Rick & Jeanine - April, 2005
Well, we're just back from trip # 3 (April 16th - 22nd) and of
course we'd love to be right back where we just left less than 24 hours
ago.....sitting in the nude pool with a cold Red Stripe in hand! I guess
you can't have everything, so we'll just have to go back in Oct. 2005 to meet
up with all our Hedo friends (some of the best people you'll ever meet by the
way!)!
We've been reading the message boards prior to leaving, so
we'll address a couple of the questions/concerns that some had....including
us:
1) Immigrations was a breeze. Maybe a 10 minute
wait, if that long (at about 10:30am). You can still use what most use
(a birth certificate and drivers license), but that is about to change, so
start looking into getting a Passport. Jamaica, as well as most of the
Caribbean nations, are fighting this rule, but Im not sure they will win, so
be prepared to need one after Dec. 31 2005.
2) They had real banana's for the 'Dirty Banana's', although
not all the bartenders used them...some still used the banana liquor. Im
sure if you ask, they will make them anyway you like. Pretty much tasted
the same either way.
3) You can get beer at the local Supermarket (about 5 minutes
down the road from Hedo), but mini-fridges were not available for our room, so
it was a bit of a waste. We did bring some down to the bar with us each
day, and they were more than happy to put them on ice for us, but it would
have been nice to been able to keep them cold in the room as well.
We got Heineken (cost about $1US per beer....not too bad) but
there were a few options available including 'Mikes Hard Lemonade/Iced Tea' if
thats your thing.
4) No more '14/3 Promotion' and we didn't hear
anything about the '5 for 5 Promotion' either, so I think thats gone
as well.....not sure though. They do have a new "Hedo Club", but for
$150, it doesn't seem worth it unless you plan on being there ALOT!
Now for the report itself.....The resort itself is exactly as
we left it in October with no major changes other than the leaves having grown
back since the hurricane in 2004. A good portion of the EC's had changed
and for the most part they were not even close to as energetic and fun as they
have been in the previous years. We're hoping this changes as time goes
on and the new EC's get more comfortable, but who knows......? The rest
of the staff was as friendly as ever including the best bartender, and one of
the nicest people Hedo and Jamaica has to offer, Antoinette (I hope we spelled
that right).
It rained for 4 out of our 7 days, but who's counting?
The sun did manage to show its face for about 15 minutes each day, so there
was no sunshine vouchers given, but thats to be expected...a rule is a rule,
and although it wasn't for long, the sun did shine....we just wished it would
have shined longer! Its about the people though and that didnt
dissapoint, as usual.
We actually bumped into some old friends (Kevin & Jen....hey
guys!!) and made plans for our next trip in October and we met some new
friends (Rob & Mel, Ron & Nancy and Port & KC).....super nice people that we
hope to see again in the future! Hedo is so much about the people that
it wouldn't be a good trip if you didn't meet them! We hope to see alot
more of all of you (including some old friends) when we come back in October,
so do what you can to clear your schedule's!
We took a private taxi to the resort once again and again, it
was worth every penny. We were at the resort checking in within 2 hours
of the place touching down in Montego Bay (that includes taxing, immigrations,
baggage claim and customs as well as the ride over which took about an hour).
Although the road still has a way's to go, a much larger portion was completed
now compared to when were there this past Oct....especially as you get closer
to the resort. Its going to be such a pleasure when that road is done!
Of course, if you have any questions, or just want to say HI,
please feel free to e-mail us! If not, we'll see you in October 2005
again!