Hi, I will be in Negril from November 13th until December 19th. I would like to spend about 2 or 3 days ( more or less, I am very flexible) on an adventure to Port Antonio. It will be a return visit for me but honestly, I remember very little from my first 5 day visit. I am looking for persons that might wish to share the adventure and the expense. The more, the merrier!
VI is the PA guru. Check out her threads. Awesome stuff
Love Portie, a great stay is Goblin Hill. So much to see and a different vibe. Have a great reach..
If I was gonna be there longer I would definitely be interested but with only 12 days, wont work this time.
Trip #59 most of February
Jitterbug and Oh Liz are very familiar,and yes VI- maybe they'll post.. PA has to be one of the most beautiful places on the island..Love it there..Different vibe ,real chill and amazing beaches ..I usually try to hang there at least 3 nites..I like Ivanhoes,right in Town (up on the hill) 2nd and 3 rd floor rooms have balconies with views to die for..rooms are very small, but well kept and innkeepers are nice-also very reasonable and just good place to base yourself while visiting the area..THat said it helps to have a car-but not mandatory....could hire a driver to take you around and they do have route taxi system but you'l be spending alot more time trying to get around that way..
" Ones destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things." (Henry Miller)
I talked today with one of my traveling partners who took part in my first Port Antonio adventure, we were there for 7 days. We spent 4 days at Bonnie View Inn ( you talk about great views) and the last three days was at Dragon Bay. I had gone to Jamaica with 3 other friends three days after I had a my tonsils removed. We first went to Negril TreeHouse for 3 days and then drove to Port Antonio. It was a most beautiful drive, as I remember, the white water from the waves splashing on the rocks exploding into the air and falling on the road. In some places there was very little road remaining, there were many "wash outs". Many locals would inquire " Where you go Mon?" .... Port Antonio...... "The road there "finished" by the last storm". In the many years that I asked about going there from folks in Ochi, I have received mostly the same response.
I remember the first morning waking up and watching a "sun up", I thought, this is the most beautiful place on the planet. ( In looking back this was not my original thought, I think it was Errol Flynn who later quipped the same thought he had when he first saw Portland from his boat)
My problem is no matter how long I stay in Negril, the real phenomenon of "Sand Gravity" allows little travel except to the cliffs. I did not know this physical problem had a name until I read it here on Negril.com and then I had the name for my ailment......but alas, there is no cure, the longer you stay the harder it is to leave for a visit. Lets face it, when you leave Negril, even if it is to go home, you are only visiting until you come back to Negril! IMO
If you really want to make sure you get to PA, go there first thing from the airport, so that Negril sand gravity doesn't bite your backside.The parish of Portland truly is one of the most beautiful places on God's green earth!
My beloved Portland has not recovered from Sandy’s visit. As of today, the majority of the district is still without electric and water. Food, water and general supplies are running low. The main roads are still impassable in some parts making necessities slow to arrive in stores.
The authorities estimate it will take 4-6 weeks before current is completely restored throughout.
I’ve been told the entire Boston Jerk Center and surrounding shops have been leveled. The road leading to Winnifred Beach is blocked by fallen trees and debris. There's more destruction...just too painful to list.
Soooo Rick, I'll keep everyone updated on the situation there, but as of now, you may want to rethink your plans to visit Port Antonio.
Last edited by *vi*; 10-30-2012 at 04:24 PM.
Thanks for your post *vi*. I was wondering when I saw this thread as I'd read that Portland had suffered a lot of damage.
Please keep us posted - thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected.
Hi Melody,
A little bit of good news. Rick, I hope you don’t mind me posting this update in your thread.
Downtown Port Antonio has power now…the stores, government buildings and schools. The residents and extended towns are still without electricity and water.
A significant part of the roof at Titchfield High School is gone making it unsafe for the students to be in there so the administration is working on holding classes outside. I think that’s fantastic. Especially with finals coming up.
There is still a cooperative calm in the night’s darkness. The people I talk to are not even stressing the situation that has lasted over a week. They are busy helping each other fix roofs, clear roads and tend to the elderly. At night, they have dinner by the light of oil lamps and count their blessings before going to sleep.
Yesterday I was told, “Vi, ackee is scarce. It’s going to be expensive when you come.”
“Oh?? How expensive?”
“Well, instead of getting a dozen for 50JA it will probably cost 100J a dozen.”
I got a big smile….”I think I can handle that.”
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