45 replies to this topic

[MI-6 Director]

What Bond Type Activities Have You Done? Have you ever been to New Orleans or piloted a boat down the Thames? Have you ever worn or a suit like one of James Bond's or dressed yourself like anybody else in the 007 movies? Have you ever cheated like Auric Goldfinger in a game of cards? Relate these experiences here. Note that your activities don't have to be exactly like Bond's, it just has to be something similar to what has been featured in the movies. If you have photographs feel free to display them.

In 'Diamonds Are Forever' Bond drives from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. In the summer of 2003 I had the pleasure of doing the same. A lot has changed since 007 has been there. The hotel I stayed at, Excalibur, didn't exist in 1971. This can be said for many of the hotels there. Unfortunately, I didn't see the electric Cowboy that James Bond drives by in the movie. During my time in the great city of Las Vegas, I explored Madame Tussaud's Was Museum. Inside was a figure of Sean Connery in his older years. He is quite tall. The museum also featured a figure of Sammy Davis Jr. who filmed a scene for 'Diamonds Are Forever' but was later cut. A few of the hotels on the strip are inspired by locations Bond has been to. Luxor has an Egyptian theme. In 'The Spy Who Loved Me' we see 007 in Egypt. The Venetian is inspired by Venice, a city featured in 'From Russia With Love' and 'Moonraker.' I had a great time is Las Vegas. Should I remember any more Bond like activities or engage in a new one, I'll be sure to post it here. Now it is your turn to entertain us.

Edited by MI-6 Director, 11 January 2004 - 07:51 PM.

[Johnboy007]

I have been on the Golden Gate Bridge in AVTAk many times. I have been to Fisherman's Wharf, that appeared in AVTAK, i have eaten in a resturant that is in the background of the Fisherman's Wharf scene in AVTAK.

I have been in Las Vegas's airport, where Bond must have arrived in(quite a stretch aint it)

Edited by johnboy007, 11 January 2004 - 06:13 PM.

[The Admiral]

I've been to Holywell Bay, and came out of the water on a body board - kinda similar to Bond coming out on the Beach in Die Another Day.

I'll add more as I can think of them.

[Athena007]

I've been to and explored...

Piz Gloria (OHMSS) in Switzerland
and The Monastery (FYEO) in Greece

[Qwerty]

I am someday going to visit Piz Gloria, I've always wanted to.

Can't think of any major cities that Bond has traveled to that I've been to.....

[booyeah_]

I've spent a day in New Orleans once and last week I tried a Moore like stunt. I walked by an indoor pool and saw a few small body boards floating toward the other side. So I tried to make a run for it ala LALD but I fell and hit my hip on the side while getting soaked. It left a large bruise on my hip.

[Xenobia]

Does visiting Bond's house count? I was at the flat in London that the book James Bond's London believes to be 007's home.

I have driven on the FDR drive in NYC, but luckily, no one shot my driver.

-- Xenobia

[Brix Bond]

I fence. A lot. In fact I have a competition at St Andrews University on the 7/8th of February. I want my revenge from Edinburgh when our poor beginners team was matched against their A-Team, a horrible group of particularly obnoxious individuals. One of whom I stabbed in the abdomen. Well, I'll take my diamonds when I go this time.

I was in the RAF Cadets and have piloted a light aircraft (eg GoldenEye). However to be honest, it was on the ground at the time I got into it. And I was never shot down. Though I did fly over Stone Henge and was sure some druids shot glares at me.

Have also thru the RAF played escape and evasion games with the British Army. Did incredibly well until a 6ft member of our team stood up in the middle of open ground and gave away our position. So sort of like the Living Daylights then.

Oh, and because my bath is so deep, whenever I get out of it I look like Halle Berry coming out the sea in DAD. Only with chest hair.

Edited by Brix_Bond_007, 12 January 2004 - 02:45 AM.

[Johnboy007]

Oh, and because my bath is so deep, whenever I get out of it I look like Halle Berry coming out the sea in DAD. Only with chest hair.

That is one unpleasant thought

[Brix Bond]

Yeh? Well here's another.

[MrDraco]

I once built a cardboard hovecraft and got out with other friends who had cardboard hovercrafts and slid down a hill while it snowed...airsofting each other haha..
no i once visted New Orleans...that was a blast

[trs007]

OK, off the top:

Skiied at Piz Gloria.

As part of a BCW, saw/toured the location for "Slumber Inc."

Scuba dove the actual wreck (or whats left of it) of The VULCAN in Nassau. Also, a ship wreck from NSNA.

Climbed to the top of the Eifel Tower--sadly, no one was parachuting that day.

Stood on the 18th hole at Stoke Poges (Goldfinger). When I get better, someday I will golf there.

There are others, but thats enough for now.

[Tanger]

I've been to Holywell Bay. Since I live in Cornwall it's really close so it was no trouble getting there. I actually got to stand on the set of the base.

[M_Balje]

I have seen the Eifel Tower in Paris in France.
I live and walking in Amsterdam.

[Icephoenix]

I've fallen off a cliff face ,ala - James Bond in The Facts Of Death.

I've also rode in/on a fire-truck, in the cabin, and on top. And climber the ladder.
That all I can think of at the moment.

[Loomis]

Like Bond, I've set foot in North Korea, albeit only for the couple of minutes permitted by soldiers when tour groups from Seoul visit Panmunjeom, the truce village in the Demilitarized Zone ("the Dee Em Zee", as Robinson puts it - correctly, but not very Britishly - in DIE ANOTHER DAY) between North and South Korea.

Panmunjeom is where the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953, ending the Korean War. It is currently a venue for "peace talks" between the two Koreas. Tourists are permitted to enter a Military Armistice Commission meeting room on the border line, stand on the North Korean side of a microphone lead that runs underneath a table, and thus officially enter North Korea. Carry on walking, and there's a door leading to real-life Colonel Moons, but the soldier standing by the door will kill you before allowing you to pass.

I can't recommend this day trip highly enough if you find yourself in Seoul. To look at North Korea from the safety of the South is an exciting, intense, sobering and unforgettable experience (and lunch at a US base is often thrown in, if you've ever fancied a buffet mixing kimchee and burgers).

I'm pretty sure that tourists are able to look at the bridge where Bond and Zao encounter each other during the "trade" in DAD. I wonder whether some tour operators are now incorporating "AS FEATURED IN THE JAMES BOND FILM 'DIE ANOTHER DAY'" into their advertising, in more or less the same way as the Bottoms Up in Hong Kong has a sign outside trumpeting its appearance in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN?

[trs007]

Is there a real bridge there? I thought the DAD bridge was safely back in the UK. It's been a while since I watched the DVD, for forgive such an obvious question.

[Loomis]

Is there a real bridge there?  I thought the DAD bridge was safely back in the UK.

I've a feeling it's the Bridge of No Return:

http://johnhamill.tr...oreturnzoom.htm

Then again, it might be the Freedom Bridge:

http://johnhamill.tr...1_1_bridge2.htm

I'm sure that the bridge in DIE ANOTHER DAY is supposed to be one of those famous bridges. Of course, the bridge that actually appears in the film was in the UK (mocked up on some studio lot), since it was quite out of the question for any location filming to be done in the DMZ.

Visit http://johnhamill.tr.../panmunjom.html for some cool pics.

[Bryce (003)]

Hmmm.....

This will take a while.....

"I'll be right back."

[trs007]

Loomis: I knew 007 and co. weren't really in Korea. I just wondering if there was really a bridge that divides the borders. Thanks for the info.

Worth checking out should I ever find myself in Korea.

[Genrewriter]

Does performing precision manuevers in traffic to avoid a senile old woman in a Lexus count?

[007Travis]

Does performing precision manuevers in traffic to avoid a senile old woman in a Lexus count?

Yes! Although living in Florida that is an everyday occurance, with all the purple hairs here...

[007Travis]

Anyway....... I've been to Switzerland, seen the Eiffel Tower, the Golden Gate bridge, been to Nassau.... I think that's it....

[Bryce (003)]

I guess I'll just break this down. Anyone with any questions or who may want details, let me know.

- Skydiving
- Mountain climbing
- Surfing (the wet kind, not the keyboard)
- Horseback riding
- Driving at high speeds (both chasing and being chased) in exotic luxury cars (including one 20 year old Jag and one DB5)
- I've fired everything from black-powder and flint-lock to PPK's to Uzi's - Skeet is fun.
- Quietly snuck into one or two places I shouldn't have been (ask Phil's lawyers).
- Flee from law enforcement (the can't prosecute what they can't catch)
- Traveled to many Bond and exotic locations
- Stayed in 1st class hotels in very "Bond worthy" suites.
- Seduced one or two gorgeous women (OK.....MORE than two *ahem*)
- Played and won in high stakes velvet roped casino's.
- Saved the world (well, a few friend's definition of "their" world and 004 helped once when it was truly "Queen and country" - part of the reason we can never go to Panama ever again)
- Dined in some the world's grandest restaurants (I still can get a table at Guido's anytime, any night of the week.)
- Piloted boats and aircraft once or twice (wetbikes are FUN! Autogyro's require some attention to detail).
- Spent several afternoons throwing knives and having sword play until both my arms felt like they were going to drop off. Still do once a month.
- 004 and I have drank more scotch and played more backgammon than most of you will in your lives....No....Really.
- "Escorted" one lovely young lady from the East to the West when there was such a thing.
- Sparred in about every form of hand-to-hand combat - martial arts, kick-boxing, and good old Scottish street brawling "Marquis of Queensbury" Rules

Over indulged myself? - Yes.

Gotten my A** kicked? - Yes.

Chased the wrong girl? - Yes.

Still a Bond fan?.....Priceless.
-

[007Travis]

Oh, and could never forget.... Have drank a LOT of champagne, vodka martinis....(which I am doing now,lol)

[007Travis]

Where did my other posts go?!

[Athena007]

Where did my other posts go?!   

We started a NEW thread, 007Travis (no worries, they still exist)
Signature DRINKS: click here to discuss

[Xenobia]

There was a similar thread up a while ago where I shared this, so I am sorry if folks have heard this before:

In the Fall, my friend and I went into a newly renovated building where I work, and checked it out for OSHA and ADA violations. We took pictures and notes.

-- Xenobia

[Matt Sherman]

Have been to London and literally saw the Queen in person (no
knighthood offered). Dined in the "gunbarrel" at Planet Hollywood, saw
Fleming's Reuters and EMI (spinners of all LPs 007). Found a very rare
J. Cape edition for purchase there on a book hunt. Saw "Pierce
Brosnan" at Madame Tussaud's and goofed off, pretending to hand
"Brosnan" a Christian pamphlet, ala the Christian pamphlet my friend
Kees Boer handed the REAL Brozza at the GoldenEye event in NYC. Saw
numerous "MI-6" locations in city, Ian Fleming's Blue Plaque
apartment. Bought a Z3 at Hamley's.

Lived in NYC and traveled to Harlem, E. 65th St, Kennedy Airport, FDR,
Edwardian room, and all places LALD/DAF/"007 In New York", in New
York!

Have visited more than 16 different New Orleans/Louisiana locations
for LALD, including Fillet of Soul and so on.

Saw OHMSS on the big screen in 1998.

Displayed personal James Bond memorabilia at a library and at a
museum.

Have driven fifteen passenger vans filled with either Bond memorabilia
or Bond memorabilia collectors or both.

Have been chauffered in a Silver Birch DB5 with British Goldfinger
plates.

Reprinted the missing GoldenEye comics #2 and #3 with their author Don
McGregor. Have spent many hours with Don discussing James Bond and his
love life (Bond's more so than Don's).

Visited Lana Wood with some friends and helped escort her to Hilton
and Riviera hotels for her first trips to Las Vegas since DAF there
ended. Put Lana in an OHMSS-styled DBS and had "trouble at the
airport" while doing so. Had lunch with her and an actress friend she
is promoting and heard about everything from her Emmy nomination to
her affair with Sean Connery. Spoke with Bruce Glover about DAF
filming, at his hotel. Visited both DAF gas station locations, played
the water balloon game at Circus Circus before it vanished recently,
visited Reno, drove Fremont Street and car chase locales, saw Bond
clips on MGM Grand's giant casino screens, visited Willard Whyte's
Techtronics location (by sneaking onto the location inside a van,
really!), had a guided tour of Slumber, Inc. from its mortuary
director (!) and have been photographed in the "Garden of Remembrance"
there where Bond's "brother" was laid to rest, and visited about a
dozen other DAF/Thrilling Cities locations in Vegas, also. Have stayed
at Four Queens (where two wheel stunt was filmed), and have handled
the actual red Mustang Fastback that Connery and Jill St. John drove
and also Blofeld's bathosphere. Heard Vic Flick play DAF theme live
during lunch atop the Mark Hopkins hotel!

Have decked out as DAF Bond in white suit, Bond with parachute from
Moonraker, Ian Fleming himself and Bond from Dr. No for costume
parties. Spouse has variously been Pussy Galore ("woca woca") and
Dolly from Moonraker, my mom was also Pussy Galore (oh my!) and
children have been golden girl, Octopussy, Nick Nack, Elephant
Baht-Boy and karate kid from TMWTGG on different occasions.

Visited Eiffel Tower and route of AVTAK car chase. Saw GoldenEye dam
from a mountaintop in Lugano, Switzerland. Visited Venice including
St. Mark's Place and Ventian Glassworks. Traveled to Amsterdam ala
DAF. Saw Mannequin Piz in Brussels as per Raymond Benson's The Facts
Of Death. Saw Berlin crossing point of Octopussy.

Have advised charities on 007 events and also a Thunderball theme
party, Bond birthday parties and other occasions. Was married by a
Bond collector who is a minister (not the famous pastor named Roger
Moore who lives nearby and talks about Bond in his sermons), danced to
"If There Was A Man," had a Bond groom's cake with a 3D 007 logo,
Connery and Moneypenny atop it, and departed for my honeymoon to a
live rendition of Goldfinger with Shirley Bassey singing an extra-long
last note.

Have worked on a Bond eighteen-month planner, a Bond interactive CD,
several Bond websites, Bond theme gifts and Bond gag gifts.

Won several Bond contests including one for designing a new Bond
gadget worthy of Q.

Have had an expensive Bond prop stolen. Felt like I knew what Bond
would do after discovering the thief. Avoided doing that!

Have had friendly glasses of wine and other 007 consumables and
conversation with Timothy Moxon (Strangways in Dr. No/first person
killed in any Bond film) and Bruce and Marie (Judy) Glover. Bruce is
eccentric but hilariously funny and well traveled. Timothy is well
traveled but eccentric and hilariously funny.

Have ridden in a limo with the awesome Gloria Hendry and talked with
her about her jazz and film careers. Daughter has asked Gloria,
"Knock-knock-who's there-Rosie-Rosie Carver" which Gloria thinks is
funny.

Spoke with Peter Hunt on the telephone at length before he passed.
Lovely, lovely and creative man.

Was in a car accident where the ticketing officer was J. Bond. Number
007 has appeared on different licenses and certificates as well in my
life.

Was a paid extra appearing onscreen in two scenes in Sean Connery's
Just Cause. Watched Connery film scenes, saw him up close (two feet
away) as he signed autographs for a handful of people on a rare
occasion, dined where he dined and met George Plimpton on set, etc.

George Lazenby has called my house and spoken with my wife and
children. Hoping to hit golf balls with him and T. Zie. next go round
at Stoke Poges.

Designed packaging and CD for Vic Flick's James Bond NOW and wrote
liner notes for same. I was thus privileged to have my work reviewed
by and featured alongside that of the amazing Geoff Leonard and the
incredible John Barry. Have messed about with the guitar Vic used in
1962 (yes, it still exists and no, Vic did not smash it when he
finished his recording). Helped hook Vic up with David Arnold. Vic and
Judy Flick and family are some of the nicest people I've met, ever and
I am delighted to know them as friends. The music of Vic and John
Barry has meant so much to me for so many years that all this was a
double blessing.

Have seen some of Doug Redenius' and Alan Stephenson's unbelievable
6,000-item 007 collections including one-of-a-kind props and personal
gifts from Bond authors and movie stars. Doug and Paula, with the help
of Dave Reinhardt, Jeff Kehoe, George Martin and IFF friends, took our
group in Illinois on a tour of the FYEO submersible, LALD jump boat,
TWINE road boat and TWINE powerboat, Moonraker superboat and TWINE
parahawk with dummy rider still inside, Thunderball tow sled. Janine
and I got to "ride" on the TSWLM wet bike.

Have spoken/corresponded/edited with/for Max Vesterhalt (in FYEO
scene/invited to screen test for Bond gal by Broccolis), Trina Parks,
Virginia Hey (Living Daylights/Farscape), Paul Kyriazi (James Bond
Lifestyle), Michael DiLeo (The Spy Who Thrilled Us), Lee
Pfeiffer/Phillip Lisa, John Gardner, Michael Billington, etc., etc.
Lois Maxwell told me who her favorite Bond actor to work with was, her
favorite Bond film, and who she thinks is really the best 007 ever.
She's tops.

Was privileged to introduce Raymond Benson at our gala luncheon at The
Signature Room 95 stories over Chicago. Was additionally privileged to
have him play his Bond mini-concerto as some of our guests had no idea
he is gifted on the piano as well as with words.

Appeared on HGTV with my Bond collection and have been interviewed in
numerous magazines and newspapers.

Richard Kiel drew an outline of his gigantic hand and gave it to my
son, Benjamin. He stood next to Janine Sherman for special photos when
she dressed as Dolly for our costume party. Richard and Diane Kiel are
intelligent, warm people and I admire them for their devout Christian
faith which has weathered many storms successfully and with style.

The talented Jeff Marshall has prepared posters for our events and
stars have signed warm appreciation on them. Jeff has blessed my life
very much.

Have a pal who is a real-life ex-CIA agent and bodyguard for
Wackenhut. We are bringing to video an expose on the guns of 007.

Appeared in fanzine/spoofzine "Tasty Film Previews" spoofing 007. One
of my favorite memories.

Lois Chiles said I was cute and gave me a kiss. Another treasured
memory!

I visited Barbara Bouchet with my seven-year-old daughter at her hotel
suite. She gave Alexandria a special still with her and David Niven
that she had only one of and later, signed a T-Shirt for Alex she had
made as Miss Moneypenny.

Toured with a busload of Bond fans to visit AVTAK hot tub locale; San
Francisco's City Hall where I was privileged to read a proclamation
from the Mayor honoring our annual Bond Weekend, the Golden Gate
Bridge, locations for the AVTAK premiere/The Rock/Stacy Sutton's
house, etc.

Most of all: Getting to know awesome fellow fans from around the world
who share "three of the same passions": Bond, Bond and more Bond.
Thanks for bringing back the memories for me with this thread!

Nearly all of these opportunities arose through the annual Bond
Collectors' Weekends. Sign on for our 2003 event at SpyFest.org!

--Matt Sherman, 007Forever.com, SpyFest.org

[Xenobia]

*ahem*

I think you forgot a few things Mister Sherman.

You have been in the suite of the real James Bond.

You are friends with several staffers at CBN....AND brought Athena Stamos to our ranks.

-- Xenobia