Randy & Chris - 01/99

This was our first trip and if was WONDERFUL ! It will be very hard to find another place that is so relaxed, free and friendly as Hedo so you can count on us going back ! We're going to try and hit the highlights and then offer a few tips that we learned there...that were NOT covered on other reports.

Saturday

We left home at 2:30 am in freezing rain and bad road with Chris crying because it was the first time we'd left our 8 month old son behind. We brought our friends Macia and Tracy along with us and this was a trip full of "firsts" for them.

We flew Boston to Charlotte and then on to Mo'Bay (US Air) - First time flying for Marcia and Tracy.

Landed on time in Mo'Bay at about 2:30 pm - 90 degrees, talk about culture shock - made our way to the bus where we met Kenny, our driver - also known as "Jesus Christ, Shit" - He made the ride from hell that we'd heard so much about funny, informative and above all else....SAFE. :-)

Got to hedo in about 1 hr and 40 mins and met up with Dave and Val from Lifestyles Tours who had everything under control. We had out key and we headed to our room (2117) in about 15 mins.

I use a wheelchair (see My Accessibility Report under HedoBuddah) and the access in the room wasn't great. They offered to move us to another room (not accessible either) but we'd have lost our ocean view so we passed.

We ate dinner where we met several of the folks we'd emailed here on Denny's board (THANKS D !) and headed for the hottub to relax) ** FYI the nudeside pool area is CLOSED from 8pm to 10pm for cleaning. The pool guy finished early so we lost our clothes for the first time in public ever and were soaking by 9:15pm and being stalked by a Euro-Vinnie by 9:30. He got discouraged quickly and enjoyed that tub until we realized we needed sleep more then soaking.

Sunday

Up early...Breakfast...tried to call home to check on the baby. ** bought a pre-paid phone card at home but NONE of the payphones on the island seemed to be working. Paid a $50 deposit and $4 a min but ended up asking for an AT&T line and using our calling card.

Hit the beach and Chris was out of her clothes before I could even blink. We started soaking up the sun. Chris has a Massage ($50 hour/$30 1/2 hour) and got back into the sun just in time for the afternoon rains (lite rain for about an hour) - we went to take a nap but ended up scraping that for some playtime.

Both couples were renewing our wedding vows on Monday so Chris and Marcia met with Rebecca the wedding co-ord to pick flowers, etc.

*** Theme nights - We were told that dress was casual for dinner so we left most of our "fun clothes" at home. NEVER AGAIN ! At least during "Lifestyle Month" most of the women dressed for dinner in fashions that matched the "Theme" of the night...(we have included a NEW list). Men still wore mostly shorts and polo shirts. Casual was acceptable but Chris and Marcia felt out of place and left out of the fun. Dinner, met up with more new friends - Bob & Joanne, Rick & Sue, Steve & Coral.

Off to the tub where we found a very angry pool man because people wre in the water before he was done cleaning. Met Terri and Kevin from Iowa (or was it Idaho ? hehehe) and the men got glowing rings to wear on their...well to wear, while Terri displayed her amazing memory skill. ** Tracy is Male but Randy is DEFINITELY Male** (LOL) Met Ed & Kathy and Walt & Ann and made wonderful new friends as we talked, watched the shows and then we finally headed to bed.

Monday

Breakfast - Beach - Rain - Lunch - Nap

Vow Renewal Ceremony: Rebecca did a wonderful job ! Chris and I were celebrating our 10th and Marcia and Tracy their 20th anniversaries so we decided to renew our wedding vows. We selected a spot under the floral trellises for the ceremony. (Denver was well represented by Bob & Joanne and Jack & Jenny as other friends and guests watched from the bushes and balconies) A reception at Veronica's followed with cake and lots of champagne (LaLaLaa). Tracy met his long lost brother George - on the Jamaican side - Dinner reservations at Pastafaris (Wonderful food but small portions)

Watched the "Fire Show" and headed for the tub

Recouperation day ! - Spent the day in the sun, watching the many show on the floats and docks.

Lobster night and the PJ Party tonight -I took 1st Prize in the "Wacky" catagory for my outfit. It was a pair of white boxer with a bright yellow happyface but attached was a LARGE, Dark extention with a pink tip...and on my chest in body paint was a sign...."Jamaican Penis Transplants...$1500". Once I hit the stage and the crowd went wild Conroy said "Well...we know who's first...lets find 2nd & 3rd". Some of the outfits were increadible and others very simple.

Wednesday

Busy Day...Chris, Marcia and Tracy went on a 2 hr horseback ride through the mountains, saw the crocodiles and rode along the beach while I beached it. Lifestyles sunset cruise to the caves, raced the "Wild Thing" who wanted to sail alongside and watch the "show" that we had on deck. It seems that a young woman must have been choking..on something...and one of the Jamaican crew was performing an odd lifesaving technique. (rolling my eyes) The crew was hoping that we would all behave once we got to the caves but THAT didn't happen. Chris passing the baby pictures around to all to the ladies on the "nude cruise" seemed very sureal but they all "oooo'd and aaaaah'd"

Dinner - oriental night (not as bad as we'd heard) - casino night and an auction - tubbing till the wee hours.

Thursday

Shopping trip to the Sunshine Plaza and the craft market - got a few legit cuban cigars (LOTS of Fakes for sale), the typical tourist items (t-shirts, coffee cups) and found a beautiful Emerald/Diamond ring for Chris to wear in honor of our Vow Renewal. We found out that we are terrible at bartering and spent WAY too much for a few items at the craft market (US$ to JA$ conversion requires a small calculator !!) - Met Pam and Chris - A Giant of a man ! :-)

Got back to Hedo just before a Serious rain storm. During the storm there was some bartering going on in the hot tub...seems a lovely lady needed a light for her cigarette but had only wet matches...her husband came up with a solution...BJ's for a light...and our friend Kevin was right there to help a lady out. The rain finaly let up just before Dinner and the Toga Party - I had entered the Talent Contest with a Hedo re-write to the tune of "Love Me Tender" that he called "Hedo Me Raw" but the show was so disorganized that no one knew who was performing or when, they were heavy with singers and Chris was not feeling well either so we opted for the hottub ! ;-)

Friday

Our last full day - Spent the day with friends on the beach and in the tub - Dinner and the Circus show and right back to the tub with Walt & Ann, Terry & Kevin and Marcia & Tracy.

Saturday

Email swaps - Pictures of Friends - Pictures of the grounds to show our friends - tearful goodbyes.

The bus ride back was a nightmare - several VERY near misses, including a burro lying in the road. The flights were even worse - I was "charged" at Mo'Bay to be carried onto the plane, terrible seats, rude flight crews, I was dropped several times in Philly being carried off the plane and we raced across the airport twice thanks to gate changes. Got back Home to -11 degrees and 10 inches of snow but the smile on our little boys face was nearly as warm as the Jamaican sun.

TIPS

** Be Firm about your decisions when dealing with Jamaicans - Don't be pushed into using a porter or looking in a shop or whatever it usually has a hidden cost to it.

** Bring "fun clothes" to wear to the theme nights

** Little gadgets - Like glow necklaces - are a big hit (we were easily amused !) Heheheee

** Watch out for the man eating crab along the wall by the mural at the nude side tub ! ! !

** Check your glass/mug for bees when using the outdoor drink dispensers

** Bring "Gummy Bears" for Tamara ! ! ! (she loves wheelchair rides too guys !) *wink*

** Don't judge anyone - Have Fun - Save up for next time ! ! ! !

** Bring a small calculator to figure prices atthe craft market

** BELIEVE what you hear about people accepting everyone - This was out first "nude trip" and we were a little nervous but we were totally accepted - nudity is a great equalizer.

** pre-print some business cards on your computer with names/address and email to swap

** THEME NIGHTS:
Monday: Beach Day (wear Jamaican colors - Red,Green,Gold,Black)
Tuesday: PJ Party - Mild to VERY Wild
Weds: Casino Night - Vegas style wear (showgirl type to barely there tuxedoes)
Thurs: Toga night
Friday: Beach party - Reggae fashion
Sat: International night - Casual Elegance
Sun: Flashback night - 60's & 70's fashion

Randy & Chris