Nick & Kerry - July, 2011
Hedo 2, 7/28-8/6 2011
AWOL 2011- Devastated, Relocated, and Initiated
I would attempt a day by day but as usual neither of us carried a notepad with us so there will be some broad strokes with a few details thrown in along the way. This was our first group trip to H2 and it did not disappoint.
7/27-7/28- We flew US Airways overnight SAN- CLT no problems. We had about a 3 hour layover in CLT and then down to the island. Customs was quick. Met S&K in the SC Lounge and popped open the bottles we had stashed in the suitcase then out to a full bus for the ride to Negril and our new home. We arrived on the resort to see Rick and Ivy along with our favorite girl Serena awaiting us in the lobby. In Kitty’s excitement she tripped getting off the bus and fell HARD onto the concrete. She landed on her knees and then fell directly into the valet stand, striking her head. I was behind her and did not see what happened unfortunately but was there quickly after. She suffered a knot on the forehead and a couple pretty bad knee bruises- prepatellar hematoma- welcome to H2. We got her up off the ground and she limped off to the bathroom. Ivy went in to check on her with Serena and then took her to the nurse’s office. Once I found them there Kitty was lucid and oriented and did not want the doctor called. We ended up signing out AMA and going to our room.
The rest of the day was a bit of a blur- drinks and “happy birthday”’s! CTI was still there and enjoyed seeing some old friends for the first time in a year.
Bob and Steph came in later and we spent the rest of the night partying- me a little too much, sorry love J.
By Friday night a full half of the nearly 120 AWOL’ers were on the resort and the party started to kick.
Saturday saw the hosts in the lobby meeting each bus- a highlight every year to see your friends arrive.
The Room- OVN 2174. We had been to H2 before, so we knew what to expect but the view out the window was spectacular. The 28th was my 40th birthday and Rick and Ivy had gotten into the room before we got there and decorated it for the occasion. My loving bride had sent them stuff to hang- it looked great. The AC was so-so. We never seem to get a REALLY cold one, so it was no big deal. We liked the bathrooms better at H3, but the multiple shower heads are awesome- we had hot water all week. We only usually use maid service about 3 times a trip, and it was adequate.
The Food- With the exception of the food itself at the nude pool grill the food was a step above what we had experienced at H3 before. The buffet, the specialty restaurants, and the midnight buffet were all very good. We especially liked the jerk chicken wings, omelet, and pasta bars.
The Bars- When AWOL arrived on resort I am not sure they were ready for the demand we brought with us. It took a day or two but the staffing on the bars ended up being adequate. We even saw Serena behind the bar a couple times- that was very nice. No shortages that I heard of or witnessed, but I was told that a group of our people ran the bar out of nearly everything one night by about 4 AM.
The Staff- Responsive, kind, and with a smile. Problems we had were addressed immediately, whether it be a bad AC unit, other problems with the room, or anything else.
EC’s- some new ones, some ones we knew already. It is always nice to see Shaquie and seeing 50 at his peak shape after his contest was cool. Very nice people- and even nicer past the persona. Apparently, there as an altercation between a couple of them one night in the piano bar. Any details I give would be speculation so I won’t give any.
The Pools-
Nude- Clean enough, no problems with the water being clear and nice all week. The hot tub was fine although one night I understand it was very overchlorinated and kept people out of it until the next day. The pool that night was packed. The Elevated cool pool jets were WAY too strong- a couple AWOL’ers even ended up with bruises from the water pressure.
The games of flipcup were epic- no idea how many pitchers of woowoos we went through. Kathy and Kitty kicked pretty much everyone’s ass- but we had a good time!
Finishing off the bottles from the alcohol potluck was great- not sure how the sing along of “America the beautiful” came about, but it is a highlight for me.
My one complaint about the nude pool regards closing it from 7 PM to 10 PM… wth is with that? Why not 7 to 10 AM, and let us party through the sunset and into the night.
Prude- Not sure what the issue was here. The bottom seemed extremely slippery- perhaps it was algae, but it was difficult to walk in nonetheless. We never made it into the prude hot tub.
The Beach-
Well groomed, nice. I wish the sea grass was not there. It would be much nicer without it. We floated a few times and Kitty even slightly burned her bum down there- lots of little fish.
The Grounds-
Coming from H3 the grounds are both impressive and immense. There was wayyyy more walking than we had ever done at the other resort. Not a bad thing, just no quick trips! The tree frogs were very nice to hear. We even had one in our room one evening- it peed on me when I tried to pick it up.
Group Events-
Sunset Social and Alcohol Potluck- because of rain it got moved to the piano bar. Worked great. Lots of great stuff to sample… and as a reminder to me later… Absinthe makes your face melt, and Ben’s cherry picker shot was pretty awesome.
Nude Cruise- Thanks to Rick and Eva and Tommy and Cathy the nude cruise happened. As usual people were tight lipped as to the goings on- we ask no questions, they tell no lies. They all came back smiling and in most cases their mates’ suits instead of their own.
Gift Exchange- Not sure how we are going to keep doing this- the group is HUGE and this year’s event was fun but as MC was a little exhausting- the piano bar was a great place for it. I was actually dumbstruck by a couple of the gifts… really, a beer bong shaped like a penis?
Margaritaville- A nice little excursion and for $25 pp all you can drink it was worth the time. The beach was gorgeous and despite having to wear clothes it was nice to get out.
Group Dinner-We had a lovely spot next to the prude pool. We gave away a 3 night comp and $800 worth of credit towards next year’s trip. Kitty wore a princess dress and our members of the year were Erica for being one of the most courageous people I know and Rick and Eva for the nude cruise.
The People-
This was AWOL 4, Devastated But Relocated. Each of the past years have brought a little bigger group and we ended up with just under 120 people, including many singles among our couples. Everyone seemed to get along just great and there was no drama. With the group growing the way it has I usually respond when asked that “good people attract good people”. We have many friends who have been there every year, and many that have, for whatever reason, had to skip a year only to return eventually. We treasure each of them and love that through facebook and chats we get to keep in touch with them year-round.
To Rick and Ivy- it has been, at times, a bumpy road. Conducting the group via phone, messenger, and text leaves some gaps. It is only because of your devotion to the group and attention to the little things that AWOL continues to thrive. There is not a day that goes by that we don’t both thank our lucky stars for having you two in our lives. We love you.
To Bob and Steph- Welcome to “the show”. You guys made awesome co-hosts right out of the gate. The Dallas meet and greet was off the hook. You are both kind, witty, and giving people. I am not sure if you found AWOL or AWOL found you but I think you guys have found a home within it like we have.
Fugy and Maria- the best looking couple we know, inside and out. Someday you guys are actually going to skip and go somewhere else- but we are glad that it was not this year. We love you for your friendship and hope you both learn how awesome you are someday.
Terie and Poopie- Your smiles and attitude are infectious. YOU are what we want from every AWOL’er.
The Baltimorons- Keep bringing it. You guys rock. Tanya- thanks so much for the awesome CD’s!
Barbie and George, Brent and Kathy- congratulations to you all. Thank you for sharing your special day with the AWOL family.
Ivy and Jeremy- no one goes big on themes like you guys do. We love seeing your outfits every night.
Crystal and Brown- We are so proud of you guys- the hard work you put in year round truly deserves a vacation like the one you just had. Welcome to AWOL.
Curtis- the dogtags you provide set our group apart from any other. Even the imitators will admit theirs are junk compared to ours. Thank you thank you thank you!
Jim and Christy- What a great coincidence it was that brought you and AWOL together. We truly enjoyed getting to know you guys and hope to see more of you again soon.
Jenna- you are one of the bravest people I have ever met. I am glad that us lunatics over at ATF were able to convince you that despite scars, the nude side is where you belong.
We met tons of people over the week, some from far away, some from close, and it was awesome to see so many friendly faces. We hope to see you all again next year.
I am sure I have forgotten someone- or more than one- and I apologize if I omitted you.
Next year: AWOL 2012- What a Way to Go! July 28-August 4, 2012.
Until then……
TO WHORES!