Honeymoon Part 1 (Hedonism II)
This story began on Saturday, September 2 and was to be my 13th (ooh) and my fiancee Karens 5th trip back home It was our 6th Anniversary and also the start of our pre-honeymoon honeymoon. Since Karen is Canadian, she cannot leave the country for at least 6 months after we officially wed this Nov. 11, due to INS Regulations.
The start of the trip was interesting, keeping the number 13 in mind, but everything seemed to work out. We, initially, were on the runway in Boston, stranded, because the weather would not allow us to fly to Philadelphia. An hour later we leave Boston and arrive in Philly. Good News...Bad News. Good News: We bumped into my friend Megan (MA) (Hedo Vet 99), who was on her way to Toronto and waiting at the gate. Bad news: Due to the delay in Boston our connecting flight had left, 10 minutes earlier. So, we had a 3 hr to wait in Philly until they could get us on a flight to Miami. And in Miami we had to wait 6 hrs for the next (and last) flight to Jamaica.
We made the best of it though While in Miami Karen got a manicure and I got a facial and a shave, remember this was our honeymoon. I also gave Hedo Friends a call, to pass the time. I called William/Kim (FL) and in speaking to Kim realized that William was in Turks and Cacaos filming a movie. William is an Art Director for Movies and Videos. You may have seen his work on Will Smiths Video Miami. It was great to speak to Kim again and to know that their new baby boy Quinn was doing well. Realizing that we had a while to wait until the next flight, Kim offered to pick us up a take us to the beach for a few hours. I thanked her but didnt want to take any chances on missing this flight.
Eventually we get onto the Air Jamaica Plane, 1 hr later we leave, and arrive at Mobay. Since it was too late to take TimAir we took the bus to Negril. On the bus were Vanessa, Randy, Michelle, Terry, and Danielle, all from MA, they had the same problems we had, and they were Hedo Virgins. So, being the Vets were are, we told them what to expect and erased any fears they may have had. (Here comes the mushy stuff... remember... honeymoon)
On the ride we both realized/remembered that 6 years ago we met, on the bus ride to Hedo. When we go to the resort our room wasnt ready so they put us on the prude side for the night and we were to change rooms in the morning. (Here comes the mushy ...again) When we got to our prude roomwe realize that it is 2 doors down from the rooms we, separately, had back in 94. Oh the memories... After dropping off our bags we went to the disco for a drink and then went to bed, after arriving home 12 hrs later than expected.
Sunday, Sept. 3
We awoke,(due to a telephone call from Tom and Joanne, good timing guys), went to breakfast to have one of Charlies Famous Omelettes, met up with Tom/Joanne (NJ) and Lorin (NY), among others, and got our new room. We ended up in Room 2271 which was midway on the nude side and had a great view of the ocean.
After we settled in we decided to workout...at the gym. :-) And then settled down at the nude pool (like there is somewhere else to go?). We hooked up with Tom/Joanne, revisited with old friends and met Greg/Cyndi (SC), George/Ramona (Aruba), and Jennifer (CO), who was a massage therapist. After a relaxing and unwinding afternoon, we got the group together and had dinner...went to the Piano Bar to see and sing with David and watched him convince a few women to get on top of the piano to take it off piece by piece. Later that night I met Tom/Joanne and Jen at the Hot Tub. As we were talking Jen and I started discussing massage therapy. Since I do this, for friends vs. customers, we started discussing different techniques and styles. Well, she showed and performed a pressure point massage that literally almost knocked me out. It was very effective...and Tom/Joanne had to walk me back to my room.
Monday, Sept.4 (6 Year Anniversary)
Today we slept in till about 10 am but the important thing that today was the date of the first time I met Karen, six years ago, on the bus to Hedo. Yes, today was our 6 Year Anniversary. Who would have ever thought that a guy from Boston, MA and a girl from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada would meet on a bus, in Jamaica, fall in love and get married 6 years later? So, as my gift I took Karen into Negril to do a little shopping. We went to The Royal Shop which is in the Times Square Mall. Oddly enough, one of the ladies that works there is the wife of our beloved Restaurent (Buffet area) Manager, Ray Robinson. By the end of the trip, because of course we have to check out other places Karen had a beautiful white and yellow gold bracelet from The Royal Shop.
Later that night, as we got ready for dinner, the staff had prepared an Anniversary Table for us (awe). And Karen presented me with an earring, that she had a jeweler custom make in Canada, which was composed of gold and diamonds that said H-II. Talking of presents, the table next to us was comprised of the Damn Group, led by Bill//Rise(FL) Well, when Bill went to get something to eat, the group quickly took off their shirts (dont go there..) to reveal another shirt underneath. This shirt had a picture of Bill drinking out of a water fountain that looked like a Great Big Margarita with the words DAMN above it. (Remember, Damn is not a word...it is a feeling and can be said 35 different ways).
So when Bill came back to the table he saw Rise,Rick/Nancy (MI), Bonnie/Tommy(FL) and the rest of the group all wearing the same damn shirt. And when they presented him HIS shirt he stopped for a moment, fought back a tear and only said one thing...DAMN!
Later that night at kareoke, I serenaded Karen with Only Want To Be With You - Hootie and the Blowfish and not much later we decided to call it a night.
Tuesday, Sept. 5
Another day in paradise...so Ill only mention the highlights. The day was spent lounging with our friends and we added another couple to our group, Jerry/Joyce (CT). So Jerry, tell me about the Stock Market :-) We hung out with Rosie (the lady who braids hair on the prude side) for a while and Karen got a massage. We eventually had dinner at Pastafaris with Lorin and then helped to celebrate Gregs Birthday and then...it was time for the PJ Party.
Karen and I decided to do something different this year, we decided to wear leather, which was a change from Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus from a few years ago. While we waited for our friends to pick us up we wondered...What is everyone else wearing this year? well, there was a knock at the door and when we opened it in walks Tom/Joanne, Greg/Cyndi and Lorin...all in leather!!!! (Great minds think alike)
Well the night was a lot of fun and took a lot of pictures. Funny, people wanted to take provocative pictures with the group, so we obliged. Everyo ne seemed to have a good time and as fate would have it Melissa (of Melissa/Justin) won Sexiest, Lorin won Most Revealing, Tom/Bonnie (Damn Group) won Best Couple. They dressed up in silk Betty Boop PJs, and were so cute. :-) Tom/Joanne/Greg/Cyndi won best Bondage Group, and Karen and I won Best Bondage Couple. (Were not in Kansas anymore) After a night of dancing and drinking we did what any guest at Hedo would do...go to the Hot Tub to soak...then go to bed.
Wednesday, Sept. 6
Today we made arrangements for our Marriage Renewal (Sept. 5, 2001) at Hedo II.
We also met with and was interviewed by Marc, a.k.a. Sizzler, who has been promoted to Public Relations Manager. He initially stated that he wanted to change Hedo's international reputation of just being a swinging sex orgy place and was fascinated about the story of how we met. He wanted to use it to help prove that you can truly find love, a possibly a life-long companion, at Hedonism II.
As the day progressed we looked for butane for our lighters and found a free refill at the Duty Free Shop, booked horseback riding for Thursday, -had lunch and got to the pool around mid afternoon.
We were surprised when we saw our old friends Tom/Shane ( ). We didnt think they were going to make it this year and their presence, definitely, added to our happiness.
Later on that night we had dinner at Pastafaris with Tom/Joanne, George/Ramona, Rae/Larry, Lorin and Claudia ( ) who we all knew from Dennys Visitor List. And after dinner we started the drill again...Piano Bar...Hot Tub
Thursday, Sept. 7 (Toga Night)
Karen and I decided that we had relaxed enough and had to do something to disrupt this relaxed feeling that we had. So...we went horseback riding for 2 hrs. Then we went to the gym to work out...played ping pong...hung out at the pool/beach...met Rae/Larry(OK) and Mike/Katie (MO) and got ready for Toga Night.
Tonight we also celebrated Georges (Ramona/George) Birthday.
There was some really good talent this year. Denise (Canada) sang like an angel, there was a woman doing a veil dance and a guy called Johnny Dangerously who danced to the Copa Cabana (...dont ask...) I played Time of your Life - Green Day, which is a somewhat appropriate pre-Hedo vacation song well as The Hedonism Blues, definitely a post-Hedo vacation song. Tom remembered a friend of ours that was missing in action on this trip, Tony (TX), because he was in Scotland , by reciting the poem Tony had written and performed at the Talent Show last year called Twas the Night before Hedo.
After the Toga Show we all changed and headed to the Piano Bar. But before that, the women of the group decided to find out what one of the Coordinators (no names to protect the innocent) had underneath his Toga, no more...no less. I guess you had to be there but to see 5 women trying to get off a guys toga and the guy fighting with all the he had (although this was done in fun and respectfully) was the funniest thing I ever saw. After about 15 minutes of struggle he lost the battle. The question was answered, the women were in awe but the men felt no challenge or threat, and we all headed of to the piano bar about 1am. Joyce had mentioned to Karen that the honeymooners should do a dance for their husbands and Karen, laughingly agreed, feeling thinking that the Piano Bar would be closed, well it wasnt. David had the crowd, of about 10 people, singing and playing games and when he started to play Piece by Piece it began the incorporation of The Honeymooners Club. Karen and Joyce (She and Jerry were also on their honeymoon) ended up dancing on the Piano for their husbands and we (Jerry and I) had to return the favor. But I think everyone liked them better than us :-( But unknown by Karen, Joyce had committed them to do Saturday Night performance.) And the night ended, as most nights, in the Hot Tub.
Friday, Sept. 8
Today was spent meeting new people and hanging out with our old friends. At the pool, Rae had mentioned that she could help Karen and Joyce with their routine for Saturday Night (this was the 1st time Karen had heard about the upcoming Sat. Night Performance) and since this was also her and Larrys Honeymoon she became the newest member of the club. Later on, Karen, and Rae had a secret practice to prepare for the 2nd debut of The Honeymooners Club for Saturday Night. Joyce wasnt feeling that well and had to miss both the practice and performance.
Both Karen and I got massages that afternoon and we should have taken a nap before dinner because at dinner we celebrated Kathys (Kathy/Ed - The Griswalls) Birthday. At about 10p we told the table that we would be right back, because we needed a quick nap and at 1am Jerry was at our door dropping off our 64 oz Mugs, that we left at the table.
Saturday, Sept. 9
Today we took our Christmas Pictures, did a little shopping, and hung out at the pool. Although we had missed dinner :-) when we arrived at the Piano Bar it was full, and the lights werent even turned on!!! I guess their had been rumors about The Honeymooners Club and everyone wanted a good seat. As the songs and merriment continued it became time for the 2nd Debut of The Club. Although Joyce did not join them this time, Rae and Karen danced the hearts out. Joanne, not to be outdone because she wasnt a Newlywed, went on the piano, later, to dance her own version of Piece by Piece.
As the night winded down we all ended up in the hot tub. This time it was a little sad because we, and most of our friends, were leaving the next day. So we hung out for a while, said a few goodbyes and went to bed. But before that we were talking to Bill (DAMN) , mentioned our renewal of vows next year and asked him if HE would be the man to give Karen away at the ceremony. He was very touched by our request and said Yes.
Sunday, Sept. 10
This was our last morning at Hedo II and our last morning with our friends. So we went to breakfast - said our last goodbyes Went to the pool and beach - said our last goodbyes Checked out - said our last goodbyes and waited for TimAir.
Karen and I were now going to Hedo III for 5 nights (remember....honeymoon) to check out the newest jewel in the SuperClubs Crown and to say hi to Kevin Levee (GM HIII but used to be the GM at HII). So we flew back with Tom/Joanne and Lorin to Mobay to say our final goodbyes. And it was walking to the TimAir Terminal in Mobay that I asked Tom to be my Best Man next year and Karen asked Joanne to be her Maid of Honor. And they both said yes.
We dropped them off at the entrance to the departing airlines and wandered over to the arriving side to get a ride to Hedonism III
Hedo Hugs,
-E and Kar Eric, the Hedonism Blues man and Karen
(For Honeymoon Part 2 - Hedonism III: click here.