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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! |
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Snapshots of Ibiza with the HarderFaster DJs
Reported by HarderFaster
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Submitted 14-05-08 18:43
It seemed like a relatively simply proposal: get all the HarderFaster Ibiza DJs in one place, ply them with alcohol and get them regaling their best stories about Ibiza, in between checking out the new venue for Thirsty Thursdays — so aptly named Thirst. But just as the Olympic torch ended up packed into the back of a bus and sent off to greener pastures, so we were forced to attempt to relocate somewhere quieter... confirming that: a) the new venue for TT is indeed a great party venue; and b) it’s also one of the best places in Soho to go on any given Thursday night. But we got there in the end, so read on for tales from the Ibizan front line from our very own HF DJs.
After a couple of very civilised drinks and a chat, two very basic rules were set down by the HarderFather aka Admiral MattHF. First, what happens in Ibiza stays in Ibiza. Second, all cameras are banned except for personal use. In a bizarre anti-HF publicity move, the HarderFather speaks out against more press and we can only but follow his orders — aye aye sir!
Judgement Sundays @Eden
In the best interests of Gonzo journalism however it’s decided we need to leave the friendly intimate environs of Thirst and find somewhere we can actually see and hear each other properly. But where? What madness is this as we leave one of the best venues in London to walk the streets in search of somewhere quiet and brightly lit? That Thirst is indeed that is only reconfirmed as we wander around Soho in search of somewhere to sit, eat, drink and chat, for trying to find all these things in one venue at 8pm on a Thursday evening proved exceedingly difficult...
So difficult that we were most tempted to go back to the cosy and calmly lit confines of Thirst’s well-stocked downstairs bar and forget about the interview altogether in favour of a few drinks and some decent dance music. But after trying several crowded venues polluted by overly-loud cheesy music, we finally found an old pub with a restaurant with well lit tables upstairs in their quiet area, for seeing and hearing is kinda handy when you’re trying to listen to tall tales from the other side of the table.
First then, let’s go back to basics: who are the HarderFaster Ibiza DJs?
Captain Adam Symbiosis
Hailing from London, our very own HF Editor and resident DJ Adam Symbiosis has slowly, methodically developed his sound since he first stepped up to the decks seven years ago. As well as running HF’s busy features and reviews sections and enthralling readers via his own written work, he plays house, trance, breaks and most things between. His sets are varied, fun and most importantly, great to dance to! The energy he has behind the decks is infectious too, while the skills, tricks and blends will leave you wanting more. Highly adaptable, he’s wowed audiences and listeners via his gigs and downloadable sets across the world. These days you’ll also find him in the studio checking out the latest trance releases from new producers for release on DJSA Records. With hits like ‘Deep Psychosis’ and ‘Vertical’ already signed and destroying dance floors via DJs like Armin van Buuren, his ear for good music continues to work hard. Captain Symbiosis celebrates his birthday on the White Isle, so it promises to be quite a mission indeed.
Commander Miles Gorfy
The driving force behind this HF mission to Ibiza, HF resident Miles Gorfy has recently been signed to Massive Music Management. Originally a hard dance DJ who played full-on hard and pumping trance with uplifting hard house, in true HF style he left and retired before coming back again with a vengeance and a few more styles in his record bag — house, minimal, hardcore and even a recent dabble in psy trance. In the four years before his sabbatical he played all over at the UK’s top hard dance events. As Commander of this mission, Gorfy can be relied upon to find a party and make it his own, playing any style and in any state — just be careful if he starts jumping around too much in the DJ booth!
Lieutenant Ilana Belsky
HF’s very own queen of house, Lieutenant Belsky’s DJing talent teamed with a deep passion for all things housey has gained her industry respect as well as an impressive following of her stripped back electro-tech sounds. Having made the London scene her own through playing events like Prehab at the Gallery @ Turnmills, becomeone, Honeyriders, Gifted, No! and Minimar, Ilana has spread her wings and flexed her DJing skills in Ibiza, France and India and numerous venues across the UK. Although busy with a couple of new residencies this year, including Going Places with the lovely Tania von Pear, Ilana has still found time to get into the studio and has a number of productions in the pipeline. Lieutenant Belsky promises to keep the boys in line, even if she has to use one of her custom-made diamond-incrusted whips to do so.
Private Pathfinder
Playing uplifting trance, Pathfinder has hosted and played at parties in the UK, Ibiza, Sweden, Amsterdam and South Africa. He has played the Queensday street party rigs in Amsterdam each April for the past seven years and hosts the infamous Trance on Thames free beach parties in London each summer. He’s a resident at Spangulation, Trance on Thames and Knowwhere. With the Knowwhere crew kicking off their festivities in Ibiza the week before the HF mission, Pathfinder is the man with the kit who can be relied upon to ensure the party continues at ground level.
Sergeant Matt Dahl
After moving to London from sleepy Suffolk and moving in with a couple of DJs, the lure of the decks became too strong and it wasn’t long before Sergeant Dahl bought his first set of decks and made his debut for the kings of anti-promotion — OHM —which was quickly followed up by a main room appearance at Turnmills. Starting off playing trance he’s since increased his styles to include house, progressive house and breaks. Regularly playing out all over London, his internationally portfolio is growing rapidly from gigs in Ibiza, France, Finland and South Africa. Resident of HF fav Zoology, his training with the Zoo crew makes him a prime contender for this mission. Describing himself as a juke box on legs, his moto is: “feed me drinks and the more I’ll play what you want me to!”
Right, so that’s team HF. Now, why the hell would you want to go to Ibiza with them? Finally seated around a pleasantly quiet table — well at least it was until we arrived — the drinks and yarns started flowing. As the intoxication increased and the inhibitions came down, I finally started to get some answers from these ruthless dancefloor assassins: why the fascination with Ibiza? And what were they hoping to achieve with this cut-throat mission? I was curious to ascertain exactly what ground-level experience our troops had of the much-coveted White Isle, where many have fought to party hard but just as frequently crashed and burned. It should be stated here that some stories have been changed slightly to protect the identities of the individuals concerned, and hopefully to reduce the number of death threats we get on a daily basis.
Luscious Lieutenant Belsky’s tales of the 2006 Addiction/HeatUK trip were certainly some of the most titillating on offer. Suffice to say a much greener, more naïve Belsky — well then she is now after her more recent hard training in HF bootcamp — flew in from a long trip to Israel to partake in Heat Ibiza in need of an early night and somewhere to stay. After tracking down one of HF’s favourite mischief makers, she was soon on her way to Addiction Towers to party.
Fast forward a few hours and our fair fun loving house-music fanatic is being followed around the festivities by one unnamed party purveyor... which led to her being chased, screaming, after he tried to expose himself to her. Now the very important question was raised here by Mr Alan Seventh Heaven that if you don’t remember something, why would you worry about it? But perhaps that’s exactly why? Whatever: with Monsieur Heaven bailing out to work commitments, such reason is going to be left at home in 2008. And with the wonderful HF photo archive on our side and the rumoured resurgence of HFtv, memory loss should be the least of your worries.
It also became exceedingly clear why the not-so-helpful-after-all HF member concerned, having survived this week of inequity, was choosing to book his very trip this year on his own steam. Oh no mate, you can play the baby card as often as you like, we’ve heard what you got up to in 2006 and agree that you should most definitely have your own apartment away from the madness to catch up on… er sleep. It also gives us another place to party and we’ll be sending Lieutenant Belsky around on a scout mission as soon as you’ve checked in. And this year we’ll be expecting all party-hard promoters to at least turn up to their own boat party thank you very much!
Amnesia
Private Pathfinder’s favourite printable memory of Ibiza is of 3000+ clubbers going off at Cream, Amnesia, then having a round from the infamous ice canon as it kicked in. One of the few places in the world to have ice canons, Amnesia is usually top of any discerning clubber’s list when you ask them what their favourite club on the planet is. The good Private has also gone off the beaten track in his quest for the best Ibizan club, with Amnesia being followed closely by a psy trance party he came across by accident — put on by Bristol’s Tribe of Frog crew — who’d spend the entire day decorating the place to make sure it had a real psy trance vibe to it. With psy trance making its presence felt again on the island, we’re hoping to stumble over a few similar gatherings ourselves. While my requests for photos raise fears of blackmail attempts, Pathfinder, who after surviving Ibiza for a record-sharing three seasons out of our team (being there in 2002, ’03 and ’05) must surely know his stuff.
Corporal ‘Miles High’ Gorfy is another veteran, having fought admirably for the forces of dance music in ’97, ’99 and 2001. His most interesting printable story of Ibiza involved going to the most admirable lengths to blag himself into a club we’ve heard in a long time, painting himself orange and decorating himself with glowsticks to attend a Clockwork Orange party at Es Paradis many moons ago. As he describes the experience: “I was the Clockwork Orange”. This however lead to him getting his first ‘proper’ guestlist at a club evAH at the Clockwork Orange Ibiza reunion party back in London at the end of the season, as Danny Clockwork remembered him — funnily enough!
Sergeant Dahl popped his Ibiza cherry just last year, being forced to sleep on a lilo in the middle of the swimming pool of his posh villa, as it was the only place the mosquitoes couldn’t eat him. Given that he returned from the White Isle with over 200 mosquito bites, it sounds like he should definitely have stuck to indoor pursuits… like clubbing. Those bites were karma for being such a lightweight Matt: such behaviour will not be tolerated in 2008! When pressed for stories more scandalous, his next best memory was ‘hanging out in the north of the island’ with his good mate San Miguel, which sounds all very nice and relaxing but more in the softer slower vein no? Sergeant Dahl’s mission for 2008 is to raise his game — or his training will be increased.
HarderFaster apartments
Private Pathfinder then asked a question everyone had been wondering: just how close are our apartments to Kanya? Suffice to say this is well and truly confirmed as being about as close as you can get — check out the photo above! As he says, it’s “a nice place and full of lots of pretty people”. He ho, team HF can only add to that!
Corporal Gorfy had more tales to tell from his times in the trenches: cracking on after an all-night all-day session at Space, the blissed out spinner was sitting outside DC10 with a mate who’d changed his clothes into a French Connection T-shirt and little denim shorts watching “every muscle Mary on the island going into the club in their little leather shorts” — while the whole time having no idea it was one of the campest clubs on the island. In their defence: they “didn’t realise it was that gay.” Yeah right. Given the good Corporal’s present propensity for spending his time off base at Torture Garden, we’ll leave it all up to the imagination.
Our good Captain ‘birthday boy’ Symbiosis set the scene for his big bash by remembering his birthday two years ago at a legendary Cream party at Amnesia. As the veteran reports: “We did Cream and Ferry Corsten played a really good set. About half-way through his set, the collected nutters who had come for Fire It Up (the other name for Goodgreef) all started shouting ‘Eddie Eddie Eddie’. I thought it was the rudest thing in the world! So poor Ferry’s there playing and they’re basically saying to him, ‘Fuck Off! Bring Eddie on!’ So he comes on, and the first thing he’s done, he’s got the CDJ and he’s got it on loop, and it’s going ‘eeeeeeeeee’ really fucking loudly. REALLY fucking loudly. And everyone’s going ‘Wow, you’re fantastic!’ And we’re at the back going, ‘Fucking hell my ears hurt!’ Hahahaha.”
Lieutenant Belsky had another cautionary tale to tell, of being in Amnesia in the little house room with Addiction DJ Funky Franky and going up to the decks. The DJ was mixing in the breakdowns, “so he was crashing every mix and it was like galloping horses…. It was so bad, we just stood there, with our arms crossed, going: ‘How can people dance to this?!’ But the next people on were the Shapeshifters. They were behind the decks behind [the unable DJ] and me and Franky stood there shaking our heads and we all started laughing. So they were trying not to laugh when they came on. But when they did me and Franky were like ‘Thank you! Thank you!’ and at one point one of the Shapeshifters came out running from behind the decks and asked ‘How are we doing?’ and we gave him a hug and said ‘Thank you!’ then later we went over and said hello and thanked them again....” In fact she swears she wasn’t as bad as that first DJ the day she first got her decks! Be prepared: this ninja is trained to hear an off-mix from far more than 50 paces!
But just how are these dancefloor freedom fighters actually going to get their music to Ibiza? Captain Symbiosis is going to take as many CDs down his trousers as possible, while Private Pathfinder is taking “enough to make some noise. Decks, CDs, monitors, probably a sub and two tops...” As he’ll be in a villa with the the Knowwhere crew for the first week in the second week he’ll be going wherever he can lay his decks — and as he’s going to take his car so we can always have a car park party up in the hills! As he asserts: “There’s a lot of local knowledge and there’s a lot of fun to be had: good cheap fun.” Indeed, there’s a lot you can do with very little money out there: Bora Bora, for example, is free and there’s various bars and beaches with DJs and bongo drummers. As the good Private concludes: “My favourite place in the whole world to go to after a big night out is Bora Bora!”
Bora Bora
The conversation then turns to the wonders of Ibizan foam parties: “make sure you take an old bikini” is a top tip in that department given that there’s usually four foam canons, a 12 gallon hose and highly expensive expansive foam. The hardcore veterans assure us that once you’ve been to a foam party you’ll definitely want to go again.
For those DJs deliberating about whether to go and play this season or not, Pathfinder tells us the story of how playing at Ibiza actually got him a gig at Creamfields. There’s a pub called The Ship where you can go and stick a few records on. He was playing there when a guy came up and asked if he could put a few tunes on. PF said yes, and he turned out to be the bloke who owns Gurn.net... The next year, on Gurn there was a competition for who could come up with the best blag to win a set at Creamfields. As he describes it: “I said I gave you a set at the Ship in Ibiza last year so this year you should give me a set at Creamfields and he said alright! So my second ever set, in 2004, was on the Gurn bus at Creamfields.”
And what are our good troops looking forward to about Ibiza? Gorfy is most looking forward to relaxing in the sun. “Definitely no groupies, no DJing...”
Adam meanwhile is looking forward to enjoying his birthday with all the lovely HF crew — “I’m looking forward to getting absolutely blasted with my mates.”
Matt’s meanwhile looking forward to the whole Ibiza vibe: “You know you’re going to hear some amazing music and it’s one of the landmark places to play for any DJs.”
On that tip, Corporal Gorfy is also most looking forward is taking part and putting on some great parties — “the chance to give something back.”
Matt seconds that: “Just the taking part and playing internationally is so much nicer and more enjoyable than playing in London these days. In London the crowd are cynical and have heard it all before but in Ibiza you can play anything and everyone’s up for it and really go for it.” Cynical London clubbers?! Never!
So why should you go to Ibiza with HarderFaster and not one of the countless promotions all pushing trips this year? In the words of Captain Symbiosis, because they’re “going to be offering exclusive HF parties as well as the opportunity for people to play. We’re working hard behind the scenes to provide opportunities for people to just come out, drop some tunes and have a party. But it’s not just about taking people out, grabbing their money, throwing a party then saying ‘See you later!’ It’s also about doing a lot of community stuff, getting together. We’re all clubbers and we want people to come out and have the opportunity to play. DJs who’ve played for us before will get priority, if they’ve booked then it’s first in first served and we’ll put you on the line-up. We’ll go out, have a great time and you’ve also got the opportunity of partying and playing at some of the world’s best clubs!”
Ilana’s looking forward t introducing some of the HF people to some of the other clubs they wouldn’t normally go to, and to some of the music they wouldn’t normally listen to.
Pathfinder’s final top tip is the infamous Ibizan disco bus: “One of the best things about Ibiza is coming out of one of the world’s best clubs at six in the morning and walking along the beach to where all the sun loungers are and realising it’s a beautiful day for just wandering around. Then there’s the disco bus!”
Matt’s most looking forward to really immersing himself in Ibiza. Last time he was trapped in a money spinner in the middle of the island and spent most of the time in the north, only going to Bora Bora and Amnesia. This year he’s “expecting to immerse self in the clubbing side of Ibiza and enjoying it as it should be.”
The famous Ibizan sunset
But here’s yet another cautionary tale to finish on: just don’t do what our good Lieutenant Belskey did last time she was attempting to head home. After five hours sleep over five nights she was on her way back to the UK out cold on the plane. Arriving at Stanstead airport, she got the coach heading back to Liverpool Street. The bus driver wouldn’t let her put he record bag on the bus as hand luggage — so of course she argued with him that “this record bag is not leaving my side!’ But he argued and insisted she put them in luggage compartment and she got on the coach, sat down and promptly fell asleep.
Next thing she knew she woke up and there was no-one around, including the driver and she was parked at Victoria station locked in the bus. She’d also lost her voice, so was banging on the bus trying to get out. They finally let her out and apologised and she had to run over to the other side of the station to get it her luggage, but luckily it was all still there, including the record bag. While they apologised and offered her a lift back to Liverpool St, by then all she wanted was a cab home. Don’t let this happen to you rookies! Not all bus drivers are that sympathetic!
For more info about HarderFaster Ibiza check out http://ibiza.harderfaster.net/ibiza.html
Photos courtesy of the HarderFaster archive. Not to be reproduced without permission.
HarderFaster Ibiza
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On:
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Friday 20th June 2008
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At:
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The HarderFaster Studios [map]
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From:
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Cost:
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3 people sharing a s/c studio £349 / 2 people sharing a s/c studio £399.
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Website:
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ibiza.harderfaster.net
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Ticket Info:
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Reserve your place now for one of the highlights of HF’s busy 2008 calendar for just £99. Just call Nick at Vacation Club, our host on the Island and remember to quote HarderFaster to get the special rate. Lines are open 9:30 – 5:30 Monday to Friday on 020 8780 5551.
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More:
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Kick starting on Friday 20th June you can now join the HarderFaster crew and friends for 7 or 10 days of madness on the fabled White Isle!
With a great location exclusive to HarderFaster, some special surprises in store and a proper HF knees up can you afford not to go?
Stop press: During Ibizan Heat, HarderFaster will be co-hosting Room 2 at Euphoria on Tues 24th with Dave Pearce, Anne Savage and guests.
The wristband and Itaca card
As part of your Ibiza package you’ll get yourself a wristband which will entitle you to plenty of free parties.
Please note that the wristbands will not be available to anyone who books outside of the Ibiza tour this year.
The inclusive parties are:
A daily Kanya party 1300 – 2000
Fri 20th June - Kayna Beach
Sat 21st June – Fiesta Del Agua at Es Paradis
Mon 23rd June – Ibizan Day Party at abandoned zoo ( inc complimentary return coach) plus afterparty.
Wed 25th June - Fiesta Del Agua at Es Paradis
You’ll also gain access to the Itaca Ibizan Heat Card which entitles you to savings of up to 40% when buying a round of drinks!
HarderFaster are also organising some very special parties exclusive to HF Ibiza guests and DJs! Watch out for more details.
Plus you’ll have access to discounted tickets to a range of other parties which include:
We Love Sundays at Space
Judgement Sunday at Eden
The Ibizan Heat Boat party
Tranz Ibiza at Eden
Armada at Amnesia
Cream Opening Party at Amnesia
Wonderland (Pete Tong & Groove Armada) @ Eden
Manumission at Amnesia
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Flyer:
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Region:
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International
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Music:
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Trance. Euro Trance. Hard Trance. Tech Trance. House. Deep House. Funky House. Prog House. Tribal House. US House. Acid House. Soulful House. Tech House. Soul.
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DJ's:
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Adam Symbiosis
Miles Gorfy
Pathfinder
Matt Dahl
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Follow HarderFaster :: 
Other Features By HarderFaster:
HarderFaster Awards 2016 - The results are in!
HarderFaster Awards 2014 - The results are in!
Lashes, Dimples and the Brighton Music Conference
HarderFaster Awards 2013 - The results are in!
HarderFaster Awards 2012 - The results are in!
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: djdyju on 15th May 2008 09:35.52
Good article. I recognise a few pics I took too 
From: Neats on 15th May 2008 10:17.40
hope you all have a fab time
From: Adam Symbiosis on 15th May 2008 19:02.40
Really excited to be out there, not long to go now!
From: Pathfinder on 16th May 2008 00:11.58
Haha Really looking forward to this. There really is no-where like Ibiza
From: dave_irvine on 19th May 2008 14:54.11
fiesta del aqua? lol. chav central
From: Ian Edwards on 31st May 2008 10:22.02
Wish i could come guys.. Have lots of fun..
From: Sats on 2nd Jun 2008 14:45.18
Good feature - can't wait to get there!
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