I keep composing this trip report over and over and no words can possibly explain how we feel. This is our best attempt.
As we stood at the top of the steps watching the Jamaican children play our National Anthem on the 4th of July we both started to cry. The past 10 days had been the best escape we had ever experienced. We knew we would be back, yet leaving was so very hard to do.
We had planned this first trip to Hedo almost a year ago. Our friends from the Boston Area Hedonism group (BAHG) had told us how wonderful, exciting, and freeing their trips were. We had heard so many stories, seen so many pictures, played so many Hedo-type games, that we felt like we had already been. Yes, this board and Chris book can prepare you as to what to bring, when to go, what to expect, what to wear, etc But no one can prepare you for that feelingthat aura that comes over you as you experience Hedo together!
I remember lying in one of the open cabanas on the prude side one night. We were still dressed from a fun dinner with friends and were now taking time out for us. I told John that I have always loved him, but here and now, I was feeling a lust for him that I had never experienced. We became closer that week than I could ever have imagined. Our Boston friends know that John and I are true friends as well as lovers for life. Hedo also strengthened our love for ourselves as individuals, for the people that we met, and for the precious lives that we have.
Corny? Before Hedo I would have said yes. Nowno, just the way that life should be lived.
We floated on a double raft, we sat in the hot tub, we were seen grinding (the dance kind) on the dance floor of the disco or on the dance floor of the main dining room, we got a couples massage, we lied on the bed and looked at our contorted bodies and laughed hysterically. We ate lobster naked on the beach and played silly games together with new-found friends. We said I love you countless times a day.
For those (like ourselves a year ago) that want some basic information, here is a breakdown as we remember it:
*We booked ROH and were given H block without asking.
*We were in room 2135 which had a tub and new shower. AC worked great all week. No bugs.
*Hot water came and went. None of the tricks read here helped. They flushed out the system half way through our week and water became hotter. We took hot showers at the spa several evenings. It was peaceful and the spa is immaculate.
*The hot tub was usually very clean. Of course, too much sun tan lotion and too many people=floating stuff. Only 1 day the hot tub was too hot to go in.
*Grounds were beautiful and well kept.
*Beach was what we needed. Could get on the raft without water shoes and then float out.
*Housekeeping: Excellent. We had plenty of beach and regular towels.
*Bars: Delroy and Scumba were fantastic. We got to know them before the big crowds for lifestyles week came in.
I made a point of going over to the prude bar to meet Paulette and talked with her for some time one morning. She has been at Hedo for 16 years.
Main dining room bartenders were not as attentive, even when the crowds were lighter.
Disco Bar-always got a drink
*Front desk staff-with what they have to put up with on a daily basis, they were always helpful. One employee was rude but the problem was resolved the next day with another staff member that could and would help us. No problem.
*Augustus: What can I say??? He took care of me daily and made sure John took care of me too.
*Robert: Does he take his French fry oil home with him when he leaves? The fries never tasted the same when he had a few days off! He works hard and we were impressed with his stamina and ability to please so many. The patties, burgers, grilled cheese, fries, and jerk chicken were always spectacular. We rarely went up the dining room at lunch time. One woman complained that there were no pickles and I could tell that he just didnt want to hear it but he tried hard to remain polite as she complained about her missing pickles!
*Dive shack staff: we used some sort of marine vessel daily. We sailed, kayaked, snorkeled. After one day with the smaller Hobie, they knew that John was an experienced sailor and we then took out the larger Hobie daily. The staff went out of their way to get us what we needed and always looked out for us when we were on the water.
*Ecs: The most energetic group of people I have every seen. Got to see them on the job and on their down time. They all have something to offer and are never pushy.
*Always something we liked in the main dining room. Great coffee all day long. Desserts and fresh fruit, quality cheeses were always good. The midnight buffet is probably better closer to midnight. We went around 2am and always found something to graze on.
*We ate at Pastafari 4 nights out of 10. Always good.
*Munasan one night. Good.
*Our 32oz cups that we brought were a lifesaver. One of those with a water chaser kept hangovers non-existent! Not one headache or night of feeling sick.
*We tried mudslides, hummingbirds, rum cream with club soda, rum cream with coffee, rum cream on the rocks. All yummy. Our staple drinks of Appletons and Pepsi and Absolute and Tonic, and Red Stripes were consumed over and over. We got our moneys worth for sure!
*We did the Negril shopping trip. Actually didnt buy much but it was nice seeing the town again and walking through the grocery store. They didnt have the coffee we had purchased a few years ago but it was still nice to get out and venture off resort. Captain Kirk was an excellent driver and looked after us.
*We went to the Appleton Estate and YS Falls. As Appleton Rum is our favorite, it was a great trip. We learned a lot and had fun tasting all their products. YS falls was disappointing due to the constant hands out for a tip. It started to rain and we headed back. Stopped along the way for some jerk pork.
Yes. The sex police were no where to be found during our week but I guess they were out the week before. It was customary to see PDAs around the pool and hot tub at any time of day or night. Nothing over the top and nothing that made us want to leave. We wanted to cheer at the stamina of some people. We often looked at each other and commented on what a cool place this is that people can do what they want, when they want. No one seemed to be offended during the week we were there. If they were, we didnt see it.
We love people and the people that we met at Hedo are honest and true friends. We connected with people that we met on-line and met others that we just started talking to. We were accepted for who we were, not for what we looked like, what we did for a living, or how much money we had. We hung out with couples on their honeymoon that were young enough to be my children, and couples that were older than we were. We marveled at the woman leading the 4th of July parade and I commented that I want to be her when I grow up. The people, whether they work at Hedo or are there to escape the real worldare what makes Hedo such a beautiful place.
Tips for the virgins that we once were:
*to shave or not to shave.saw it all. More women shaved than not.
*getting naked for the first timewe did the beach approach. Hit the nude beach sign and dropped the sarong. By the time we hit the beach bar, we were fine.
*Which side to stay on? Makes no difference but nude was more convenient.
*Water slide? Have to do it. I won the loudest scream contest on our 2nd day there.
*Games? We participated in some. Great way to meet others.
*What to expect? To fall in love all over again and then some