JIM & LINE – MAY 4-11, 2000
Just arrived back today (the 12th) from our
second trip to Hedo. Our first
trip in Sept 99 was fantastic but this one was something much better – does
it improve as the trips continue?? The
planning for this trip began on the flight back last Sept – we felt since we
enjoyed ourselves so much we would plan our second trip back for Line’s 36th
birthday on May 5th. In
November or so, we began receiving emails and sending emails to those listed
who were going around the same time. As
the numbers grew, a website was suggested and prepared by Bob & Sandy from
Atlanta and lo and behold the “Grin & Bare It Web Site was formed,
complete with profiles, pics, chatline and message board. The buildup and anticipation grew and grew until we all just
wanted to get there and meet in person for the first time.
With the twice a week chat sessions beginning in Jan or so, we had
shirts designed, special “group” activities and sat back and waited.
Our main logo was the yellow happy face – stickers, tattoos, buttons,
pens and even a flag was found in various stores – now we were off.
Line and I knew we were in for a special week when we arrived in MoBay and quickly discovered – no luggage!!!!! Super Clubs came to the rescue, guided us through customs and up to their desk to take the waiting bus. We felt there was no need for luggage after all but Line was concerned about her “toys”. A few minutes later, they discovered our luggage still on the plane along with several others. Good start? Drive to Hedo last time was just under 2 hours – this time just over 3 hours. Roads – nah, not too good at all, driver very fast but extremely helpful conducting a history lesson on his way (also two stops for Red Stripe). Arrived at Hedo only to find “no room in the Inn”. This is what we expected but didn’t care at all – we were at least going to be close. No such luck, they offered us a room at Grand Lido (the church) and quickly made our way there to change and head to the toga party. One side note, we returned to our borrowed room at about 11 pm and although it was filled (they claimed) there wasn’t a person to be seen and the whole area was in complete silence. All one could hear was the party at Hedo. Room was ready the next morning and as luck would have it we were two doors down from our Sept room with the same maid who treated us like king and queen; two dining room staff ran to us and gave us a big hug remembering us from Sept – gotta love them!! Not sure of the rest of the sequence of events at all – lost complete track of days, dates and time. Somewhere along the line we did complete the week. I’ll just touch on the highlights/low lights based on the questions/concerns mentioned in the message board:
FOOD – Again food not super great but I gained weight there so it must have been acceptable. Actually it was quite good.
WATER PRESSURE – Water pressure seemed fine (as it did last time), no problems with taking a shower and losing hot or cold water.
AIR CONDITIONING – Big change from last time – with the new air conditioners, the room could be used as a cold storage room but they do have instructions on how to operate them now and about the 5th day, you have it figured out and can sleep quite comfortably.
PROSTITUTES – Agree with Chris that all ladies dressed the slut wear but think I did see one or two wandering the beach but then on the other hand they may have been looking for their husbands. We’ll never know
VINNIES/WINNIES – Singles were in good supply with a few being the typical gawkers but never did present much of a problem. All seemed well behaved and left the area when all the couples stood and stared at them.
OPEN SEX – Sure was!! After all its Hedo. There was some in the morning, afternoon and evenings but then if it offended someone, don’t watch. A couple of people mentioned it was terrible and shouldn’t be allowed but they watched until the final gasp came out.
LOW LITES – Only one we could think of was that although in Jamaica, things are done very slowly, someone should think of a way to slow down the clock. Departure day came much too quickly.
EMBARASSING MOMENTS – Last year I fell in the hot tub – was cool this year and managed to make my way down the stairs with little or no problem. This year it was Line’s turn. While greeting new members of our group, Line gave a man a huge hug and (thinking it was Gary) welcomed him to Hedo. The gentleman was pleased but regretted he was not Gary. Embarassment # 2 – Line having a massage on the beach when Bob from the group decided he would help do the massage. Line never even came close to realizing there was four hands and not two massaging her back and legs – she was out of it completely.
I must mention the Grin & Bare It Group – what a great bunch of people. We felt we saved at least two days by getting together on the net for so long. We did away with the “getting to know you” routine – afterall we knew each and everyone very well before we arrived. We know have special friends across the US and in Holland. To Bob and Sandy; Jon & Tonyua; Gary & Marg; Jim & Doris; Mark & Peggy; Bob & Janette and actually to the whole group – many thanks for making this trip the best ever. We are now planning our reunion for next May.
On Saturday, we were treated to a double wedding - Ken & Ty and Bob & Janette. Beautiful ceremony for two very beautiful couples. Was held on the point with the reception at the piano bar. I had the pleasure to take the pictures of the ceremony with their camcorder. All hedonites wish these two couples all the best - we do hope that the sparkle in their eyes on that day will last the rest of their lives.
As Line and I were very sadly leaving in a cab for TimAir, the whole group lined up along the lawn inside the gate and gave us the Grin & Bare It “Moon “. A wonderful send of and ending of a great vacation in paradise.