The fabulous Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran Bay was the place of choice for Mary Justice Croll and Lesley Campbell to host visiting foreign media that attended a recent press trip to the 22nd Annual Trade Expo in Jakarta that was opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and officially hosted by Minister of Trade Dr Mari Pangestu. The press dinner finale was a fitting end to their showcase, which celebrated the magnitude of exports out of Indonesia (did you know that 60 percent of the world’s Barbie dolls and 60 percent of the world’s zippers are made in Indonesia? – whatever would Ken think?) and particularly cemented the friendly international trade climate, ingenuity and craftsmanship of Indonesia as a whole. The poolside dinner party feasted on a delicious menu prepared by the resort’s Chef de Cuisine Bobby Wong, who created a sumptuous lineup of dishes, which included a Mediterranean Seafood Salad, Grilled Herb Marinated Beef Tenderloin (the truffle mashed peas were to die for), Seared Sea Bass Fillet and Prawn Tail and a Bittersweet Chocolate Parfait with warm orange and vanilla compote. Helping to end the press trip on a high note were Time magazine’s Jason Tedjasukmana, HK journalist Michael Taylor and Review Asia’s Tai Wai Land as well as local identities Muriel Ydo, Sophie Digby, Kelly Marciano, Louise von Munk and partner Feraldi Loeis.

Vivacious Jacky Ames and her mischievous husband Nigel Ames celebrated her birthday with cocktails and canapés and an intimate gathering of friends at their Canggu beachside digs, Echo Beach House, recently. Far too many frozen margaritas were imbibed (dam, they come back and bite you!) as the casual crew noshed on a new tapas menu of Japanese Tuna Croquettes, Chorizo Puffs, Tempura Sardines, Rabas and Quesadillas, all created by Spanish super-chef Asier Arroyo, who also chefs the couple’s Scallywags restaurant on Gili Trawangan – surely named after Nigel. Attending the evening were Bridget and Glenn Parker, Rachel Williams and Maria Jacques, Sarah and Henny Mierop, Jackie Leitch, Holly and Peter Bowden, Greg Hayes, Made and Ana Ramli, Kevin Scholes, Brian, Elaine and Louise Henry and the birthday girl’s visiting parents from Melbourne, David and Linda Roberts, who together with Nigel generously lavished John Hardy birthday jewels upon the lucky girl. A very hiccupy birthday indeed!

One of the funkiest stores to hit the fashion runway on the Oberoi Rd strip opened recently with Bamboo Blonde, owned by blondie-licious babe Louise Henry of Taboo Trading fame. With 12 years of retail and wholesale behind her, it was no surprise to see the store explode onto the fashion boulevard with a sizzling and traffic-stopping launch which included a Harley Davidson touring bike parade – think glamorous models flying giant hot pink and orange Bamboo Blonde flags perched behind hot Harley Biker Boys which had the entire street out to see what all the high-voltage revs were about. A posse of sassy, brand-conscious socialites flocked to the massive 150sqm store, which features unique, fresh and flirty fashion labels, men’s wear, accessories, shoes, bags and sexy evening wear. Dominated by a plush velvet-pink counter and retro, oversized, padded hassock footstool, guests were treated to a fashion parade that included hot authentic labels such as the globally super-cool Wish, Mink Pink, Sass, Sunny Girl, J.U.N.K and their own flamboyant label, Blurr. Pink-inspired cocktails such as Sea-Breezes, sushi and gourmet canapés were lavished upon guests which included family members Brian, Elaine and Marie Henry, as well as Saxton Looker, Philippa deLeonardis, Sarah Sellick, Melissa Lynton, Holly Bowden, Phillie Gebbie, Andrew McLatchie, Bec Duell, Claire Quinn, Dan and Dalia Brooks, Rod and Enrica Taylor, Jennie Creighton and Rachel Greaves amongst the masses. Loved the VIP Platinum Blonde Retail Therapy Cards and Vanity Vouchers, which are sure to be well used by this scribe and others.

The launch of DaLa Spa in Villa de Daun last week was a treat. This seductive boudoir-cum-spa parlor looks like it could or should be in the middle of Paris with its glam-dram exquisitely rich interiors. Spanking with Zhora of Havelli Interiors decadent touch, this new spa is nothing less than elegantly indulgent. The opening featured lashings of champagne, delicious bites and lots of spa give-aways, including treatments such as Spicy Chai Tea Milk Bath, Balinese Coffee and Chocolate Scrub and massage - beauty and body treatments to die for. Check out their plush velvety scarlet mani-pedi room – tre magnifique!

After eight years together and recently becoming parents to a beautiful baby girl, Skye-Tallulah, Glo Salon owner Georgia Fell-Smith and Bali International School’s Phys Ed and Health Teacher Hamish Sutherland made their partnership official with a dazzling wedding celebration at Villa Atas Ombak in Umalas. Declaring their commitment in a simply beautiful ceremony attended by some 250 guests, including visitors from Australia and the region, before Lychee Martini’s and Caiprioskas were served at sunset was just divine, not to mention lavish. Guests dined on fine food and wines and were regaled with hilarious and heartfelt speeches by the couple’s parents and friends before an enormous and elaborately decorated three-tiered cake was cut into. The stunning bride wore a white-beaded satin dress spectacular in its simplicity and elegance whilst the dashing blonde groom looked at ease in white and cream linens. Loads of dancing, drinking and disco-diving on the dance floor had some sliding out the door in the wee hours of the morning. Whoosh! Seen congratulating the happy couple were Marion and Greg Hinchcliffe, Pip and Tim Matisske, Susie Whyte, Dave and Robyn Schonell, Enrica and Rod Taylor, Till and Penny Muenzesheimer, Riki and Lisa Teteina, Janine and Greg Pitman, Wendy Thomas, Andrew and Gaia Grant, John and Chrissie Lincoln, James Lynch, Roly Parthemus, Edward Andrews, Kirsten McGrath, Ross Peat, John Millis, as well as most of Bali’s social and surf set - too many to mention here.

For someone who has never particularly found her sea legs, I was surprised to find myself on board the classic 19th century-inspired Schooner The Raja Laut last week. On invitation by darling Muriel Ydo of “I’ve got my finger in every pie” fame, a gathering of the who’s who of the tourism industry attended an evening of fabulous Italian wines, food and a twilight sail on the 100ft yacht, which accommodates 50 guests and can sleep up to 12 before the gorgeous gaff top-sail schooner ended its season here and set sail for Malaysia (with its equally gorgeous skipper). Not sure I’d brave the broader seas with this dashing king but can definitely say it got my toes wet. Ahoy there me hardies! I’m up for a schooner – beer anyone?

Leaping for joy (literally) at a farewell bash for long time Bali resident and newly betrothed British native Louise Beaty at AJ Hacketts Bali Bungy on Double Six was a spectacular way to dive into a new life after 11 years on the island.  The graphic design guru, newly betrothed to Aussie hubby Shane, will make Perth her new home and also establish an Australian branch of Island Communications which will successfully still be headquartered in Bali by partner Richard Simmonds and team. The beach-side send off included an Aussie-style barbecue with steaks and snags and pots of beer and wine.  Bluff Daddy a.k.a Nigel Simmonds, made an appearance in a special MTV-style video clip filmed by the wanna be rap-star himself of the tune “I’ll be missing you,” which also starred the likes of pimped up Sophie Digby, Wendy Thomas, Lisa Budd, Paul Meng and this blinged-out scribe. Amongst others attending the fond farewell were good friends Saffron and Simon Blaby, Icomm partner Richard Simmmonds and Glenn and Bridget Parker.