Some names have been changed to protect the innocent, even if innocent isn't usually a word associated with the guests of Hedonism II and Hedonism III in Jamaica.

The folks requesting anonymity in the following paragraphs do so because anything erotic tends to be exaggerated and judged on the outside of whatever Hedo they deem their favourite.

The Hedonism resorts are miles apart in more ways than one. Hedonism II is a Negril landmark; its younger sister resort is across the island in Runaway Bay. On this visit, the crowds are also noticeably different, with Hedonism II occupied mostly by the 40 to 60 age group, and a mix of ages at Hedonism III.

Despite the differences, the two properties share a common bond -- a naughty image that has been so successful for both resorts, which get remarkable repeat business.

Walk around either of these SuperClubs all-inclusive adult resorts and birthday suits are a common sight, which is why no cameras are allowed in these textile free zones. The sea of flesh isn't a shocking sight in the Caribbean but the outdoor carnal carnival sometimes going on in one area might raise eyebrows.

This is where the Hedo reputation can spin out of control because public displays of affection are not for everyone, including many who shed their clothing but go no further than that.

The legend is that wild thing goes on everywhere at Hedonism, but the reality is considerably tamer than the myth. There is actually a remarkable civility between those who keep their clothes on, those who take them off and those who are entirely uninhibited.

The so-called "nude" and "prude" sides cater to the different preferences, although occasionally, the nudes invaded the prudes' side to use the waterslide. No one seems to care and guests can stay in their comfort zones. Even single women feel comfortable.

"It's a really nice place for single women to come. They say it's a couples thing, but it's really not," says Tanier of her second trip to Hedonism III.

"I like the atmosphere. It's laid-back, relaxing. I had loads of fun. I travelled with a girlfriend and we came down just to have fun ... just to chill."

Another guest, Kate, flew down from New York to visit married friends and attend the Halloween party at Hedonism III. It was her third visit and, apparently, not her last.

"It's just so cool to be in a place where you can be whatever you want to be," she said. "People speculate about this place. A lot of people, as soon as they hear Hedonism, they say 'Wow, wow!' It's not all that. You can do what you like. I love it."

Doing what you like is cherished by Ken and Michelle, a Toronto-area couple normally focused on their children. Their second trip to Hedonism II without the kids represented a little "us" time.

"We wanted to try something new," said Ken. "My wife is good enough to try anything once. We tried it out and had a blast last year. It was probably our best vacation."

The couple got used to the idea of a nude beach on a cruise a few years ago with their kids. During a stop in St. Martin, their kids participated in ship activities while they visited a nude beach.

"Once you get over taking your clothes off and get into the pool and get your first drink, it doesn't matter," said Michelle, adding they draw the line at shedding their clothing.

"Nobody pressures you into doing anything. They take you as you are," she said.

That creates an atmosphere in which couples can revitalize their marriage, according to Kate's friend Vielka.

"You see a lot of older couples. They try to create what they had. ... I'm talking about 30 years in the marriage, 45 years in the marriage and they're just happy here."

Vielka may have been observing Don and Delores, a delightful couple from the U.S. Midwest, who chatted about their family and their retirement travels during breakfast outdoors at Hedonism III.

They had visited Hedonism II years earlier and wanted to return. While they sometimes go au naturel, they also play tennis or golf.

The same goes for Mississippi couple Jim and Rebecca, who calls herself a "a sexy senior citizen." Her fun-loving attitude backs up that claim, although she says she isn't one for the wilder side of Hedonism II, which she calls her favourite resort.

Jim has been coming for 19 years and Rebecca was on her 16th visit. A few years ago, it looked as if they weren't going to make it back when Rebecca had open heart surgery and Jim wound up in hospital with an infection. That wasn't the only complication threatening their vacation.

With her stitches still in, Rebecca had to flee though a window of a friend's home and deal with flooding during one the greatest natural disasters in U.S. history. When Hurricane Katrina hit, it took days for Jim to find his wife after he was released from hospital

"We lost our home. ... People didn't know how to get in touch with us for weeks. The people who were most concerned about us were the people we met (at Hedonism). Besides all of our personal friends, it was surprising to me to know how many people we met at Hedo were so concerned about us," Jim says.

A holiday was out of the question.

"Our best friends here said to us, 'You're coming. We're sending you the tickets.' They said, 'You have to come -- you need this,' " Jim said.

"We were overwhelmed," Rebecca said, adding that the kindess of friends and staff are what keep them coming back.

Friendship extends beyond the gates of both resorts. Hedonism II, for example, has an education program, which collects books and school supplies from guests and distributes them in the area.

An account has been set up so guests can donate funds to schools. Groups with names such as the Pin Pals, Fluffernutters and Denny P's raise money for many schools in the area. The resorts have a no-tipping policy so it's a way for groups to give back to staff members who make visits memorable.

It's the same story at Hedonism III, where the resort works with the Liberty Hill All-Age School, the Windsor Girls Home and St. Ann's Bay Infirmary, which packages food and clothing for elderly residents.

General manager Kevin Levee says guests there also get involved personally.

"Each year during the nation's Labour Day celebrations, staff and guests make the journey to Liberty where we paint, hammer and nail the buildings to make it comfortable for students and teachers."

It takes an open mind to get past Hedonism's reputation, but once you get there, you soon discover there's definitely a nice side to naughty.

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