Joe - September, 2007
Bless me Father for I have sinned. It had been two years since my last
trip to Hedonism II. How could I have missed a year. Oh well, it
happens. I was scheduled to fly out of Hartford on September 12 at
8:35 AM. Having attended my daughter's volleyball game the night
before, I elected to stay at an airport hotel so that my daughter could use
my wife's car while I was away and my wife would take mine. Yes, I
travel to Hedo II alone with my wife's full knowledge of what goes on there.
Anyway, it was a good thing that I stayed 2 minutes from the airport.
At 4:30 in the morning, my cell phone rings and the caller ID says HOME.
If you are anything like me, you must be thinking something is wrong.
I was right, but the something wrong was my flight from Hartford to
Charlotte. USAirways called home with a recorded message saying that
my flight was delayed by 360 minutes due to scheduled maintenance causing me
to miss my connection to MBJ. Knowing that there was an earlier
flight, I called US to get confirmed on the 6:40 AM flight. The gods
were smiling on me because I never would have made the earlier flight if I
had been home.
Upon arrival in MBJ, it was a quick trip through Customs and
Immigrations as I had a roll aboard and a backpack and didn't have to wait
for luggage. I also had a very short wait at the Super Clubs lounge
and almost had a van to myself until another couple came along. Upon
arrival at Hedo II, I was given my room assignment and key and was told that
someone would be along in 15 minutes to show me to my room and bring my
luggage. I told them that I would wheel my own bag and knew exactly
where I was going. I had emailed ahead and requested a second floor
room close to the nude pool and was given 2274. I was in the room long
enough to take off my traveling clothes then head out. I jumped into
the pool right in front of Helen and Paul who I got to know on my last trip.
After ordering my first Red Stripe from Scumba, I noticed Paul and Joan
sitting on the edge. I had begun corresponding with them before the
trip and noticed them right away.
After dinner that evening, I went into the piano bar. Having heard so
much about Ike, I was looking forward to a good time. Admittedly, the
resort's occupancy was low, but there were less than a handful of people
there. Personally, I didn't care that much for Ike and apparently
others didn't either as many left after being there a short time. The
following night, he did get people "aroused" a bit more playing Piece By
Piece as four lovely women used the top of the piano to the best of their
ability. It brought cheers from the small crowd. On the
contrary, Sunday evening, nine of us went into the piano bar early after
dinner at Pastafari. We added chairs around the piano and got the
evening's replacement, Keron, to start early. More and more people
came in and the place was finally filled. Keron was great on the
piano, had a great voice and even tried to play along to songs that he
didn't know that others wanted to sing. The biggest complaint was that
he had no idea how to play Piece By Piece. Finally, one of the other
members of the Entertainment Staff showed him how to play it and sang along.
This very gorgeous blonde next to me (you know who you are) got up on the
piano and worked it very well.
Friday afternoon, while relaxing in the pool, I spotted Nate and Kristie
walking by. I had corresponded with them as well prior to the trip.
I had seen a picture of Kristie and had no problem recognizing her.
Nate and Krisitie, Paul and Joan and I would become Hedo Pirates that night
at dinner. Although Paul had emailed everyone he could to make Friday
the Unofficial Pirate Night, only the five of us took part. We had a
blast at dinner and got some strange looks from people but we were at Hedo
so who cared.
For the most part, my days began with an early morning walk with a cup of
coffee along the waterfront of the nude beach. After breakfast, a
float on the water, taking in the sun and talking with new found friends.
Afternoons would be spent in the pool with more new found friends. An
occasional game of ring toss or volleyball would be enough to break up the
day. Dinner with friends at night followed by fun in the hot tub and
pool rounded off a perfect day. What more could anyone ask for.
As I had problems with my flight to Jamaica, coming home was no different.
After boarding the aircraft for a 2:20 PM flight, everyone waited for us to
push back from the gate. Unfortunately, when someone tried to use the
lavatory, it was discovered that the company that handles maintenance,
emptied the lavs but forgot to fill up the tanks with new blue water.
The pilot sad that he was not going to fly three hours with no toilets so we
had to wait for someone to come back and take care of the problem.
After getting three people who had no idea had to service a B757, a
supervisor finally showed up and gave instructions. This caused us to
depart 70 minutes late which was going to make a lot of people miss
connections in Charlotte. Luckily, I had time to get a sandwich on the
way to my gate and still had 15 minutes to spare.
I would like to mention a few people who I spent some wonderful moments
with.
Helen & (old) Paul - It was great seeing you again. Having coffee and
breakfast with you made me feel just like I never left the resort two years
ago.
Sherry & Gene - It was great to meet you both and I was honored to be part
of both of your birthday celebrations on Toga Night in the dining room.
Denise & Mark - I enjoyed spending time talking to you both. I loved
Denise's trip down the water slide head first. Denise, I'm going to
have to be REAL drunk for you to get me down that slide next time.
Gen & Rich - Although your first day in was my last full day there, I had
fun talking and dancing in the pool with Gen. Rich, I should have
taken you up on your offer to do Gen's first body shot. How could I
have been such a fool to insist that you had to do it. Gen, hope you
had a fantastic birthday celebration at Hedo. I would have loved to
spend more time there with you.
Joan & Paul - Or should I say Joan & "Cliff". Paul, I was expecting
some big, burly, rough, tough cop from Philly but what I found was a gentle,
caring person who deep down seems like a pussycat. I know what
happened at Rick's! You wanted to land on all fours just like a cat
jumping off the cliff. Hope the outcome isn't too serious. Joan,
your smile and smirks were contagious. I loved watching your face just
to see what would make you smile. Next time I am in Philly, I will
look you up.
Kristie & Nate - What can I say? Nate, you are one lucky man.
You have a beautiful wife who is so shy, reserved and quiet. Oh wait!
I must be thinking of someone else. Kristie, you are wonderful!
I loved hearing about your careers. Your dancing and singing brought
smiles to many. I’m glad I had the opportunity to found out just how
multi talented you really are. I hope to keep in touch and remain
friends for a long while.
Joan & "Cliff" and Kristie & Nate and I were the Hedo Pirates. We
enjoyed some good times together. This is what I like most about my
trips to Hedo II; the friendships that are made that continue over time.
Being with these four people seemed like we had been friends forever.
I will always remember you all.
Respect,
Joe