December 2006     Beachloafers 

11/24/06   Leave Maine home, stay overnight in Boston, MA hotel.  

11/25/06   Boston to Miami3 hour layover.  Observe 2 elderly persons talking on cell phones.  Seems oddthen hear elderly man say Let us pray into cell phone and take off into pray.  

3:30 Saturday arrival Montego Bay Airport.  Walk right up to the Immigration Officer, wait a few minutes for luggage and get right through Customs.  (We were surprised that we didnt get checked what with 3 huge suitcases and two carry-ons)  Head outside to find Barry who wasnt there yet.  The baggage guy asks for his number, pulls out his cell phone and calls him for us.  Hes just at the rotary and will be right there. 

Barry is an American friend who now owns and lives in a home in Lucea.  We spent the first 3 days of our vacation visiting with him.  Since he owns a car we decided to do a tour of the island for a day and half.  Okay, so picture 3 white people traveling the roads of Jamaica in a red BMW!!    

11/26/06   Leave Barrys house at noon.  It rains off and on all day long but is mostly okay for the times and places we stopped to see.  The roads had a lot of wash outs from the bad storms the days before.  The first place we stopped was Treasure Beach.  Along the water here is a place called Jakes.  They have the most interesting cottages right along the water.  Check out their website http://www.islandoutpost.com/jakes/ 

  

Then, as we are traveling alongwhat to my wondering eyes should appear (NO sillynot a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer) 

a wind farm!

 

Our next stop was The Little Ochie at Alligator Pond.  A renowned fish restaurant with tables located in several huts on the beach, some made from the hulls of fishing boats with thatched roofs. We only visited and did not eat here.  One thing that amazed me was the sand here was nearly black.  See their website for some nice photos.  http://www.littleochie.com/photos.htm

We then headed up into the hills to De Bush to a little town called Groveton.  Now mind you, they dont see many white folks up hereespecially not 3 alone in a BMW.  Bob and Barry actually heard some people who were out walking commenting as we drove by that was 3 white people!  Barry has some friends who live up there.  We stopped by their little store and visited.  As we were getting out of the car I heard what I thought was a growling dog and when I looked up fearfully I saw that it was actually a pigcharging in my direction.  (My Dad tells me when they are this big they call them a hogwhat do I know)  Bob asked one of the little girls we met there what the pigs name was.Jimmy.  (made up on the spot no doubt!)   

 

We then headed down into Mandeville.  We went and got a room at the Mandeville Hotel.  Were told its one of the oldest hotels in Jamaica.  See their website for more information and photos. http://www.mandevillehoteljamaica.com/photos.htm  When we were checking in they gave us 3 free welcome drink coupons and coupons good for 2 free breakfasts.  Since we had a room with two beds and three people we asked why it wasnt 3 breakfasts.  They indicated it came with just 2 free breakfasts.  While Bob was continuing to fill out the paper work a girl came out from the wedding reception that had taken place.  She was someone who did some singing or something for the wedding and one girl at the front desk asked her to sign the guest book and asked if they could take her picture.  She said they could but the camera would not work.  Bob said that they could use his.  She did use his and wanted to know if she could use it to download the picture to the hotels computer.  Bob was quickhe replied for one free breakfast you can.  Another breakfast was quickly added to our coupon!!  After checking into the room we went out and had a fabulous dinner at the International Chinese Restaurant.  A restaurant someone had recommended to Barry.   

11/27/06   Upon leaving the hotel we traveled around Mandeville to see it.  Mandeville is the capital of Jamaicas Manchester parish. In has an estimated population of 50,000 and is the home of the Northern Caribbean University.  It is the only parish capital of Jamaica not located on the coast or on a major river.  Many of Jamaica's businesses were started in Mandeville. Its golf club was the first golf course in the Caribbean (1868). (This is your history lesson for the day!)  We were very surprised by the wealth here.  The houses are mostly all large and very beautiful. 

Our travels then took us up over the mountains to head towards Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay.  We were traveling along and not at all sure where we were.  We kept following this one road and it was going up and up and up.  I noticed that all the Jamaicans were looking at us strangely.  I half joked about how wed get to the top and it would be a dead end road.  It was!  The Jamaicans were all laughing as we came driving back by them.  We stopped at the local post office and asked for some directions.  We hadnt gotten too far out of our way thankfully.

We headed for Runaway Bay to see if we could get a tour of Hedo III.  We had never been there and the Beachloafers were toying with the idea of going there at some point.  We were impressed by the hotel overall but the nude beach was quite a let down.  We heard it wasnt much but it REALLY isnt much!  The resort seems smaller but very nice.  Bob asked about the food and talked them into letting us have lunch at the buffet.  Smooth!  I asked Bob what free meal he was arranging for dinner!!   

We drove through Ocho Rios not even stopping.  We didnt feel like it was anywhere wed want to spend any significant time.  It was very busy, crowded and touristy.  We did stop at Discovery Bays Columbus Park.     

11/28/06 We got to Hedo II about noon time.  Got a room with no wait.  Headed for the beach and rain into Kevin and Pamela along the way.  Got some chairs down on the beach.  As we were lying there catching up with Kevin and Pamela, I noticed a small group of people heading down from the nude catamaran cruise that had just returned.  I was staring intently at this woman who looked so much like someone we know from Hedo but is usually there in the spring.  I kept staring and I thought shes going to think I am some kind of pervert (an oddity at Hedo!) so I turned around.  Then I heard her speak and I thoughtmy god it even sounds like Moe.  Then they came around the corner where we were sitting and she just stopped and stared.  I realized it was who I thought it was and we all freaked out and screamed and hugged.  We hadnt seen Gil and Moe for 6 years since we had gone to Ottawa to visit them.  They were there for another 2 days so we had a chance for a short visit with them.  Moe and I are pictured together in one of Chris Santillis early copies of The Naked Truth About Hedonism II.   

Someone mentioned that Judge Joe Brown was at the resort.  Sure enough, when we went to PJ night there was Judge Joe Brown and his beautiful young wife.  Hes actually much shorter in person then you would think.  Anyway, there we were getting down in the disco with Judge Joe Brown.  It became my mantra for the week.getting down with Judge Joe Brown.  I saw him getting ready to leave the next day.  He had a stack of those Hedonism Photo frames with pictures of him and staff members and was signing autographs for everyone.  NICE! 

11/29/06 We are excited as this is the day more Beachloafers arrive.  Kevin and Wendy and Ken and Sue will all be coming in from Maine.  We booked Munasan for dinner for 8 people in preparation for their arrival.  Its a rainy day.  We got a couple hours of mid morning sun but that was it.  We watch and wonder about our Maine friends all day.  We hang in the pool under cover of the rain.  We are determined not to let it drive us in.  At 5 we head in to get ready for the repeaters party.  We have 13 visitsperhaps enough to win on a slow week?  When we arrive at the repeaters party Delano comes over and asks if we ever go to our room.  He had been trying to call us all day.  He got word from DennyP that Kevin and Wendy and Ken and Sue had plane issues and would not be arriving until the following day.  We chatted with Delano about our Jamaica travels that trip and discover he is from Mandeville.  We munch on strawberries drizzled with chocolate and I ask if they grow strawberries in Jamaica.  Nothey do not.  26 weeks wins the 5 free days!!  We meet up with Kevin and Pamela and head for the Munasan.  This is our favorite food at the resort. 

11/30/06 Today, Gil, Maureen and their friend (Juicy) Lucy are going home.  We decided since it was Lucys virgin trip that it was our DUTY to see that she got mooned on her bus ride out.  As we are waiting for their bus to leave a van comes pulling into the driveway.  Bob says wouldnt it be funny if this was Quintin and Kris.  Sure enough the window flies open and it is Quintin and Kris.  They got a moon in at Hedo!  It was a first for all of us. 

12/01/06  We took absolutely no pictures on day 7.  This is rare for us.  I know some people think cameras should be banned.  I think our group would very much miss those photograph memories and laughs.  We use our camera for our own personal use and try very hard not to infringe on anyones privacy.Sue sang in the piano bar tonightand she is quite good.  You learn new things about your friends all the time!!

12/02/06 The water was really full of these little silver fish these past few days.  There was obviously something bigger chasing them from time to time as they would come jumping out of the water.  I was floating along this morning and when they jumped I got totally covered.  Everyone was telling me to get up but I was laughing so hard I couldnt even move. There were hundreds!!  No pictures of that one!! 

Tonight Lana stayed up past 1:00 A.M.  We are all stunnedand pleased!  J 

12/03/06  Last year we decided that we were going to bring water balloons AND a water balloon sling shot to use against the nude beach gawkers out on the boats.  This was great fun and it worked really well.  Jim, Kevin and Quintin got very good at launching.  Most of the boats got out of their very quickly.  One boat was just having fun with it and two of the guys set up a target with a towel for usthen mooned us on their way out.  Great when they join in the fun!! 

The boys got a little bored waiting for the boats to come by and decided that we should interact some with the pool dwellers.  They started shooting balloons towards the pool.  Once they knew they were coming they had several spotters warning everyone when they were coming in.  It seemed like everyone was having fun with it.  (We certainly hope we didnt offend or hurt anyone!)  I went by the pool to the bathroom at one point and someone asked me Motherhedo, cant you control your boys?  Too funny!! 

Laura (Muffy) thought we should give them a chance to use the sling shot.  My first reaction was no way.  However, since I had brought 2 smaller units with me I left one on her chair the next morning.  My Beachloafers had no idea I was to blame for the return fire!  Till now that is!!  The only bitch about being on the sand end of that was the wet sand splatter.  Quintin even went up and gave them a little lesson on using it.  Seewe really do play well with others!!  JWe had a 25 person flotilla today.

Its Sunday night and the first (annual?) Mini Skirt event.  This event seemed to do pretty well and everyone who participatedand probably some who didnt thoroughly enjoyed it.  I think it may well become an event in future years.  Thanks to everyone who participated and Congratulations to our winners.  Julie of Mike and Julie and the mystery man who won?  Pierce?  Does anyone know?  Great sports guys!! 

12/04/06  Today the Beachloafers did their own private Catamaran Cruise.  This was such fun and we wondered why we hadnt done it before.  While mixing with others is fun it was quite relaxing to know everyone on the boat.  It was a much smaller Cat.  It was a sunset cruise and also a full moon.   

12/05/06  Birthday Day!  Two of our Beachloafers have the same birthday.  Bob and Sue.  Bob does have a few years on Sue though!!  Kris pulled out her usual goodies.  Shes good this waytaking care of the special things.  She brought a crown for Bob and a sweet Tiara for Sue.  This year Sue got Silly Stringed since Kris figured Bob would wait all day for it and she wouldnt expect it.  Rayne had some cans that didnt get used and Kris got hers.  She heard it coming but figured she had it coming! 

We decided to do some beach photos for Iggy since he was unable to come this year.  One of just the girls and one of the entire group.  We were able to get someone on the beach to take the shot for us.  We got in trouble for the camera since someone complained about us taking photos.  The person who took the pictures for us was very careful not to get others in the photo.  In fact he was worried he didnt even get all of us.  He got us all in and not another soul.  We apologize to those offended.

This was the best day of the week for all of us.  Not only was it birthday day and pj daybut it was the day that Quintin proposed to Kris after dinner in front of all the Beachloafers.  It was a wonderful surprise.and there wasnt a dry eye amongst us.  Quintin has told me the night before and I was sworn to secrecyI couldnt even tell Bob!! 

PJ Party was a winning event for the Beachloafers this year.  First prize winners in different categories included Quintin & Kris, Jodie, and Bob & I.  Way to go Beachloafers!   

12/06/06 We took our annual trip to Xtabi for another wonderful dinner.  It rained again during the day and we were worried we would have to cancel but it cleared nicely.  They take real good care of us down there.  I am sure they love to have a crew of some 20 people come walking in on an otherwise quiet night!!  We do change the atmosphere a bit that night I think.   

12/07/06 Chris and Donna along with several friends decided to go out on the sea kayaks today.  Of course the minute they left the crew starting planning a water-balloon attack.  When they started shooting, Donna started yelling.  Now, when Donna speaks everyone knows about it.  They actually landed a balloon right on her.   She was making it clear that someone was going to be in big trouble when she got back!!  I dont think she ever got her revengewhich of course means you guys better watch your asses!! 

12/08/06  Well, another year gone for us.  The rest of the gang came out and gave us a nice moon hill farewell.

Special notes:  This trip report is so late because we lost the hard drive on our pc.  I had 4 pages of the report already written.  Then I thought it was too late to bother.  Then I decidedwhat the heck.  Some of the details got skipped and it probably ended up shorter than it would haveyou will probably all consider that a blessing.

I will just end this report by stating this fact.  We dont go to Hedo for the food, the rooms, or the EC games.  We go for the friendships we make for a lifetime.  For the good vibe it offers us and the freedom to live on the edge a little.  Whatever that happens to be for each of us. 

Staff of special mention Delano, Tony, Augustus, Mega, Sarge, and the sweet young lady working in the piano bar whose name I, shamelessly, do not know.

New FriendsIt was wonderful to meet everyone.  Special mentions go to:  Lucy, Wade and Chris (aka Matt and Gidget), Jules and Claire, Ros and Stephan, Shane and Tracy, Pam and Maylin, Buddy and Jackie.

Buttcrack Tours Friends  Gil and Maureenwhat a wonderful surprise you two were!!  Anita it was good to see you for more then one dayI actually got to know Art a little bit this time around.

WWW Friendsalways wonderful to see you:  DennyP, Diane & John, Alan, HedoBob, Bill and Patti, M&M, Rupe and Patty, Bruce and DJ, Jeff and Laura, Mike and Juliewell just everyone!

Long missed Friends we were thrilled to see:  Annette and Butch!!  You two are so funny and so nice!

Beachloafer especially missed:  Iggy!!

BeachloafersSome of our very best friends!!

Quintin and Kris, Deb, Jeff and Nika, Ken and Sue, Kevin and Wendy, Kevin and Pamela, Steve and Lana, Jim and Rayne, Darren and Amy, Chris and Donna, Jim and Jodie.

And of course the love of my lifeBob!!

Peace Everyone!  Have a great year.  Fran aka DammitJanet/aka Motherhedo