After hubby got over the initial shock that I actually did book Hedo II for vacation, there were several traditional newbie questions that were soon answered. DennyPs message board was a wealth of information; Rick's Hedo Hints were great and Chris Santillis book, which finally arrived from Amazon after two weeks (I suggest you order it directly from her it will be faster!) was not only entertaining but resourceful as well. All said, we merely thought we were prepared. . . . . .
We booked Tim Air via internet and its a good thing we brought our confirmation since they didn't have us on their roster. We waited almost an hour for that 15 minute flight (they took another family first who was on the roster) but really didn't mind since we were so excited just to be away from the snow. We still beat the bus and checked in by 4. Registering on the visitors list provided us with contact by others in our age range giving a nice comfort level. When we arrived, we must have had that Deer in the Headlights look for as soon as we set one foot on the beach someone approached us asking if we were on Dennys Board! But where was everyone? The beach seemed emptyand then we heard itmusic.then laughter. Following the sound we were led to the hot tub where instantly Phil (of the infamous Phil_Jude) happily greeted us, introduced us to everyone there and within what seemed like seconds, had drinks in our hands. Thank you Phil....that meant alot. What a welcome! Within just a few short hours we had met with many of our e-mail friends and were having a ball. It was amazing how easily everyone could identify from the pics. And so began a blur of a week. We both agreed we had never had such fun, laughed so much and met so many great people on a vacation. The bond created was amazing -each time someone left to return to the real world there was a genuine sense of sadness seeing them leave and knowing we weren't far behind.
Since our trip was from March 16-23, 2001 we wondered if there were going to be too many college-age kids. (Our own kids are this age; it wasn't a fun thought!) What about our own physique (or lack there of) since we weren't college age any more? Even after scouring March trip reports there was still apprehension about our trip. We found that our fears were unfounded. We met some great young men that were a blast and had the right attitude. (A fond hello to Drink Bitch and Scum Man.) These nicknames dutifully earned and given with the utmost respect, while only trying to be helpful one offering to get drinks for a bunch of us that were in the hot tub and too lazy and drunk to get out and get our own. We thoughtfully supplied him a tray for his multiple trips to make it easier for him to carry without spilling. The other, being considerate, took the skimmer and scooped up that unidentified floating mass of who knows what that nightly threatened the hot tub population. They came with the right attitude to have a great time and they did with all of us. Of course there were the obvious Vinnies ..after all, we would have been severely disappointed after reading all about them not to see any! Over all, they were more fodder for entertainment than a nuisance. Especially the time three of them mustered the courage to go in the hot tub one late afternoon only to last about 15 minutes before they felt they had to jump out and run under the cold waterfall to relieve their ever-so-apparent wood. Kudos for returning to the hot tub even after we roared with laughter! Oh, some did come with the wrong attitude, like the ones with the belief our husbands brought us wives along just for them! Needless to say they were dealt with accordingly and I'm sure didn't have that great of a time. And the Wallysvery amusing as well. The key here is attitude. The right one makes or breaks the Hedo experience. I know, you've read that before and so did we, and what the hell is that experience? Its beyond description. You have to go and experience for yourself.
Now for body image concerns from a woman's standpoint, I analyzed the situation. Should I wait to book this vacation until I work out more and are happy with my body? (Now I ask, what woman has actually been able to achieve this?) We had been to nude beaches before but never had gone on a nude vacation. When I look back only a few short years ago working out constantly because I needed to - HA! Today, I would be content with what I thought I didn't have back then. Ten years from now Ill be happy with what I don't think I have right now! Moral of the story It aint gettin better than this! Our research did prove true there are all sorts of body types here...and it really doesn't matter after all. Get over it. Life is way too short and you are missing out on the freedom of Hedo.
Everything else was exactly as expected almost. The rooms were fine, from our research, we didn't expect much. The food wasn't bad. Again, our research prepared not to expect much. The facilities were adequate, again as expected. What we didn't expect was to stay up for 24 hours the first night. Certainly, we weren't expecting to wake up after only a few hours sleep and stay up until 4 am again. repeating this scenario throughout the week. You see, according to our kids we are boring and have no life Do you think they'd be proud to tell their friends that mom & dad won Best Couple at the PJ Party in their matching transparent animal prints? (We have a bottle of Jamaican Rum to prove it.) Oh, we took plenty of naps and once we even slept! (VBEG). Now do understand, back in the real world, we shut down around 9:30 pm and are sleeping by 10 pm. What happened? We dont know. The only way it can be described is the Hedo Magic. We thought we were prepared, we thought, we did all the research. And we really did. However, until one experiences it, there is no other way to describe except to repeat what has already been said magical. Everything took on different meaning. The trip reports, message boards, Chris book all needed to get a second look with a new eye. You can't understand until you are there. We were in a different world that transforms the person and blurs reality and fantasy. Before we knew it it was over and we were back in the snow and in bed by 10 pm. (And eventually, we even slept. <s>) Was it all a dream?
It wasn't. Since our return, we have contracted DIF. We know there is only one cure..and we are working on it.
Respect,
John & Renee
thesunlovers@hotmail.com