Dec 23rd, 2000 to Jan 4th, 2001
A Trip in two parts.
This was my 23rd trip to hedo and the first time I went by myself. I was there from Dec 23rd-30th by myself and then Carmen joined me on the 30th. I wasnt planning on writing a report but based on some other reports from the same time that I was there, I figured I would and give a different view
Took US Airways down for the first time and not sure if I would use them again. Had to change in Philly, and while the airport is nice with all the shopping it was a madhouse and US Airways seemed to put customer service on the backburner. Lots of people being bumped from plane and spaces being given away if they werent there early enough. Plane was small crowded, didnt show a movie and had worst snack I have ever had on a plane.
Departure in Mobay was easy, nobody in Customs and TimAir was there to quickly pick me up. On the way to the TimAir terminal, he tried to get us to stop for a beer but when I told him the reason we took TimAir was to save time and that there was beer available at the terminal, he quickly finished the ride. When I had made my reservations, I asked TimAir if I could share a plane with someone and they hooked me up with somebody so the cost was reasonable. ($185 RT with a share to Negril and single plane for ride home but if they put me with someone, they said they would discount the ride home) For once TimAir plane was ready and as soon as I paid, off went to Negril with two pilots aboard.
I brought a case of specialty lollipops with me and knowing how the Jamaicans love their sweets was handing them out to everyone. They all loved them and it did help bring a smile to everyone I met. Check in at Hedo was quick and smooth. They have a new computer system up and running and the flight confirmation forms given me by Go Classy were not needed. The check-in form now has your home address and the number of visits you have made. Check the number of visits carefully because they might not be correct. It looks like they list the number of visits based on who you have come with, not how many times you have been there. This was my 2nd visit with Carmen and the # visits showed 2, and did not include the number of visits I made with my ex.
Since the resort was empty and I had been bumped the previous trip, I asked for a free upgrade. The reservation clerk said if I was nice, it was possible. I smiled and got 2173. This room had one of better views of the beach that I have had. Room was in decent condition, though the bathroom needed to be refurbished. No problems with ants, though they ate up the people next door. Noticed a fire detector in the room, not sure if that is new or not but first time I noticed it. Mosquitoes were prevalent this time and many people had bad bug bites from them or the ants.
The resort like I expected was very empty before Xmas and stayed empty thru the 27 or 28th. 90 people were expected on the 26th but airport problems in the states kept lots of people away. The day before I came was a "no Sunshine Guarantee day" and it rained earlier on Saturday but weather cleared out as I arrived. Spent the rest of the week, relaxing on the beach, doing a lot of reading and actually heading to bed around 10-11 every nite. I love getting out to the beach at sunrise and most mornings I was first one out there and usually had the beach to myself for 30-60 minutes. Spent some time talking to Delroy and Scumba during the day. As soon as they both saw me they screamed my drink of choice "Coke and Rum and hold the Rum" and I couldnt pass the bar without one of them holding a bottle of rum up for me.
The food was pretty good this trip. Breakfast as usual was excellent. Lots of choices of eggs, fresh fruit, bagels etc. Once again a new toaster, they must go thru those things by the gross. Choices at lunch seemed more limited then the past but always-nice deserts and ice-cream machine was always working. Most days had lunch down on the beach. Roberts Original fries with the original oil, should not be missed. However he did run out of Jamaican meat patties most days. Dinners always included a fish and chicken choice as well as other main courses, great Salads, breads and deserts. Xmas dinner was nice but not as extravagant as the last Xmas I spent there. Dont want to forget the 6 Oclock Jerk run. One of the advantageous of the resort not being full was no line for the Jerk.
Cant say much about the entertainment as I rarely stayed around for it. Battle of the sexes was fun as usual and the talent nite was much shorter then usual. With the small crowds, they didnt have wet T-shirt contest first week I was there. M&M at Hedo for their wedding, set up their sons 18-yr. old girlfriend on battle of the sexs nite. They sent her out for the Fake Orgasm contest without telling her what it was. The look on her face, when the first participant did her thing was priceless. She became frozen with terror and couldnt even participate. (She did recover and was laughing about the incident). That was almost as good as the following week, when one of the women, said she couldnt fake one since she never made a sound.
Being at Hedo as a single was different for me especially since I was not looking for anyone, just there to relax. I spent time in the hottub thru supper (it was never crowded, usually only 4-10 people there) but never went there after dinner. Also not being a drinker usually just had dinner with some friends and then made it an early nite. Really wasnt much to do there by myself at nite. I did find that the activity co-ordinators did spend more time with me and tried to flirt with the single guy. Met many people there and never felt like a third wheel.
Co-ordinators seemed to be more lively this trip then the past, especially Crazy and Lucky. And bring some sweets for Lucky as she has a sweet tooth and will do almost anything for a lolli.
After a quiet week, the resort started to pick up but never got the same excitement as previous years. It was sold out but never full. It was a fairly subdued crowd and a lot of the past regulars were not there. Over past new years, I felt I knew at least 50% of the people from previous trips. This year the ratio was below 5%.
Finally after 6 LOONNNNGGG nites Carmen showed up. I walked over to GNAT to wait for her plane. On way out, I had to sign out at the gate (never signed back in, so I hope they arent looking for me). Walked over with a couple who was going to use the ATM machine. When they go to the ATM machine it was being filled up with Cash and protected by a guard with a shotgun. This guy was holding that gun, like he was itching to use it. Also another armed guard was there. Also interesting was that no local offered to sell me anything or offer me a ride on my walk over.
After checking Carmen into hotel and room, went to the hottub with her. Spent time with her there, while the friends I had met during the week were on other side of tub. All week they knew I was waiting for her to show up, so finally Carmen got up to leave and I yelled to her, You better hurry up and go as Carmen is showing up soon and she cant see me with you. The look on the faces of my friends was priceless and Carmen was cracking up when she came back.
Rest of week went quickly. We had good weather, overcast most days but no rain. New Years eve was fantastic. Got up there early, left my plastic fish to save my table, and had the perfect view. We were sitting at the end of the buffet line so we could see all the women dressed and semi dressed go by. Carmen only gets mad at me when I look at other women and dont point out the good ones for her, so we both enjoyed the view that nite. Dinner included lobster, steak, crab lakes and great desert table. Entertainment was wonderful with the best ensemble dance, singing group I have seen. These people could make a living in the states with their routine. Stayed around for the countdown and then headed to the hottub before crashing.
PJ party was a sedate affair that week, not much leather or outrageous outfits, and the place was empty enough that you could walk to the bar and gets a drink fairly quickly. I won a price for my outfit, but didnt bother sticking around to collect it. Actually someone else had the same g-string I did and won a prize in a different category. A few people showed up in regular clothes and Mark was called from front office to remove them.
Ate at Jamaican restaurant one nite. It was closed the first week I was there, but opened up on the 31st (it is closed on Thurs and Fri.). You have limited choices but worth doing once while there. Never got a chance to eat at Italian Restaurant this trip. Was also told that new Asian Restaurant will be built on top of Italian one and Jamaican restaurant will be on prude beach.
Before the trip talked to a lot of people going the same time and met many of them there. In order to protect the guilty I wont mention their names, but had a great time with all of them. Had many nice conversations in the pool, hot tub and over meals with people. Spent most of the day lounging in the pool, talking to people and later in the week, squirting people (okay Carmen was squirting people) with my frogs and smiley faces. I also found a blowup Cow at a store that I brought down and left at my beach chair. Everyone kept on asking me what it was for and the answer was Nothing. It was just something I found thought would be fun at Hedo and brought with me. The only thing it did was save my chair when I wasnt there and gave everyone something to talk about.
Let see what else happened, Carmen was upset that I had a darker tan then she did, so she made sure to tell everyone that hers was darker (knee pads are on order Carmen <G>). For wet T-shirt contest only 4 contestants showed up, including one on crutches and someone else who had a sex change operation (only at Hedo). One nite there, Carmen went to a new neighbor to borrow scissors and found the wife tipping the bellhop in an unconventional way. Now I am sure that this might happen at other resorts but only at Hedo do you open the door to let a stranger in while it is going on. BTW she did get her scissors and when she returned told me, she hoped she wasnt required to tip that way. Used my Blow up cow to save our table on PJ nite and then walked back to room with it. Again only at Hedo would nobody think it that strange someone walking around with a blow up cow.
Hedo did screw up on Carmens reconfirmation as they claimed she wasnt in the system so she never got an eviction notice, but we still had to go home. Took Carmen to her plane and returned to spend last few hours there. Once again I walked from airport without anyone bothering me. Was planning to take TimAir at 12:30, but clouds came and it started to run, so make a quick dash to shower and quickly grabbed 11 am bus for ride to airport, we finally left around 11:30 and got to airport at 2 for my 2:30 flight. Went thru the handchecking of carryon luggage before boarding, luckily they didnt pull any toys out for more checking <G> and made it home on time.
Over all it was a great vacation. Nice weather, great people, good food, everything you can ask for. Hopefully will be back in July for 24th trip. Contrary to other reports, was not approached for swapping, did not see anyone masturbating in the hottub and didnt hear of it either. It was a fairly sedate crowd but still a fun time was had. Miss the people we met there and hope to see them again soon. Any questions just email away.