Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

When one woman commands the undivided attention of two men like Jamaica Trade and Invest's Nardia McKenzie (right) did with her colleague Kirk Kennedy (left) and Geejam's Clifton 'Specialist' Dillon (centre), she is special. McKenzie was among guests at the Geejam studio-opening in Port Antonio, last week Friday. - photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

Actress/singer Grace Jones summed up her recent Geejam stay in the guest book, by writing simply, "I came. I saw. You conquered me!"

Last Friday, Geejam not only conquered, but gave guests present at the opening of its studios and Island Outpost Boutique hotel, an afternoon to rediscover the untapped beauty that gives Port Antonio the title 'Little Hollywood'.

And as if that were not enough, operators Jon Baker and Steve Beaver are already talking about a stage two, "We have acquired the bay area adjoining our land and will be building the waterfront experience for Geejam guests," Baker revealed to The Gleaner.

The vertical property starts at the waterfront and runs up the hill, where there are seven newly appointed double rooms, consisting of three deluxe cabins, one suite, and a self-contained three-bedroom villa.

Five-villa complex

A third stage of Geejam is also in the making as the two investors make way for further development uphill. "We are developing a very exclusive five-villa complex, which will be only offered to people in the creative arts. Those villas will be for sale," said Baker.

Enough said!

Or should we repeat like Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett who declared, "One of the finest attractions nestled in the most inaccessible area is like a flower that remains blushed and unseen wasting in sweetness."

Stumped by Geejam's unmatched beauty, Minister Bartlett waxed poetic when he imagined how difficult it was for persons to get to Port Antonio, a problem easily solved by private aircraft and SUVs.

The event saw Minister of Culture Olivia 'Babsy' Grange; Member of Parliament Dr Donald Rhodd; junior minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Daryl Vaz; Jason and Laura Henzell; Kathy Snipper; Polly Perry; Marguerite Gouron; Carole Brown; Patricia Wymore-Flynn; Maureen Baker; Barbara Blake Hannah; Del Crooks; Carla Gullotta; Jackie Knight-Campbell; Juliet Moss-Solomon; Nordia Witter; Kirk Kennedy and AIC/NCB's Michael Lee Chin.

Personal assistant to the minister of tourism, Carole Brown (left), and environmentalist Marguerite Gouron having a whale of a time.

From left, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Italian Consul General Carla Gullotta and Member of Parliament Dr Donald Rhodd at the opening of Jon Baker's and Steve Beaver's Geejam Studios and Island Outpost Boutique Resort.