You know the winter holiday season has arrived when The Rock is mentioned on best-of lists in major publications. Forbes recently named Frenchman’s Cove as one of the “best Caribbean beaches for 2019”. Despite the use of the word “jungle” in describing the beach’s allure, Frenchman’s Cove shares this coveted mention with world-famous beaches such as Grand Anse in Grenada, Shoal Bay in Anguilla, Crane Beach in Barbados and Gouverneur in St Barth’s. Honourable mention too, was given to Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, Laughing Waters in Ocho Rios and Boston Bay in Port Antonio.

Last week, the “world’s most iconic travel guide” Lonely Planet published a list of celebrity homes that travellers are able to rent. And among the four homes mentioned (talk about exclusive) was Hammerstein Highland House in Montego Bay. What’s the celeb connection, you ask? Well, this property was built in the 50s by the great musical lyricist Oscar Hammerstein. The Sound of Music was written on the verandah and Hollywood royalty Meryl Streep has slept in the beds there. Fabulous!`

Congratulations to GoldenEye for making the Condé Nast Traveler 2019 Gold List. The list that spans six continents and 36 countries comprises the magazine’s editors “favourite hotels, resorts, and cruise ships in the world”. The Caribbean and Atlantic region had only five properties that made the cut which is a remarkable feat as the US and Canada combined only had 14 properties that made the list. Well done GoldenEye!

And…

Congrats to ‘Jamgerian’ Nadine Ijewere who lensed the January issue cover of British Vogue. The 26-year-old photographer, who was born in London to a Nigerian father and Jamaican mother has become the first woman of colour to shoot a cover in the iconic magazine’s 125-year history. Bravo! Ijewere has created an oeuvre of visually arresting work that includes a campaign for Stella McCartney, a showcase at the Same//Difference exhibit at the Tate Britain and shooting the October issue of Allure starring Caribbean queen Rihanna.

Plus…

Another Bajan woman making waves is optician Alicia Hartman. Hartman established her company Eye-Q Stylist Opticians in 2011 as a “stylistic approach to eye care”. She strongly believes that glasses should be the main accessory as they reflect not just style but the owner’s personality. Her Peoples from Barbados (PFB) capsule sunglasses collection are made in Japan (the makers of some of the world’s finest spectacles) with exclusive colourful acetate, and have stainless steel temples. Hartman is an altruistic businesswoman and has been a supporter of Leacock’s Primary School, where she has given free eye tests to students to ensure that they have healthy eyesight prior to sitting Common Entrance Examinations. She, too, has a limited-edition photo series featuring Bajans wearing PFB sunglasses and the funds from the auction of these portraits will benefit local Bajan charities.

PS

Huge congrats to Kimala Bennett and Professor Michael Taylor! On Friday the local businesswoman and climatologist were named 2019 Anthony N Sabga laureates. Bennett, managing director of The LAB Limited, is the Caribbean’s entrepreneurship laureate. Professor Michael Taylor, a scientist and director of the Climate Studies Group at The University of the West Indies, Mona, is the Science & Technology laureate. Established in 2005, the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards rewards outstanding persons from the region who have made significant contributions in the fields of Arts & Letters, Public & Civic Contributions, Science & Technology and Entrepreneurship. It is the only programme in the Caribbean of its kind. Bravo Kimala and Michael!

Cannot Took It Moments…

The adult who understood the big brand’s rationale because it was, in his words, “a conflict of issue”.

“If you work in hospitality you haffi nice!” Amen.

Can we clone Donna Gayle of KingAlarm — flawless customer service!