Find Me In Jamaica #8

21 June 2002

Blue Lagoon Villas

Rest Stop on the drive to Strawberry Hill

This morning Tucker prepared us a veggie omelet with toasts and bacon. Then he served us bagels followed by a second course of pancakes. I stopped after the omelet, and was already stuffed! Stanford took us on a tour of the lagoon in a raft-like motor boat. It was beautiful. I wished we could stay longer, but our transport was waiting upon our return and we were off to Strawberry Hill.

Strawberry Hill

The drive to the resort was exhausting. It was two and a half hours of twisting roads that climbed up and over the Blue Mountains to this secluded resort. I felt nauseous the whole trip and David was so car sick that he made himself vomit when we got to the room. I left him to rest in our cottage and decided to venture out to see the resort. It is very small with only about twelve cottages, and an infinity pool with an amazing view of the city. I went to the Aveda spa to make an appointment for a facial and headed to the restaurant to get some lunch.

Self Portrait of Facial

When I got to the restaurant, the resort was deserted and there was not a soul in sight. It was very strange. When I finally found a waiter, I ordered the crab back appetizer and a glass of water. Being a Maryland native, I eat blue crab whenever the opportunity presents itself. It was very filling and delicious. I refrained from drinking an afternoon cocktail and headed off to the spa for my facial.

The spa was fabulous. They started me off in a waiting area where I was given a big fluffy robe and sandals to change into, and a health questionnaire. Then a man came by with a metal bowl of hot foamy water for my feet. It was nice and warm and I immediately began to relax. During the facial she also massaged my head, neck, arms, and legs which was a great treat. I get a facial about once a month and the addition of neck and shoulders is lucky. She also gave me an ayurvedic analysis. She said my type was Pitta-Vata and offered some product recommendations. There is not much else to do here except sit by the pool and relax, which was a good ending to the trip.

Infinity Pool at Strawberry Hill

That night we had dinner at the restaurant, and I learned that Chris Blackwell was the owner whom also owned GOLDENEYE, and a host of other resorts with his company, Island Outpost. There were framed records and posters of albums he had produced all over the main building. He is the one who discovered Bob Marley and founded Island Records. After dinner, I found a novel in the cottage and stayed up reading. The room was beautiful and isolated, and the sheets were crisp and white.