Dean & Laura

Sunday, July 2- stayed up all night, so that we wouldn't miss our flight. We got to Port Columbus International Airport at 4:30 AM, the airport was deserted! Our flight left at 6:10 AM. We arrived in Montego Bay at 11:10 AM. All I could say is, "OMG, we're in Jamaica!!! We were planning on taking TimAir, but we ran into Jeff & Kim (whom we had previously chatted with on Denny's chat), they talked us into sharing a taxi ride to Hedo with them (Thanks guys). So, within 20 minutes we were loaded and rolling. Our driver (Nigel), promised us that he would get us to Hedo in an hour and 10 minutes! Ok, we said, just get us there!!! Kim and I sat in the back, just trying to get aquainted, while Dean pulled out his camcorder and decided to record our "Road to Negril". It's kind of hard to imagine travelling 85-90 MPH, but Nigel was on a mission, and he wasn't about to let off the gas! We arrived at Hedo one hour and 20 minutes later. We checked in and of course, "Keys are not ready", so we went to eat and get our first taste of Hedo. Jeff brought us our first real drink (a dirty banana) and we ate till we couldn't eat no more. Jeff & Kim got their key first, so they went ahead to their room and said they'd catch up with us later. Dean and I watched the "Lunch-time spin", which was Hedo Trivia (I answered 5 out of 8 questions correctly- too bad I wasn't playing!). Dean went back to check on our room status (we were so worried about getting bumped). Well, instead of bumping us, they upgraded us to beachfront nude (2273)! So, we were off to our room (Finally). We got to our room, opened the curtains, watched everyone for a few minutes, started to unpack and decided to take a nap (I had been up for two days due to the excitement of it all). Well, the nap thing lasted a whole 22 minutes! Couldn't sleep, so off with the clothes and off to the pool and hot tub. We reunited with Jeff & Kim at the pool. It began to rain, so everyone headed for the hot tub. Man, the feeling of cold rain on my face, warm water on my nekkid body and the gigantic buzz we now had going was unbelievable!! This is the Life! We ended our evening early- around 11:30, so that we would be well rested for the next days adventures. (Don't give up on me yet, that is only the first day)

Monday, July 3- I wake up at 7:00 AM, I sat at the window and waited for Dean to wake up. We took our towels down to the beach, to mark our chairs and headed to breakfast. We filled our plates and sat down at one of the large round tables. Dean and I had previously decided that we were going to renew our wedding vows while we were at Hedo. As we were discussing the renewal, this tall slender man (BO), and his tiny little wife (Trish) introduced themselves and sat down with us. Who knew that within 36 hours Bo & Trish were to be the best witnesses (EVER) for the renewal. We had the usual small talk and then Bo said he wanted to be Dean's "Best Man" (We couldn't have agreed more). So, after breakfast, we went to make final arrangements for the renewal with the wedding coordinator (Robin). Once we covered all bases there, we headed to the beach for some sun, sand and fun! Once we had our double raft blown up by the guys at the dive shack (after we almost blew our brains out trying to blow it up ourselves), we floated around on that thing for hours! Around 6:00 PM we headed to the beach grill for some Jerked Chicken. Oh Boy! I had found my favorite food (now if I could only figure out how to make it, once we got home). We went back to our room and got cleaned up for dinner. At dinner, we asked Bo & Trish if they really wanted to be our witness for the renewal, they said YES! We had dinner and headed to the pool. After spending WAY TOO MUCH TIME in the water (I now looked like a dried up prune), we turned in around 3:30 AM.

Tuesday, July 4th- Wake up at 6:30 AM (It's amazing, every morning I wake up earlier and I still can't shake that "Hedo Smile" ((usually I'm a real *itch before 10 AM)) off my face). Today is the most anticipated day of our vacation, "Our Vow Renewal"! As if just being at Hedo wasn't enough, now I was going to "Re-marry" the man-of-my-dreams!! I was more nervous today, then I was 15 years ago, when I first said "I DO"! The hours slipped away and before I knew it, it was time to get ready for the renewal. As I was showering, the "Grand Hedo 4th of July Parade" passed by our room. We finished getting ready and headed to Veronica's to meet with the pastor, the wedding coordinator, and our witnesses. And wouldn't you know it......it was Pouring Down Rain!!!! So much for having the ceremony in the nude garden as planned (no problem, mon). We all met, signed the certificate and waited for the rain to let up. It didn't, so the pastor asked me what I wanted to do. We (I) decided to have it in the main dining area-Center Stage! So I grabbed my flowers and we all headed for the stage (still pouring rain). After the ceremony (which went off without a hitch), we all went back to Veronica's for our reception. ****NOTE**** I would recommend to anyone thinking about having a wedding or renewal at Hedo, to go ahead and "JUST DO IT"! I guarantee, you will not regret it! Thanks to the wonderful staff(Robin, Crazy Anton,Patrick, the Pastor) and our small group of friends (who finally found us-sorry guys) Jeff & Kim, Hank & Carmen, and of course, our witnesses- Bo & Trish, this was the Happiest Day of My Life!!! We had cake (honestly Rodan, Jeff was really hungry and he ate it all!), champagne, and wonderful conversation! I cannot express my gratitude for all that the Hedo staff done to ensure that "Our Day" was the BEST EVER!!! After the reception we went back to our rooms to get cleaned up for our complimentary dinner at Pastifari's with our wonderful witnesses, Bo & Trish. We ate dinner and decided that Pastifari's was not-our-cup-of-tea. The food was good, but the atmosphere was just a little too PRUDISH for us. So we went to the main dining area for desert and drinks, then on to the PJ Party! Once again, the night ended around 4:00 AM (gotta stop this).

Friday, July 7- Wake up at 8:00 AM. Went to breakfast, said our painful "good-byes" to Bo & Trish (I really do miss you guys), and just floated on our raft all day! I did get some fantastic pictures of the fish swimming under our raft, while Dean just indulged himself in the sun. We were now preparing ourselves for our departure the next day (bummer). Went to the beach party and just laid there on the beach watching the millions of stars and the flickering flames of the bonfire! (when we come back, we gotta do the bonfire thing twice!!!!)

Saturday, July 8 (Eviction Notice) " I DON'T WANNA GO HOME"! Reality is setting in quick! We hurry and eat breakfast, go to the beach, say our good-byes to all the wonderful people that we've met throughout our stay, and make sure everything is packed and ready to go by 9:15 AM. We head back up to the desk for check out and our Air Jamaica line. Thank goodness we still had several hours before we left Jamaica (cuz we stood in line for 2 and a half hours), the bus left Hedo about 1:15 PM and by 4:45 PM we had left "Paradise Island"! Within 15 minutes of being airborne, we started planning our next trip to Hedo!!! Until then...all I can say is, "Thanks to everyone", for making our first (but not last) vacation (in 15 years), one of the most treasured memories and we hope to see everyone next year, along with many more new friends.......

Dean & Laura - 07/00