Christy - October, 2008

Trip Report for Hedonism III (October 15 – 22, 2008)

Pictures

 

We traveled from Minneapolis to Memphis and then on to MoBay via Northwest Airlines.  Great flights, good service and on time!!

 

Customs/Immigration and for that matter, the whole darn airport, is amazing compared to my first trip to the island just over 4 years ago.  The place is completely remodeled.  They have painted, organized and there is air conditioning!!!  We breezed through our line in 10 minutes.

 

Off to SuperClubs Welcome Center.  Greeted with a smile and a nice cold bottle of water.  Went outside and within 10 or 15 minutes we were off to the resort.  To our surprise our entire van was full of Hedo III people…no one else!!!  We had all been on the same flight and became fast friends.

 

Road is wonderful compared to the old days and construction is 100% complete.  Quick pit stop for a cold Red Stripe/Dirty Banana and potty break and then we were back on the road.  Trip took roughly an hour or an hour and 15 minutes.

 

The eight of us in the van arrived and all four of our rooms were ready upon arrival.  We all agreed to meet in the Nude pool ASAP.  We off loaded the school supplies that were in my carry on bag and off to the room.  (It always amazes me how grateful they are for $20.00 worth of supplies.  It’s not a lot but if everyone brought just a little something…just imagine.)  Matt and I had room 436…pool view overlooking the quad.  How do these bell men do it?  Our guy managed to carry all 3 of our pieces of luggage up in one trip!!!  Not an easy task.

 

As far as our room goes, it couldn’t have been nicer.  Well, I guess it could have been lower…after several cocktails, the third floor hike became a little hazardous but I chalked it up as exercise.  Everything was in working order.  A/C froze us out on several occasions and had to be turned off.  Water pressure was unbelievable!  I couldn’t even turn the shower on at full strength because it was that powerful.  No bugs in our room. 

 

Our housekeeper was amazing!  Her name was Dawnette.  Every time we ran in to her on the grounds somewhere she would yell “Hi Matt and Christy!”  Our room was always immaculate and we had everything we ever asked for.  (PS – It does help to bring your housekeeper a little thank you gift with a note.  We always bring bubble bath, lotions, candles etc. as a gift and leave it on the first day.   Nothing terribly expensive, but they always seem to appreciate it and take extra good care of you.)

 

So now we get to the area where I have give a little background information.  I had been to Hedo III twice before with my best friend.  We went without our spouses.  Matt and I were supposed to go to Hedo II or III last year but when we booked the Super Surprise deal that SuperClubs was running at the time, we ended up with the Prude package.  So they sent us to Breezes Runaway Bay.  Needless to say I was a little worried about his adjustment period to being naked, being around naked people, etc.  Prior to the trip I said we could start off in the Quad area and work our way over to the Nude side.  You know, ease in to it.  I even confessed this information to T & D on the bus ride.  So when we met all of these wonderful people on the van and then we’re checking in and making plans to meet on the Nude side immediately, I was like…ooh, I hope we’re not moving too fast for him.  Yeah, not a problem.  He was undressed and in the pool before I got my shirt off.

 

Nude pool bar was fabulous.  Watch out for that Serena!  She makes one mean batch of rum punch!!  She’s also good about telling you when you need water, lunch, a nap or a combination of some or all.  John (nude side cook) was on vacation when we first arrived but was back on Monday.  Great burgers and nachos as always.

 

We never had a problem getting a chair, a towel or a floaty.  Again, a low occupancy thing.  The boys had a blast chasing the crabs and throwing ice cubes at them.  I believe they wanted to catch some so that the trip report would include “I caught crabs at the Hedo III nude pool.”

 

PDA’s were plentiful.  It didn’t matter if it was 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning.  No sex police to speak of and security was never “in our face”.

 

Occupancy was rather low…bellman said around 40%.  It did pick up over the weekend for the Jamaican Jerk Festival and Merritone Family Reunion.  From what I was told, the family reunion was a large group of locals with the same interest in music…not a true family reunion.  The reunion people were not at the resort to participate in the true nature of the resort.  There were some nice Jamaican cooking demos and Jamaican music history as part of the weekend activities.

 

Thanks to Tropical Depression 16 the weather was a little iffy the first few days that we were there, but never bad enough for the Sunshine Guaranty to come in to play.

 

Food was plentiful and service was friendly.  No Saturday gala dinner; probably a combination of weather and/or the family reunion.  On the lower occupancy days the wait staff seemed a little sparse and service (especially at Pastafari) was a little slow, but nothing terrible.  Our waitress and chef (who was borrowed from Breezes) at Munasan were awesome!  Entertainment and dinner all at once.  Love it!

 

The Entertainment Crew was wonderful!!  They put in such long hours and work so hard, yet they always have a smile on their face and take time to go out of their way and make you feel welcome.  They kept us entertained and the Hedo Bucks were plentiful.

 

Piano bar was fairly mellow.  Low occupancy usually does that though.  The first night Diva and I sang the Pussycat Song, as well as a few others, and I managed to lose my voice.  It was my first time meeting John.  He is a very nice guy once you talk to him and get to know him and his sense of humor.

 

Disco was fun.  Of course you have to like loud dance music to enjoy it…otherwise you will just end up with a headache.  Again because of low occupancy, there was only one bartender working.  He disappeared a few times for several minutes.  No problem mon, we’ll just go behind the bar and make our own drinks.

 

Hubby and I decided to try diving for the first time.  Matt did great, I did not.  Got under the water in the pool and completely panicked.  Glad I was in the pool instead of the middle of the ocean.  Diving was offered 6 of the 7 days we were there.

 

Overall I can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed our vacation.  This island and this resort are like a little piece of heaven.  Your experience there is what you make it.  Enjoy the time, enjoy the people you meet.  Make it the vacation you want.  I know we did.

 

 Christy