HIDDEN in the hills of Westmoreland is a convenient guest house for the mature guest looking for a retreat amongst nature’s finest offerings, in plants and fruit trees indigenous to Jamaica.
Formerly owned by Alex Haley who completed his “Roots”, on location, the Mountambrin Theatre/Gallery and Villa is now operated as an extended guest house by the Gruhlke father and son team – Rus and Canute. In addition to the original wooden structure boasting four villa rooms, two other buildings enclosing two cottages and the theatre gallery were erected, since their 1975 purchase of the property. Inside the villa rooms are two double beds and one room has an outdoor shower area.
Plans are afoot to convert the next door 700 acres into an agro forest. So says current property manager Canute Gruhkle who gave the Jamaicans.com team a quick tour recently.
At the time the www.antheamcgibbon.com culture team visited the Jackfruit drink was popular as other fruits were not ready to be picked.
The property is found in Caledonia, Westmoreland, off Darliston Road. Guests must travel one mile on a winding road, “The Toad Road” to the property.
A place for classical music lovers and players. The music cottage is where musicians refine their art, and there is the two-storey Bhudda cottage for a rest among the wild. According to Canute Gruhlke, musicians from Uk, Canada, USA already have stayed there for practise and meditation at times performing for guests. He adds that at least one local renowned violinist visits on occasion for meditation.
Several ponds capture and ensure moderation in the cool climate. Tree frogs and smaller insects are appreciated as they keep the mosquitos away. Certain plants are also grown to assist in keeping the property rid of mosquitoes by providing a bed for eggs to be laid and where the frogs can access them for food. The Bromeliad plant species indegenous to Jamaica is popular on location for this.
INTENSE SUBJECTS OF ART
Once you get on the property its no secret that the guest must have an intense appreciation for male dominance as expressed in the artworks by resident artists. The carvings from guango wood are mostly of men in provocative scenes and positions lining the roof edges of the original house. Outside are larger than life-size figures from cement with multiple heads all painted in black.
Very few of the images carved are women. The carvings are the works of Edna Manley College graduate Lesbert Lee, whose designs were supervised by Dr Rus Gruhlke, property owner.
BRIGHT PAINTINGS
Brightly coloured paintings done by Dr Rus Gruhlke, release energy as they depict war scenes. Some are of explosions with body parts flying, but are comfortable on the eye as they are done in the abstract.
In the restaurant however there is a unique art piece commemorating the Lost boys of Sudan done by Dr Rus Gruhlke.
From the main wooden house on the six acre of mostly foliage, guest can relax as they take in the picturesque view of Petersfield and Sav La Mar to the left and the Bare Breast Mountains to the right.
UNIQUE DOORS
The doors with carvings of nude men and snakes by resident artist Lesbert Lee, are displayed for sale.
At the time the www.antheamcgibbon.com culture team visited the Jackfruit drink was popular as other fruits were not ready to be picked.
The property is found in Caledonia, Westmoreland, off Darliston Road. Guests must travel one mile on a winding road, “The Toad Road” to the property.
SEE ALBUM on Jamaicans.com.
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