Energy Minister Clive Mullings and wife Carlene. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Oh my word, talk about hot! Well, my dears, that is just exactly what destination Jamaica was for the New Year celebrations. Precious angels, she was cooking and then some from Port Antonio to Negril. It was all about this fab island as the rich and famous, the hot and bothered and, of course, blue-blooded royalty, all jetted into the island not only for the Christmas holidays, but also to see in the New Year.

Luvs, with Kingston being in some kind of a social funk, with leading socialite and business icon Kenny Benjamin opting not to throw his traditional New Year's Eve shindig, Kingston was in a state of flux for the many who traditionally attend the annual do.

Tale of two parties

Well, while Kingston was in a funk, it was not so for the north shores of the island as it was a case of the two parties when European blue-bloods and the uber-rich opted for the fab and oh-so-picturesque Port Antonio while the glitterati and glamour denizens of North America chose to see in the New Year in fabulous Montego Bay. There, the party of choice was the annual high-society smasheroni hosted at the très chic Round Hill. In Port Antonio, the preferred address was the famed Alligator Head winter home of the Archduke of Austria, Karl von Habsburg and his fabulous wife, Archduchess Francesca von Habsburg.

With fashion icon, Ralph Lauren and his fab wife Ricky Lauren leading the charge, Round Hill was the star in the east as the fab did come to town, not only to see in the New Year, but also to party! And with the von Habsburgs in residence at Alligator Head in Port Antonio, y'all know it was all about the fun in the east.

The celebrities on our shores from the east to the west included award winning actress Sigourney Weaver and hubby Jim Simpson; the mega-wealthy Wallace and Margaret McCain; media mogul Bob Pitman and his fab wife Veronica Pitman; outgoing US Ambassador Her Excellency Brenda LaGrange Johnson, hubby J. Howard Johnson and their children, plus a number of minor celebrities who partied up a storm at one of the Caribbean's most stylish destinations, the très fab Round Hill.

And, in Port Antonio, it was strictly blue-bloods and the fabulously well-to-do, as seeing in the New Year in Port Antonio, were the celebrated British hairstylist, Paul Windle and his South African companion, actress Christien Le Roux and celebrated artist, Mustopher Hulusi and former model, Sarah Murray were just a few of the preferred guests who joined the von Habsburgs for their annual do at Alligator Head! And luvs, Port Antonio is still aglow.

Seeing in the New Year

Also seeing in the New Year here in Kingston was the son of former head of the EU Delegation, Gerd Jarchow, Oliver Jarchow and his Jamaican wife, Flo, who both jetted in from Paris, as did former German embassy official Mike Delitz, and his wife, Karin Ederer Delitz, she, being the daughter of former German Ambassador to Jamaica, Ambassador Dr Adolf Ederer and wife Ximena Ederer.

And speaking of European blue-bloods, the very charming Ronnie Demajo, the famed Maltese conglomateur and his fab wife Francesca Demajo both jetted into Kingston to catch up with friends in the nation's capital before motoring over to the island's north coast this weekend for a few weeks of sun and fun.

Then the fab Betty Delfosse-Ingleton takes off for London this weekend, to share the celebration planned to mark the 50th birthday of Janet Davidson, former long-time manager of the celebrated Maxi Priest and of Madhouse music fame, who will celebrate her birthday on the 11th.

And speaking of birthdays: on Sunday the 4th, the fab Diane Watson celebrated another year of life as a member of the beautiful people, and how!

The absolutely charmingly happening and talented soprano, Dawn Fuller-Phillips celebrated her very special day on Monday, January 5, and here it was all very intimate and chic.

Radio personality Gerry McDaniel, will celebrate on the 12th.

The fab Sophia Leahong will celebrate her special day on the 15th.

The lovely Roland Chue-Edwards will take the honours on the 17th.

But today, being January 9, it's all about the lovely Sharon Millwood Moore, as the attorney celebrates her birthday today, with the party to follow come Sunday!

And the buzz out of Montego Bay is that the Minister of Mining and Energy Clive Mullings and his fab fiancée, banker Carlene Johnson tied the knot over the holidays in that second city in a fab ceremony and reception. Many happy returns to the newlyweds!

And, my dears, when Digicel says expect more, believe them as they do deliver! Imagine losing one's mobile phone with all contacts on Christmas Eve and while away from home. Well, such was the case for this here scribe, but thanks to the intervention of Digicel's CEO Mark Linehan and his able assistant, Kerri-Ann Tucker, all was made well with a replacement sim and restoration of service, on Boxing Day, a public holiday, thus allowing me not only to reach out and touch, but allaying the anxiety of family and friends, who had grown worried when their efforts to make contact met with no success! Kudos all around.

Visiting from Canada, father and sons, Howard Pitch (left), Geoffrey (centre) and William prepare themselves to enjoy the fireworks at the Iberostar Resort in Rose Hall, Montego Bay. - photo by Denise Reid

Sharon Millwood Moore - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer