By Rosemary Parkinson, Contributor
Clockwise from bottom left: Stuffed Parrot Fish with Basmati Rice, Ackee Soufflé, Garlic Baked Yam, Yellow Tail Chardonnay, Mixed Garden Salad with Grapes, Spicy Guacamole, Fried Plantain.
THIS EXCERPT from a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes describes perfectly how I feel about spending time at Nautilus Villa. Not that it has anything particularly to do with a villa, it really was written with Nautilus in mind, this being "a living fossil," a marine creature found only in western Pacific coral reefs with close relatives that go back hundreds of millions of years and speaks about the creature's shell actually.
But I am writing this review late in the night, feeling a bit whimsical and filled with joy after having visited this Nautilus my home away from home. It is here that I leave my 'vaulted' past, make myself at length free, leaving my outgrown shell by life's unresting sea. Here is where I often hide from the madding crowd, regroup and recoup my sanity, and generally just relax totally. But then I am not the only one. If one leafs through the Visitor's Book a veritable who's who have walked through these portals including Kate Moss who chose Nautilus obviously to relax her weary modelling body at the beginning of this year.
The Blue Lagoon strip is where Nautilus sits. Just one of the row of villas from paradise often seen in so many magazines but, to me, it is the most special one. Why? Because Nautilus screams laid-back. Because Nautilus is a home away from home. A place where you can unashamedly wrap a piece of cloth around your body, kick up your legs, flop down on large sofas and chairs bedecked with masses of pillows, lie for hours on the large deck and
listen to the lapping of the sea, sip a cocktail, read a book -- twiddle around feeling like some movie star from aeons ago with not a care in the world. This villa takes you in like a long lost soul and soothes you into a comfort that is hard to describe.
FINE TRIO
Pulling up late last Saturday afternoon, my friend and master butler, Kervin, was there to meet me with his usual sweet Jamaican smile. He immediately began to haul all luggage, photographic equipment, laptop etc. knowing exactly where everything was to go without question. A quick trip into the kitchen for much hugs and giggles from Miss Dot, ever present in her domain, was a must before my companion and I directed ourselves straight to the deck in order to inhale that wonderful air coming in from the north east.
That special Portland air. Fresh. Delightful. Necessary. Miss Yvette, the other member of this fine trio, had already been greeted near the market in Port Antonio itself where we had stopped for 'food and drink'. Once there was refreshment in hand, we shooed the staff away, sending them home early, for we were off to Norma's At The Marina and we knew Sunday would be a tough cooking day for all concerned.
Sunday morning, the water lapping ever so lightly under my window woke me almost caressingly. Kervin was already in-house and tea and coffee were being served in the living room just outside of the upstairs bedrooms. What a way to start a morning with perfect 'room' service. As Miss D. (Dorothy is her real name), began her kitchen duties, plump pancakes doused with maple syrup were sent up both with fried eggs on the side. By now the large doors to the balcony had been opened, the sweet sunlight and the clear blue skies peered in on us checking us out, making sure to broaden our smiles and brighten our day. God is so very good.
FRESH FISH
By 11:00 a.m. Kervin and I were on a mission down to Port Antonio's little 'fish market' just on the right before entering the town from the Blue Lagoon side. Bam Bam, my preferred fisherman, had not long arrived with cooler filled with fresh fish and already several men from the area were making claim to particular types. "If yu name not Monroe, nah touch dis fish!" said one gentleman to me with a wicked grin on his face on hearing me ask for snapper, guarding the best of the pickings with his large arms. Sorry for those other species that hardly get recognition and, wanting something different anyhow, I decided on two large, beautiful blue and yellow parrot fish. Once de-scaled and cleaned, we left the busy group and headed 'home' to await the feast that would be prepared.
While the deck, the sun and the sea invited us to partake of its offerings, the kitchen became a hive of activity until our especially requested late-lunch was served. Two divine stuffed parrot fish the stuffing made from bread crumbs, herbs and seasonings with the added touch of chopped olives. There was fluffy Basmati rice, baked garlic yam topped with cheese. Almost caramelised fried plantains (just how I adore them). A tossed salad with dressing, a spicy guacamole and for the piece de resistance an ackee soufflé that Madame Le Cook had begged the recipe from Culinaria: The Caribbean. A delish invention from a French chef with a penchant for ackee! A chilled glass of Yellow Tail Chardonnay and that was that for us.
RELAXATION
We literally 'plonked' ourselves down in front of the large television screen and spent the rest of the evening watching the trilogy 'Lord Of The Rings.' This is what relaxation is made of. Doing only what you want. A late afternoon dip in that glorious sea, a quick kayak to the Blue Lagoon and back, all enough to put this tired mind of minds not only to rest but straight into a deep, oblivious sleep.
Monday morning was all about another divine breakfast and, unfortunately, as there is no complete rest for the wicked -- packing up and moving on down the road -- photography for 'Jerking Around Jamaica' due out on September 18, dragging us away but these two days were what the doctor ordered, the pick-me-up needed to continue that quest for best of jerk. You owe it to yourself to have Nautilus Villa as your friend.
NAUTILUS VILLA
Blue Lagoon, Portland
For information on rentals: Phone (876) 929 0370 or (876) 363 2446
Price: Six nights seven days. Sleeps six. US$3,000.
