WHAT WE DID FOR OUR SUMMER VACATION
Hedonism II…first time. We had read everything that we could get our hands on in preparation for our first trip to a resort "like this". Countdown started about 1 month prior to takeoff. We dutifully purchased our rafts (leave ‘em home), 5 different grades of sunscreen (don’t leave ‘em home), and numerous other things that weighed down our suitcase.
After much preparation, both physical and mental, it was time to leave. Actually, we left 5 hours before our flight for that long 25 minute drive to the airport. Even after a leisurely sushi dinner, we still had three hours to kill.
Sunday 8/9/98: We finally took off for Jamaica, via Atlanta and a four hour layover at five in the morning.
Monday 8/10/98: Arrived in Mo Bay and met a couple from New Jersey who we met thru Denny’s website. Took the "Bus Ride From Hell" to the resort. Great trip, arrived in 90 minutes and of course had to wait for our room. Had lunch with them and another couple that we met on the bus. Rooms were ready in about an hour and we were checked in. Not the room we had hoped for, so we put in a call to the front desk and heard our first "No Problem, Mon." They offered to change rooms for us the next morning after breakfast. ( I figured that this would be a monumental hassle, but the next morning when I went to the front desk, all was in order.) We decided to meet our new friends at the nude pool within the hour.
OK…the moment of truth is here. Time to doff the suits and be at one with nature. Nena and I decided to take the circuitous route to the pool via the beach. Suits off, towels in hand, we walked up the steps and right into our new friends who were greeting a group they knew from past trips. What a great bunch. We then were found by John and Sheila, another couple that we had been e-mailing for many months. It was as if we had known them for years. They informed us that we would be having our first dinner at Pastafari’s with them and another couple.
After a fabulous dinner and a "nap" we were off for an evening in the hot tub. We met some wonderful people that evening with whom we will remain friends forever.
Tuesday 8/11/98: After our first night at Hedo (no sleep from 8:00 am Sunday until 4:30 am Tuesday), we awoke somewhat refreshed and ready for whatever the day brought. Lots more sunshine and the "Nude Cruise" to the Pickled Parrot. The cruise is well worth the extra $$ and quite entertaining. Rasta Ralph was keeping everybody entertained with his music and a game of Limbo. The snorkeling was uneventful except for the jellyfish which drove a few of us from the water ‘cuz we don’t need jellyfish stings on our hangy-down-parts. Then it was off to the Parrot and some cliff jumping. If you try the rope swing, make sure that you let go with hands and feet at the same time!!! Nena didn’t, and almost broke her nose when the rope hit her. Oh well, no scuba dives the next day for us…her nose hurt too much.
To make up for her injured nose, Tuesday night was Lobster Night in the main dining room. We had dinner with John & Sheila and the four of us put away quite a few of them little suckers.
That night was the P.J. party. We had a blast. I won third prize for best bondage P.J. Some of the outfits were a knockout, especially our friend "light-lady", who wore red lights all over her body. The disco was packed, but we stuck it out until all awards were handed out. Then off to the hot tub for the rest of the evening and enjoyed the entertainment there.
Wednesday 8/12/98: Wednesday’s kind of a blur to me. Not much sleep the past few nights and lots of partying! John & Sheila’s last night at Hedo :’( We had dinner with them at Pastafari’s again (food is still incredible) and celebrated John’s birthday. Went to Veronica’s Piano Bar afterwards and had the entire bar sing to John while he stood on a chair and ate up all the attention. Then off to the hot tub for some more late night antics. Said our goodbye’s to them with the promise of staying in touch and returning the same time next year. (and now that we know what their screen name meant…???)
Thursday 8/13/98: We tried to scuba today…I couldn’t equalize pressure in my ears and had to surface after 2 or 3 minutes. Nena came up with me and we spent the rest of the dive on the boat talking to Joe? our captain for the trip. We are looking forward to returning and diving with him. The divers all raved about the dive when they surfaced. They told us about the eels and rays they saw and all seemed to rate the site pretty high. When we returned to shore, we went to, where else?, the hot tub and pool. The activity today was higher than in the previous days and by dusk there was quite a group thing goin’ on. Wow!!!
Now, it’s off to Toga Night. What an assortment of togas. The only down side to Toga Night is the talent show tended to run quite long and we didn’t get around to the actual "party" until about 10:30. We loved every minute of it. Had a blast with Pat and Dan Hill (book your trips to Hedo with him "HILL918@aol.com". he’s a travel agent and after spending a few nights talking with them, we will go nowhere else for our bookings). We also made friends with couples from Texas and Fla. that day and had fun with them as well at Toga Night. Then…off to the hot tub for much more in the way of late nite antics.
Friday 8/14/98: Today we figured we’d try something new…laying on rafts in the ocean and being vegetables. After 5 or 6 hours of that, we tried to find some trouble to get into. Ended up in a game of "Scattegories" in the pool with 2 other couples. Nothin’ like trying to think rationally after a few days at Hedo! The brain just wouldn’t, or couldn’t, work. Then the storm hit…we had rain every day for about 20 minutes in late afternoon and it was always "No problem, Mon!". Friday’s storm was like nothing we had ever experienced, and being from Oregon we know a bit about rain. We have never seen so much water in an hour. But after that it was beautiful. The hot tub was quite a bit different that nite. The atmosphere definitely changes with the crowd. It seemed that as the next wave of people came, we found ourselves being looked at as the "veterans". Although we made some new friends, it wasn’t the same. Maybe it was just that all our "old" friends had left and we missed them and the comfort zone we all had. Oh, well…off to bed early to rest up for our last day. (Since when is 2:00 am early???) I’d like to offer a special THANKS to the two ladies who kept us entertained that morning right outside our window. With a view like that, I could have stayed in my room and watched all day!
Saturday 8/15/98: Last full day…until next year. Finally spent some money. Bought T-shirts for the kids and trinkets for our friends. Spent most of the day in the water just floating and chatting with everybody. Dinner at Pastafari’s that nite (third time in a week) and off to bed after a couple hours in the hot tub.
Sunday 8/16/98: Up at the crack of dawn and off to the airport for the flight to Mo Bay. Back to reality…or is Hedo reality and the rest is just something to pass the time until the next trip???
TO SUM IT ALL UP…
Hedo is the most incredible place we have ever found. Since getting SCUBA certified, we had always focused on "diving vacations" in a warm-water locale… well, that’s out the window. Now, we will be in Hedo at least one week a year, and if we dive while there, great. If not, "No Problem".
Bus vs. Plane…Bus there - plane back. Gotta see the sights.
Food…On a 1 to 10 scale, we’d say 8+. Pastafari’s included. We read about some very unhappy guests as far as food went, and we have no complaints. Maybe things have changed for the better in the past few months.
Accommodations…Won’t ever be confused with a luxury hotel, but when you can count the hours spent inside for a whole week, who needs luxury? Only complaint is hot/cold running water with a mind of its own. Hell, half the time we didn’t even go back to the room for…
Which brings us to our only major issue…Security(Sex Police)…These guys hassled everybody they saw touching the first couple of nites we were there. This was only after dark, however. We saw, or were part of, a few "public displays of affection" during the day, and weren’t hassled once. They seem to materialize after dark and just wait for activity. If they spent more time keeping the gawkers away and less time hassling us on the nude side, all would be well.
Vinnies & Wallys…Not much of a problem during our stay. We even had a single guy named Wally around for most of the week. Most of the single guys were there for a good time and were very respectful to all the ladies and couples. Special "Hi!" to our new buddy Mike from "New F#*%ing York". He had an uncanny knack for being everywhere (or so it seemed) and keeping everybody laughing.
Friends… Where do we begin??? We knew no one…O K that’s true about most vacations. By the time we left, we felt that we knew everyone…and will stay in touch with many of them. So, a big "THANX" to all the people we spent time with. It is all of you who make Hedo what it is. And it is because of you that we will need to make the journey every year to "The Happiest Place On Earth".(apologies to Mickey’s Place)
Irie.