Diplo’s Port Antonio, Jamaica

Diplo, born Thomas Wesley Pentz, fell in love with Jamaica, notably its Portland parish on the northeast coast, almost 20 years in the past. “I used to be D. J.ing on a cruise ship, acquired off in Ocho Rios, and drove by way of Port Antonio to get to Kingston,” mentioned the multiple-Grammy nominee and winner who has collaborated with Dua Lipa, Sturgil Simpson, Snoop Dogg, Shakira, Bad Bunny and numerous different musicians. “Portland is form of like Costa Rica, all jungly and waterfalls. And Port Antonio is that this quaint little city the place I’d go on a form of retreat, “Mr. Pentz added. About eight years in the past he purchased some farmland and constructed a home there.

Mr. Pentz thinks Port Antonio is a calmer choice than Ocho Rios or different well-liked vacationer spots on Jamaica for individuals who take pleasure in nature, mountain climbing, waterfalls and, after all, seashores. It’s additionally for individuals who search a extra genuine expertise. “It’s the form of metropolis the place you’re mixing with the locals, and I feel that’s what particular about it,” he mentioned.

Born in Mississippi and raised in Florida, Mr. Pentz has traveled extensively and D.J.ed on each continent, together with Antarctica. A livestream of his D.J. set there, which befell on the helipad of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Voyager, was posted on YouTube in January.

Recently, Mr. Pentz has change into a runner. He ran the Los Angeles marathon and competed within the Malibu Triathlon, however discovered that one thing was lacking from the expertise: a post-run celebration. So, he launched Diplo’s Run Club, a collection of 5K runs — the inaugural occasions happen this fall in Seattle and San Francisco — culminating in afterparties, with D.J. units from Diplo and buddies, on the end line. When he’s not working or touring for work, he spends time at his house in Jamaica.

Here are 5 of his favourite locations in and round Port Antonio.

1. Geejam Hotel

When Mr. Pentz first began coming to Port Antonio, he would typically hang around and work on music at Geejam, a boutique resort set on six acres of tropical rainforest on the fringe of the Caribbean. “It was constructed as a form of studio for Kingston artists and singers,” he mentioned, and it continues to draw artists and Hollywood sorts, in addition to Jamaicans from different parishes who examine in for staycations. “You’ll typically see somebody like Shawn Mendes or different artists who is likely to be recording within the studio,” he mentioned. The resort, which has entry to Frenchman’s Cove, a white sand seaside, has massive villas, cozy cabins tucked into the jungle and a predominant constructing with a dozen rooms. “It feels world class however has a backpacker vibe on the identical time. There’s even a mushroom dispensary within the foyer,” he added, mentioning that psychedelics usually are not unlawful on the island.

On Jamaica’s longest river, the Rio Grande, bamboo rafts have been as soon as used to move bananas from the inside of Portland to the coast for export. These days, locals and vacationers alike guide a rafting journey for a leisurely technique to soak in the fantastic thing about the island’s wildlife. “The water’s not very deep, possibly waist excessive, and you will get out anyplace you need and swim a little bit,” mentioned Mr. Pentz. “What I like about it’s that midway by way of the trip you cease at this seaside and there’s a tremendous restaurant, Belinda’s, the place you will get all these native dishes and a Red Stripe for lunch, and simply hang around. Then you get again on the raft and hold going.”

Natural Mystic Bar & Lounge is in a neighborhood of Port Antonio known as Drapers. “One night time every week this Italian man and his spouse and buddies play information,” mentioned Mr. Pentz, referring to the organizer Enrico Vicari. “They carry out their previous 45s and their large audio system and it’s like a dance off, a giant party on the street.” Mr. Pentz typically stops by to D.J. when he’s on the town. “Loads of expats dwell in Portland and on Sundays there’s a pleasant mixture of native households, Rastas and European vacationers who go there to bounce and take heed to old style reggae music. It goes from sundown till round two within the morning.”

“You can’t eat something extra quintessentially Jamaican than jerk rooster — and Piggy’s has the most effective in Port Antonio,” mentioned Mr. Pentz. Even the newest 007 himself, the actor Daniel Craig, would most likely agree. During the filming of “No Time to Die,” the solid and crew would typically hang around at this tiny eatery in Market Square within the heart of Port Antonio. When the unique restaurant burned in a fireplace, Mr. Craig and his buddies raised funds to assist rebuild it. “It’s an important place to eat some scrumptious meals and hang around with the locals,” mentioned Mr. Pentz. “I ensure that to cease by at the least as soon as each time I’m on the town.”

5. Boston Bay

Considered the birthplace of spicy jerk seasoning, Boston Bay is a city with a skate park and fairly bay that’s house to one of many solely surf spots in Jamaica. It’s additionally house to Boston Jerk Center, a group of open-air meals stalls focusing on jerk cooking. “There’s possibly eight completely different eating places and a few serve the most effective jerk pork or jerk rooster, some have jerk greens,” mentioned Mr. Pentz, who recommends getting your meals to go and discovering a spot at Boston Beach to look at the surfers. “You can lease a board and take a lesson. When I’m on the town, that is the place I surf.”

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