Once again, it was time to return to our "home away from home". But this time we were planning to renew our Wedding Vows!!!!!
This was definitely the best trip so far and here are the highlights.
We left Boston on Sunday, September 2 at 7am flying Air Jamaica. We arrived in MoBay on time, went through Customs and was warmly greeted by our friends from TimAir. And after the 15 minute flight to the Negril Airport we were checking in at Hedo before noon. Although our room was not ready (surprise?) we took the "free time" to have a drink and lunch, visit some of the staff and go to the nude pool to say hello to our friends. At first our friends seemed to be missing in action, until we saw Urban, who had come all the way from Switzerland to attend our wedding ceremony.
By 1:30 PM our room was ready. We went to unpack, did our yearly we're back at Hedo "ritual" and then fell asleep for a couple of hours. Around 4:30PM we went back to the pool - everyone was there - Babs, Tony, Tracey, Jim, Urban, Tom, Joanne, Rick, Nancy, Bonnie, Tom, Chris . Met more new friends - Brent, Melissa, Chuck, Liz and many more. We found out that a dear and special friend to us, Joanne, was pregnant. She took the phrase "sexy momma" to a whole new level. We had a great time saying hi to everyone and snacking on jerk chicken before going back to dress for supper.
Most of our days consisted of getting up, having breakfast, going to the pool, maybe taking a nap in the afternoon or before supper, going to supper, hitting the piano bar then the hot tub and then going to bed anywhere between midnight and four in the morning. Throw in an occasional massage, and shopping trip and that was pretty much our routine.
Some of the highlights for us though were:
Monday - We had a meeting scheduled with Lorna, the wedding coordinator, for 10:00 AM to go over all the details of our upcoming "special day". In my mind (Karen) way too early to get up and discuss such important details.
Going to the pool afterwards we saw Jerry and Joyce, friends from last year who came back this year. It was so good to see them again as we didn't know up to the moment that we saw them if they were coming back again or not.
That night we had supper with old and new friends combined and then had an unofficial pool tournament where prizes were awarded. Jan won Karen and asked Allison if he could keep her if he promised to walk, feed and water her every day and then Jerry won Allison. Rematches will be scheduled for next year.
Tuesday - Al and Arlene, friends that usually visit Hedo in May arrived. We had a mix up with dates and had been expecting them on Sunday so it was a relief when they showed up on Tuesday.
PJ night was it's usually mixture of fun costumes. "Hugh Heffner" made an appearance with his "Bunnies" and they were a hit with the crowd. We won second place for the bondage category beaten out by our long time rivals Nancy and Rick. All we can say is "next year you guys are going down baby".
Wednesday (THE BIG DAY HAD ARRIVED) - Although we had gotten married in the States last November due to Immigration regulations and requirements, it was always our wish to be married at Hedo where we first met and shared so many memories. Well Eric woke up, after a wild and crazy PJ Night, with a smile because he remembered that "today was the day". He rolled over and planned to start the day off with a "bang" and what did his lovely wife say? "NO, NOT UNTIL AFTER THE WEDDING!!." She also added "And you have to be out of the room by 12:30 PM.". The wedding was scheduled at 1:30p. Needless to say, Eric rolled back over and took a nap. !!LOL!!
Around 1pm Eric went to Al and Arlene's Room and relaxed until it was time to leave. As we walked toward the back garden of Veronica's it started to lightly sprinkle. Our concern was unwarranted because at 1:30pm the clouds parted and the sun began to shine, with brilliance!!!
The ceremony has 30+ people in attendance. We were told the nude pool was almost deserted as people made the ultimate sacrifice and put clothes (of some sort) on before the usual supper hour time. And with Al walking Karen down the "aisle" and with Tom/Joanne by our sides, underneath the awning, we renewed our promise of love and commitment to one another. It was a moving moment and there were very few dry eyes, so we were told during the reception.
The reception at Veronica's was perfect. Lorna did everything in her power to make this day very special, and she succeeded with flying colors!!!! It was very comforting to have our Hedo Family there to celebrate, give toasts and share memories. One toast in particular, from Clint, was not only appropriate but I thought that I would share it with you.
"In your journey together do no search for perfection because you will not find it. Strive for progress. Because in progress you will find perfection".
Phew...after that toast there were very few dry eyes. We received some very lovely and meaningful gifts and as a gift to her husband Karen brought us all to the piano where she played and sang " You're Still the One " by Shania Twain for him. Just to have all of our Hedo friends there to celebrate with us made the moment more special than words can say.
After the reception the rest of the day was spent...with Eric enjoying his husbandly benefits ... since it was now "after the wedding". Later that night 12 of us had supper at Pastafari's to continue the celebration.
Thursday - We went into Negril to go shopping with Al and Arlene, Jerry and Joyce. A good time was had by all the women while the men just grinned and bared it. Joyce came back with a beautiful ring and belly chain, Arlene a bracelet and Karen, a beautiful omega necklace and slide. The Royal Shop at Time Square is now her favorite place to shop.
For the first time in our many trips down there Thursday night we left the resort to have supper with a group of about 20 people by the caves at a place called XTIABA. It was a beautiful night with a stunning sunset. The food was great (lobster seemed to the choice of the majority) although the service was in familiar Jamaica style time ... soon come. Rushing back we made the talent show with time to spare.
The tradition continued with the Eric's original song "Hedonism Blues" being played, although he opened with "Time of your life" by Green Day, Tony entertained the crowd with an updated version of "'Twas the Night Before Hedo" - giving Santa several more reindeer to help pull his sleigh, as all the included names could not be limited to just 8. And our friend Denise (from Canada) sang two beautiful songs, one of them dedicated to us for our wedding.
Friday - On Wednesday or Thursday afternoon (they become oh so blurred after a while) we met Kathy and Tom. It was their first trip to Hedo and they chose Hedo as the place to renew their vows after 30 years of marriage.
On Friday they asked us to stand up with them at their ceremony and this time it was our turn to cry. Kathy was shaking with emotion as tears came down her face as she repeated the vows she had made 30 years ago. Tom got a surprise as Kathy switched his original wedding ring for a new ring and kept it hidden until they exchanged rings.
Heading back to the pool after the ceremony, Chuck being a Dive Master...had found a Conch on his dive..had it for dinner and gave us the shell a wedding present, along with 3 bottles of champagne.
It reminded us how lucky we were to be in the presence of such great people and friends.
The sad part of Friday was Urban had to leave to go back to Switzerland. He truly made our trip special by giving us a copy of a book that he had written on "Willpower" and in it was a picture of Him and Eric. The lobby was full of tears and forced smiles as everyone said good bye to someone who had touched us all deeply. People handled their emotions differently with Melissa taking on a mother role and making sure he had his tickets, passport, clean socks and underwear and anything else she could think of. Brent, on the other hand kept getting everyone drinks so it was a "somber" but not "sober" crowd that said good bye to our dear friend.
Saturday - Saturday was the start of the departures, although friends of ours, Kim and Alan from the Boston Area Hedo Group had just arrived. Tom and Joanne left along with other people.
Sunday - We got ready to depart for the second part of our trip, five more days at Hedo III, and also tried to get our friends Al and Arlene to come with us, but due to many circumstances beyond our control, it wasn't meant to be. So, we went to the nude pool for one last time and said our final good-byes to them and the rest of our group that was left and head off to Tim Air to catch a plane to MoBay with Jan and Allison.
And in closing this report we'd like to say to:
Tom & Joanne, Jimmy & Tracy, Tara, Tom & Bonnie, Chuck & Liz, Rick & Nancy, and Urban :
Thank you for your lovely wedding gifts
Tony, Benita, Jacinda, Jerry & Joyce, Jerry from Chicago, Al & Arlene, Babs, Chris, Clint & Jean, Lance & Nyla:
Thank you for your friendship and love
Donna & Harry, Laura, Sabrina & Chad:
It was great to see you again
Brent & Melissa, Rich & Florangel, Nick & Robin (look out girls...Nick gives an incredible Table Dance), Jan & Allison, Nathan & Jamie, Mark, Larry & Wendy, Laura & Eddie, Tina & Nick, Alberto the dentist from CA, Steve & Michelle from Long Island, Bill & Diane:
It was GREAT having the chance to meet you and we are looking forward to next year.
Hedo Hugs,
Now...on to the next report!!!! (Hedo III)