After 4 trips to the north coast of Jamaica I have decided to try to go to Port Antonio in 2006. My wife & I both love Jamaica dearly & I haven't even mentioned this to her yet. It may be a tough sale as she loves live reggae music (me too) & was wondering what entertainment venues would be found in the area? I have already done some research on where to stay (thanks to Fathie's & others) & Goblin Hill should suit us fine. How long of a ride would it be from Kingston? How does the airport compare with MoBay's? Any other tidbits of info that would help sway her opinion? Thanks in advance..............Dan

Aside from occasional bashments/concerts announced by posters on telephone poles in town or a dj with megaphone in a car trampoosing through the countryside, there are few places for entertainment/music/dancing/etc. in Porty. That said, you'd enjoy dinner at the Blue Lagoon restaurant/sometimes with music live. Cool Runnings, a bar/restaurant out on Long Bay -- a great wave/surf beach east of town -- sometimes has live music/concerts. Driving into Kingston for a night out is not practically do-able.It's 2 hours, but moreover, Kingston is not a place to wander around in at night. If you've a guide, fine -- head for Redbones, a very hip jazz/music restaurant frequented by elite and trendy. 'Reggae'/cover performances are found mainly in resort towns like Negril--the rest of island, while Bob Marley/classic reggae is revered, listens to dancehall , mento, soca, or angry socio-political stuff from Capleton or Sizzla or Buju Banton or Damien Marley, one of Bob's sons ('Jamrock' is his current hit and a controversial one). Listen to the current hit 'Pon de Replay' topping the U.S. charts. The new rhythm beat is called 'diwali' and it's bhangra/Indian-Pakistani in background, turned Jamaican by Ribhanna and major new talents like Sean Paul.Burning Spear, Toots and Maytals, Sugar Minott, Jimmy Cliff, Morgan Heritage -- the old classic reggae is mostly performed on tours, in the States.

Put a big period, btw, after Sean Paul in above. Also, there's an Italian
woman/reggae producer in Porty with sort of a 'house party' place mainly frequented by Italians called Draper's San. Don't stay there -- but find out if anything up.

The beautiful drive takes 2.5-3hours .... The airport is just fine !!

What's up with Draper's San that you don't find appealing Tiverton? We were thinking about it due to it's offbeat nature. I twill be our first time to Porty after doing Negril exclusively our first two trips.

I believe cleanliness might be a bit spotty !!! lol . could be other reasons as well of course , and my reason might have since changed .

Thanks to all for your responses, I appreciate them a lot. Tiv my musical tastes are mainly "old school" with the likes of the Abyssinians, King Tubby, Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, etc. Thanks for the tip of the Wallingford (sp?) brand of Blue Mt. coffee; had company Saturday & got around to grinding the beans, we all loved it. I posted a question before our last trip in May & you were kind enough to respond; thanks again..Dan

Thanks, Faithie -- think you've covered Drapers San and agree. Danee if you can get your hands on some OLD TAVERN ESTATE beans, esp. the dark French roast aged in barrel or peaberry beans.

Rooftop club is in Porty isn't it?

I talked to our other friends who are travelling with us and they say they already booked Drapers San. Our group includes children, so more info would be appreciated so we can decide to change our plans.

Do you have a car ? You can actually walk to San San Beach and Frenchmans Cove Beach from both Fern Hill and Goblin Hill .... ( easier from Goblin ) plus G.H. has a free shuttle to Frenchmans cove Beach . Fern Hill has TONS of stairs , although there is no rush here , so who cares , but do keep this in mind !!! G.H. is perfect with kids . Drapers San is in the very tiny 2 building town of Drapers( where Gwen Stefani and No Doubt did the last award winning record ) ( across from Derron's car service ) . It is close to the road , small , with no pool , with kids I would DEFINITELY be inclined to stay in a spot with a pool ...... It gets so hot , helps to kill time , the grounds at Goblin Hill are beautiful . You can even walk to The Blue Lagoon . Faith .

Just thought I would add that I do not mind small places ( I do not need fancy accomodations ) , but with my young kids I would not have found it as fun at Drapers San as at Goblin Hill ......