July 4th,2002
Okay, I thought the first trip to a Hedo resort was a fluke. The same great
experience can't be repeated, it was just a fluke. We had been at Hedo II back
in early May, this is going to get old. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Sherry and I were able to grab the day off after the July 4th holiday, so we
said what the heck! We grabbed the NW direct flight out of Elvis Land on the
morning of July 4th, not expecting a whole lot, just the opportunity to get away
for a few days. Arrive at the airport and there is a very bizarre fellow on the
same flight. In fact, he gave the flight attendants some tense moments
throughout the flight. You just don't start telling folks that you are going to
die soon if you want to instill confidence in your sanity. Frankly, I was
surprised that they let him board the plane.
Never the less, as they started to board the plane, they called our names and
presented us with First Class upgrades!! Champagne and Breakfast. This trip was
getting better by the minute! Uneventful 2 hour and 40 minutes later we were
landing in Mo'bay, breezed through customs, went to the SuperClubs Desk. Before
I could get back from the restroom, we were boarding the vans! A scant one and a
half hours later, we were standing in front of the Hedo III reception desk.
Surely we would have to wait a couple of hours for a room. Nope, she handed me
the keys and we were whisked off to one of the nicest rooms I have been in on
any Caribbean vacation. I hadn't been sure I was going to like Hedo III, but I
was really warming up.
Straight to the nude pool and some cool libations. The pool had a little bit of
suntan oil floating near the stairs that made it a mite bit slippery, but we
climbed in and begun to enjoy the afternoon. Immediately a nice couple
approached us, but unfortunately they seemed to push too hard, too quick, Sherry
was put off. That was too bad, as we ran into them many more times, and it
seemed tense, even though I spoke with them many times and they were really nice
people. Best advise, go slow and develop a relationship. We got out and walked
the property in order to be able to get a feel for where everything was.
The layout was very nice, although I suspect that rooms on the poolside of the
quad pool could be very noisy. I like the layout at Hedo III, as it would allow
a new couple to ease their way into the full nudity scene. The Quad Pool is
clothing optional and is less likely to have excessive displays of PDA and PDP's.
It seemed that you could get bar service faster there as well.
We had brought festive, Patriotic material for the Toga party, so we went to the
room and changed for that. We managed to get into the finals, me in red white
and blue and Sherry dressed as the Statue of Liberty, but we lost out to a
couple whose toga consisted of Sara Wrap. We met several nice couples over
dinner, and over the next couple of days became friends with them. Brent and
Mary, James and Cindy, Dr. G and his entourage, and Johnny and Linda, and many,
many more.
Day two brought out the 64oz mugs that could alternatively be used as flotation
devices. We spent the day traipsing from the Quad pool, to the nude pool to the
beach. No particular reason, just wanted to make sure that we didn't miss
anything. Frankie and Antonio. Two guys from New York. I have never laughed so
much as Frankie described his encounter with a young lady who had a motorized
toy that frankly resembled the dashboard Jesus that is common up north in taxi
cabs. As he related his angst about utilizing the tool and having to go to
confession later, Sherry and I were in tears. Frankie finally threw all caution
to the wind and tossed his trunks and became a Hedonist with an all over tan.
Mind Erasers…(a shot)….. according to Sherry, they work as advertised, and still
a couple of weeks later, I am having to remind her about the hot tub and why
everybody was so friendly to her the next day. She also found that when they
cranked the hot tub way, way too hot, she and the mind erasers and other
assorted libations didn't sit well. The crabs that scramble up the rocks each
evening thanked her for the smorgasbord, though. My thanks to the couple that
kept an eye on her while she slept in the chaise lounge for an hour so I could
go grab a bite to eat!
Day three, much more reserved as Sherry didn't feel well, (Go figure). Spent
most of the day on the beach and under the palm trees at the beach. We amused
ourselves watching a group of guys, that I assumed to be military guys all out
on a lark try to fit in, watching the local purveyors of agricultural products
peek over the fence and attempt to make a living while the Hedo guards shooed
them away, and very romantic PDA's beneath the palms at the beach. Beach notes:
It is definitely not as large as Hedo II, but frankly, the bottom is very
similar. Shoes are recommended. Also, there is not an abundance of rafts. You'd
better plan on bringing your own if you want to float. Everyone did a pretty
good job of sharing the pieces that were left lying around.
More Beach notes: I walked into the water and immediately noticed a burning
sensation around the top tip of my very modest bait. I had been bitten by
something. Didn't ever notice what it was, didn't see any jelly fish, and was
told later that there are some small floating wasps that might have been the
culprit. Nonetheless, it burned like hell and I made it known. There where a
couple of young ladies standing nearby that proved to me that you could walk on
water, as they made their way to shore, while the guy with them exclaimed "it
was a fluke accident, it won't happen again". More chuckles as I think on that.
Unfortunately, I was never the beneficiary of any swelling, and a little bit of
ice had me back in operating order just a while later. One other note: there was
a fellow who went snorkeling off the rocks and got into sea urchins. I
understand that it was most uncomfortable.
We went back to the nude pool to watch the body shots contest, because of the
aforementioned bite and Sherry's aversion to anything that hinted of spirits, we
were unable to participate no matter how much Romeo tried to convince Sherry. I
think the rum crème might have helped my booboo.
We spent the rest of the day enjoying each other and the great ocean views,
talking with friends, etc. The grand gala dinner out doors under the warm
Jamaican evening was incredible. We had pan-seared crayfish (small lobsters
almost), that were incredible. The ice and melon sculptures and the rest of the
food were remarkable. We moved to the stage to listen to one of the best reggae
dance bands that I have heard in a while. United Force, covered many of the
traditional Marley tunes, but did several originals that had vocal harmonies
that were incredible. The energy level of the band had everyone dancing and
calling for encores.
Never made the disco, went to the piano bar once, didn't do any water sports,
shopped a little, didn't buy much. We didn't use the weight room or spa
facilities, but they looked excellent. Still don't see much use for the slot
machines. The Internet terminals were down so I couldn't check my flight seat
assignments.
Things that make you say, "well I never….", Israeli girl perched with pootie-poo
hovering over the corner pocket of the pool table". I don't believe I could have
made that shot.
Trip back: Much sad to leave. Promise to come back in September or October. Hedo
II or Hedo III? Don't know right now, don't care. Will go to one or the other.
Swapped specially prepared business cards with friends, hoping to hear from some
of them soon. Got on the bus and had an enjoyable ride back. Sherry and I sat
behind the driver of the bus and sang harmonies to his lead and enjoyed some
great music. At the halfway point, he announced that everyone should leave their
"Bob Marley Cigarettes" there and get a beer. The drivers grabbed a little
lunch. Sherry, always investigating the food, found it to be a version of
Collard Greens. A couple minutes later we were enjoying collard greens and rice
and beans for 3 dollars. That was one of the best meals of the trip!
Leaving Jamaica. Uneventful. Thanks to only carry on luggage and that wonderful
lady that upgraded us in Memphis, we were on the plane in no time and enjoying
our paperbacks and thoughts of a great long weekend.
Additional Thoughts: Carry plenty of dollar bills and don't be a tight ass with
them. These folks exist on the dollar bill to carry you piece of luggage from
point A to point B. It makes me ashamed that the feel that they have to remind
folks that their livelihood depends on the tips. That indicates to me that there
are those who never think that through.
Something else that really bothered us: Sitting in the Hot Tub, a middle age man
begins a conversation with Sherry and Dr. G. Before too long it becomes a very
bigoted diatribe that caused Sherry and the Doctor to bail from the Tub and join
me at the Chaise lounge. Yuk! Why would a jerk like that come to Hedo and
Jamaica? Ruined the whole buzz for everybody. Fortunately after they got out, he
was left to himself and then he left. Not surprising.
We have found that while we can't spend 7 to 10 days each year at one of the
Hedo's. We will spend 3 - 4 days about once a quarter doing so. I believe that
these little mini-excursions to paradise will extend our lives, if not, what a
place to be proved wrong. Enjoy!
Brent and Sherry