Hedo First Timer's Trip Report (Oct. 1-4) Patrick L. and Shell
NOTE: This report is filled with many notes as to assist any first timers with their travel-me being a travel agent part time, I would want to help folks past the unnecessary stuff.
It was between Hedo, Breezes, and Ciboney. After some discussion with my girlfriend we decided on Hedo because of the claimed "non-stop party atmosphere". We also picked the dates to coincide with the Black Diamond Travel group's time at Hedo as well (which, as it turned out, barely affected our stay one bit).
Our flight out of Baltimore Washington Airport left at 6:50 am on Oct. 1, transferred in Philly, then on to MoBay to arrive at around 12:00 noon. With this in mind, I was looking forward to actually enjoying that first day with plenty of time in it to use for fun stuff. The flight went without a hitch, even with the remains of Hurricane Georges covering the southeastern states. All went down on time: thanx US Air.
MoBay airport isn't anything special. It's hot in some places, air-conditioned in others. The customs folks are quick to help you get through and on your way to whatever services desk your looking for. The porters, however, are an entirely different story. As we moved towards the "Super Clubs" desk, there were 15 to 20 ports lined up against the wall, none looking to help any of the 50 to 75 passengers, all looking a bit dazed from the flight, with their luggage or with any directions. Some even showed an attitude if asked any questions or for their assistance. I later found out that that's just how MoBay airport personnel are: Buttholes-excuse me. The Super Clubs desk attendants however were quick to assist with the small but necessary paperwork and to show you to where your bus/van loaded to take you to Hedo. Again, it is HOT.
Now the bus trip, after hearing all the horror stories about how bad it is, was quite nice. Just grab some Red Stripe beer, and enjoy the ride through the countryside. It is a coastal highway the trip is on so you will see some of the loveliest ocean and mountain views this side of the Atlantic. This trip shows you just how lovely the county is. It will also show bits and pieces of the poverty of Jamaica. You also get a chance to converse with the returnees on the bus. We met up with a couple returning for their 17th time. They were a great source of info on what to do and where to go as first timers.
Check-in is a breeze (pardon the SuperClubs pun). They take your bags, you get your key, and to your room in no time flat. Nothing else to tell here.
From here on I will just hit the highlights, no need in rehashing what many others have touched on.
For newbees, eat all you can. Even though the food is buffet style, it's just fantastic. From breakfast on down the line. It is fun to watch and participate in all the things during dinner. The selections were very very good, there is never a line for service, and all you can stand, its there for you. It always seemed like when we started to get hungry, there was food being served either in the dining area or we were near one of the beach grills; all-inclusive is a wonderful thing. NOTE: Don't miss the grilled cheese sandwiches. I know it sounds silly, but we ate them, 4 to a plate, while sitting in the prude hot tub one night and the nude pool/bar the next day. They are "off the hook". Couldn't wait to get more when we could.
Bar service, again, is out of this world. We had to drink upwards of $500 worth of liquor a day just because it was there and all you have to do is ask for it. Dirty Bananas and Purple Rains were the most ordered (even for breakfast, dirty bananas were perfect), but Vodka slushes and various shots were also very very good. You are never any further than 15 paces from a bar at any place on the resort. And that's a great thing (giggle giggle). Again, all-inclusive is a wonderful thing.
The Nude side (first time for that too) is pretty cool too. The people are as nice as everyone says, but I do admit that we had to be both drunk and high to partake in it. Then after you get used to the notion, its all pretty cool. The underlying code of individual respect is really nice and noticeable. Everyone is really cool with everyone else and that's a lovely thing to see in today's world. Ordering a gilled cheese sandwich in the buff is a funny sight to see though, and I was the sight.
As far as activities go, if you participate (and it is hard not to) you will have a very very good time. We played at the beach games/party and loved it. The toga party was "different" but in the end enjoyed it just the same. Befriended one of the scuba divers, who let us go out with them and snorkeling while they dove, the water was fabulous. The disco was nice too, even though it wasn't as packed as I expected. But it's there when you and your mate want to get groovin'(and not as hot as everyone says, the A/C works well in there). NOTE: Don't be shy, go ahead and have your fun, no matter how silly it may seem after the fact. Also, meet folks too, you never know whom you will be conversing with next. I never though that, in my lifetime, I would be conversing about engine parts while eating a grilled cheese sandwich and drinking a dirty banana, in a pool next to a totally nude man (giggle, giggle) but there I was doing it. Not even mentioning the antics and flashing at the Toga party.
Also went to Rick's caf with one of the locals named Oneill-a scuba diving instructor. The people of Negril are very nice and eager to talk, all you have to do is respect them as people and not treat them as the hired help. They will show you that same respect. Rick's has really good food, and the cliff divers' are funny to watch. I know I wasn't going off that edge, but watching others is funny.woooooooohaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. Hanging with Oneill was good fun and he educated us on Jamaican customs and the like.
One of the hidden pleasures at Hedo, which I never heard anyone else talk about before, are the many hammocks down near the beach. On our last night, after again getting high and drinking, we found ourselves laughing about all the events of the previous days while doing some serious relaxing in 3 of them lined across the beach. We spent around 2 to 3 hours in each watching the moon and listening to the surf. If you want to "chill" for a minute or two away from all the activity, this is the place to do it.
On the last day Hedo thoughtfully gives you a notice on when you need to have your luggage ready for their bell hop pick-up and when you should be ready at the main lobby to catch the bus back to MoBay (I liked this feature tremendously). Since we didn't have to leave until early afternoon, we took advantage of the beautiful morning and went to the beach after breakfast for some last-time-in-the-sun-and-sand time. It was just as wonderful as when we first got there. Then the lovely rides back to the airport for the flight home. In a word-we WILL be back SOON. NOTE: Save a few camera shots for the trip to or from the airport. There will be some beautiful views that you will want to take pictures of during the trip: mountain and coastal.
A couple of extras:
There is a daily activity schedule on a large chalkboard in the back of the dining area. It's a good source for what's going on daily at the resort. Check it out for what you want.
If you smoke marijuana, don't be afraid to inquire to the many Jamaican's in boats in the evening trying to sell you some off of the beach. You can get a good deal with them, and its not like as if you bought it in the US in some sandwich bag, the weed I bought was fresh on the stalks/branches and was top notch. $20 to $40 will get you more than enough for your stay.
Make sure you either have the money you need with you when you leave for Jamaica OR have a major credit card: ATM/Money machine cards may not be supported by Jamaican banks. I had one heck of a time finding one I could use to get the exit tax money for departure. And, with the bad attitudes of the people at the airport, you may not get any assistance in getting what you desire.
Many thanks to Denny and his page for helping me and informing me on Hedo before my trip. But I have to say, there aren't enough trip reports to really inform you on the fun you will have while actually there.