Dream House | A stress-free hideaway

Ever since the dawn of history, the human race has been obsessed in finding ways to cheat death and live forever.

Explorers and adventurers for centuries, have long fervently searched in vain for the mythical ‘fountain of youth’. But that elusive fountain, whose restorative powers were thought to prevent old age and even death, was always beyond their grasp.

My friends, today we embark on a rather strange quest – to find (if it exists) that stress-free, timeless space that could transform our lives forever.

Our hard-to-come-by information, leads us to this secret house, off the beaten path, that you will certainly never find on your own.

Come off the rural main road, and carefully negotiate the less traversed route, through deep jungle terrain, where wilderness is your only constant scenery for most of the 40 minute journey.

On arrival at the house, you will come to realise that the only inhabitants anywhere around are you and the owners – hidden away in a remote river valley, with no development in sight (you already passed the last village). Now, at the end of the lonely road, nothing stands between you and the incredible mountain trail leading straight up the imposing Blue Mountain Crest, staring directly at you.

The main attraction and recreational area of the one-acre property is its location on the banks of the crystal-clear river, flowing from the mountains, with its numerous natural swimming pools, stimulating spas and dramatic waterfalls within its swirling waters – a few steps from the residence.

Quite alluring, the abode is literally sandwiched between the river at its front door, and, lo and behold, a pristine spring at its back. Yes, a natural mountain spring, with a towering, 50-foot, evocative waterfall, cascading right into the very backyard.

A profusion of nature’s unspoilt wonders leaves you in a irie mood, as you continue to behold a riverscape that indulges fishing, hiking and diving – within the lure of a lush, tropical, water garden of flourishing flora and fauna.

Farming takes place, producing pineapples, plantains and vegetables for the dining table. The cuisine for the owners is strictly ital, coconut based, vegetable dishes.

Rastafarians Orlando Gray and his wife, Claudette, originally built a modest one-bedroom house for their family. Nearly 30 years of construction activity has finally come to an end, and their child, second-generation Rastafarian Alhaji Gray, and his wife, Karen, now enjoy all that it offers in its expanded form.

That is, four peaceful bedrooms (with basement). The kitchen and dining is in one, with living room seating you in leather sofa. Patio and verandah take full advantage of sensational visuals.

The house is fashioned with asphalt shingle roof, white ceramic tile floors and white-painted walls. The eye-opening, distinctive, Spanish elm woodwork is on show throughout (including cabinetry, furniture and ceiling finishes); all handcrafted by a local carpenter.

Sleep peacefully with doors wide open. There is, deliberately, no Internet, and no TV! Totally commune with the natural outdoors, and practice the ancient Egyptian art of Kemetic yoga, as the family does.

This house, on the border of dreams and reality, may not have quite the properties of the renowned ‘fountain of youth’, but living here is certainly an antidote to the chaos and burden of the world we live in – extending your life expectancy levels. Address: Chelsea district, Swift River, Portland.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email: barryrattray@hotmail.com/lifestyle@gleanerjm.com