Trip Report June 12-20, 1999
I traveled to Hedo as a single (although somewhat older) male and was concerned that I would be labeled as a Vinnie or Wally, or worse still treated as an outcast. However, thanks to Denny’s message board/vacation schedule and Chris’ book I had a pretty good idea what to expect and managed to exchange messages with a few people before arriving. I was seriously interested in doing a few dives and one of the catamaran trips and was able to find people with similar interests.
Reflecting on the past week, I agree with the observation that Hedo is not a singles club, as it definitely would have been more fun with a mate or close friend. But, that didn’t stop me from having the time of my life. I have never been anyplace that is more conducive to meeting people, having a good time and sex. The people that go to Hedo are simply the most friendly people that you will find anywhere and I have done the club thing, the travel groups and ski trips. There were people that I met that I liked from the first second and people I met that I normally wouldn’t have give a second thought to that I now consider close friends. The key thing is to go to Hedo with a good attitude and an open mind. I found that if you are honest with people and friendly YOU WILL BE ACCEPTED by almost everyone, couples and singles, nudes or prudes. This is not to say that there weren’t a fair share of Vinnies around. Unfortunately, there were a few folks with the NY/NJ attitude that walked through the nude area fully clothed, went on the clothing optional catamaran trip and didn’t participate, hit on all of the women, or were incapable of putting two sentences together without cussing. These people made me ashamed to admit to admit that I was originally from their area. But enough about them!
For my buck Hedo can’t be beat. The food, while not extravagant, was very good, and the variety was great. Dinner at Pastafari was a pleasure. The service was excellent, from the waitstaff to the entertainment coordinators. Every meal was a pleasure and the entertainment coordinators the best I have seen. The only area for improvement that I can see is in the bartenders who could have been more attentive (and that is coming from a Bostonian, where service "bites.").
The week’s entertainment included: a cabaret show, talent show, beach party, reggae party, the awesome toga party and the indescribable pajama party. I had some idea of what to expect and took some toys (the glow stick under the toga went over well), but everything still exceeded my expectations. The PJ party will stay with me for a long time!
Since it was my first visit I decided to do the bus thing and it was the "Ride from Hell." There were several times that I thought that we were driving off of the road only to realize that there was no road and our driver was just driving around a huge pot hole or wash out area. Still I would recommend that first timers do it for the experience and to see the countryside. It also afforded us the opportunity for a beer and pot break. A word on the pot – don’t feel that you have to buy from the first person, or from someone in one of the shacks. There will be other cheaper deals to be had.
Check in wasn’t terrible, but I was a bit disappointed that the class room that I booked wasn’t available, although the staff was quick to switch me over the second day. Lance, at GoClassy was very helpful and I would recommend them to anyone.
I was drawn to the music at Delroy’s and spent most of my day at the pool. (I will miss the people at dinner shouting "Who let the dogs out?"). I would guess that I spent about twenty hours per day naked, with an hour or two clothed at dinner and diving. (I did three dives and the dive staff was fantastic) If you haven’t guessed you pack a lot of hours into your day at Hedo. I slept maybe three or four hours each day.
A few random thoughts:
-On the second day I looked into my drawer and saw socks and underpants and thought to myself, "What the hell were you thinking?" If I didn’t take my dive things I could have fit all of my clothing for a week into a daypack. PACK LIGHT!
-I took a tennis racquet that never got uncovered.
-That hot tub did get pretty interesting after midnight. While the sex police were always present, only once did I see them break up anything. They were just keeping things under control I guess.
-I previously could not picture why anyone would get married or honeymoon at Hedo. Now the reasons are very clear.
-It was fun poking fun at the people at Grand Lido and making fun of the prudes. I did my part to convert a few.
-I took a copy of Chris’s book and on the inside of the back cover I wrote: Please return to John in Room 2124 by Friday June 18. People signed the inside with their first names and hometown, and I have a great keepsake of my trip. Many wrote more. In the future perhaps Chris will consider adding more blank pages or a section for notes.
I have a lot of people to thank. They all helped make a great week. So thanks Mom and Dad from Chicago, the three girls from Calif, David, Jim, Chason, Wayne, James, Mark, Doren, Fred, Ken, Carlos, Mike, Kevin, Terry, Shelly, Katie, Carla, Peggy, Racheal, Julie, Danielle, Ronnie, Lisa, Helene, Dani, Kelly, Kim, Rebecca, Lela, Vickie, Victoria, Jennifer, Robyn, Sara, Monica, Nan, Batgirl and her blonde friend, and Paige. (Can't forget Melanie, Shaka, Tamara, Paul and Mark). I hope that our paths cross again some day!!!
Chason – if you get any good pictures with that camera I gave you, I want copies.
Ken – did you get any pictures of me diving?
Johnny D