Feb 1 Feb 8, 2006.
This was a return trip to Hedo II. Weve visited eight or ten times over 26 years (yes we were there when the place was Negril Beach Village!). We have been visiting Desire at this time, the last couple of years, but that was not an option. And somehow Hedo II always calls us back.
We did a Canadian low cost package (resort and charter flight) at a remarkably good price. SunWing Airlines offered a better than average flight with on-time departure and 20 minute early arrival in MoBay. Immigration has become irritating and unfriendly over the years. We arrived on campus around noon time, after a six hour total journey.
Room was prude garden view, right on the beach (lowest cost, best view, easy walk to everywhere, and a supremely comfortable bed).
We managed to put in a full day of meals, drinks, socializing, and dressing up for the evening event. We had a blast.
Meals
The main buffet restaurant was slightly restricted in choices from our last visit. But the food was good quality to excellent. The breads and pastries (particularly the croissants) are baked on-site and wonderful. I enjoyed eggs and bacon every breakfast, along with ample fruit. Lunch was either at the nude pool (depending on weather and if there was food available) or the main buffet. Evening meals were buffet, Japanese (middling good) or Italian (very good but not excellent as at Desire). We ate well. Nude pool 4:00 pm jerk chicken was outstanding, and disappeared quickly.
Entertainment
We joined in most everything. We exchanged a pile of Hedo Dollars for rum, then found 450,000 more as we left the resort (too early in the morning to exchange for booze!). Games around the pool were silly and childish and great fun. One of us did the nude water slide over and over. If youve never won nude Twister youve missed a Kodak moment.
We did the disco only on PJ night. Its a disco and geared to newbies and Jamaicans, and the younger set. We had fun. Most evenings we really enjoyed the Piano Bar. Sweet Karoline will never be the same. Nuff said.
The guests who performed on stage on Thursday were outstandingly professional. Staff evening performances ranged from very good to so-so. Piano Man knows how to keep an audience happy. Daytime entertainment staff worked hard to get people animated. Some guests are just too kool to mix and mingle. Shame.
Social
Its tough not to meet people you click with at Hedo. There are all types and ages there: the dairy farmers, the erotic novelist, the operatic Santa Clause, the pilots, cardiac nurse, military people, Brits, Canuks, Germans, Americans Yes we met them all. And we ran into old friends from this resort and other places, over the years. Somehow they all managed to get round the hot tub just as the rum cream began to flow (over the down the into the ) Its a messy job but someone has to lick it up.
We did the Cat cruise on a very quiet, stormy Saturday. Fun, friendly, but cool. The snorkel trips were fun, as usual, without any significant new sightings. We didnt get much reading done too busy with new friends.
Downers
The only real downer was the hot water ran out every evening before my shower. I can live with a cold shower, but should I have to?
Overall
We had a wonderful time, met great people, relaxed and got more animated than usual. There was almost too much to do and experience in a week. We needed to stay a few more days just to Well be back (if only to exchange all my Hedo Bucks). After 26 years we are nothing like too old for Hedo.