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Go naked in 2006
From hot spots to cold bots, here are Lonely Planet\'s ideas for where
to shed your clothes
Times Online U.K.
December 31, 2005
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.
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.
Source:
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,25229-1962800,00.html
