JWST 2006 Trip Report
The 6th annual meeting of the Jamaican Waterslide Team has come to a close after a fun week at our favorite place, Hedonism III in Jamaica. This year was especially fun because of so many returning members and the renewal of many old acquaintances. This year also brought a number of first time guests to Hedonism and some veteran travelers who were there with the JWST for the first time. Our numbers reached 70, and included an interesting mix of singles and couples and ages ranging from the 20’s to the 60’s. People traveled from several places in Europe and all over the US to meet in Jamaica during the week of 9 to 16 September. Weather was perfect throughout the week. The guys from the Blues Jam Band were there with us for a few days and as always, their music was a highlight of the trip. We followed our motto to the highest degree during the week, and that is: “If you’re not having fun…………………you’re doing something wrong”.
The excitement had been building for several months through the use of emails, our Yahoo Group site, and a twice-weekly chat we had set up in our chat room. Toward the end, we even instituted a special early chat on Sundays so our European friends could be included.
The week’s fun began on Saturday as we tried to meet as many folks as possible as they were arriving on the bus from Montego Bay. Each member was provided with a welcome packet including a distinctive JWST lanyard, name tag and a special laminated card for the door of everyone’s room. That was particularly helpful if one had too much to drink and had trouble finding their room. The name tags and lanyards were helpful in identifying other Team members and speeding up the process of making friends.
Sunday we held our, now famous, theme night in the Disco which we call “Wear Mesh and Glow”. This year we met early in one of the rooms so we could make sure everyone had some glow material to outfit themselves for the event. Personally, I have never seen so many glow necklaces, bracelets, flashy lights and glow paint at one place with so many people. On our way to the Disco, we had a grand march throughout the resort restaurants and bars, glowing all the way. There were so many flashing lights we looked like an accident scene on New Year’s Eve.
Monday was another fun day with our Welcome Party which we held outside this year at the Sunset Bar. A fun time was had by all and Kevin Levee and his staff of managers personally welcomed our group to the resort. Our theme was “Naughty T-Shirts” and with the help of the Hedo Staff, two winners were chosen who received really nice prizes from the Duty Free Shop. We also had a special drawing for our grand prize which was awarded by Mr. Levee to a lucky couple. Monday evening, we held our annual Team dinner, which this year was held on the beach, and our Group photo session. The theme for the ladies was “Sexy Little Black Dress” and that was really something to see.
The rest of week we just fit in with the resorts themes and events and enjoyed the fun of being together. Daily, the action with the group centered in the nude pool area and you never knew just what might be going to happen next. Our Massage Team was quite busy in the Grotto and not to be outdone, the ladies formed their own team as well. The most fun was just being among friends and the laughing and joking that went on all day. We spent quite a bit of time in the Piano Bar which has now been re-christened “The JWST Bar and Headquarters” after we got things jumping one quiet night with our own entertainment, music and even our own bartender. We had so much fun and made so much noise, lots of other guests decided to join us. We also created our own drink (shooter), but the ingredients are very secret. Unfortunately (or fortunately), this potent little concoction encouraged several folks to try their luck dancing on the bar (but that’s another story).
Nude waterslide runs happened throughout the week with the leadership of our Slide Captain and her whistle. She has officially certified that collectively, from all of our trips including this one, the Jamaican Waterslide Team has accomplished a total of 6,969 individual runs down the waterslide since our beginning.
Wednesday we held our “Erotic Gift Exchange” in the afternoon and from the large number of participants and the craziness that went on with that event, I’m sure it will continue in years to come. I’m not sure how all of the “gifts” got through customs and security, but I’d bet there were some red faces when luggage was inspected, both going and coming.
One of the major events of the week was the Hedonism III Birthday party. This was the 7th anniversary of the resort and the 6th anniversary of the JWST. Kevin Levee informed us that we are the oldest organized group that visits Hedo III, that was actually formed at the resort on their first anniversary. This year they held the Miss Hedonism III contest and three of our members entered to represent us. We didn’t win the Grand Prize, but our ladies sure represented us well.
The resort is certainly up to standards as far as our group was concerned. Food was exceptionally good, well prepared and well presented by Mark and Joseph and the entire kitchen staff. I thought it was particularly interesting that even the cooks such as John Campbell in the Jamaican restaurant would come over to your table and inquire to find if you were enjoying your meal or not. One evening at dinner in Pastafari, one of our members inquired about a special dish she had tasted the evening before and wanted again. It was not on the menu, but Mark, the overall head Chef for the resort went back to the kitchen and prepared it especially for her. That’s service beyond what anyone would expect. Rooms were well maintained and it was apparent that they are constantly at work maintaining buildings and the grounds. Everywhere you looked all day long, you saw workers cleaning, raking, fixing, trimming and painting. They all seem to take great pride in their work and in keeping Hedonism III a premier resort.
The staff continues to outdo themselves year after year. From Ingrid Nelson’s front desk staff to Renford’s bartenders, people constantly went out of their way to make sure everyone was happy. Everyone, from the groundskeeper to senior management kept inquiring as to whether we were enjoying our stay or not. Of course, Christine and Karen in Guest Services were regularly calling guests in their rooms to make sure they did not have any issues. If there were issues, they got right to work trying to solve them.
There were some sad findings also. Our old and dear friend David, the Restaurant Manager has left for greater opportunities, but his replacement, Norcliff promises to fill his shoes in a big way. We also missed our longtime friend Michelle from Public Relations, but were told she is following her dreams as well. We miss them and wish them well.
Overall our group gave the resort, the week, and the fun we shared, major high marks. We are especially grateful to Kevin Levee and his entire staff for making the week so great for us all. A special thanks also goes to Donna Grant and the hotel staff, Garfield Collins and his public relations folks, Ingrid Nelson and the front desk crew, and Petrona and the entire Food and Beverage Team, as well as all of those “Behind the Scenes” people who made everything work so well. Our all-time favorite lady for making things happen, continues to be Kevin’s personal secretary Sophie, without whom our advance coordination could not have happened. A special thanks to them all.
Our 2007 week has been set for the first weekend after Labor Day, September 8 to 15. Any and all are welcome and our only qualification for joining the Jamaican Waterslide Team remains that you be a person of good cheer.
Sunset Bill and Nancy
www.jwst.com
sunsetdreamer@hotmail.com
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