PARADISE ISLAND

It's Thursday evening and we have had a full day. That doesn't mean activities are over, however. "Au contraire" ... evening approaches and we have reservations, courtesy of Vivian and Merrill Lynch, at One&Only Resort restaurant on Paradise Island. A famous chef from New York now heads the staff and reservations are hard to come by; thus Vivian and her connections. (Name of chef alludes me at present ... later perhaps.)

Getting ready for the evening could have presented logistic poblems ...
MY shower had not yet been rehabbed and working my way in, after, or between the ablutions of male prima donnas could possibly cause difficulties. However, being the gentlemen that they are, a choice was given and we managed to depart for the lodge at the same time. Now, for that always needed taxi ...

Six of us once again piled into a van and headed to Treasure Island, across the bridge from Nassau. We endured the monotony of previously seen countryside; but, as evening begain to set in and brightly colored lights dotted the horizon, excitement was evident in our chatter. Palm trees were taller and more stately; the gentle breezes were now turning
into mild winds. We had a scant glimpse of the giant towers of Atlantis across the waters and made a verbal agreement that tomorrow's journey would be a reconnaissance mission to check out the attributes of this sea world.


As we drew closer to our destination, those tall, stucco walls were no longer in sight. We could now see large, beautifully landscaped mansions set back some distance from the road. The lighting was low and soft, enhancing the grounds and the mansions without being garish ... so-o
pretentious! Just kidding ... envy doth provoke sarcasm!


Our taxi turned into a dark, palm-tree-lined roadway with a guard house at the gate of an expansive wrought iron fence. The driver told the guard that he had dinner guests for the evening. We waited for the gate to roll back and he continued driving through what seemed like a tropical forest. It was very dark; only the glow of hidden lights along the edges gave any hint of resort life. We pulled up the circular drive; doormen rushed to open our car doors and show us up the marble steps to more doormen standing by two-to-three story high columns. We were ushered into a beautiful foyer that did NOT resemble any hotel I've ever seen. No
reservation desk ... small marble bar, with modified Louis IVth bar heighth chairs, to the left ... chandliers and lighted candles in a variety of sizes in holders ranging from small to oversize, crystal, silver or bronze ... fresh white orchids were growing in stylish planters or resting in unique vases of varying heights ... floors graduated from marble at the entrance to dark, shiny hardwoods in the overly-large entry room to carpeting in the lounge area. Just mind boggling ...

It was early for our dinner reservation so Vivian talked with one of the Food & Beverage managers and he took us on a mini tour. It was very dark and getting windier and chilly ... what we could see, as we walked along brick pathways, was nature at its most beautiful ... the owners had built among the trees and planted native bushes, flowers, and tropical greenery where buildings had replaced original growth ... upkeep was meticulous. You could hear the ocean lapping in the distance ... would have been even more spectacular if viewed in the daytime.


One&Only had just finished refurbishing rooms and suites; the gentleman
offered to show us one of the rooms ... that was a misnomer, as far as I was concerned! We turned into a little brick patio-type doorway entrance; he knocked and we all went in. A "maid" was finishing her chores (she was wearing a stylish, navy blue pantsuit and her gold ID badge); we apologized for interrupting; she left and we roamed. Paul corrected me when I called this a suite; but, actually, that was what I would call it. The "room" had a very large living room area with a long sofa, two overstuffed chairs, mahogany desk & chair, small game or card table and a very large TV. The flooring was wide strips of dark, highly polished wood. French
doors led to a private patio with lounge chairs, small chairside tables, potted flowers ... we hadn't even entered the bedroom yet.


The bedroom was not closed off ... there was an open archway entrance from the sitting-room area ... another large TV ... the king-sized bed was gorgeous ... made up in beautiful all-white linens, filmy bedspread with a small vine of red roses delicately crossing one lower corner ... all the amenities, but enhanced ... the bath was huge, double everything.
Had large showers, whirlpool spa, a separate changing room with closet; drawers and cabinets lining the walls. I think you get the picture! Of course, the ever resplendent bar was located in a corner between the living room and bedroom, complete with liquors and nice glassware. Oh, the decadence of it all!!

Almost time for dinner. On our way back to the main lobby, our host offered to show us more of the resort. We declined, as the night air had turned very chilly and the wind had increased. He said he would be in tomorrow if we wanted to return ... we thanked him and headed in to the restaurant ...


The restaurant was in keeping with the rest of the resort decor ... dark woods ... floor-to-ceiling windows all along the right side as we entered ... small square tables to seat two or four, pushed together for larger parties ... partial glass walls on the left side gave a look into the kitchen activity... we were shown to our table; welcomed; presented with menus, wine list ... everyone had their individual duties ... a lady asked each of us if we wanted rosemary or chili flavored oil ... filled our individual containers, gave us sea salt to add. She left and returned with the most delicious warm herb bread. Paul and I wanted wine ... a sommelier appeared, recommended a nice pinot noir ... someone clears dishes, another fills water glasses ... there must have been five or six indviduals serving us and not one doing double duty ... I'm just not used to this untold luxury ... such "spoilage" ...


We all ordered many different things ... mine was a two-inch thick pork chop; Paul got red snapper; Vivian had a shrimp dish; Gabby finally got her deluxe conch salad; Mary and Larry ordered soup and pizza (?). Larry
said he could have had only the soup ... a coconut and chicken blend of thick chowder-type consistency. He said it was the best soup he had ever tasted. No need to describe our food ... absolutely delicious ... dessert seemed like a delectable addition; but there IS a limit! However, the Irish coffee sounded so good, I couldn't resist. It was also the faux pas of the evening, at least in our estimation ...


The extremely hot coffee was served in a brandy-type glass with no handle. The server had added a linen napkin. I used the napkin to grasp the glass; but everyone at the table was afraid I would mimic that ole lady in the McDonald's fiasco and spill it in my lap. Probably expecting the same, the server brought a cup and saucer for my use. Missed using my glass mug with the handle ... old Irish coffee habits die hard!

As we waited for our taxi, we roamed around, looking out French doors and "people watching" ... must have been plans for a weekend wedding as many apparent family members, young children, young adults all mingled and grew louder as cocktails were refilled. (Miss the family!)

Back to OUR resort ... through our multi-colored lodge, down the path all lit up with red, blue, green and yellow reflector lights. Really pretty against the surrounding palm trees and the ocean lapping against the rocks just outside our huts ... Atlantis isn't visible from here; but I feel as if Neptune were keeping us in his sights.

Crawled up into bed ... pulled the covers over my head ... fell promptly asleep ... probably dreaming of eating breakfast!!

Marma