10/21/00 to 10/25/00.
This is the first trip report I have written in a long, long time since the Prodigy days of the early 90's. I won't make it a linear description but rather some impressions of how the resort has changed since we were last there and some of the things we like or don't like (if there is anything about Hedo not to like).
(So how has Hedo change - for the better or the worse? . .well read on . . <smile>).
We first went to Hedo in July 1991 for a week not fully knowing what to expect. Well we liked it so much that we returned in '92, '93 and '94 for either a week or 10 days.
We went either in July or the first week of August. So we have spent the Fourth of July there and also Jamaica independence day. We didn't return in '96 as we live in Atlanta and planned to spend a lot of time at the Olympics that year. Then in the other years we did other vacations and other things, often family vacations.
Well the thought kept coming back to me (Bill) that it really was time to go to Hedo again. When we were last there, there was no second Pool or cooling pool or cave, just the hot tub and beach. What was the Bar on the c/o beach, as it was called then, is now used as the massage building. The curved point at the end of the property did not exist either . . . just a lot of rock going out into the water where the occasional cheater would try to sneak in from the Point condos that were just being built in 91. (I think that is a hotel now, not condos, but am not sure.) There were no telephones in the rooms and no radios or clocks and they were just starting to put the tiles down in the rooms. Also they had older air condition units and different style lamps.
By the way they were fixing the water pressure back then (Ha ha).
The first thing we both like about Hedo then and now is that we have met some of the nicest (and diverse) people in our early trips (and of course this trip was no exception). The first person we met at Hedo in '91 was Hedo Henry. We had corresponded with him via Prodigy Email thru the Prodigy bulletin board. He was recognizable by his Uconn hat.
We travel to CT on occasion and we have even had occasion to visit Hank at his CT home for delicious New England Lobster. He wanted to prove to me that they were better than the Lobsters Hedo had served (they were). We still say Hi to Hank regularly via the internet today. We also met other folks we have kept in touch with from those past trips. Disappointment this time is there was no Lobster served on Saturday as they have done in the past
So what is the Best NUMBER 1 reason to like Hedo; the answer is the people - one of the best reasons to go to Hedo is the people. We met some people first via egroups or at least I did as L is not a computer user
We enjoyed meeting some very nice people this trip and had some nice dinners and piano bar time with Kim and Dave and Rob and Anne of egroups. Hey guys thanks for inviting us over to Pastafari. Hi to Lou and Paula too and all the others we chatted with, drank with, etc. Paula did you ever make the 7AM nature walk? The odds are if you show up at 7 AM looking for the nature walk the coordinators may be mystified ;-)
Speaking of Pastafari I definitely think it is worth while going there. The antipasto was good and I don't remember that in the past and L likes their Champaign. In the main dining room, the rest of the food seemed to have a little less variety but I am not really complaining as I always find something I like. They seemed to have more chicken dishes which I guess is cheaper for them. We didn't have time to try the new Scotch Bonnet restaurant.
The dynamics of the resort have changed a little bit. June, who we had met and remembered from an earlier trip agreed. Having the bigger bar and right where you can walk up or swim up, seems to make it easier to get drinks, quicker. So it was perhaps a little bit easier to go beyond that perfect state of Nirvana of just the right amount of alcohol, and end up in that state where your friends have to wake a security guard at night to get a cart and wheel you to your room. :-) . . . that wasn't me by the way.
Also there seems to be 2 groups: the ocean floaters (perhaps a little more laid back during the day anyway) and the pool waders at the bar. Me, I tended to go between but as usual even though I brought a book didn't get through many pages. L is much better at that. She enjoyed finding a shady spot under a tree and reading and then floating in the ocean with me. All in all I think the change is for the better - more options and options are good and it spreads everyone around a little more.
By the way another new game at Hedo seemed to be the Bocce Ball game going on at the nude beach. But the coordinators still had the usual trouble getting nude volley ball or shuffle board going, though they tried valiantly. Even the dirty joke contest at the nude pool did not stir too many people and I can see why based on the joke quality especially the lame ones I tried.
The piano player Dave was great, as was Ultimate, the piano player of the past. Slightly different styles but equally great. By the way I was the guy lured down to the piano and who chickened out. Of course Angie was a lot better looking then I ever would have been on top of the piano.
The lunch time spin wet t-shirt contest was fun as always and Judy got there in time right off the bus. The battle of the sexes was one of the funniest things. And the lady who was the best faker . . . well the guy best faker never had a chance.
PJ night was good as always but Paula left before her prize was announced. Her feathers were flying as she danced. And the couple from Canada, great 1880s costume and bonnet including candle stick (he said it turned into a toy at midnight). And the couple from England, interesting people, great tattoos and his lingerie at the PJ party . . .hmmm I wonder if she was jealous :o)
Air Jam was right on time as always on our trips from Atlanta 7AM flight and the Air Jam check in at the hotel is a great idea. They didn't have that last time we were there. Return flight was delayed an hour waiting for transfers but no problem as we had only carry on and went through immigration and customs quickly with no wait for luggage. In fact having only carry on led too not worrying about having to pack up and have luggage out side the door at 9AM - a plus. Just needed to make sure we had room for a couple of deflated rafts going down and of course the toys.
Oh and what don't I like. . .well for the first time I decided the bus is a pain. It wasn't bad while driving in but going home our driver, an earnest fellow trying to be likeable and tell stories for a tip (drivers certainly let you know that they can accept tips) got just a little over bearing with his stories plus expecting a response. (If you want to know about the bell tower in Lucea . . egad! . . .). I think Timair going back to Mobay next time is definitely in order. Plus waiting for the bus to leave was a little annoying too as I thought I could have had more beach time and to add insult to injury they picked up GRAND LIDO people. AGHHH! I also did hear a few people coming in got to see the mountains because of picketing the road they stopped building on the coast.
Well we only did a short trip 5 days and 4 nights because of other commitments but it was great, too short. Next time we still have on our list the catamaran cruise, maybe the island party and maybe some tours to see the mountains. But they have been on our list before.
So finally how is Hedo different. I am not sure it really is. Every Hedo trip has been a different experience and it comes down to who is there and what you want. I think the resort was somewhat less than full and when we walked down the prude beach there didn't seem to be anyone there. I think there were definitely a lot more people mostly couples on the other side. We enjoyed having the resort slightly less full than some of the jammed times we had been there. It was noticeable in Veronicas and the disco and more pleasant especially in Veronica's.
I think there was perhaps a little bit more graphic activity at the hot tub in the late afternoon and not just late at night but again that may have been just the mix of the crowd.
I did think it was very appropriate for the sex police to be told to go away by one Gentleman. Especially since no one cares. There also was one no-no issued in the dining room but there it was dinner time at least.
For those who have never been to Hedo and are wondering, I would say go (unless you are socially conservative or have rules about seeing sex and are straight and narrow about such things.)
Of course if you subscribe to Clinton's definition of sex you won't see much in the open. If seeing something would bother you, don't go.
On the other hand if you are ok with all this and like to enjoy yourself and relax, well go down (. .err not to make a pun). Its a fun place and you and your partner or friend can relax and eat and drink and party and sleep and just have as much fun as you want.
All in all I think Hedo II is changed for the better.
questions to: billy22123@aol.com
Bill & L