Michelle LaPorte

It's definitely all about this red-hot island that this column always refers to as destination Jamaica, as from in the early days of travel, Jamaica has been the preferred spot for not only the rich and famous, uber-fab and thrill-seeking, fun-loving explorer, but it continues to be the gem of the Caribbean isles, unequalled in its beauty and above all else, the warmth and hospitality of its people.

And no surprises here either as contextually speaking, Jamaica has not only figured prominently in world affairs, it has been the unofficial crossroads of the old and new worlds from Christopher Columbus landed here! But perhaps even more perplexing for some is the fact that for a nation of its size (population and land mass) and its limited resources, the island's influence in the spheres of world culture through music, the arts, dance and athletics, as well as the sporting arenas, defies conventional understanding and expectations.

Magic and beauty

Anyway my dears, the world continues its fascination with us and so come Tuesday, March 3, the world will once again be made privy to the magic and beauty of Jamaica that has sustained its people for centuries, as the Jamaica Tourist Board recently joined forces with Al Roker Productions and WE TV to showcase the breathtaking beauty and diversity of Jamaica to the world through the eyes of Mrs Lorna Golding, wife of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in a one-hour special featuring Jamaica, signalling the season kick-off to WE TV's Women's History Month programming and the launch of its new 'First Ladies Tour' series, hosted by celebrated journalist Deborah Roberts.

My dears, the show takes the format of a VIP all-access tour of the island, with Mrs Golding as the hostess and takes viewers on a Jamaican adventure as she gives Deborah Roberts a peek inside her homeland as they take a helicopter ride along the breathtaking Montego Bay coastline and step inside some of Jamaica's most lavish homes and private resorts - including Round Hill, home to world famous designer Ralph Lauren, and Goldeneye, the former home of James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

They also get front-row seat at Jamaica's premier fashion event for an up close and look as the women take in haute couture and street style alike at last year's Caribbean Fashionweek extravaganza at the National Indoor Sports Centre. For the adventurous, follow the women as they team up with the adventure thrill seekers at Chukka Caribbean and glide 200 feet above the Montpelier jungle and kayak through the grotto-lined cliffs of Negril. To complete this island excursion, Mrs Golding takes Roberts to one of her favourite, and most serene places on this wonderful island - the Hope Gardens in St Andrew. This 200-acre botanical garden is the largest in the Caribbean and is one of the best places to enjoy the flora of Jamaica.

Well my daahlings, the special premieres in New York this here Tuesday, March 3 at 10 p.m. (EST) on WE TV, and the buzz is that both Mrs Golding and Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett are expected in New York for the affair, but dears, it is definitely must-see TV and nothing but!

And speaking of beautiful people place and things, my dears, he popped the question and she answered in the affirmative and so it is a May wedding for the fabulous Michelle LaPorte and her beau, Paul Reid II, who will exchange their I-dos on the 16th at the lovely Pipers Cove Beachfront resort, over there in Runaway Bay, in what promises to be a fab-fest as the fab couple publicly declare their love for each other.

Sweet-things, who would miss this for the world, as it promises to be all that, and then some!

Birthdays

Then my dears, it's now the reign of the Age of Pisces continues with some fab personalities celebrating their birthdays this season. Among those celebrating are the fab Nancy McLean of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, who celebrated on Wednesday!

Former Tourism Minister Aloun Assamba and her eminent colleague and PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill, and businessman Doug Halsall, all celebrates their birthday today.

Socialite and icon Jeanne Watson celebrate her special day on the 28th. As do son of the late Ambassador Peter King, Julian King and Charlotte Fodor Buchannan.

Junior Taylor celebrates his special day on March 1.

And the lovely and celebrated beauty Cornelia Parchment-Horn celebrates on the 3rd.

Lorna Golding (right), wife of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, arrives for Pulse Caribbean Fashionweek accompanied by Deborah Roberts, American television personality, last year. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Nancy McLean

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer