Dan & Deanna’s second trip to Hedo 01/30/99 – 02/07/99
Getting there:
It didn’t take long after our first trip to Hedonism last Feb. to decide that we needed to return. Although we were happy booking with Air Jamaica Vacations last year we decided to book with Go Classy Tours this time which did a great job taking care of us. Again we chose to fly Air Jamaica. For those leaving from Los Angeles Air Jamaica offers the only non-stop service to Montego Bay with flights that leave Friday and Sunday nights at 11:00 P.M. Our flight departed on time and offered great service aboard near new A320 aircraft. After a 5 hour flight and 3 hour time difference we arrived in Mo Bay at 7:30 A.M. By 8:30 A.M. we boarded the bus with one other passenger and we were on our way.
Saturday Day 1 – Great to be back!
We arrived at Hedo at 10:30 A.M. looking forward to checking in and a little nap. Our room wouldn’t be ready for an hour so we headed to the breakfast buffet in a tired and zombie like state. Finally we were sent to our room (nude garden 2257 upstairs and directly across from the basketball and shuffleboard courts, not a good location for light sleepers). Following a two hour "nap";) we headed over to the nude pool where we met Mark and Theresa whom we had first met here a year ago. Deanna and I then went to our favorite spot near the waters edge opposite the nude volleyball court where we relaxed in the warm sun. After missing out on the water sports and snorkeling last year because of rough water conditions, I was thrilled to see the clear and calm Caribbean Sea that I had only before seen in brochures. Later in the evening we joined Mark & Theresa for dinner and then closed out the night in the nude hot tub.
Sunday Day 2 - Water sports
Our day begins with breakfast at the main dining area before we head out to our spot on the beach. I am amazed to see so many familiar faces from last year. Again it is a beautiful day, clear skies and a light breeze. Fearing that these conditions will not last I get in as many water sports as possible. First it’s a little snorkeling off the nude beach, and then it’s off to take a windsurf class. It is here that we first meet Chris from Denny’s visitor list also taking a lesson. For lunch Deanna and I order burgers and fries from the nude beach grill. Not once this week will we make it to the main dining area for lunch. After lunch it’s off to water ski. By this time I’m driving Deanna nuts. She say’s that I can’t just relax and do nothing for more than 15 minutes…she’s right! Water skiing, like all the other water activities are done between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4 P.M. This week there seemed to be very few people skiing. The Mastercraft ski boat with a Mercury outboard engine is very well cared for. They have no problem taking you out even if you are alone, as many times there were fewer than 2 or 3 skiers. The skiing is done at Bloody Bay just north of Grand Lido and the new Couple’s resort. Even though it was afternoon the water conditions were very smooth. After about 30 minutes we head back to the dock. After relaxing and enjoying the sunset it’s back to our room and a shower before we head to the main dining area for dinner and entertainment.
Monday Day 3 – Off to H-Block
After breakfast today we head over to the lobby and request a change of rooms. The sound of bouncing basketballs, shuffleboard, and the thump of the disco keeps us from getting much needed rest. Our request is answered with "no problem," and within an hour we check in to our new room in "H block" (second floor 2238) and then it’s off to the nude beach. Another tough day of relaxing in the sun, kayaking, and snorkeling. After sunset it’s off to the nude beach grill for jerk chicken (extra sauce, please) and a time to relax near the pool. Following dinner at the main dining area we meet Natalie and Christopher whom we had corresponded with through Denny’s visitor list. Later in the evening we enjoy dancing on the beach to live reggae and afterwards a late night soak in the nude hot tub.
Tuesday Day 4 - Sunsation Cruise
The highlight of today is the clothing optional catamaran cruise to the Caves/Pickled Parrot. The cost is $45 per person and is one of the outside activities that should not be missed. We left the Hedo dock at 10:30 A.M. on a gorgeous day and sailed, or should I say, motored along the Negril coast. A few miles south of Hedo we stopped at a reef for snorkeling. Deanna and I were among a group of about a dozen or so who swam along the reef. The conditions were great with calm seas and excellent visibility. After 30 minutes we all climbed aboard and continued south where we anchored in a beautiful cove surrounded by corral cliffs and caves. These cliffs were featured in film sequences from the movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and also the final escape scene from one of my favorite movies, Papillon. Here I experienced the rope swing at the Pickled Parrot 3 times as Deanna took pictures from the catamaran. I then joined a group of people and swam into one of the caves at the base of the cliffs. Once inside you can climb a wooden ladder and emerge at the top of the 30-40 foot cliffs. From here it is an exhilarating jump into the clear blue waters. One tip here, keep your arms tight against your body or point them to the sky as you jump. I made the mistake of holding them out horizontally which can cause injury to your shoulders as you impact the water. The trip back along the seven mile beach is one big party. Here Deanna and other hedonist’s joined Rasta Ralphie for some relaxation exercises followed by a limbo contest. We arrived back at Hedo around 1:30 p.m. just in time for lunch at the nude beach grill and then the 4:30 nude volleyball game before enjoying yet another beautiful sunset. Tonight for dinner, grilled lobster tails. Deanna is in heaven. The same week we were here last year the lobster wasn’t served much to Deanna’s disappointment. After dinner and entertainment its back to our room where we change to get ready for the PJ party beginning at 11:00 P.M. After two hours of dancing, we take a break from the crowd and heat of the disco to relax at the main pool area above the disco. From here we overhear the DJ announce that Deanna has won 3rd place in the most revealing category of the PJ contest. After joining our friends in the disco following the contest we head over to the nude hot tub where we relax and talk until 3:30 A.M. Life is tough!
Wednesday Day 5 – Pastafari’s
As with most days we are awakened before 9:00 A.M. by the sounds of the room cleaning staff making their rounds. Breakfast buffet and off we go to the nude beach for sunning, kayaking and snorkeling. For the first time this week the breeze begins to pickup in the afternoon and the sky turns mostly cloudy. This evening we’ve made reservations to eat at Pastafari’s with Natalie, Christopher and Zane. At 7:00 p.m. we arrive for our reservation just as the first drops of a brief shower begin to fall. The food is excellent, and we enjoy each other’s company for five hours, not once feeling like were being rushed by the staff to leave. As a matter of fact, the server continued to fill our glasses with champagne. After dinner we hit the disco and retire to our room a couple hours later.
Thursday Day 6 – Toga
Today we enjoy more of the same on a day that begins clear and calm but turns mostly cloudy by late afternoon. After sunset we spend time at the nude pool as I snack on my jerk chicken and then it’s off to our room where we try to decide what to do with our sheets for toga night. After struggling with different ideas we finally finish and join our friends for dinner and the festivities. A few hours of partying and then it’s off to the disco.
Friday Day 7 – Beach Party & Games
Picture postcard day, cloudless and calm. Today we spend the day relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking to Booby Cay and around the point to Bloody Bay. At 5:00 p.m. we join the gang for "happy hour" at the nude pool bar and then again at 7:30 for dinner. After dinner we head to the prude beach bar for drinks and enjoy the trapeze show and relay games. After the games, Deanna and I spend quite time together on the prude beach gazing at the stars and the lights of Negril. A while later its off to the hot (warm) tub where we spend a short time soaking.
Saturday Day 8 – Negril Excursion
Clear, calm, and warm as we spend the morning and afternoon on the beach. The highlight of today is the 4 hour Negril excursion. The cost is $20 per person and reservations are made at the tour desk in the lobby. Mark and Theresa join Deanna and I and a few others. The van leaves Hedo at 3:00 p.m. and makes its first stop moments later at a craft market down the road. After 45 minutes we head to Negril where the driver drops us off at the Coral Sea plaza and Sunshine Village mall. The area features a dozen shops offering duty-free items, crafts, clothing, a small supermarket and other tourist type stores. Also along West End road you’ll find many small shacks with locals selling their wares calling out for you to take a look. Even if you’re not buying, do stop, say hello and introduce yourself. The Jamaican people are very friendly and appreciate you taking the time to visit with them. After an hour stop we continue along West End Road past Rick’s caf and our next to final stop, the Negril lighthouse. At over 100 years old, the second oldest in Jamaica, this beautiful lighthouse sits atop the 40 foot cliffs just south of Rick’s caf. If you’re lucky as we were, somebody will be available to escort you to the top of the lighthouse, where at 60 feet above the ground you get an awesome view of the cliffs. On the way back we made one final stop at Rick’s for a Red Stripe and a view of the setting sun. We returned to Hedo in time for the dinner buffet and entertainment and then off to the hot tub.
Sunday – Must We Leave?
After a few hours on the beach we went to the lobby to check-in for our flight. Air Jamaica now offers convenient check-in at the resort. Here you check-in you baggage, pay your departure tax and receive your boarding pass so that when you arrive at Sangster you can proceed directly to the departure lounge. The whole procedure took less than 15 minutes. Then it was back to the beach until our 4:00 p.m. flight out of GNAT. We opted to fly out instead of the two hour bus ride that was to leave at noon. Jamaica Air Link offered a comfortable flight aboard an eight passenger twin prop plane at a cost of $60 per person. Noticing that I had my camera ready, the pilot made a nice pass over Hedo so that I could snap some final pictures. After a short stay in the airport lounge and some final shopping we boarded our Air Jamaica flight on time at 6:00 p.m. for our six hour return flight to Los Angeles.
All in all it was another fantastic trip to Hedo. Not much had changed from last year, although it seemed the crowd was a bit mellower. Even the late night tub action was very mild. The weather was almost perfect with afternoon temps in the low 80’s, although it seemed much warmer in the open sun, with comfortable evening temps in the low 70’s. As usual it’s the people that help make Hedo the great experience that it is. We met many new friends, both couples and singles and also reacquainted friendships from last year. Although we will not be able to return next year because of other travel commitments, we definitely will do the Hedo experience again.
Pictures posted with permission.
Click on each picture for a larger image.
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