4/14 – 4/21/02
This was our first trip to Hedo but definitely won’t be our last; we actually started talking about the next trip while we were still there.
When we first began planning our spring break Matt immediately started pushing for Hedo (at that point we were unaware there were actually two Hedo’s). I was a little less enthusiastic and did some research, surfing the web, contacting travel agents, etc. After much discussion we settled on Hedo III and booked our trip. Shortly after that time, I discovered Denny’s site and became a daily visitor/addict. I read all of the trip reports and posts regarding both II and III and began to form a picture in my mind. Although I felt that I had a good idea of what to expect I still wasn’t sure I would be able to take off my clothes in front of strangers… silly girl!!
The flight was uneventful, we flew from Orlando to Miami and Miami to MoBay with no problems, although we both agreed to pay a little extra for direct flights next trip as it would cut a few hours off of our travel time and get us there sooner. The bus trip to the resort offered a bit more excitement due to some close calls but did manage to get us there in one piece, which was all that we really required.
Upon arrival I asked Matt to watch the luggage while I checked us in. A scant few moments later I heard “Baby, I’ll be right back, I need to take care of something.” That’s right, Matt had scored the much anticipated Ganja and came back 5 minutes later with the biggest grin I’d seen in quite some time along with a quite nice size bag. While Matt “took care of business” I managed to get us switched from building 2 to 6 (thanks to all of the posts regarding the “best” building!!).
The first afternoon we simply walked around and scoped out the resort, tried to get the lay of the land and grabbed a late lunch (and my first Dirty Banana) at the Scotch Bonnet. I was tempted to hit the nude pool but was still a bit unsure and as it was late afternoon by this time I was a little intimidated by the large crowd. Matt was great and simply said; whatever you want to do is fine, we don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. We ended up taking a much-needed nap and woke up refreshed and ready for dinner. After dinner we decided to check out the nude hot tub and as it was empty I quickly stripped and jumped in. It wasn’t long before others joined, but it really was no big deal, it was dark, I’d had a few drinks and it just felt DAMN GOOD to be naked!
Next day was our first full day at the resort and after breakfast we headed over to the nude pool, I didn’t even have my swimming suit on, as I didn’t want the option of chickening out. I know that I said it felt good to be naked the night before and it did, but that was night time, this was mid-morning, full day light and I was nervous. I bit the bullet, pulled off my clothes and quickly lay down on the chaise. I’d read in some of the other trip reports and many of the posts on this board that it generally takes about 10 minutes before you feel comfortable, for me it took about twice that long but once I got comfortable there was no stopping me. Suffice to say I now only want to be naked and hate the thought of having to wear my suit at the beaches here at home!
Rather than continue with a blow by blow, day by day account (which could turn into a novella) I would like to share some general observations, comments, etc.:
Naked is good, clothed is bad.
The people we met, most especially Ann & Chris, truly enhanced our trip.
The grounds are nice and overall it is a well laid-out resort. However, it seems a shame that the nude pool is so small while the quad pool goes largely un-used. It would make more sense to simply switch the two and make the quad the nude pool and the current nude pool clothing optional.
Best tip garnered from this site - bring big insulated mugs.
The staff was wonderful, especially Suzette and Serena.
The hot tub is a great way to end each night but was actually too hot the last night.
The rooms were fine and we did get quite a bit of use out of the jacuzzi tub. Did have some mild ant trouble in the bathroom but I kept spraying them with Off and it seemed to help.
The disco was OK but much smaller than anticipated. We only made it up there twice and the second time it was empty. I may sound like an old woman, but would it really hurt to open the disco a little earlier for the old folks?
Regarding the food:
By the second day we were over the buffet, Pastafari was good, not great, same for the Japanese restaurant. Having said that, we didn’t go for gourmet cuisine. In the Orlando/Winter Park area where we live there are many great restaurants. I travel full time for work and generally try to get to the best restaurants in whatever city I find myself. My point is that if we want a great meal we don’t have to go to Jamaica for it and I’m not one of those people who make the dining options a determining factor when selecting a vacation destination. The food will sustain you and help soak up all of that rum, that’s good enough for me.
Trip Highlights:
All of the great people we met including, but not limited to, Ann & Chris, Danny & Debbie, Jan, Dude from Boston, and many more that I will probably remember just as soon as I send this report off to Denny!
First full day, corner barstool at the nude pool, drink in hand, shades on, completely relaxed watching the “porn star” go to work over at the fountain while Chris lit up a big fattie a few feet away and hearing Matt say “I’m never leaving this spot”.
Matt’s Al Bundy vacation – tropical slipcovers and all
No tan lines
Good ganja
Feeling sexy
Naked waterslide run
Sunset cruise and my new CD, watching my Red Stripe bounce
Losing my bet to Matt, I still need to pay up
Easing into the hot tub each night feeling the sting of the hot water on sunburned skin
Rediscovering red beers (Red Stripe and bloody mary mix)
Final night, dropping the last joint into the hot tub - luckily Chris had our back
“I’m happy sitting here, I’m happy sitting there, I’m just happy”
Matt’s Gladys Kravitz reports
Jacuzzi tub and shampoo bubbles
Lazy afternoon pre-nap sex
Overall it was a great trip and unlike any I had ever taken before. Something that others tried to convey in their trip reports and posts but that didn’t really hit home until I was there is that a trip to Hedo is not about the accommodations, food, beach, site-seeing, or any of those things you generally use to gauge your vacation. For me, it was about gaining a new level of comfort with my body and shedding some inhibitions, spending time with Matt without the real world intruding, meeting great people, laughing my ass off, and just enjoying a relaxed, wonderful environment so far removed from my normal life. In a nutshell, I guess it’s about that Hedo feeling that can’t really be described and just needs to be experienced.
I’m hooked, and we’ll be back!