When my sweetie first suggested a glass toy, I was dubious. Glass? What if it broke? Wouldn't it be fragile? Or wouldn't it be too hard? Then I got my first Pyrex dildo–wow, was I ever wrong. (Reading this, baby? I was wrong. You were right.) It was solid, smooth, substantial but not too heavy, fun to play with cool and even more fun to play with after it was all heated up by someone's heat. This Snake of Paradise toy has all those features, plus it is really cute–sort of like a little alien tadpole, very eager to swim upstream.

Like all Pyrex toys, the Snake is wonderfully smooth, and can easily be used just with natural lubricant. If you need additional slipperiness, any kind of lube is safe. Glass is also non-absorbent, so can be easily and completely cleaned with a thorough soap and water washing, a 10% beach solution, or most toy cleaners. Pyrex can also be cooled by placing the toy in a bowl of cold water or ice (don't leave it in the freezer), or warmed with water (don't ever microwave!). If warming it, keep in mind that glass heats up quickly, so test it carefully: pleasantly warm on your fingers could be too warm on the much more sensitive skin of the labia or the vagina. In my experience, the toy got nicely warm just by using it. In fact, the first time I gently slid out a pyrex dildo post-happy-O, I couldn't believe how warm it was. I mean, I know my sweetie is hot, but wow.

Those are the Essential Truths of the material, all of which you'll quickly come to appreciate. What's unique about the Snake of Paradise is its shape, with the bulbous head and squiggly curves. And little bumpy nubs. And the stripes of color, which add nothing to the feel but are pretty. I really like the size of the head of this snake. Mine measured about 3 ½ inches in circumference at its largest point, although individual pieces may vary because of the properties of glass. If the head is a little large for you at first, you can certainly start with the tail, which is quite small. I can play for quite a few minutes just thrusting the head in and out of my vaginal opening, feeling the stretch and popping sensation, which the slippery quality of the glass makes so easy and delicious.

But don't stop there, for you wouldn't want to miss the feel of the snake's curves. These are wide enough to really feel as the toy is moved in and out, but also small enough that the toy can be easily rotated once it is in the vagina, a particularly strong and interesting sensation. To me, the effect of turning the snake feels much like having a lover's fingers moving inside, pushing against the walls and muscles in many different ways. Yummy. The angle of the head also makes this toy great for G-spot stimulation, especially combined with the firmness of the glass. While the joys of the curves and head are easy to feel, the nubs/bumps were for me pretty much just ornamental–I didn't experience feeling them at all. Maybe if I compared this snake to one without bumps I'd notice a difference, but I'm quite happy with this snake and don't need to go shopping for another model.

The Snake comes with a color-coordinated cloth bag, which is quite pretty but doesn't provide much protection. While pyrex is very resistant to scratching or chipping, I recommend buying a padded Pleasure Pouch bag for this toy, especially if you'll be storing it near other hard toys, or taking it traveling. Pyrex toys should last for years, with no possibility of taking on odors, going soft on you, or losing color, so protect your investment with safe storage!

Cold autumn evening, me in my garret, turning on the space heater, and plugging in the heating pad. Ummm, then reaching for the new toy that arrived in the mail. I opened its package, admiring the shape and color in the dim light. But it was cold, and I was cold, so under the covers with both of us! Since my heating pad was handy, I wrapped it around the Snake for a few minutes while I warmed up with my favorite vibrator. What better way to produce body heat and get the blood flowing and everything all ready to play? I then pulled the Snake from its warm cave, and moved the head towards my clit. Ouch–and oops–heating pad not such a good idea, for the toy was uncomfortably warm! (Note to self–warming Pyrex with body temperature is warm enough). In the breeze through my uninsulated walls, a few seconds out of the covers cooled it down nicely.

I moved the head over my clit and along my labia, where it was wonderfully slippery with no extra lube at all. Already aroused and hungry, I moved the head into the breach, relishing the feel of the bulb moving in and out of the strong ring of muscles. In and out, in and out. Oooooooh, that's good. Then further in, pushing the snake slowly so I could feel the bump of each curve, then quickly to produce a wave-like sensation. Ooooooh, that's also good. Then I left the snake quite deeply inside and twisted it, feeling the pulsing of the curves against my vagina and G-spot. Also very good. As I felt an orgasm building, I moved the snake in and out while twisting it as much as I could (which is so much easier to do inside someone else than reaching down along my own body). The pressure on my G-spot was amazing, much firmer than silicone dildos, and I like firm. Needing to come, I grabbed for my vibe, and barely touched it to my clit as my first orgasm radiated out. I rode that for a few minutes, now all warm and toasty under those covers, then started again, and after that a third time. If I simply want to get to orgasm to relieve tension or release sexual energy, I can get there easily with just my vibe. But when I really want to take time and make love with myself, I like a dildo too, so there's sensation happening everywhere, and for this the Snake was perfect.

Maybe a little too perfect, for the next morning I was little sore from the thrusting. Not horribly, just enough to let me know I'd been Up to Something, and to help me remember to go gently when using any glass dildo. Glass has absolutely no give at all, so if you're used to silicone, soft plastic or rubber, do play more gently than usually until you get to know your toy!

Ah, the Snake of Paradise! How do I still love thee! Let me count the ways -- one bump, two bumps,three bumps, four bumps, and that bulbous head clearly designed to make the G-spot so hot it hisses.;)

Glass doesn't run out of batteries. It stays clean. It is warm or cold as you need--although no matter how cold this snake starts, you will be surprised by how hot your body will make it. It doesn't look worn, and, unlike silicone, it doesn't attract every piece of lint, dust, and animal hair in my house.

This is just a great toy all around. And it is pretty enough, and unusual enough, to have sitting around on a shelf or coffee table (just clean it well before using if it's been handled!) While I am slowly accumulating a tool bag full of toys, the snake lives in the drawer on my nightstand, previously reserved for only my beloved Ideal vibe and its charger.

This very reasonably priced toy is so good, in fact, that I'm left wondering how much better one of the very expensive glass toys could be. Stay tuned....