The Jade Seahorse
By Beth Tally

It’s highly possible to overlook one of the most unique attractions on the Honduran Island of Utila. Down an inconsequential side street, tucked behind the façade of the Jade Seahorse restaurant, lies a setting so distinctive, it could easily serve as the backdrop for Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.”  To describe it as a garden would be a misnomer.  It’s actually a work of art.

Neil and Julia, owners of the Jade Seahorse, have spent over ten years expanding their business from the original Fruit Shake Village and Treetanic Bar to a gourmet restaurant with cabins for overnight accommodations.  Originally, Neil split his time between Los Angeles, where he taught school, and Utila.  Upon his return to the island every spring, he would immediately dive into the construction and landscaping of the property.  By the fall of 2000, things had developed to the point that Julia needed him fulltime and he willingly gave up his teaching.

Neil obsessed about decorating the Jade Seahorse.  He spent hours at yard sales in Los Angeles collecting materials with which to work.  When he and Julia traveled Central America, particularly Guatemala and Honduras, he always had any eye out for objects to use.  What has evolved is an almost psychedelic array of meticulous designs utilizing everything in the garden both natural and manmade.

Broken bits of ceramics and marbles form intricate mosaics on walls,, up trees and around cement foundations randomly constructed in the yard.  Whole plates and bottles stack one upon the other to create the illusion of rather inebriated gingerbread Christmas trees.  Conch and other seashells accent the eclectic shapes that colorfully spill out from everywhere.  In the center of all this mad creation sits a huge arch, so elaborately decorated, it has the aura of being in a cavern with jeweled stalactites hanging from above.  Even spiders seem inspired to create more formidable webs.  As Neil explains, “The architecture and landscaping relates a history of experiments whose purpose seems to add up to nor more or less than to call attention to itself.”

According to their website, the “Jade” of Jade Seahorse refers to the fabulous Mayan stone so deeply revered by ancient and modern native peoples of Central America.  The “Seahorse,” equally intriguing and unique, was Neil’s fascination for years.  “The marriage of the two distinctly independent yet alluring forms of nature reflect the union of Neil and Julia themselves, attractive opposites whose bond remains as firm as their original vision of Jade Seahorse.”

Like a child changing daily, the Jade Seahorse begs to be revisited because something will always be a little different, a little novel, a little extra.  Julia and Neil readily admit it’s “their ongoing work to attract tourists to their amazing little island of Utila.”

Find out about the Jade Seahorse and their accommodations at www.jadeseahorse.com.

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