Back on our stylish pages after an all-too-long hiatus, A Designed Life columnist Cecile Levee shares her recent adventures from travelling across the West with her newfound South African BFFs…enjoy!

I had the pleasure of accompanying the Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, Ambassador Thandiwe January-McLean, her sister Dawn Mokhobo, Chairman of Weziwe Platinum Mines and a former South African Businesswoman of the Year, Ambassador Thandiwe’s daughters Nozipho, a student in Cape Town, and Naima, an event planner who worked on both the opening and closing ceremony of the recently concluded FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. Naima, is also an actress and singer, whose first album will be released in a few months. No surprise, as her father is renowned jazz musician René McLean and her grandfather is jazz musician Jackie McLean.

Asked to chaperone them by my friend on their first-ever trip to Jamaica, I was game.

After two days of delays due to bad weather, an eight-hour layover in Senegal, further delay in New York, more delays… plane stuck on the runway… they finally arrived in Jamaica Wednesday evening.

Not knowing what to expect of the country they had heard so much about, they were nevertheless excited and raring to go.

Day One (Wednesday)

Finally arriving in Jamaica to stay at Breezes, Negril albeit four hours late, they were understandably knackered, so I decided to let them recoup.

Day Two (Thursday)

The day started at noon with lunch at the hotel, introductions, catching up, horror stories of the delays, but they are happy to be in Jamaica, a destination long on the Ambassador’s bucket list.

After a long, leisurely lunch, arrangements were made for a 7:30 pm pickup and it was off to a ‘Meet the People’ Cocktail Party, hosted by Roy and Del Hutchinson, along with their daughter Andrea, at their home in Sav-la-Mar. Amidst a wonderful spread of things Jamaican, it was Del’s codfish fritters, Christmas cake and sorrel that stole their palates, and several rounds of “seconds” were ordered.

Hours later, it was back to the hotel for some rest.

Day Three (Friday, New Year’s Eve)

It was off to Margaritaville, Negril, for a day of relaxation on the beach, resting up for a much-anticipated New Year’s Eve party.

For us adults, it was the grand and fabulous Hedonism II party that kept us awake until 4 am.

For the daughters Naima and Nozipho, it was off to the rocking party hosted by Better Mus’ Come film-maker Storm Sauter and his brother Nile, at their newly christened West End hot spot, the Lair Lounge.

Day Four (Saturday)

Barely able to move our bodies to a vertical position, it was off to Rick’s Cafe to catch the most spectacular sunset anywhere (great promise for the New Year) and to watch our world-class, free-style divers do their stuff.

A few Red Stripe beers and rum-chased drinks later, it was on to our next stop: Rock House’s Pushcart Jamaican Restaurant.

Joined by Nevada Powe, Karen Neita, Ashley Martin, Andrea Hutchinson and her brother Christopher, we indulged in an amazing feast of steamed snapper with okra, crackers and bammy, curried goat, oxtail, curried conch, fried plantains, ackee patties, rice and peas, (I am not sure what everyone else had, this was mine) their foray into the Jamaican cuisine was fully covered and left a satisfying yearning for more. A love affair had indeed begun.

Stories about South Africa, Jamaica, expectations, surprises, and similarities (they, too, blow the condensed milk tin to get the milk out) exchanged, over dessert of sweet potato pudding, vanilla ice cream, Blue Mountain coffee and yet more rum-chased drinks.

It was after midnight when we dragged ourselves (or did the lights start to flash?) home to rest for yet another day.

Day Five (Sunday)

Our guests enjoyed a much-anticipated catamaran cruise to the West End for a day of snorkelling, diving and partying courtesy of Phillip and Patty Paxton, who were joined by some of our local hoteliers, Kevin Levee, Gary and Anna Williams, Gary Stephenson, Ricardo Bowleg, other family and friends. A few jellyfish stings later (my daughter Kennedy will live), it was time to head home.

Returning after 4:00 pm, it was time for me to go and welcome my other guest for the evening, the unforgettable Miss Natalie Cole.

A late lunch with Natalie, her beau Daniel, her son Rob and friends at Breezes, Negril, and it was rest time for later.

7:00 pm, I arrived to pick up Natalie. Introduced her to the Ambassador and her family, talks of Natalie’s emotional first visit to South Africa and her desire to revisit, and it was off to Aqua Villa for cocktails, hosted by Ken and Liz Sealey.

To top off the evening, an impromptu serenade to Natalie was performed by our Ashley Martin… the tour date is being planned.

Day Six (Monday)

I went MIA, too tired to move. Natalie spent the morning relaxing on the beach. Nozipho and Naima went swimming, the Ambassador and Dawn stayed in, moving only when absolutely necessary.

At 4:30 pm it was time to say goodbye to the gorgeous and fabulous Natalie Cole, who went back to her holiday at The Jewel hotel, Ocho Rios.

An evening of rest for everyone.

Day Seven (Tuesday)

Arrived at Dolphin Cove Lucea, greeted by Manager Steve Bethel.

A day of check marks on our bucket lists:

Play with the stingrays-check

Ride camels (in Jamaica?) -check

Swim with Dolphins -check

Have the pictures for proof -check

Leaving Dolphin Cove, with well-marked bucket lists, we were now near starvation. One more Negril landmark to go and Cosmo’s it was.

The conch soup…still legendary, the sunset …magnificent, the Red Stripe…ice cold, the sparkling wine … confirmation of friendships formed and sealed.

The value … priceless.

Still satiated from Cosmo’s, and a bit worn, a quiet evening was spent at my home with my husband Kevin, Ambassador Thandiwe, her sister Dawn, both extolling their new-found connection and love of Jamaica.

Plans are already in place for next year. And yes, my South African trip is already booked.