Pete - February, 2009

Just back from a week at Hedo II—second half of first week Feb and first half of second week Feb.
The resort was almost exactly as we left it a year ago. There seemed to be fewer staff—all working very hard but having a hard time keeping up with a very full resort, and demanding guests.

The weather was windy, the ocean rough, the flags were RED, and for most of the trip, water sports were cancelled. The sea was too cold to linger until the end of the trip.

The main restaurant was satisfactory, but with a restricted menu (compared to previous trips). The two specialty restaurants were well served with some very nice meals (Pastafari’s beef was excellent).

The Piano Bar was wells served by and excellent keyboard player (from the main stage band), a number of talented guests (singers and musicians) and excellent staff singers. The usual embarrassing ‘piece by piece’ activities got a laugh and a blush. One evening the staff entertainers went overboard to humiliate a couple of guests. I disliked that! The usual “No means No” did not seem to apply, and that’s a definite No No.

As usual, we met some wonderful ‘old’ friend, new friends, and new acquaintances. Most everyone we met was ‘interesting’.

The first part of the trip, seemed like most/many of the guests were mid-west/central. They were replaced by predominantly east-coasters. The standard of general manners went down hill. Examples: dork who ordered a ‘three white omelet with mushrooms’, then walked away; the people who complained that custom prepared pasta dishes took time to make and they had to wait for service; the couples who ‘reserved’ loungers at the pool and under the tree (at the same time). I really loved watching two loungers occupied, all day, by two painted rocks—while we had to sit on a picknick table. Thanks guys!

The hot tub was usually humming, lively, fun, warm, sociable. A couple of evenings it was almost totally empty. Go figure.

By far the highlight of the trip was the dozens of really friendly, interesting, creative, polite people (of all ages) we spent time with. I managed to avoid getting my toes painted, managed to get on a few winning teams, shared tables with great company, and enjoyed some great visual and sensual distractions.

Now we have to plan a return visit—a year seems to long.
A big Thank You to everyone who contributed to the vacation.

Pete