This is a listing of what I consider helpful hints for Hedonism II........
1. Sunscreen. The sun is intense and depending upon your skin type and how easily you burn,bring along good sunscreen. It can be purchased there,but is expensive.
A good sun hat can also help.
2. Air Mattress. Easily the most popular activity there on the beach is just floating around in the calm of the water. Can also be used for snorkling in the shallows,and,if you get onet hat has holes in it for cups,can make an easy way to carry lots of cups during a bar run.
3. A "sipper"-type insulated cup. Keeps your drinks cold and saves on runs to the bar and cup waste. These can be purchased there and are not too expensive but the store sometimes runs out of them....
4. Snorkling gear (mask,snorkle,fins). There is some excellent snorkling right off the beaches at Hedo. The nude beach side is usually the best,especially in the morning or around the pier area. There is also good snorkling in the caves just around the corner from Hedo towards Grand Lido. You can get gear from the dive shop,but to ensure properly working gear,I would bring my own.
5. Plastic,zip-lock bags. Very good for keeping things in on the beach and in the hot-tub so that they stay dry.
6. A belt and some safety pins for use in creating your toga.
7. Some sort of "shoes" for walking in the water. There are numerous creatures of the water-world that you can step on and get a nasty sting. (especially sea urchins)
8. Do not,under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, bring an attitude !!!!!
9. If you smoke cigarettes,bring along your own supply. They have a few brands for sale there,but they are known to run out and smoking Jamaican cigarettes is not a pleasant experience unless you want a good reason to quit......
10. When finished packing for your trip,go through your suitcase and remove half of the clothing that you have packed......You do not need to dress up for any meals and can wear beach-wear to the main dining room,but not Pastafari (the sit-down pasta restaurant).
11. Treat the staff and people with respect and be friendly. They will treat you the same.
12. Most souveniers,like coffee and liquor and jerk spice, can be purchased at the airport when you leave for the same price (or cheaper) than at the resort.
13. Go the dive shop early in the morning (like 7am) to get beach towels. Make it a habit to pick up some towels when you see them since fresh ones can be hard to find later in the day. They do have them at the hot-tub and swimming pool areas also.
14. If scuba diving while there. Check in the day you arrive and sign up for your diving. The choice dives fill up quickly and you usually must sign up a day in advance. Make sure that you bring your C-card. Basic gear like BC's,regulators,and weights are free to use there. They do not have lights,cameras,and other supplementary gear. The gear is acceptable,but you may want to bring your own regulator. None of their regulators have computers. Advanced divers must go through a shallow check-out dive prior to going on the advanced dives.
15. Lock up ALL your valuables,plane tickets,passports,etc in the safe in the closet of every room. Keep the key for the safe with you.
16. Check the activities board in the main dining room for the days activities. They usually also have them posted at the dive shop.
17. There are local places to visit in Negril,and they can be reached by getting a car or bus at the hotel for a fee. The roads in Jamaica are not the best and distant travel to other parts of the island can be all day (or longer) excursions.
18. If you need to,or want to,change rooms,go to the main lobby in the morning and the staff will try to accomodate you.
19. You can get a plane from Montego Bay to Negril (and back) by visiting the Tim Air counter when you arrive. Call them first to make a reservation. It only takes 15 minutes to get to Negril that way versus the two hour bus ride on some very poor roads. The cost is usually around $110/person roundtrip. If you take the bus to Negril (which is free),and want to take a plane home,just contact TimAir in Negril and make a reservation. The main advantage is that you get there quicker (and avoid the crowds and busride from hell) and you can leave later when returning.
20. Bring an AT&T calling card. There are telephones in the main lobby,but calling to the US can be a hassle unless you have an AT&T calling card. Other company's calling cards,like MCI/Sprint,do not have direct dialing available there.
21. There are no TV's,or phones in your room. They do have a clock radio in each,but since the electrical system runs on 50 cycles instead of 60,the clocks never have the right time. Your electrical gadgets (like shaver,hairdryer,etc) will work there without the need for an adaptor.
22. For a refreshing change from alcoholic drinks,ask the bartenders for a Ting. It is a grapefruit drink available there and is very good.
