Bob (Hedobob) & Diana - October, 2009
The dates we
were at Hedo were October 30th till Nov 6th. The
airport at Montego Bay has got it down pretty well we arrived on
a Friday around 10:30 am and the airport wasn’t real busy but
you can tell tourism is down but I wouldn’t say it was slow
either. Luggage customs and immigration around 30 minutes after
getting off the plane. Bus waiting time was around 15 minutes
but we waited for some friends on a different flight. They were
giving out free drink bracelets for Margaritaville when u get to
Negril and when u are waiting in the airport your first drink is
free for them to be giving out coupons you know there economy is
down to to the lack of tourism.
The drive to Hedo wasn’t bad some on and off rain but
even with a stop it was around 1 ½ hours to the resort. It
misted that Sunday the 1st and poured on Thursday in
the afternoon for a few hours other than that the weather was
nice but a little humid but better than CT in November. Check in
was a breeze and even tho we didn’t pay for it they offered us
Ocean View Nude for an extra 12.00 per day not bad we were in
2115 about 2 rooms before the H Block bridge.Paul was there for
a welcome home at the front desk and Tony was there to greet us
and as always a big smile on his face they are losing a great
person who cares from his heart and if u see him before he goes
wish him well and to follow his dreams in the US. Wonderful room
and Dotsy was our maid excellent one of the best ive had she
found 10 dollars on the floor under the bed and left it on our
dresser and made sure we knew about it, cant get better than
that because we didn’t even know about the money so a thumbs up
to an honest employee. A little noisy in the afternoon being on
the road but peaceful at night normal laundry and luggage coming
and going. Towel swap is easy and if u lose one during the week
the desk will give you another voucher for a towel without
charging you. Reminder you can get a Jamaican cell phone cheap
and recharge it for 20 US for 1,000 international minutes I left
it for a couple of people to use until next week because I find
it hard to use 1,000 min in a week even sharing the phone and
the minutes are good for only 30 days they like all Hedo people
will mail it back when done if you need specifics let me know.
If anyone knows or has met me wants to go to the fields let me
know ill tell you how to go to a safe place about ½ hour away
and pay fair prices.
I went into
the piano bar a couple of nights and the place had people in it
singing with the piano actually all the seats down at the piano
were full so not a bad crowd. Only made it to the Disco for the
repeaters party around 60 people and the winner had 20 trips.
They did announce the 14/3 for all of 2010. Winston and Mega
pretty much do all the entertainment there for lunchtime spin
and games in the pool. They still hand out coins to get your
prizes in the morning. Lingerie party had 40 or so people
dressed and participating but a good time.
Halloween
was not bad but was surprised at how many people weren’t there
and for male and female costumes there were about 20 contestants
for each category . Diane bubble lady won for best room and some
of the rooms and doors were real nice, congrats to everyone who
set up stuff and those that won.
Friday’s
Gran gala buffet was crap honestly big disappointment no lobster
and it had looked like no improvement over last year, here is
the deal when the occupancy is higher the food is better,
Anniversary showed all of us they can do it when they have too
because it was the best night I have ever seen at Hedo as far as
food it was excellent with booths setup outside around the pool
to look like Tikki huts, prime rib, lobster, all kinds of salad
different deserts and ice cream were everywhere and it was about
60% full. The food the rest of the week wasn’t bad but middle of
the week Tuesday, Wednesday wasn’t as good the salad bar needs
improvement. The Prude grill had excellent menu and staff and I
ate there often the menu is larger than Nigel’s Nude grill and
the wait is less during busy times almost never a wait over
there at the Prude Grill some nights were better than others,
martini bar and coffee bar were set up a few nights. Pastafari
has the same menu and it didn’t change during the week, desert
in there wasn’t that great, the Tira Misu and Crème Brule
weren’t good according to the people we had dinner with. I wish
they would play some kind of music at 7 even if it was
programmed they didn’t start playing until 8pm or later. Roots
explosion was there quite a few nights but as always are good.
The Prude beach has a speaker setup and they run an Ipod from it
during the day. The Nude beach has music pumping but the EC’s
turn it on and late at night it is usually off by midnight my
guess is the Ipod runs out of songs but I don’t know.
After the
Bubbly Bears left the resort occupancy dipped to about 30-35%
until Thursday. The people were great as usual I did see a few
people during the day having PDA’s on the beach and rafts .The
sunset hot tub at night and after 11 was up and down but nothing
crazy. No sex police at all just Ganja police. Yes on Sunday a
female guard on the nude beach said “Don’t You Know Ganja is
illegal in Jamaica bullshit” and take it somewhere else you are
kidding me right she was the only one everyone was smoking
everywhere even at the tables near the piano bar. The bridge has
not been fixed from the main pool down to the beach and it’s a
shame been a year and no progress. Didn’t see too many cat
cruises because of the small amount of guests there are less
taxi drivers and people shopping in town, cabs are charging less
actually so u will use them more than 1 time per week.
Gran Lido is
now Breezes and they changed the sign on the entrance and on the
road to Breezes Gran Resort and Spa and I was told the buses
will be changed soon, there was a couple on our bus going to
Lido that was not aware of the change and was told by the bus
driver when they got there.The spa was slow and almost everyday
the spa girls were walking around trying to sell if u are a
repeater they gave you a 10% repeaters discount.
Kevin
Levee was busy and I did see him a couple days , EC's were
upbeat the entertainment was good Roots Explosion, Delroy was
happy Scumba was on overnights 2 days in a row. Staff looked
happy but most working 5 days getting 2 off and losing a day a
week . Alecia the bartender her daughter fell off her bike and
got her foot caught in the spokes and she has been in the
hospital the last couple days and Alecia hasn’t been in work,
ill call her tomorrow to see if her daughter is better. Please
remember that tourism is down in Jamaica they aren’t hiring new
people or replacing the old ones most work 5 days a week instead
of 6 and are put on rotation instead of tipping I think people
should give school supplies to either the employees or donate to
the schools that Denny and his trips support education is the
key and I gave out school supplies to people I knew had kids,
weather you agree or not with tipping do not get caught they are
very forceful with punishment at Hedo they will terminate u and
sometimes u have to walk out the gate to give them things or
definitely write a note with your name and room number giving
them these things. Delroy was upbeat and Scumba was on
overnights at least 2 days up in the main bar and then at Nude
beach bar till 5am so you see everyone is subject to being
changed, even the maids have been switched and supervisors were
present checking up on everyone.
In closing
the people are what make Hedo it was rainy season and the week
before I heard it rained a lot, there are ants all around this
time of year with the rain bring ant spray and the sand fleas
weren’t too bad but a couple nights got a few bites. The Bubbly
Bears, Val’s Pals and Pen Pals had many people with there groups
and the people were great met many new friends and caught up to
some old ones and those ive met along the way thanks to everyone
who was there you were all great keep in touch.I found that
middle of the road busy is great no long lines for food and
drink and it still give’s you time to meet people, thanks to all
my wonderful Hedo friends I met this trip and the ones I will in
the future. Until next time big Hedo hugs
Respect
Everytime
Hedobob and
Diana
Fairydreamsrreal@aol.com