Jim (Huggie Monster)and Line (French Alps) April 18-25th
Now that our 6th trip is history, thoughts now turn not where we will go for our yearly but again its when we will be going. After 2 straight mid April trips with no rain and this trip with about 15 minutes of rain over the complete week, it looks like April 2006 all over again although early December comes to mind for an added 2005 trip.
Once again we chose the direct route Halifax to MoBay non stop and 20 minutes early to boot. Immigration was crowded and we chose the wrong line the slow one. Seems staff is still struggling with the hunt and peck typing style. So the hour wait to get through and off to get luggage and breeze through customs. New Super Clubs lounge is ideal for meeting up with people. This year we decided to split the cost of a cab with another couple and immediately headed home (super club van was to leave in a half hour). An hour and a quarter later and we were home. Much to our surprise Tony greeted us with a loud here is my French Canadian and where were you last year nice way to start a trip with staff remembering you. To save all the hurt of trying to remember each day and its happenings will hit on some of the items that have been brought up over the last few months on the message board plus other areas of interest.
Food
In our opinion, food has always been good, lots of choices and never had a problem finding something. This week the food was very, very good with the crowning touch being on Friday with their gala. Although no lobster, it had a great lineup and a number of excellent choices. Compliments to the new Executive Chef Michael Thompson he is doing a great job on what they allow him for a food budget. Breakfast was its normal self with Charlie doing the omelets. During Lunch they have added a pasta station which is a nice addition along with all the choices. Dinner, if anything was the lesser of the three meals but the dinners were great too.
Pastafari the one time we were there turned out to be a great meal especially the tenderloin beef excellent and very tender
We did not try the Japanese restaurant nor the Scotch Bonnet but the Scotch Bonnet is in fact on the beach at the Prude Grill.
Sex Police not a one in sight but then dont really think any were needed during the day as the resort did seem very sedate this trip around. Hot tub was its usual active self although not crowded as in the past.
Occupancy seemed to be very low although with the arrival of Biffs Bunch there was a marked improvement in the numbers on the beach and in the dining room.
Rooms Again we booked prude garden to save the $$$ and since its only a short hop to the nude beach it was well worth it. Did not mind the new colour schemes at all in the rooms but then we did not spend too much time in there. New TV is a pain but we did get a chance to check some ball scores and news on occasion. New showers are great Line loved the jets although cant figure out why. The little red button on the tap appears to be a locking thingy.
There were doing some more renovations on the prude side, seems like they were working (?) on the upper 6 rooms of one block.
Other Noteables
Security - Never saw it before but on two weekend nights, security was patrolling the street side of the resort at the fence with a Doberman. Did find out on the message board that the dogs have been around for a while see something new learned every trip.
Staff This was one of the highlights. Dining room staff and several of the pool staff still remembered us even after missing a year of visits due to health reasons. Makes you feel like you are home when staff give you a hug and ask what happened last year when we didnt make the annual trip. Excellent memories. Mr. Bourke very approachable still and is willing to stand and chat. He is concerned about the unhappiness of some guests over the cancellations of some of the perks for repeat offenders but is working on it. Mr Thompson, Executive Chef always roaming around the dining room and loves to chat and take suggestions regarding the food. We feel he has done a great job turning out the quality of meals with what he has to work with told us he is about half way there to where he would like to see things at Hedo. Augustus same old self, hard at work and keeping unwanted men off his beach and the ladies happy.
Grounds Evidence of the hurricane damage is still there although things are looking better compared to some of the pics seen after the hurricane.
Guests Another very sensitive issue with us we love you!!! Again a number of the repeat offenders approached us to ask how I was feeling and offering words of encouragement. We never even realized they knew about the health problems of last year now that is family concern at its finest. I would like to thank each and everyone for their kindness, you really made this trip one to remember. People do not realize how great other human beings can be until they experience the true feelings of hedonites.
This is the exact reason why we keep returning the guests and staff = kind people.
Negative things we experienced: none, not one, nada, zilch (well maybe one late in the week but thats another story not worth repeating).
So until next April (and maybe December) the countdown will begin lets see now, three hundred and how many????