Rick & Peggy......June27-July6
Our trip began several months prior to arriving in Jamaica. I started communicating with fellow travelers on the Visitor List and this exploded into a group of 62 people. We formed a new group call the Hedo Hellians and I produced a weekly Newsletter and a "Pic of the Day" of the people. Because of all the interaction between us, most of us felt we knew a good number of the people before we ever met them at hedo.
I won't spend any time on the flight except to say that we'll never consider any airline other than American. Both the incoming and outgoing flights were comfortable, (great legroom), and relatively on-time. On departure we observed some of the chaos taking place at Air Jamaica and vowed never to get involved in that.
The bus ride to hedo3 was as expected. I just wish they had seat belts on the bus. I guess when everyone on the road is crazy, then crazy becomes normal. Having survived one bad accident in my life, I breathed a sigh of relief when we arrived at hedo3.
Check-in was painless and we got the room that we had requested, (Bldg. 6, grd. floor). We made multiple reservations for both Pastafari's and Munahana's at check-in. Our room was perfect, both in location and decor. We just exited via the back door and we were at the Nude Pool in 12 steps. Peggy decided to unpack and take a short nap. I had a little more energy so went to the Nude Pool/Bar. I immediately met several Hellians that I'd communicated with and one thing led to another. I finally went to bed at 11:00AM the next day. It must have been the Red Stripe. We, (Hellians), had communicated with Jim and Champagne from Castaways Travel and Patti from Connections Magazine in the weeks prior to arrival. By previous agreement, their groups merged with ours and we played and partied together. The energy that Champagne can create at the Nude Pool has to be seen to be believed, what a lady. Castaways organized a Cocktail/Buffet hosted by Kevin Levee, hedos Gen. Mgr., and everyday they were doing events at the Nude Pool, i.e. Body Painting, Sweater Pumper sizing, (Don't know about Sweater Pumpers? Go to www.sweaterpumpers.com ), and adult toy games. The beauty of it all was that you always had the choice of participating in something or just vegging out on a chaise in the sun. One of my favorite activities was going to the Nude Pool at Sunrise. It's dead quiet and extremely relaxing. The Staff brings out Jamaican Coffee, rolls, danish, and fresh fruit and sets it up on the counter at the Nude Grill. I'd make up my plate and just lay out and watch the sunrise.......fantastic. With the exception of one day trip to Ocho Rios for shopping and a stop to climb Dunn's Falls, we spent everyday relaxing at the Nude Pool. EVERYBODY is friendly and we had the opportunity to meet and become friends with numerous people. Usually we returned to our room for showers and a quick nap before the evenings festivities.
Hedo3 takes on a different glow after sundown. We went to the Buffet several nights, but really preferred the two restaurants. Munahana's is fun and good food. Pastafari's, however, was our favorite. Good varied menu, excellent service, nice wine list, and very good food. Peggy had just returned from an exchange program at the French Culinary Academy and she found little to criticize at Pastafari's. We participated in the theme nights for PJ Nite, Toga Nite, and Masquerade. PJ Nite was our favorite and the most costumes were on display. We did have a problem with the Theme Nites being in the Disco. The Disco is just TOO DAMN LOUD, the volume drives you out after a very short stay. Management would be well served to turn the volume down and also get the DJ to play something other than Jamaican Rap music. This is our only complaint after a nine day stay. The only reason to go to the Disco is to get to the stairway to the Slide. I never got drunk enough to try the slide, but it's on my list for next year. The Piano Bar was the "sleeper". Some nights it was very sedate, but on others it got wild. We saw some great striptease performed there. After midnight the Hot Tub at the Nude Pool is where the action is. It's full everynight but not sexual everynight, it totally depends on the inhabitants. On at least five of the nights the party continued until 3-4 in the morning. I don't think the Nude Bar closes until 5AM and that keeps the party going.
Our trip to hedo3 was approached as an adventure. We are in our 50's but think much younger. We had never been to the Caribbean or to a c/o resort. I didn't have any fears about the nudity, but Peggy had her reservations. It took her all of 15 minutes to be totally comfortable naked.......that's about how long it takes you to realize that nobody cares about you being naked. We fell in love with the Jamaicans and their attitude.....what a great people they are. The Staff was friendly, cheerful and very competent. The resort itself is well maintained and will only get better as the vegetation matures. As hedo3 becomes more popular the Nude Pool area will have to be expanded, there were several days when chaises were not available if you arrived later in the day. Did we have a good time? Yes, without reservation. It was all the adventure we hoped it would be and almost all our surprises were positive ones. We were especially pleased that on Nude Side virtually all were couples. We only had one occasion that I would classify as a "Wallie or Vinnie" invading the space. If these young, horny males only realized just how conspicuous they were, I doubt if they'd be there at all. It's really sad to observe someone who thinks he's being so cool while trying to oogle the women. During our stay we observed some casual sex in public and rarely some blatent sex. Hedo3 is very sensual, but not an orgy. Rather than be offended or put off, it only made our "playtime" together better. We have been married for 26 years and hedo3 was the best thing that's happened to our relationship in the past 15 years. We left Jamaica a much happier and closer couple that we were upon arrival. Thank you hedo3.
Will we go back? Absolutely !!!!!!!! The Hedo Hellians are teaming up with Castaways Travel and we already have our designated week of June 23-30, 2001. Jim and Champagne, along with Peggy and myself will be the hosts for that week. If you are considering hedo3 and want a guaranteed fun crowd, please join us that week. It's a great way to get to know people before your trip and just allows you to start your fun faster upon arrival. If you want info about the Hedo Hellians or just have a question about hedo3, just e-mail me at pknelson@jps.net.
Respect,