Hedonism II Trip Report - David & Donna (Dec., 2019)

After a 6 year gap in visits, we finally made it back. Travel down was great from Indy to Orlando. There, we saw 7 wheel chairs with women lined up to board. Only 3 of them looked like they belonged in a wheel chair. The other 4 looked to be 40 yrs old tops. The front half of the plane watched as these 4 women got out of their seats multiple times each for bathroom visits and snacks from their bags in over head. When we landed the 4 jumped up and started jerking their items from overhead. A man several rows back from us called out," It's a miracle! They're cured"! Another called out they should be shamed.It was crazy. Most of us sat in shock as they grabbed their bags and sacks and pushed their way past the attendant and out the door. Craziest thing I have ever seen on a plane. Sad.
   JTL kept us waiting on the bus for 45 minutes while they waited for more people. Then he insisted on pulling over for a bathroom break for all of us even though we ALL waived him to go on. From the time we landed till we arrived to Hedo was over 2 1/2 hours. We will take a taxi next time.
       We were anxious to see all the improvements that had taken place since our last visit. We were NOT disappointed. The improvements made to the dining hall, bathrooms, piano bar, etc. are fabulous. The grounds are looking back to their former loving care.Entertainment was great. The extended beach is wonderful. Such an improvement! The ONLY thing we did NOT like was the massage shack on the hook of rocks. It spoils that fantastic view and think it could be relocated to a better spot. Maybe on the prude beach?
    Tried paddle boarding and loved it Winfred is the BEST! So patient! We also kayaked one day around the bay.
     The food was AWESOME. Asparagus Penne in Alfredo Sauce.....I could have just taken the whole pot to my room!  The Creme Brule was so good but the chocolate mousse was a slice of heaven! The food as great, as awlays.
       After 5 fantastic trips, this one was evidently our trip to pay our "Travelor's Dues". I got sun poisoning on day 2. Twisted my knee that night. David's calves were killing him from hiking all over the resort(We were on the far side of prude). We felt better after a few days. On our last full day, we planned to go into town. Sight-see and Rick's Cafe for the first time. David woke up sick with the bug I'd had a few weeks earlier and laid in bed the whole day and night, running a fever off & on. He wanted to go to dinner, so we sat as far from everyone as we could. He felt a little  better the next morning.   On the way to the airport, we had a tire blow on the bus. Luckily we were right in front of the Grand Palladium in Lucea. I'd hate to think if we got stuck on a stretch of open road with a flat.LOL..They couldn't get the lug nuts off the rim. After 30 minutes with no luck, people started to pull their luggage and hire taxis to the airport. We had time, so we stayed. Once 3 men got the lug nuts off, they couldn't get the bus jacked up. The jack wasn't tall enough. They scrambled and found rocks to layer and set the jack on the rocks. Soon, tire changed and we are hauling ass to the airport. We've had some fast rides in Jamaica, but this one took top honors. He got us there in plenty of time and thanked us for our patience.  He did the best in a bad situation and was a gentleman. 
      Flight home uneventful until we find out we are arriving in the middle of a snowstorm. Interstate was crappy, no plowing done to speak of. Took us double the time to get home. When we walked in the door at 1:45 am and sat down we looked at each other and just laughed. What a wacky trip! But we had fun, relaxed, saw old friends and returned to Hedo. What more could we ask for??

Respect, David & Donna