MAY 20 -27.
Well we just returned from our first (but certainly not the last) trip to Hedonism II and had a blast. We'll try to give the high and low points of the trip but it'll be hard - there simply weren't a lot of low points. Also and for what its worth from a couple of rookies we'll put some "hints" here and there.
We booked the trip through All-Inclusive Vacations out of California and they couldn't have been nicer. A lot of folks told us to use Go Classy the next time and maybe we will but we had absolutely no problems with All-Inclusive and they had the best rates by far. We started going to the tanning bed about 30 days before we left. HINT: If you've got the time by all means tan early and often before you get there - the sun is flat brutal down there but we handled it fairly well. We saw some people that didn't, unfortunately, and they fried to a crisp the first day because they weren't liberal enough with the sunscreen. Of course, that put a BIG crimp in their vacation plans for the rest of the week.
We also took advantage of the numerous websites available for information, especially Denny's. We met some fantastic people on-line such as Dan and Bonnie, Jeff and Lynne, Tim and Gail and the ever-famous Jamaica Jim!!! All were absolutely first-class people and were more than willing to help with packing lists, room information, and all the other stupid questions that first-timers like us come up with. By the time we got down there we felt like Hedo vets even though we weren't, of course.
We booked our flight on Air Jamaica from Atlanta direct to Montego Bay and that was the first pleasant surprise of the trip - Both flights left on time, arrived EARLY and were uneventful. The planes were nice and the flight attendants even nicer. We had heard all the horror stories about "Air Jamaybe" and things like that but we couldn't have been more pleased.
HINT: What might have helped is that we left on a Wednesday and came home the next Wednesday, so we skipped the normal weekend crush when most people arrive and leave. That also helped with check-in as you'll see below - our room was ready the moment we arrived. Also, we took the first flight to MoBay Wednesday morning so there was no delay - the plane had gotten in the night before. If you can, make your travel plans for mid-week and early in the morning.Also, take a pen on the plane so you can fill out the immigration forms. The stewardesses don't have any extras to give and it'll save you from walking all over the plane trying to find one you can borrow.
We arrived at MoBay without problems and customs and immigration took all of about 2 minutes to clear - like I said we avoided the weekend crush. Checked in with the SuperClubs desk and within 15 mins of that we were on an air-conditioned bus and on our way. The bus driver was extremely friendly and took the time to point out things of interest along the way - the dreaded "bus ride from hell" as they call it turned out to be another non-event and we actually enjoyed it - especially when we crossed "Ganja bridge" where about 10 Jamaican guys ran up to the bus holding the biggest marijuana buds I had ever seen - everybody passed though.
The bus ride took about 1 hr and 20 mins and we arrived at the resort about 10:15 a.m. Like we said our rooms were ready and check in took about 5 mins. Our first room kind of stunk though - we were in 2151 which is a close as you can get to the disco. The first night was kind of loud so the next morning I asked for a switch - the staff couldn't have been nicer and immediately moved us to 2163.
HINT: Try and get into the "H-block" rooms - they're not too far away or too close to anything. One bonus to our room, however was that it was on a slight hill and we overlooked the ocean side rooms - we actually got an ocean view without paying for it.
After a quick unpack, we hit the beach - it took us all of about 15 minutes to get into the "Hedo groove" with some iced mudslides and vodka slushes. We also looked up our on-line friends and it was great meeting them - it also helped because we immediately had people to talk to. Speaking of packing - here's another
HINT: Take people seriously when they say not to take a lot of clothes. We packed light and went down there thinking that we were going to run out before we left. Halfway through the week we were looking at stacks of unused clothing and wondering why in the hell we brought all that stuff. I brought 4 collared shirts and only wore one and that was only because we went to Pastafari one night. Other than that it was t-shirts and shorts all week. Vicky dressed up some especially on disco nights though. Also, on most packing lists you'll find rafts/floats and ziploc bags. We took both and used neither. There were stacks and stacks of floats all over the beach that people had left although the double rafts were in high demand. If you want one of those you better bring one - otherwise don't bother. The ziploc bags? Take a vinyl beach bag with a zipper top like we did - the zipper top keeps the rain out and your stuff inside dry and you're not constantly fumbling with ziploc bags. Insulated mugs ARE a must though.
From Wednesday afternoon and for the rest of the week we basically concentrated on doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and it was Fantastic!!!!! Our pattern was about the same everyday. Get up about 8 or so and get some breakfast. To the beach by 9. Float around in the bay until 10 and hit Delroy's bar for a Bloody Mary or whatever. Float some more until lunch and then either go to the main dining room or just hit McMon's grill for a cheeseburger and fries. The food was great at either place by the way - it certainly wasn't five-star quality but you can't expect that. What it was was interesting, appetizing and REALLY GOOD. What else can any body ask for? After lunch we'd hit the cold Jacuzzi or the pool and of course the bar all afternoon long.
HINT: The famous "lunch time spins" were kind of boring although I would definitely stay for the wet t-shirt and the toga tying demo. The former for the entertainment and the latter because they gave you some darn good ideas on how to tie a toga. Other than that we didn't really see what all the excitement was about.
Around 5 or so we'd hit the hot tub and soak for an hour or so and then we'd usually grab a power nap from 6 until 7:30 to get rested for the night's partying. After dinner we'd head to Veronica's for a couple of hours - the karaoke was usually hysterical - and then over to the disco until 1 a.m. or so. After that where else can you go except the hot tub? In fact, we got so "into" this schedule that we only left the resort once.
HINT: The only time we left was to take the afternoon "Negril tour" which was 15 bucks a head and well worth it. The bus leaves about 3 and takes you to the straw market and the Hi-Lo for souvenir shopping and then by the Negril Lighthouse. Then you stop at Ricks Cafe and catch a sunset and a few cold Red Stripes and you're still back at the resort in time for dinner. There are a bunch of other tours and catamaran cruises available but quite frankly they either burn a whole day or you see the same stuff on the Negril tour for a lot less money.
I did take the resort boat out one afternoon for some snorkeling and it was worth it as well - They take you to a reef about a mile or so off the beach and let you snorkel for about 45 mins - the reef's good and they'll throw bread in the water to attract the fish.
Here's some thoughts on other topics of interest:
VINNIES: Were never a problem. Maybe it was the time of the year we went but the few that were there kept to themselves, kept their mouths shut and generally behaved themselves. In fact we met a couple of single guys that were actually pretty nice.
SECURITY: Again was not a problem. We had read a bunch of trip reports about the over aggressive "sex police" but we thought the security was just about right. In fact about the only time we ever noticed them we when they were stepping in to keep the gawkers away or when the sexual activity around the pool/hot tub got REALLY blatant. In fact one night security received a standing ovation from the hot tub crowd. Basically what happened was there were three blond Barbie types lounging around the hot tub dangling their feet in the water but were otherwise fully clothed. You could just tell from looking at these three that their attitude was"we're single girls and we're blondes so the rules don't apply to us." Guess what? On comes security and tells them (nicely of course) to shuck the clothes or leave. The clothes were shucked in record time and security got a round of applause. Other than that as long as you were reasonably discreet the security guys never bothered anybody, and that included letting some of the wilder bunch do some pretty wild things in the tub and on the pool deck.
WEATHER: Couldn't have been better. It only rained twice while we were there and one time was only for a half hour or so. The other time it came down pretty hard for about three hours but all we did was put hats on to keep the rain out of our eyes and we jammed into the hot tub along with everybody else and had a blast - drinking beer and talking and watching it rain.
PASTAFARI: We only went one night but were really pleased. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to eat there so don't go if you're in a hurry. But you're going to take that much time at any nice restaurant so chill out and enjoy the fact that its got waitresses and an antipasto bar and other nice stuff.
TIMAIR VS. "THE BUS": We decided to fly TimAir back to MoBay on our last day to see if it was worth the money. It was $60 pp one way and while the flight was certainly interesting I'm not sure I'd do it again. Here's why - our flight from MoBay left at 3:45 so the resort put us on a 12 noon bus. Tim Air told us to we could leave at 1. So we get to the Negril Air Terminal only to find out that there's been a scheduling screw up and we're not supposed to leave until 1:30. Then our plane was late and we didn't leave until about 2. The short story is that we ended up cooling our jets and sweating half to death at the Negril airport for an hour and a half when our buddies were in an air-conditioned bus and still beat us to MoBay.
HINT: If you are going to take TimAir reconfirm your reservations the day before you leave to make sure when you're supposed to be there and don't be in a rush to get to the Negril airport. I am now told that NO flight ever leaves when its supposed to - If you're supposed to leave at 1:30 then get there at 1:30 and you'll be there in plenty of time for when your flight actually leaves sometime thereafter.
The week ended all to quickly but we left with big smiles on our faces and a promise to each other that we WILL go back as soon as we possibly can - probably in November for our anniversary. We had come to appreciate the fact that when you go to Hedonism II you're not just going to a resort - you're taking on the aura, the lifestyle, the attitude, whatever you want to call it, of all that is laid back, adult-oriented, wild, wicked, romantic, and just plain FUN all rolled up into one. On top of that you will meet some of the nicest people that you could ever hope to meet (we certainly did).
The low points of our trip? Like I said there weren't but a few and all were relatively minor. We thought the music at the disco pretty much sucked. The crowd there our week was predominantly thirty somethings and older but the music was all techno-rap. With the exception of our first night and PJ party night (which was also a hell of a lot of fun by the way) the DJ's were playing stuff that nobody really enjoyed. They need to play more 70's and early 80's stuff that the crowds are familiar with. There seemed to be a lack of coordination on the beach activities too. A lot of times the stuff on the activity boards never happened or was late or whatever. That's about it for low points however and quite candidly if that's all you have to bitch about then the place is doing pretty well as far as we're concerned.
In short, if you've ever thought about going to Hedo, our suggestion is to run, not walk to the nearest travel agent and book the next flight there - you won't be disappointed!!!!.
Thanks for the great trip report. - Denny