Ellen & Bob's Hedo II Trip Report - 6/7 to 6/14, 2003
This is our third trip to Hedo II, and a first attempt at a trip report. After reading so many, I guess it's high-time for us to submit one. We almost didn't get to go, but luckily, I got laid-off *after* the deadline to get a refund on our trip payment. Luckily, I started a new job just before we left, so things weren't off-kilter too long.
Our trip was scheduled for June 7-14, the same week as the 2nd trip. The first trip was at the end of July in 2000. We started packing sometime Friday. Ellen had a few extra days off, and I just started a new job that's pretty flexible, so I was able to leave early on Friday. Somehow we're going to try to pack less stuff next time. We had one very large suitcase, and one carry-on, and felt we had a little too much. Next time, we're going to shoot for two soft carry-on's that can squish into whatever overhead baggage compartment the planes have.
We thought we'd get some shut-eye before our alarm would wake us bright tailed and bushy eyed at 4:00AM, but somehow, we never really got to bed. I may have snoozed for about an hour before the alarm went off. My dad graciously offered to take us to the airport. I guess that's how he gets out of taking care of the cats ;-) Anyway, we were on our way at 5:00 for the 35 minute ride to Cleveland. Once we got there, we exchanged a couple hugs and we were headed to the United Airways check-in line. (We told our parents the name of the place -- guess it really hasn't sunk in, or they are just to the point they don't care)
The flights were on-time, including the layover in Charlotte, but were rather bumpy due to the weather covering the eastern portion of the US. We arrived at MoBay and were first off the plane, first through Immigration and nearly first through Customs. Upon arrival at the SuperClubs desk, we found that our name was nowhere on their list!!! A call to Hedo II cleared that up, though the clerk at the airport let the Hedo desk that she was not pleased that names were missing. We had a pretty full bus and were on our way...until we stopped at Breezes! We thought we all got bumped, but it turned out that a couple that booked the "super surprise" decided to switch to Hedo after being at Breezes for an hour, so we picked them up and were on our way.
The bus ride was pleasantly uneventful. What took us over 2 1/2 hours in 2001 was about half that, including the obligatory beer stop. It's funny that we've stopped at the same place every trip. This time they had to take a very small detour to the "old" road to get there. For me, that stop is the point at which the reality switch goes off, and the fun switch goes on!
We got to Hedo at about 2:30 or so. We requested the H-block, but they didn't have any rooms available there. We ended up in #2212, which seemed fine - far enough from both the nude pool and the disco so the sound didn't keep us up all night. We really didn't care which room we got, as long as it was on the nude side, and preferably on the second floor. We didn't notice the air conditioning "funk" that was described in other reports, but we did have two things to put on the comment form: Replace the lumpy pillows and get shower faucets that keep a constant temperature.
We quickly shed our traveling clothes, grabbed the towels and headed to the nude pool. Purple rains were calling ;-) We met a bunch of great folks throughout the week, and we didn't think to bring anything to write down the contact info. Pieces of the Hedo schedule with emails scribbled on the back ended up being stashed in our camera case (not on the nude side!) our beach bag, and pockets (again not on the nude side!). I think we found them all.
I think the only EC staff that is still there from our last trip is Chubby, but we quickly made friends with Rose, Roxy and Ray-Ray. As usual, they were lots of fun, and got everyone involved. I was a little disappointed to see that they only had the brown rum as prizes for everything. The last two trips, they had TiaMaria, white rum, and a few other bottles to give out. We ended up saving our Hedo Bucks for next year. I'll have to find that Hedo Bucks poker chip from a couple years ago and put it in the stack too.
Overall, the resort seemed very empty until about Wednesday. The dining room never set up for more than half capacity at all the meals, until Thursday night. There appeared to be a full-house for the Toga party. I think that's when all the models were arriving for the "Ultimate Men of Hedonism" competition on the 14th. Ellen was sad she couldn't see the final show since we had to leave Saturday morning. Two years ago, the final was on Friday. I think it may have been a scheduling conflict with some of the models "day" jobs.
Even though the attendance was light, the amount and variety of food available at the buffet seemed pretty good. With Ellen being a vegetarian, she was able to find plenty of different things to try. It sure beat our Mexico trip last year where all she had was rice and vegetables. PastaFari's and Munahana's were fantastic. This is the first time we were back since they added the Japanese fare. It's kind of fun to see the local chefs preparing local food in Japanese style. It was quite tasty and plentiful. I'll have to remember to not get the triple combo again. It tasted great, but I was stuffed by the end of the meal. We never made it to the Scotch Bonnet.
We took the Nude Catamaran Cruise this time, as we did the 2nd trip. The sea was a bit calmer this time at the Pickled Parrot, so we were able to swim to shore. A number of us all swam nude to the cliff and jumped off. I landed a little crooked in the water and still have the black-n-blue marks to prove it. At least I'm not singing soprano ;-) (Dave at the piano bar would have had a lot of fun with *that*, now wouldn't he??)
Ellen really enjoyed the new exercise facilities (yeah, I know, I should have, too), and the improvements look nicely done. Too bad they were hardly used...hmm...maybe we could get them to switch sides and put the nude side at the new prude pool. I never saw the rock climbing wall being used. It was only open a couple hours during the day, and one person who did try it almost got burned by the sun-soaked surface. I never found the skating rink, and believe it or not, we never made it to the slide. Those who tried it, loved it. I guess that's something to save for next year.
The rest rooms were generally clean, except for one day at the nude pool. Both were closed for most of either Wednesday or Thursday (The Purple rains caused the days to run together a bit), but a towel and a quick walk to the prude side solved those problems. Both rest rooms in the main dining room were being remodeled, and consequently closed. The nearest ones were those by the gift shops in the courtyard.
We attended the returning guests' cocktail party for the first time. Somehow we never got an invite for the last trip. We met Mr. Bourke and told him we were kicking ourselves for going to Mexico last year, and not coming "home". He seemed happy to hear we'll be back. He announced the new hedonosm1.com website - a place where they can "do things we can't do on the regular SuperClubs site". We checked the site after getting home, and it's just a placeholder now with a place to put your email for announcements. He also stated that since the "big" improvements were done (new prude pools, slide, rock wall, etc.) that they were going to concentrate on room improvements numerous "behind-the-scenes" improvements that should enhance the whole place. Both got applause from all in attendance.
We made it to the piano bar more times than both of our other trips combined. Dave was as fun as always, and right on time every night. We decided to stick around for the PJ party on Tuesday. It's a good thing we did... Ellen won 2nd for "most sexy." Go Ellen!! We didn't attend too much of the Toga party, though. I guess all the "stimulation" was catching up with us, so we just grabbed a couple lounges and watched the nearly full moon for a while.
Well, all good things must come to an end. For us, it was a first time to really enjoy the beach party. The "Ultimate Men" models had a photo shoot by the bond-fire. I lost Ellen for a bit there ;-). Since we had later flights, we didn't have to catch the bus until 10. That meant we could even get to the piano bar one more time after the beach festivities wound down.
The saddest part of the whole trip was when we boarded the bus to head home. As they were loading the bags, the little combo that's at the lobby sang "Jamaica Farwell". A tear came to my eye then as it is right now :-( The bus trip and return flights were uneventful, though we did get moved to a different flight from Charlotte to Cleveland. A quick phone call to my Dad to tell him the new info solved that.
I must say, we are as relaxed as we were the first two times and are planning to be one of the couples who ends up with more return trips than we can remember. We're happy to hear the rooms are next in line for improvements. We'll have to see - and that we will next year.
Until we're home again...
One Love, Bob & Ellen