Aug 23-27
Although I knew that this was going to be a short trip I was excited nonetheless. The month was August. The dates Aug. 23-Aug.27, 1999. The reason: the 1st time that Hedo II had the opportunity to have both “Eric’s from Boston, Eric-’The Boston Bad Boy’ and Eric-’the Hedonism Blues man’ ” visiting at the same time. As you may have read from the poem, listed in Denny’s Trip Reports 1997...one goes in Aug. and the other goes May/Sept.
I arrived on Monday Aug. 23 around lunch time. After checking in I got drink and looked for the “other” Eric and his Crew. I found them having lunch during the Wet T-Shirt Contest. It was a true pleasure to meet the people that Eric had told me so much about over the past years. And yes I met “Studman” and his lovely wife and yes, it was good to be “home”. Soon afterwards I ended up meeting Stacey/James (TX) and Mike/Robin(CA) who were supporting one of their friends who was in the contest.
The rest of the day was spent making new friends, hanging out at the nude beach (no pun intended) and relaxing. I met up with a guy, Alan (PA), and we found out that we are somehow related...Although I live in Boston and he PA we have the same Travel Agent. She told us to look for each other and I’m glad she did.
Monday Night was Kareoke. The crowd singing and everyone was having a good time. Later that night I was surpized by an old friend from England, Liz, who oddly enough I had just seen in May.
Tuesday was The Nude Cruise. Fun in the Sun. I haven’t been on one in a few years so it was good to get back on board. It was good to relax and enjoy the beauty that the island has to offer. Joe/Diane (FL) kept the group organized and kept us laughing. During which I noticed that Diane has one of the best smiles I’ve ever seen. There was dancing. There was singing. There was drinking. There was swimmng. There was diving (off of the cliff).
Tuesday Afternoon was the usual beach antics. Eric participated in the “Best Breast Contest but unfortunately lost :-( As the afternoon went on I met a few great couples Dave/Selena (IL) ,Antonella (NJ) /Stephen (IL) and Mabel/Tony(NY) and later that night we all were at The PJ Party. The PJ Party had a lot of inventive “sleep wear” and the winner this year of “Most Creative” was Eric, The Boston Bad Boy. Let me tell you, I’ll never think of the Year 2000 the same again.
Wednesday was “crash day” for me. After 2 days and nights of trying to keep up with Eric and his group I needed to find the shade under a tree on the beach and “veg”. But I did get motivated enough to join the 50+ people in the Jacuzzi that afternoon. I think that we set a new record!
Thursday was my last full day so I just took it easy and got ready for the Talent Show, where I played “the Hedonism Blues”. One highlight of the day and the trip was the opportunity to meet a gentleman who hanging out with us, who came there by himself and was blind. He inspired with his strength and proved that “Nothing can stop you if you believe in yourself”. He was having a great time and a great vacation which I’m sure continued after I left.
Friday was spent saying goodbye to my new friends and going back to the “real world”
It was a pleasure and honor to meet Eric’s Crew. I appreciated them taking me “under their wing” and making me feel welcome. Then again, is that the general philosophy at Hedo, “Welcome Home” ?
Until the next time....
Hedo Soon Come.
IRIE