A second homecoming - the sophomore jinx. March 18-25
I have to preface this trip report by saying that when I left Boston on March 17, it was snowing heavily. Boy, was I looking forward to a few smoothies and sitting on the beach or poolside!
Because of family obligations I ended up flying out of Newark. No problem, Mon! What ever it takes to get back to paradise. By noon on Saturday I was in MoBay, gathered my luggage and reported to the Super Clubs desk to await the shuttle. Of course I met several others also heading to Hedo, all first-timers, and I tried to let them in on what they could expect over the next week. I love meeting Hedo virgins!
The bus ride was typical. It did not look like the road had changed since I was there in June, but that was no surprise. By 3pm we were unloading our luggage. I had brought a bag of clothes and toys to donate, and the first person that I asked (the bus driver) gladly took them. His response "Respect Mon! There are many poor people in Jamaica." So I took the goodies from my luggage (this is important) and gave them to the driver, then reported to the desk for check in. I got the usual response, even though it was 3pm the rooms weren't ready. "Please come back in a half hour." No problem, Mon! I'll head for Delroy's for a drink and a dip and come back later.
At 4pm I got my room assignment - surprise - upgraded to c/o ocean view. I showed the porter my room assignment and watched him use chalk to write the room number on the outside of my bag - 2114. Six pm - no luggage, no problem. Eight pm - no luggage, no problem. Ten pm - no luggage, no problem. The staff began searching the rooms and calling the airport on the outside chance that it was taken by mistake. I know that the bag made it to Hedo, because I took something out of it and saw the porter write the room number on the outside. In my trip report from June I reported that if I didn't take my diving things, I probably could have fit all of my clothing for the week in a daypack. Little did I know that that would foreshadow the future when all I had was in my daypack. It was a good thing that I was not planning on wearing much. By Sunday afternoon I was starting to worry that my friends were tired of seeing me in the dining room wearing the same thing every meal, but by now many people recognized me and greeted me with "Have they found your luggage yet?" I wasn't worried so much about not having my clothes, but all of my diving things were in the bag and I had been saving things for PJ and Toga party night since my last visit in June. Those things I would miss! Anyhow, the story had a happy ending. The bag showed up TUESDAY - four days after my arrival, and just in time for PJ party. Supposedly, it was in someone else's room. I didn't ask, or want to know if the room was occupied.
The rest of the trip was even better than my first trip. There were days that I wanted to participate in the activities and days that I was just happy to sit and bake. At Hedo you can do what you want, when you want. I spent most of my time on the nude beach or by the nude pool. Like last trip, I found myself drawn to the music at Delroy's. I spent about four hours per day clothed, and slept 2-4 hours daily.
Some highlights of the week included sunsets and jerk chicken at the point, evenings in the hot tub, the bikini contest filmed for BET and running into two of the participants Kathy and Edith in the pool afterwards, and the circus show. DO NOT MISS THE CIRCUS SHOW! As corny as it sounds, you will be amazed by Slinky and Bombastic. Of course, the PJ Party and Toga Party were awesome. I took second place for most original costume at the PJ party.
I did three dives. Despite some rough seas, all were fantastic. On days that I didn't dive there was good snorkeling around the point.
A few other random thoughts: -I said this before, but I am not jumping off of the cliffs at the Pickled Parrot ever again! If anyone sees me there, you have my permission to restrain me.
-I ran into several people that were there during the bachelor party. Some said that it was a non issue, others said that they were silently laughing at them, and others still said that they were shoeing them away. Having read Bret's trip report, I guess the important thing is that no one's trip was ruined and they had a good time. See my note on Respect below.
-Jamaica is being promoted as "the" up and coming Spring Break spot, and a few unscrupulous or nave travel agents are promoting Hedo as a hot place. I am certain that many who fell for this were surprised and some down right disappointed.
-While I missed Shaka and her "What's my name, baby?" Paul (Chubby) and Mark have really stepped up and taken on more responsibility. I wish I could have said the same for some of the other staff. Karen (the Jamaican blonde) literally put her head down and looked away when walking past some people. That's not what I go to Hedo for!
-The items that I took down to donate were greatly appreciated and I didn't have any trouble finding someone to take them. Guys - take down that pair of sneakers sitting in the closet and a few baseball caps and plan on leaving them behind. Ladies - you know those shades of nail polish you decided that you don't like? Take them and leave them with someone. Used items are appreciated just as much as any other. Jamaicans simply don't have access to the variety of things that we do.
-Respect is the rule. Talk to everyone and leave your prejudices behind. That 70 year old man at the nude hot tub, the 20 year old beauty on the prude beach, the Lifestyles couple, and the guy who wheels himself to the beach in the wheelchair are all equally deserving of your respect, all have a fascinating story, and all can become good friends if you give them a few minutes of your time and your respect.
-Sit with different people at meals. You will be surprised and will certainly meet someone new. -I took my tennis racquet again, and again it never came out of my bag. Next time I will leave it behind. There are simply too many other things to do.
-Go to the "Repeat Offenders" party if you are invited. The food is awesome and the people are great. -While the sex police were present they never interrupted any activities. Sadly, the fornicatorium was underused. I only witnessed one couple partake the entire week. People are getting too lazy to get out of the hot tub.
-It amazes me that people go to Hedo and spend as much as 20 days there at a shot. I get fried after a half dozen. How do they do it, and how do they afford it?
-Who was the stunning redhead anyhow?