Hedo2januarywebgang
We
arrived into Negril on 01/15 to stay in town (at Hidden Paradise) a few days
before we entered the zoo! This is something we do every year to calm down off
NY time and get back to the island pace of life.
The
flight from JFK was uneventful-we left JFK 15 minutes late and arrived into
MBJ 10 minutes early. The only complaint we had about AJ is the selection of
food they serve. As always, there is the salt fish & ackee and the
standard cheese omelette-this time the omelette was served with tater tots and
steamed broccoli? Broccoli on a breakfast platter? Maybe I am spoiled by
Charlie at the omelette station at Hedo II J
As
this was our 1st time as a newly formed group, we paid a couple of
visits into Hedo II, during the week, in preparation of the arrival of our 26
listed couples from both the US & Canada. We finally checked in on Friday
01/19 and set about having our banner hung, setting up our table and cross
checking our list against Hedo IIs reservation records etc.
In
preparation for our Groups arrival we were introduced Gary Mitchell (Sales)
who was very helpful and knowledgeable with all our queries! Thank you Gary
for all your assistance! As Saturday 20th approached we got
acquainted with Beverly & Keisha at the front desk who are two of the most
friendly and efficient employees of Hedo II. Despite the huge turnover of
rooms they accommodated us in preparing all the keys we required for our
Saturday & Sunday arrivals.
Saturday
& Sunday were long days as we sat at the Web Gang reception area for most
part of each day, our NY arrivals on Sat were delayed because of 10 ins of
snow that fell at JFK, but by Sunday evening everyone had keys and we were
ready to party! Saturday, Vinces sister (who was staying in Negril) joined
us at the Web Gang reception area for most of the day, in preparation for the
upcoming September Web Gang Week.
It
was GREAT to see all the staff again and meet some of the newest members of
the co-ordinator crew, Dria, Ayana, Lucky, Diva & David! What a bunch of
lunatics! Observed Marc (Sizla) and Tavis in their newly appointed office
positions complete with dress pants and shirts aaah!!!! What a sight to see,
when you knew them as co-ordinators scantily clad and very rambunctious!
It
was a great week, the weather was overcast for a couple of days, which meant
at the 1st glimpse of sunshine EVERYONE was on the nude beach and
the co-ordinators had a hard time getting participants for any activity!
The
hot tub on Tuesday afternoon was so packed it was like Grand Central Terminal
on a Monday morning! Lifestyles were still a large presence and nights at the
hot tub were never boring or dull!
This
trip the whole resort was clothing optional, for the 1st time in
our seven trips, we saw the prude hot tub and pool being frequented by totally
nekkid people. The prude beach was also nude for the most part. We ended up on
the prude side (over booking was a factor!) and a lot of our group were over
there with us as well.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The non-stop smiling faces of our group, and all the Hedo II staff!
Dinner nightly, where we all sat together and caught up on all the
events since our last trip to Hedo II.
Shots of Baby Guinness & Panty Removers (thanks Sizla!)
Horseback riding at Rhodes on Tuesday!
The nekkid parade on Sandals, where their lunch time spin ceased and
people rushed to see those terrible Hedonites chant and shout the whole
stretch of Sandals beach!
PJ party being held in the main dining room instead of the disco.
Two of the group members (V&T) mooning the disco with not a thing
on but glow sticks as bathing suits J
Dinner in Pastafaris with six of our closest friends (D&M,
C&T, B&P), where 4 bottles of Italian wine we brought were consumed to
the last drop!
Spending time with all the co-ordinators and really getting to know
them on a one on one basis.
A certain Quebec member, who we dubbed the Web Gang Playgirl of the
week.
Having Bill (A.K.A-Sasha) volunteering to dress up as a woman and the
men taking the title at the battle of the Sexes!
The Thursday shopping excursion to Times Square organized by Tavis.
B&P on the trapeze representing NY to its fullest.
The Web Gang volunteers (V&L) for the live strip tease on
guest talent night!
Soaking in the prude hot tub (nekkid of course!) with our closest
friends.
The Web Gang reception on Friday, where everyone showed up in Mardi
Gras outfits and livened up the reception by dancing and going to dinner in
full outfits afterwards.
Another guest appearance by Sasha, wardrobe assistance by Robin (Kitty
Kat)!
Celebrating C&Ts 1st anniversary, once again at Hedo
II, where they were married last year.
The sincere thank yous we received from all the Gang, and the
generous gifts of two Hedo gold charms presented to us at the reception.
The human birthday cake (G&A) on stage on Friday before show
time. Buckets of whipped cream, chocolate syrup, cherries were artfully
placed on the birthday girl and any Web Gang member was invited to come have a
piece!
The Negril party excursion, to De Buss & Risky Business on Saturday
evening, organized by Patrick (Razor).
The family style jerk chicken we had on the beach under the gleaming
stars!
Those co-ordinators who joined us, on their day/evening off and truly
made us feel part of the Hedo II family.
SUPER HEDO STAFF:
Joseph Smith (General Manager), without his authorization none of the
wonderful events that we had would have been made possible.
Tavis Smith (Manager of Promotions), who encouraged us every step of
the way that a Web Gang was possible, and for all his behind the scenes
assistance and constant dedication to all details over this last several
months.
Gary Mitchell (Sales), who assisted us after hours, in verifying the
list information and compiling, personalized Web Gang reception invitations.
Marc Upton (Manager of P.R), whose personality brightened every aspect
of day to day operations, and who always had a moment to say hello to one and
all.
Beverly & Keisha (Reception), without their assistance we would
have been in hot water! They truly exhibit Superclubs statement of total
guest satisfaction.
Tony (Baggage). Always a smile, a warm handshake and the kiss of death
with the familiar call 3 oclock bus to the airport! on your last day!
Baggage was delivered promptly to the rooms.
Ray Robinson (Dining Room Manager), Norman Tate (Dining Room
Supervisor) & Dining Room Staff. They run a tight ship, service was
friendly, efficient and no request was impossible. Water, wines and beverages
were quickly refilled, table settings were always in place, used plates
removed promptly and beautiful fresh flower decorations on the tables. They
went the extra step in all requests received and made every meal enjoyable.
Matta (barman, main bar & disco), we were pleasantly surprised that
a multiple drink order was handled with the speed and efficiency of a NY
bartender and completely correct when he was done! Special drink requests were
mixed perfectly!
Seymour Green (Entertainment Manager), newly appointed and still
getting to know the personalities of the different groups at Hedo II. He was
very flexible with our requests and allowed various staff members to be
assigned to us during the week for our special events.
Entertainment co-ordinators (Melanie, Patrick, Paul, Anton, Ayana,
Diva, Robin, David, Lucky, Dria and Leroy). These people are the heart and
soul of your vacation. Their energy and dedication to fun is infectious
and they continue to give 100% day after day, despite fatigue and the flu that
most of them were suffering from during our stay! Despite a high percentage of
return guests and the lack of interest in some of the activities, they always
improvised and managed to make the best of whatever they had available to
them!
Buddy (Housekeeping), it was great to see Buddy, back at Hedo II
despite his illness, and always visible with a smile.
CONCLUSION:
Despite
overcast conditions and rain for a couple of days, it was great to be home!
Rooms were clean and towels were in plentiful supply, the water pressure was
good 99% of the time, the grounds were maintained daily, loose leaves promptly
swept up. The pools were well maintained and I even saw maintenance being done
at 2.30 am after a brush fire blew ash all over the pool area and into the
pool on the prude side.
Food
was varied and in ample supply, Pastfaris was elegant as usual (the veal
scaloppini with brandy sauce was exquisite, also the fafallae a la quattro
fromaggio was delicious!). Bar service varied, depending on the shift, but
generally good. All the beach chairs seemed to be over on the nude side, prude
beach was deserted for the most part!
Night
passes were not sold on PJ nite, Toga nite and on Saturday nights,
which ensured no incidents from non-residents, little presence of the Vinnies/Wallies
types! Security is 100% more rigid than last trip, it is not an easy task to
get past reception if you were not a signed in guest. Video cameras were
monitored closely and I even witnessed confiscation of a tape by security (it
was someone in on a night pass, on an off night).
It
was a memorable trip and for anyone thinking of going to Hedo II-GO! Make sure
to research as much as possible and definitely correspond via e-mail/chat
before you go! Hedo is what you make it and thanks to the Management &
Staff of Hedo II, the Web Gang members, Denny P. and all those who contribute
to keeping the spirit of Hedo II alive and getting us through the months and
months of DIF! 51 weeks and counting J