ocean views. In addition, the parent company of Castaways, Fox Travel/American Express had years of experience, sending clients there for conventional, textile all inclusive vacations since 1989. NUDE WEEK PREPARATIONS The resort owners as well as Karisma Hotels retained prominent legal counsel to first research the national Mexican laws as well as local, regional and statutes of the state of Quintanna Roo to insure there was no prohibition against nudity. Since all beaches in Mexico are public for the first 20 meters of land beyond the waterline, guests were essentially free to go nude on the resort property throughout the week. Promotion for NUDE WEEK started in September, 2002 with announcements via the internet, newsletters plus national and international publications. Bookings got off to a fast start and proceeded right up to the week before May 3. Many guests arrived independently at the resort in addition to those from the Naked Air flight. Guests for the week from May 3-10 totalled over 320 adult singles and couples. Once lucky couple from California won a free week at the resort by participating in an AANR membership challenge contest. Some lucky guests actually checked in early and watched the Saturday arrivals from Naked Air being greeted with a mariachi band and champagne toasts from hotel employees, maids, groundskeepers and front office personnel.....a terrific celebration to be sure. For efficiency, all rooms were pre-assigned and room keys and registration papers were pre-prepared. Great thanks go to Ruben Becerra, the hotel's young General Manager, who guided the preparations for the first NUDE WEEK and the opening of the Hidden Beach Resort. Sr. Becerra and his staff were wonderful to work with and were attentive to every guest's needs. Once guests checked in, they received a welcome packet in their room which included a Castaways Travel beach bag and a T shirt from the resort and Castaways plus a beach towel was supplied for each guest. So, every guest received either a Castaways beach towel or a Naked Air towel. ACTIVITIES and THEME NIGHTS A welcome surprise came from the resort's owner, Joe Martinez, who decreed all locations on the resort could be enjoyed totally nude, including the reception area, ALL restaurant locations and of course, all guest rooms, beaches and swimming pools. Thank you, Sr.Martinez. Daily activities, beach combing, tanning, theme nights and tours and sight seeing filled each day. Crazy pool games, ceramic painting, lounging, sun bathing, water sports, laughing, eating and visiting with other guests were the most popular past times. Highlights of the week included complimentary shuttle service daily to Playa del Carmen, surely one of the most colorful, fun international tourism destinations in the Mexican Caribbean for shopping and night life. In addition, a complimentary shuttle took guests to visit Cancun on Friday. The land of the Mayan civilization presented guests with at least three tours to see local archeological sites including Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba (still being excavated). Other diversions included the Swim with the Dolphins program, diving, shopping in Playa del Carmen and Cancun, fishing, trips to Cozumel across the bay via water taxi, golf, tennis, night life, visits to water parks such as Xcaret and Xel-Ha plus touring the Yucatan Peninsula, which many guests enjoyed by rental car. On Thursday, the water sports park called Maroma Beach, owned by the El Dorado, was closed to the public and turned over to nude guests of El Dorado and Hidden Beach. Activities included nude ATV riding, snorkeling, speed boat racing, nude catamaran sailing, unlimited meals and drinks plus optional deep sea and bill fishing as well as horseback riding. One of the guests, Linda, won the catch of the day contest, landing a 40 pound mahi mahi as well as a golden snapper, while her husband had to settle for second place golden snapper. Theme nights included: Saturday -- Wild West night with a party on the beach Sunday -- Little Black Dress night Monday -- Cinco de Mayo beach party (Annual Mexican celebration of Mexico's victory over French rule in the early 19th century) Tuesday -- Mardi Gras plus a Fat Tuesday party with beads and Hurricanes served at the Guacamayas bar Wednesday -- Cartoon night Thursday -- Pajama night Friday -- "Castaway" night beach party, ala Gilligan's Island, the Tom Hanks' movie of the same name and Treasure Island HOST COUPLES Throughout the week, selected host couples were on duty each day to help guests with questions and direction. Special thanks go to John & Lisa from Phoenix, Tom & Renee from Under the Sun Boutique near Tampa, Bob & Anita from Caliente in Florida, Bob & Tess from New Orleans and Joe & Michelle also from New Orleans. DINING Dining options included four restaurants to choose from including Italian, Mexican and Continental fare at the El Dorado and fine dining cuisine at Hidden Beach. All meals included dinner beverages and selected house wines. Beach parties featured lobster, steak, shrimp, beef, chicken as well as traditional Mexican dishes. A nice snack bar served burgers and fries for beach goers throughout the day. NUDE WEEK featured great moments and even more colorful characters. The most fun was watching friendships being formed or renewed as guests found out why nude vacations are the most enjoyable of all. HIDDEN BEACH RESORT The biggest surprise occurred last October when Karisma Resorts and El Dorado announced their decision to convert the northern part of the property into a full time nudist resort called Hidden Beach Resort Au Naturel Club. Originally scheduled to formally open May 10, Hidden Beach became a reality May 3 when the resort's restaurant, sports bar, swim up nude pool, nude beach and all suite accommodations were opened early for NUDE WEEK guests. Hidden Beach Resort Au Naturel Club is designed for adult singles and couples in a completely nude environment featuring an all inclusive program where each guest has access to all nude suites, concierge service, fine dining au naturel, 24-hour room service, nude beach, nude swim up suites on the ground floor, unique thatched-roof beach palapas, premium bar drinks, DVD and satellite TV and more. Other than the terrific guests who entertained each other, the discovery of the week was TITO, the bar tender at the Cie la Vie bistro and nude swim up bar at Hidden Beach......surely destined to become a legend in his own time. If you visit Hidden Beach, make sure you take a goofy hat to Tito. Great thanks go out to all of you who decided to open Hidden Beach early.....it was a terrific, successful opening. A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to the country of Mexico, the owners of the resort, Karisma Hotels and the employees and management of both properties for making NUDE WEEK a success. Thank you! During NUDE WEEK, many guests requested an encore. So, NUDE WEEK next year has been scheduled for May 1 - 8, 2004. Contact CASTAWAYS TRAVEL for more information at: info@castawaystravel.com

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