Hedonism II Trip Report

Nov 15 to Nov 27, 2000  

Flew down out of Baltimore on Air Jamaica. Had a very pleasant flight, excellent service and actually arrived a little early in Montego Bay.  After waiting in line for some time behind a couple that did not have the foresight to fill out their immigration form on the plane or bring any ID more than their licenses (I guess they thought Montego Bay was in Kansas), I was off to the Super Clubs counter for the bus ride to Hedo II.  

The wait was relatively short and the ride took about 2 hours.  That was OK. I got to Hedo about 2pm. Thanks to my roommates efforts the room was already set up. All I had to do was check-in (a process that took about 10 minutes) and off I went.  I was having my first drink at Delroy's before 3.  

All the staff looks good and in high spirits. Delroy is back to his normal self after his Cricket injury and Bunny is also back.  Although Bunny does not have use of one arm, which he keeps in a sling, all things considered, he seems to have come through the stroke well. He is in charge of housekeeping on the prude side, where they gave him a office.  It was great to talk to him, he seems to be in good spirits. He said that he was overcome by the expression of love by all the many guests who sent cards and gifts during his illness. He expressed a sincere thanks for the thoughts and gifts.  

The food is about the same as it has been.  No culinary prizes here, but no one went hungry.  There is no more lobster night.  From what I heard they can no longer get the 700 lbs. of quality lobster required. Too many hotels competing for a limited supply.  They tried to substitute with Cray fish, It didn't work. I talked to no one who liked it.  The Pastafari was good, but even a little slower than in years past. Tried the Scotch Bonnet. This is a Jamaican Restaurant that they set up by the pool.  The night we ate there it rained, so we were in the back of the dining room.  I had a Talapin platter and Jamaican fruit bread for dessert. The menu consists of 6 or 8 authentic Jamaican dishes. The food was good. Of course, Indiana is still turning out the excellent jerk chicken and fish at 6pm at Roberts Nude Beach Grill.  

As usual the bar service was excellent.  The hut tub temperature was remarkably stable at about 95 degrees.  It was great for the shoulder to shoulder hot tub happy hours that characterize Thanksgiving week and the week before.  Speaking of the hut tub, an old traditional game was revived once again.  The "car wash."  This is where members of one gender form two shoulder to shoulder lines facing each other. Members of the other gender proceed through the line getting a complete wash down.  The women added a new twist by having the men float through on mats.  Feel free to let your imagination roll and you have the picture.  

The scene at the nude beach and pool was typical of this period of time.  A little bit naughty and allot nice.  The Spanksgiving Day Parade was another raging success. 100 people participated. Unlike other years, when we got to Sandals they were ready, complete with cameras. It seems word went out in advance and they were expecting us. I later confirmed this with a couple that was staying over there.  Also on Thanks Giving about half of the Toga procession proceeded over to the Lido. This may be the beginning of a new Turkey Day tradition.  I am sorry to say I missed that (I was in Veronica's) but a good time was had by all and they were well received at Lido.  

Speaking of Veronica's, it was another great year with Dave at the piano and several truly talented guests such as Alan, Rich, Ann, and Cathy just to name a few.  It was fun singing some of the Hedo specific songs such as Rich's "Ballad of the Vinnie," and Doug's "Hedonismville."  Of course Dave made it a point to have no less than 2 people strip on the Piano each night. Congrats to all the strippers, they were good sports.   

PJ night Thanksgiving week was one of the better ones that I have attended.  First off, they improved the ventilation and air conditioning in the DISCO. You can now breath in there.  In addition, there were several people who wore masquerade type costumes, which I especially enjoyed. It was a refreshing change from the traditional leather outfits and boxer shorts. Speaking of boxer shorts, there were very few Vinnies there this year. Hopefully they have adopted Hedo III.  

As has become a tradition, I organized a group of people to go to church on the Sunday after Thanksgiving as a gesture of thanks to the lord for the health and wealth to make it back another year. We had 8 people go over this year. A especially touching moment was when the priest offered a blessing for Mary and Jim's 50^th wedding anniversary. For me, that was one of the highlights of the trip.  After mass we went on to do some shopping. Went to Times Square for the first time. Times Square is more upscale than the Bi-Lo plaza and the prices are very good. It is much closer too.  

From church and shopping, it was back to the beach. On Sunday Nov 26^th my last full day there, it rained all afternoon. Oh well, we still had fun. The week before Thanksgiving the weather was beautiful with no rain.  However, Thanksgiving week was wetter than normal.  However, with only a few exceptions it rained generally before 11 and after 5. There were a couple of afternoons where we had passing showers. However, there was plenty of sun for everyone.  

On the 27^th I left Hedo II on the 2pm bus. 12 days to the hour from the time I arrived. I had a pleasant and uneventful trip home, even though I accidentally ran the first red light I encountered coming out of the airport parking lot. Luckily I didn't get pulled over. I wonder if a cop would understand the concept of a Hedo Hangover.  

Well, in closing, it was great to see old friends and to meet new friends as well.  I did miss several people who for whatever reasons were unable to make it this year. To those people I say that you missed a great party and hopefully you can make it next year.  I hope that all of us can apply the love, tolerance, and compassion we practice at Hedonism to our home lives.  

One final statement, to quote a friend, "God, I love that place!"