Diane - December, 2002 Wet, Wild, and Wicked

Wet, Wild n Wicked Winter December 6-14, 2002

(All pictures used with permission - click on each picture for a larger image.)

Well, here goes, my second full trip-report for this trip. I had finally finished my complete 6-page report, complete with pictures and everything, and my power went off/on/off/on and back off again so quickly that I couldnt shut down my computer. Hence, my entire hard drive is now brand new and my prior trip report went to the Hedo Heaven Gods. I am going to do my best to reconstruct it and hopefully this one will be better than the first. I do have to report that this trip was probably my last trip to Hedothey always say each trip gets better than the last, and Im certain that no other trip can EVER compare to this one. This trip was very different from any others Ive taken for several reasons, but let me regress.

As much as I always hate the travel details, I have to include a few this time as they included visiting with special friends, and thats what any trip to Hedo is about for me. I went this year from Phoenix to Montego Bay via Chicago (dont ask why, long story). I overnighted both ways with friends and was able to arrive early and leave late, so all was well in the end. I got into snowy Chicago (do people really live there in the winter??) on a Thursday and was able to spend some time with Brian and Deb and finally meet their two little ones. I met Brian and Deb four years ago on the first WWW Winter trip ever. Our first encounter was a riot (tying a toga on a very intoxicated gal was fun, although she never did make it to the toga party that night, in spite of how good she looked!!) and weve been good friends ever since. Deb picked me up from the airport, and we had a wonderful lunch and visit playing catch up before we had to go retrieve the kids. I learned how to do the monkey dance from her 2 year old, and I dont think my life will ever be the same. I was up the next morning on the 6 AM flight out of Chicago and upon arrival to Montego Bay, I elected to take the bus as everyone said the ride wasnt that bad anymore. Ive always flown in all past trips except one time, one way. I do have to admit, the bus ride isnt bad, and probably is what I will take from now on. The only downside was I got on a bus with everyone else going to Grand Lido. Everyone slept on the bus (I heard they had a LOT of time to do that where they were staying) except the bus driver and me. I sat up front and he and I joked all the way to Negril (good thing everyone else was sleeping as we were mainly making fun of all of them )

Soon I was at Hedos front desk and I was given my room assignment, but they were going to try and find me a room closer to the hot tub. I personally didnt care where my room was, I always find I get the perfect room for me; either location or who is in nearby rooms and this trip was no exception. I got room 2222, which made it easy for me to remember (and everyone else for that matter) and its right by the bridge going over the H Block, so I had friends all over the place and easy access to beach, nude side, H Block, etc. I had paid for a shared room, but never had a roommate all week, at least none that hung their clothes there, which made it extra nice.

I said this trip was very different for me than my past 7 trips. I believe there were several reasons for this. First, this was my first trip going solo. Going as a single female was quite an experience, and definitely one every gal should get to experience at least once in her lifetime. Second, this trip I did a LOT more things than I normally did. I scuba dove every day. I hadnt been able to do that as much in the past, cuz I was either too drunk or normally too hung over, of which, I was neither this trip. It was an awesome experience and I met some wonderful people. First was Storm, my dive buddy most dives all week (except when he was too hung over to divelol). Thanks, Storm, for giving me back that confidence underwater that Id lost. I will be forever grateful to you. Also big thanks to Dennis, Duck and Dave (the three musketeers) and to Trey and Renata for filling in as dive buddies when the Storm was out. The diving was awesome and we saw something different every day. We saw a really cool nurse shark, a huge moray eel, octopus, lobster, crabs, a sunken tugboat, a small plane as well as a ton of various fish and sea creatures. The dive masters at Hedo are really awesome; they see things that we would never notice without them. All dives are done in a group, with one dive master in front leading and one bringing up the rear. One time, someone in our group let go of their underwater camera, and the dive master in the back saw it and went to retrieve it before anyone knew it was missing. Amazing!!!! Here is a picture of Storm, Duck and myself in a more normal state of dress than we dove in: 

The Winter WWW group is a tight knit group, although we always welcome new comers. I think part of what makes this group so cohesive is that many of us get together during the year and help keep our DIF at bay. This past year was no exception. Many of us met during the year at each others homes for long weekends and at several other locations, always trying to prove the elusive question.Is it Hedo or is it the people? We decided its definitely the people, not the location. Weve found we can have Hedo type fun most anyplace as long as the people will gather. I was looking forward to seeing everyone that I hadnt seen in a couple of monthsthey were all there; Steve and Nancy, Jim and Nissa, DJ and Bruce, Hazel and Jaime, TexJohn and Nancy, Joyce and Dieter, Jim and Cynthia, Joe and Lisa, Fred and Lori, Debbie the Shower Queen, Charlie, Tom and Cheryl, and so many others. Other folks that I met that I know will join us on future gatherings; Jeff and Cathy, Warren and Denise, John and Renee, Steve and Sabrina, Lance and Michelleand so many others I hope to see in the upcoming year.

It use to take me several days to get into Jamaican time but that didnt happen so much this year. I hit the ground running and never looked back. The weather was perfect (we had one bad storm that knocked the lights out, but I was off resort when that happened with Frank. Frank, I will always remember that time sitting around talking in the pitch black, thanks for all your support). The new improvements are nice, but the water slide is the BEST!!! I led a couple of brigades to the slide several afternoons. Most people just need a little encouragement to get their ass off the beach or out of the pool, and away we went. The slide is a lot more fun with lots of friends, and someone realized that if you lie down (you almost have to lie down) and lift your feet as you are going down that you slide faster and more out of control. Isnt that what Hedo is all aboutbeing out of control for a week?? I found that for some reason if you scream while going down its also a lot more fun. Maybe that is the same reason I like to scream on roller coasters toowho knows?? I do know that one of the Hedo employees said to me, Diane, we can always tell when you are going down the slide. Wonder what he meant?? Anyway, thanks to all the sliders, I know I laughed till my sides hurt, and it was worth every second of it.

I found the food to all be excellent this year. I only ate dinner in the dining room one time and that was Tuesday, on lobster night. I think I ate 5 or 6 of those tails all by myself. Yumdefinitely worth the wait all these past trips, but certainly not something Id be upset about if they werent served. Im the type that normally gets up and gets dinner reservations in the morning, and then find people to join me during the day. I love meeting people, and playing on the beach and in the pool all day is fun, but I love to relax over dinner and get to know new friends better. Lucky for me, I had NO shortage of dinner partners all week (several people mentioned to me, Its good to be the Queen ). I normally made up a foursome of some combination of myself, Jake, Storm, Frank and Charlie (one of those four always had other plans at least one night) and then asked two other various couples to join us. Seemed like parties of 8 worked well every night. We did Munahanas four times, Pastafaris twice, the Scotch Bonnet once and went to the Rock House on toga night. I had NO complaints about the food at all. I loved Munahanas as its fixed right in front of you, and is hot and tasty. The sushi isnt really sushi, but they try hard and the cooks are very entertaining. The Rock House was awesome, my first time there. Its on the cliffs with a great view and good food, although the service was on Jamaica time, mon. I guess our party of 21 was a little overwhelming, but they did have advance notice we were coming. When we first decided to go there, I had Delete at the tour desk make reservations and they agreed to send a taxi at their cost both to pick us up and take us back. I confirmed this both the day before and the day of our reservations. As usual, when the bus didnt show for us, and I called, they said we had to get our own ride there and theyd bring us back. As we all know, a one-way fare in Jamaica is the same as roundtrip anywhere, so I was going to stand my ground and insisted they come and get us. In the meantime, the taxi drivers were saying theyd take us for something like $20 per couple. Forget it!! Finally I was ready to call Ixtabi and see if theyd come get us, when finally the Rock House saw our point, and said a bus was on the way. It was the principle by now for me. We still tipped the driver probably more than he would have charged us, so it worked out well for everyone, and it was a fun night on a night (toga) that is boring for me. After 7 times of playing Animal House and dressing in a toga, I was ready for a change of pace. Theres only so many ways one can wear a sheet.

I had to give up my Queen title during the wet t-shirt contest. We had two other queens who were the envy of all that attended  and I was sooooo glad I didnt have to dress like they did. Fun was had by all, and our own WWW Nancy (TexJohn and Nancy) was the big winner. TexJohn and Nancy returned to their room later that day and Hedo had decorated their room in wonderful flowers and such, with congratulations written on the bed in flowers. It was really pretty, and Id never heard of them doing that before. It was a great touch, and a nice surprise for all her hard work. As tradition with the Winter WWW group, Steve (partymon) and Nancy arranged the Magical Mystery Tour right after the Wet T Shirt contest. We did our typical stops at Margaritaville (we wont go back there next year, as some supposed guard, threatened to call the police when a few folks took off their clothes and headed to the trampoline. Weve done this same exact thing for four years, and never had this reaction. He kept yelling, You cant be nude on this beach. They werent nude on the beach. They werent on the beach, they all ran immediately into the water. Oh well, we find a different place next year. Another stop at Times Square for some shopping, and then to Ricks for the sunset. Some crazy in our group (we wont name names, huh Storm?) decided to jump from the cliffs. Not once, but twice. A final stop at Ms. Jennies on the way home made the trip complete..almost!!! Last year, our bus totally surprised Rupes bus when we all got off the bus at Hedo nude. It was the ONLY time I had on less clothes than Rupe. He definitely outdid us this year. He had towels printed up and everyone on his bus was standing on Hedos front steps wrapped only in their printed towels, proclaiming something about lucky bastards when we drove up. It definitely got the funny award of the week. Someone took pics that they said they were going to email back to Dr. Bob who was sitting at home in sunny Florida. The antics some people go thru.

The trip home was uneventful except for all the delays. I still think check in early via the piano bar, beats having to stand in those lines in MoBay. Im with friends, and the jokes continue. I took the bus back to Sangster, and with all the new friends along with me, it was just a continuance of the party wed been having all week long. We finally got to the airport, got thru security and to Margaritaville. Our plane was delayed, but that is rather normal. We ended up being about 3 hours late leaving, which put a squash on our (there were 8 of us traveling on the same flight back to Chicago) plans to attend the Chicago Hedo party that night (DJ was grateful, as she was exhausted and she KNEW wed drag her butt there). I was on the same flight as Jake, my now adorable beach geek and hed offered to let me flop on his couch overnight in Chicago. I dont think I even remember my head hitting the pillow or if there even WAS a pillow. He remembered to set an alarm and next thing I know, he was waking my sorry butt up to jump in a cab for a quick ride over to Midway and my flight back to Phoenix. Thanks so much Jake, next time Im going to make you take me for some of that famous Chicago pizza!!!

Now for the best part of all the Winter WWW trips for methe trip out to the Santoy Basic School. The WWW group has always donated Christmas gifts for the kids, and Ive always been fortunate enough to be able to go out to the school and deliver them. The one thing that has always bothered me is that the teacher will never let the kids open their gifts. She claims that in most cases, our presents are the only gifts these kids will get. It about breaks my heart. This year, I had an idea to continue with the gifts, but also make them all up some stockings, so theyd have something to enjoy now, and something for later. I found and brought 75 red fuzzy stockings to stuff. I posted a couple weeks prior to the trip to anyone who could bring stocking stuffers. WOW!!!! Does this group have hearts as big as New Jersey!!! The ideas everyone came up with were better than anything I could have thought up myself. Cheryl and Tom had the best and brought them all character toothbrushes. We also had tons of candy (good they had the toothbrushes), small stuff animals, hair doodads and make up for the girls, small matchbox-type cars for the boys, crayons, plastic animals, airplanes and so much more I cant even remember. One afternoon, we had a girls only party and stuffed all the stockings. Special thanks to all of Santas helpers, Cheryl, Nissa, Hazel, Joyce, Renee, Nancy, Lori and Sabrina. I have the best picture of all the helpers holding three stockings each over their private parts, but everyone wasnt willing for it to be posted here, so you will just have to use your imagination for that one. We spread everything out all over my bed, and half took the girls and half took the boys, and stuffing away we went. We had way more stuff than would fill 75 stockings, and I decided next year, I will bring at least 100 stockings. We ended up being able to leave about half with Donna Grant for the Hedonism employees children. Its such a warm fuzzy feeling that I get in helping these kids out in this small way. We take so much for granted here at home, and as you can see by the smiles on their faces, we really touch these kids.   Their smiles and looks of gratitude humble me deeply. Thank you to everyone who helped in this project, we have no idea how far reaching this is for Jamaicas future.

As I sit here reflecting on where my life is today, I am truly in awe. I started this trip report saying this was my last trip home. It was a trip that couldnt be topped, and now here I am a couple of months later, and have had an opportunity presented to me to return home on a very short notice (11 day notice to be exact). So many things have fallen into place to make this next trip a reality, that I can only thank the man upstairs for all the good that is in my life today. Exactly a week from tonight (March 1, 2003) I will be enjoying all that Jamaica and Hedo has to offer with a good and dear friend that Ive known for several years from past WWW trips. This upcoming trip is my first without one of the WWW gangs since my very first trip back in 1996. Im really looking forward to meeting some new folks traveling in March. Hopefully I will be able to convince some of them to join us this December and take advantage of some free days. Thanks to all of you, my friends, and thanks to God for all the goodness in my life.

Next trip report soon come, mon.

Diane