We’re in a jungle.
It takes me by surprise because I’ve never been in a jungle before. I admire the lush surroundings. Towering trees and exotic plants in every shade of green imaginable. When we land on a clear patch of grass next to a glass house, I’m completely blown away. No way, a home like this exists in real life.
“Where are we?” Marley asks. “This is so beautiful.”
“This is The Emerald Ridge Estate, otherwise known as the Jungle House,” Kim tells us.
Marley’s mouth hangs open in pure and utter amazement as I help her down and out of the helicopter.
“The ride was lovely,” Marley gushes.
Kim smiles generously.
“Thank you. That was an awesome experience,” I tell her.
“Yes, thank you so much,” Marley adds.
“It was my pleasure,” Kim waves us off. “You can follow this path to the side door. Collette and Jerome are expecting you.”
We do as instructed, following a stone path that winds through the tropical greenery toward towering floor-to-ceiling glass doors framed in white wood. The house is sleek and modern, every inch of the house framed in glass.
Collette answers the door before we even have a chance to knock. And Marley smiles like a kid on Christmas morning.
“Collette, hi! Ohmigod, that was amazing. From breakfast to the helicopter ride, I really enjoyed it. Thank you!”
“Yes, it was something else,” I add.
“That makes me happy to hear, darling. I figured since you’d never been to Hawaii, I’d give you a better taste of what it has to offer.”
“It’s beyond beautiful here,” Marley exclaims.
“Come in, come in. Jerome, honey, they’re here,” Collette calls, and Jerome appears from somewhere inside the house.
Everything is pristine, white, beige, and cream, with a minimalist vibe. The only color seems to come from bright green plants strategically placed to anchor the space.
“Hey there, welcome!” Jerome says when he steps into the room. He’s wearing a polo shirt and Madras shorts.
“This is a beautiful home.”
“Thank you. Belongs to a friend of mine. He let us use it for the week.”
“This is where the pool party we’re having tonight will be,” says Collette.
I remember Jungle Party written on the itinerary.
“I hope the ride was smooth and the breakfast was to your liking,” Collette probes.
“Oh, it was great. Everything was great,” Marley says excitedly.
I nod and thank her.
“Perfect. Come into the sitting room with me. I want us to talk more,” Collette says to Marley, and the women head off and disappear around a corner of the house.
Jerome slaps me lightly on the shoulder. “And I was hoping to borrow you, if you don’t mind. There’s a private course just past the ridge. Figured we could get a few holes in.”
I let out a breath. “Whoa, ok. I haven’t been golfing in a minute. I might be a little rusty,” I tease.
“You’ll be alright,” Jerome says as I follow him out a different door on a different side of the house. “Golf’s like riding a bike. Muscle memory.”
