Celebs make it Destination Jamaica!

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

My darlings, we are in the middle of the time of the year when the internationally acknowledged uber-rich, and jet-setting trendsetters pack kit and caboodle and head for the preferred destination of the rich and famous.

Luvs, ever since Christopher Columbus 'discovered' this fabulous land of wood, water, rum and reggae, it has been the preferred getaway for those in the know. Many have bought their very own piece of this here rock, others simply opting to make it their holiday secret getaway. Once ensconced on the island, they are allowed to enjoy its hospitality with guaranteed rest and relaxation.

Well dearhearts, this year was no different and so the Yuletide season saw a number of globetrotters and the couture crowd once again making it Destination Jamaica, and how!

Luvs, from Port Antonio to Negril, Jamaica was definitely the party destination for the well-to-do and the fab. And in Port Antonio, philanthropist and patron of the arts, Francesca von Habsburg, stayed at her Alligator Head estate for the holidays.

With Chris Blackwell creating a tourism renaissance in Oracabessa, with his fabulous Golden Eye ultra-fab boutique resort and its now-famed New Year's Eve celebrations, that was the preferred place to chill over the holidays for such international celebs as the simply fabulous singer, Jamaica-born international actress/model Grace Jones; star of the TV series, the X-Files, actor David Duchovny; British supermodel Kate Moss; international fashion photographer Steven Meisel and brother to French President Olivier Sarkozy and his companion, Stella Schnable.

Round Hill

Meanwhile, the ultra-chic home of the rich and fabulous Round Hill, near Montego Bay, was where fashion designer and magnate Ralph Lauren and wife Ricky spent their holidays. As did living legend, Beatle Paul McCartney, and his new bride, who flew in on their private jet for a few days of rest and relaxation at the resort, no less, joining a slew of celebs, that included: Vanessa Noel of Vanessa Noel Shoes; CNN heavyweight Janet Rolle, who made waves at BET before joining the news group as senior vice-president and chief marketing officer, along with gal pal, the affable Andrea Hutchinson.

Reigning Miss Universe Leila Lopez was spotted holidaying in Hanover, at the Grand Palladium, where the beauty made it clear hers was a holiday, sans press!

Entertainer and actress Queen Latifah jetted in after the holidays.

And it was all very hush-hush, but the legendary Iman was also spotted in Montego Bay. As was Keisha Knight-Pulliam, who played Rudi in the Cosby Show.

Birthdays

Celebrating today are Pulse model, Rohan Rodney, the affable Devon Francis, and Ike Williams, now in New York.

Celebrating Saturday the 14th are the lovely Carol Phillips Fofanah, the charmingly fab Carol D. Ivey, and the lovely Denise Hird Walsh.

On Sunday the 15th, entertainer Winston 'Yellowman' Foster; musician Albert Ilawi Johnson; the lovely Barbara Morrell-Jones; the fab Sophia Leahong, in Montego Bay; Raphael Brown, formerly of Morant Bay, St Thomas, now in Florida; Judi Woodstock-Manzano, now in Trinidad and Tobago; and the affable entertainer Owen Richard Miller Bonner, now in Amsterdam, Holland, all celebrate.

On Monday the 16th, those celebrating will include Lebert Brown, Paul Johnson, now in New York, and the lovely Lupa-Nena Gonzales, in California.

On Tuesday the 17th, it will be party time for DJ Shabba Ranks; the fab Fiona McNeill; the beautiful Maria Nasralla; the lovely Rolande Chue-Edwards; Marlene Schorlemmer; the fab Juleen Powell, in Mandeville; Raphael Russell, in New York; the fab D'Andra Hyatt, in Toronto, Canada; and Michael John Highfield, in Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.

On Wednesday the 18th, Capt David McRae; the celebrated Carlos MaxBrown; the fab Andrea Golding; the beautiful Suzanne Campbell; the lovely Margaret Owen; Richard Leiba, in Toronto, Canada; Debbie-Ann Williams, now in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Rupert Solomon, formerly from Brandon Hill, Clarendon, now in the UK, will be blowing out candles on their birthday cakes.

Next Thursday the 19th will see the charming Pinkrose Lambert; the lovely Keisha Lewis; music producer and businessman John McKinley, now in Florida; Louise Toby, in New York; and the fab Sue Bradley, in Vancouver, BC; all sharing the same birthday.

And belated wishes to those who celebrated last Wednesday the fourth: Dr Marjorie Vassell, the fab Dian Watson; the affable Che Ingleton, now in Miramar, Florida; and the lovely Ann Taylor Ichi, in Toronto, Canada.

Celebrating on Thursday the fifth, were the talented and lovely Dahlia Dawn Fuller-Philips; singer producer David Minott; the fab Kai Wakeling; Horace Bather, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now in New York; Mikal Konali, now in the United Kingdom; and the fab Louise Finnegan, in Dublin, Ireland.

Last Friday, the sixth, media personality Derrick Gassy Wilks; the charming Tracy McArdle; Michael C. Lyn, now in Hollywood, Florida; stunner Noella Eldridge; the beautiful Jacinth Allen Donaldson; and the fab Tracy Nottingham Gibson, in Oklahoma, made it a very special day of celebration.

Celebrating on Saturday the seventh were Rupert A. Francis; Michael Denton; Therese Edwards; Courtney Hay; and Bancroft Mapp, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now in the United Kingdom, who all made it a special day.

On Sunday, January 8, Colin Reid of Grosvenor Gallery; attorney Stephen Johnson; Akeem Williams; Anthony Lawrence; the lovely Yanique Smith; Elfe Poleon-Henry; and Jacqueline Ricketts, in New York, enjoyed their celebrations.

And on Monday, January 9, among those celebrating were the fabulous and oh-so-talented performer Marisa Benain, of the National Dance Theatre Company; the gorgeous Tracy Moses; Latoya Jackson; Vuraldo 'vb' Barnett; and Akua Ajayi Tafari Walters.

On Tuesday, January 10, it was all about the lovely Dr Danielle Menzies-Toman; the fab Julianne T Lee Samuels; en vogue Pamela Redwood; Glen Miller, in Toronto, Canada; reggae archivist and journalist Elena Oumano, in New York; the fab Heidi Hassler, in Argentina; and Jacqueline Robotham.

And on Wednesday the 11th, celebrants included Dr Lloyd Waller; the stunning Jenny Berry; Richard O. Black; the fabulous Nicky Channer and companion Miguel Bernard, who made it a romantic evening; Amitabh Sharma; David Shields; Devonte Carter; and the charming Janet Davidson, in the UK.

Celebrating yesterday, Thursday the 12th, were the charming Joy McHugh; fab Pulse model Crystal Patterson; Denny Chandiram Chatani, over in Montego Bay; and the charming Elsa Hall-Phidd, formerly of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Morant Bay, now in New York.

Champagne wishes all around with beluga treats!