DennyP Travel Forums Archives - Read Only Hedonism II Archives when does your Hedo vaca start?

Lewis had written in another thread: "We know we are there when the Tim air plane buzzes Hedo beach before we land."

And that got me thinking...when does your Hedo2 vacation truly start?

Mine comes in fits and starts...sometimes it's when the bus ride is especially rowdy.

Sometimes it's when I arrive and sit with old friends in the dining room while waiting for my room to be ready.

But my vacation ALWAYS has begun when I'm done emptying my suitcases in the room and I've headed out to the beach.

When we get on the plane in Orlando and know that our next stop is MoBay. Check in with the SuperClubs lounge and grab a RedStripe! We are in Jamaica!!!

DITTO!

when i give the porter my last $5 tip for taking my bags to the bus and climbing on board. i'm home!

When I go through security in Albany International Airport. I become Jamaican at that moment,

When I hear WELCOME HOME at the front of Hedo

When my parents come and take the kids the night before the flight...finish up the packing and get all giddy! Vaca starts then!

I am officially on vacation when I pack my car keys in the front pocket of my suitcase that has the word KEYS painted in big letters on it. Then I am no longer responsible for myself.

And yes, I have asked airport personnel to xray my bags upon arrival home as I have lost my keys. LOL!

The morning of my flight to Jamaica- after I finish my "last chance workout" at the gym, go home, shower, and do one final weigh-in. After that, I'm officially on Hedo vacation mode, and decide to eat whatever I like for breakfast, because I'll be eating and drinking (and other things) to my heart's content for the next 7 days!

When I change the message on my cell phone to...I will be out of the office until...blah blah blah...and turn it off..Usually at the airport

I am a slower starter than some of you. Usually I dont feel like I am truly at hedo until dinner on my first day...give or take.

I get to the main bar at 6....im in my tropical garb....a nice glass of JWB on the rocks...a big fat cigar, and a visit to the top of the disco to look out over the bay.

my wife looks incredible in some amazingly sexy dress, and I spy a friend from a previous visit, or one of the staff members who really help make my stays special....and then I feel truly home!

For me it's the moment that I step onto the beach, hand-in-hand with my lovely wife, and see that big smile on her face.

Walter.

When we step off the bus at Hedo and that little street band is playing!

mine starts when I throw the carry-on in the overhead!!!!!!

Ditto for us. When that airplane door closes I am "on vacation" and the worries at home all melt away. "Stewardess bring me a glass of wine. Yes I know is 8:00 a.m. Yes I realize the plane isn't moving yet. Look do we really have to be in the air for me to start my Hedo vacation? Yes Hedo. And by the way you look quite sexy in that uniform, how long will you be staying in Jamaica?"

I admit to being a little stressed until I know where my 'house' is. I know I'm home when I get my room key.

Vacation starts after I'm in my room stripped down, locked away passports, money and I have located my drinking cup (in that order). Then whaahoo ... to the beach.

When I turn out the lights and lock my office door leaving work for the last time..that's the moment I begin my vacation. I have already packed everything so the minute I leave work I have nothing left to do or worry about. My wife always greats me at the door with a Red Stripe (Hooray Beer).

I love this question when it comes up!

To some degree, I feel like vacation starts when we've booked - our early Nov. group has a lot of repeaters, so between the Sunday night chat sessions that begin around Labor day, to meeting new friends via Denny's visitor list it all helps build the excitement and the "This is going to be a great trip" feeling. Not to mention the shopping for slutwear & supplies!

We find ourselves texting each other at quiting time the last day before we leave with a "we're on vacation!", which leads to a double-checking of the packing list (that's already been triple checked), to trying to get to bed early (Philly AJ flight leaves at 6am, so means up at 1:30a) - and the ride on the shuttle to the terminal. Take off is another 'smile & relax' time, followed by the bustle of Sangster & SC lounge. Like Chris says, the bus ride can definately be 'vacation mode' depending on the crowd, and we've often met people that we hang out with much of the week.

But, it's the "welcome home" (we do miss Tony!) when the bus pulls into Hedo, and we've got our paperwork in hand - decided who's going to do the check-in & who's going to run to the main bar for our first drink (yes, that's another process deciding!!) that our vacation starts. Followed by the anxiousness waiting for the key (hey, we're in H block!)...unpacking, spending a few minutes to put up our door signs & decorations...then off to Delroys....

I'm with NCdnd - as soon as I've discharged the last of my professional duties, which usually means when I am leaving campus the evening before, I am officially on vacation. The final night of packing and all the traveling count as part of the vacation to me; it's all part of the same ride!.........Jake

It's about a 17 hour commute to H2 for us (door to door) and includes flying most of the night with arrival at H2 late in the afternoon the next day. We are walking zombies when we arrive. For us, the "Hedo" vacation usually starts when we wake up the morning after we arrive. No better feeling than to wake up at H2 with the long commute behind us and a fresh new H2 vacation ahead of us. If we are meeting friends at H2, the trip starts when we see them for the first time - also a great feeling.

This is my first post on this board. This is out first trip to hedo. I guess i will feel on vacation when we get on the airplane to leave. I hate going thru customs in atlanta. Really dont know what to expect but a great time and meet great new people.

Welcome Buck and Doe!

When we check in at the hotel near the Charlotte airport the night before we depart for Hedo is the official start of our vacation!

when I punch the clock at work for the last time......18 more days and counting down...looking forward to meeting new friends..

When I zip up my dive bag and place it in my car. Liz' too.

Chuck

1. When booked - it will happen
2. After I pay it - it better happen
3. 5:00 a.m. in the car on way to airport - in vacation mode
4. 2:00 p.m. in the minivan from MBJ to Hedo - minutes away
Mrs. Rockkstar probably has another opinion on this

NOT SOON ENOUGH!!!!!!

When we send the final payment to Denny, that was yesterday so 66 and counting . DIF is a very horrible thing !!!

Since no one else has piped in with this answer yet:

I'm gonna stay it's when the van makes the beer stop on the way to Hedo. (yes, sorry, I love that part and I DO ask the driver to make the stop.)

That's the point where the stress of planning, packing and traveling are behind me. I pop open a red stripe, give Randy a hug, smell that Jamaican air and know that my whole entire vacation is only 15 minutes in front of me.

That beer stop is only 16 days and a wake up away. I can taste the red stripe already, yea mon.

The beer stop has its merits, but I wish that H2 would establish a policy (and make it known to guests) that the shuttle drivers can only stop once on the way to H2 and for a set maximum amount of time. That way, guests know what to expect. The beer stop is a good opportunity to meet a few guests before arriving at H2.

It starts as we're driving to the airport at 3am, while listening to Sean Paul.

My vacation use to start in the old days, before the jetways, was when they would open the plane’s doors and the humid air would flow into the plane like a fog, you could smell home (unless the wind was from the west then all you smelt was jet fuel) The beer stops are great, after a couple of Red Stripes waiting for the bus,(and buy one or two for the road trip from the kids with beer in plastic bags and ice ) Now I guess it's just as I exist the airport into the heat and humidity... Home

Kinda Like DavenRose, We stay at "Park and Fly" By our AirPort.
As soon as we are Parked, Our car keys are put away and not touched or seen again for 9 days.
Our vacation has officially
started when we hit the "Hotel Happy Hour" Bar!
17 and a Wake up!

Sorry, Jen, but I HATE the beer stop. Why would I want to buy a beer when I've got an all-inclusive bar waiting for me, just fifteen minutes down the road? I'm the one yelling, "No, No, No stopping!!!!"

Jake, you would wanna stop for a beer because I would swoop your beautiful woman from her seat and accompany her into the bar and give her super smooches. And then we would both look at you with blinky eyes and ask you to join us. How could you resist that? I know she couldn't. ((hi, hazel!!))

I love me that beer stop. 15 more days.........

Geez Jake, I couldn't say no to that scenario. Blinky eyes and super smooches, oh my!

I do enjoy a QUICK 10 minute stop for the afore-mentioned spreading of wealth, enjoying culture and for the folks who need party supplies.

I'm with jen_randy, when I step out of the bus at the beer stop and get a moment in the Jamaican sun with an icy cold Red Stripe I can really relax.

No more work, plane ride is over, got through customs, no more airports just the (mostly) painless check in process at the front desk left to deal with... and free beer/rum isn't too far away to help deal with that

I took a picture of that first beer from the stop one year ago and it's still my cell phone home screen. Whenever I turn the phone on I get to see the "Nutrition information" on the back of the bottle.

By the way, Red Stripe has 177kg/42kcal of "Energy"... delicious, bubbly energy

only 14 days to go!

I always try to subvert the beer stop by buying a big bag of 10 or 12 red stripes for the bus. occasionally it backfires, though,....and we end up needing a potty break.

either way.....by that time...my hedo vacation is well under way.

I think Chris S is getting info for her third addition which will be available electronically.

Just kidding (I think)
Chuck

Now Chuck, just because I lurk around here doesn't mean I'm always researching (okay, who am I kidding...I'm always looking for funny tales, useful info, and great pics to use), BUT I started this thread for fun, honest.

I can only update the 2nd edition (last done last July) because I can't conceive of a 3rd edition (what would it be but MORE). It is available in print and e-book formats. (Thanks for giving me an excuse for the plug/clarification.)

I must admit I'm loving all the variations you've all posted--fascinating stuff!