Beautiful Turks and Caicos sunset taken from Harbour Club Villas and Marina
Enjoy our beautiful sunsets on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Marta
Island Sunset
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Author Archives: marta
Humming Birds at Harbour Club Villas Part 2
The hummingbird nestlings are hungry all the time and have tripled in size.
Our little baby hummingbirds are growing so fast and are now fluffy and always hungry. Mama hummingbird spends her days flying back and forth feeding them and they fill up the nest with scarcely room for her now.
Little hummingbirds almost fill up the nest but Mama still manages to squeeze herself in.
Mama hummingbird feeding her babies
Beautiful little hummers all soft and feathery and look how they fill up the nest now.
More sweet nectar as the mother hummingbird feeds her little ones
Poolside hummingbird nest and I'm amazed at how it has survived some pretty strong winds.
Beautiful irridiscent feathering on the Bahama Woodstar hummingbird
Hungrily this little one opens up his beak just as it waits for some food.
I'm hoping I'll get to photograph them as they start trying their wings ready to fly.
The palm frond is sagging quite dramatically and turning yellow so it won’t last too much longer. Enough time though for these two little ones to start trying their wings. The nest has survived some brutally strong winds and rain plus a lot of sun making for a real hot spot with not enough shade. We did put up some shade cloth but after the wind ripped it down a couple of times, we just gave up.
Hoping to have more photos as the week goes on.
Marta
Fools Regatta 2012
The kids on their Pico's are dwarfed by the fast sailing Minx as she heads out racing to Pine Cay and back.
The first Fools Regatta was held in 1990 and the Minx was part of that first race so many years ago along with the Beluga. This year’s event brought out crowds of people even though the weather was cloudy and a tropical storm made for an exciting day in more ways than one. This year the sailing club introduced the kids to 12 Laser Picos and these have been ideal for training the islands’ younger sailors.
The Caicos Sloops were all in competition for the Tom Lightbourne trophy
Young Provo Sailing Club member watches the races.
These three little sisters were having a blast playing in the water.
Even some of our four legged friends got in on the water fun
Provo Primary Steel Band provided some lively music...those kids are amazing!
Storm clouds moving in, the water turned choppy and the winds kicked in.
The Beluga and a native Caicos Sloop racing through the waters
Awards ceremony with the lovely young presenter receiving the "fools" cap
Winners in the Caicos Sloop A Class category.....Congratulations!
Capt. Tim of the Beluga wins the Bent Prop award for his mad, heart pounding, wind forced dash towards the beach!
Another Regatta is over and this one will be remembered for it’s hurricane like abrupt end. Nonetheless, we all had a great time. Lots of sailing and racing, fun, laughter and seeing and enjoying friends. Well done everyone and the volunteer effort always amazes me. You are all stars in my book!
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
Hummingbirds at Harbour Club Villas
She built her little nest in the pygmy palm right at the entrance to the pool at Harbour Club Villas.
A Bahama Woodstar hummingbird built her tiny nest right at the entrance and walkway to the pool at Harbour Club Villas and Marina. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve walked by there and not noticed anything until that one time when I looked straight at her sitting on her nest. It is such a joy for me to be able to photograph these tiny little birds and right on our doorstep. Can’t imagine what possessed her to build a nest on a main walk through though! On May 28th morning, we discovered the nest and that same afternoon she laid her first tiny egg followed by the second a day later. Today, the second baby hummingbird hatched.
She is so tiny and has beautiful colours on her wings.
Flying in for a landing as she returns to her eggs.
Look at the irridiscent green of this little hummingbird's head and wings.
Here she is in flight.....so difficult to catch as my camera has a delayed shutter and I frequently miss those great shots.
The first little baby hummingbird hatches and it won't be long before the next one arrives.
It has been so hot and the pygmy palm is a little lacking in full on shade for the Mama hummingbird.
Note the piece of egg shell caught on the nest. She must have pecked it out so the baby birds would have room in the nest.
Can you see that she is actually standing in the nest......probably because of the heat these last two days while the eggs were hatching.
They are so tiny and ever so cute waiting for mama hummingbird to return
Feeding time for the little ones!
Perched on the side of the nest with one baby visible
A closer view of the two little hummingbird chicks and check out their soft, downy looking bottom of the nest
The proud mama hummingbird..........not too much rest for her in the days to come!
Hopefully I’ll be able to do a part 2 as the baby hummingbirds grow. I’m a little worried as the palm frond is already yellowing and has a definite downward droop to it. It’s also really hot and not an awful lot of shade.
Enjoy the photos,
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
Beach Sunset
Stunning mackerel sky as the sun hides behind the clouds on Grace Bay beach recently
A sail boat cruises by as the sun sets casting gorgeous orange shimmers on the ocean
What a picturesque evening on the beach drinking Pimm’s in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee recently.
Cheers
Marta
TCSPCA Dog Show
K.O. was a hit with his Gabbana sunglasses
What a wonderful afternoon with dogs of all shapes and sizes, potcakes and a mixture of breeds some large and some small. The fun started at 3 pm under the tent in Turtle Cove Marina. Categories for the competition were: Best Trick, Most Original Potcake, Dog Judges Would Most Like To Take Home, Looks Most Like Owner, Most Unusual Tail, Best Looking Female and Best Looking Male. There was a huge turn out of dogs and their owners as well as on lookers enjoying the day’s events.
Sweet Cookie was very timid as she took comfort in her owner's arms.
The judges are all ready to select the winners
I always look forward to Peggy's millinery stylings
Most Unusual Tail as both pup and owner strut their tail wags
Shadow doesn't seem to want to be ribboned
Oh so sweet......... One Eye Jack is a rescue and now has a caring family to love him
You can't resist such a beautiful face.......Jazz is an island potcake and you bet she gets lots of treats.
Jazz got top honours as she came in first place for the “Most Original Potcake” and second for “Best Looking Female”
Boca is an emotional support animal/therapy dog ready to help with healing those that are troubled
Heather Forbes of the Potcake Foundation was honoured for all her hard work in the dog and animal lovers community in the islands.
Donna Doran of Pampered Paws had some tough decisions to make as did all the judges
Mottlee and Mike in the "Looks Most Like Owner" categorie
Who paints a picture upside down.........amazing art work performance and show. The painting was then auctioned off.
Handsome Ben was the Top Dog in the TCSPCA dog show for 2012
What an amazing show and I’ll definitely be there next year.
Congratulations to all the winners and their two legged families. Well done to all the hard working volunteers that make this event such a hit every year……..YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
Anole Lizard
Hmm.......looks pretty good to a thirsty little anole lizard
A beautiful evening and time for cocktail hour overlooking the marina at Harbour Club Villas. An uninvited guest came to have a look but he’s been here before and I took photos of him then. He just loves to lick the moisture off the beer bottle. I’m thinking I will have to send these off to the Corona people as I think it would make a cute ad!
He wasn't afraid of me although he knew I was there.
Time for a nice cold beer, one with lots of moisture beads for this little guy to lick.
It's been so dry of late and I'm sure he enjoyed the drink.
Look at that stretch!
Hope everyone enjoyed these photos……I had fun taking them and just watching this little guy coming back time and time again to have a few licks of the beer bottle.
Marta
Sand Bubbler Crab
Look down and see the amazing art works at your feet
This fascinates me and I’m always looking down as I stroll along our Provo beaches. You’ll see those intricate balls of sand that form some wondrous patterns in the sand. I finally had to look this up and found out that it is all the works of a small crab……the Sand Bubbler Crab.
Sand bubbles created by the Sand Bubbler Crab
At low tide, the sand bubbler crabs emerge from their holes beneath the sand to gather microscopic food that the tide has brought in. They do this by collecting and sifting the sand, actually checking each grain, and rolling those parts that have nothing useful for them into little balls (sand bubbles) that they toss behind.
A little crab emerges from its burrow in the sand at low tide to search for food.
Sand bubbler crabs live in burrows in the sand, where they remain during high tide. When the tide is out, they come out on to the surface of the sand, and scour the sand for food, forming it into inflated pellets, which cover the sand and form some great designs.
Kinda looks like a palm tree to me!
Next time you are wandering on one of our beautiful beaches, take a look and see some of these intricate designs in the sand. A sand bubbler crab artist will be hiding near by just too shy to come out and take a bow!
Marta
Harbour Club Villas is a Trip Advisor winner
Harbour Club Villas and Marina is #11 in Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Award for the best service in all the Caribbean
We are delighted to announce that we have been named a winner of the 2012 Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Award in the category of Top 25 Hotels for Service in the Caribbean.
Harbour Club's unique location between Flamingo Lake and Cooper Jack Bight on the southern shores of Providenciales
This is an amazing achievement for a small tourist establishment like ours which is basically run by the two of us. I created this blog to highlight the wonders and attractions of our beautiful home islands of the Turks and Caicos and now we have been chosen among the best of the best.
Poolside surrounded by flowers and palm trees in a quiet and tranquil setting
It shows that you don’t have to be BIG or on Grace Bay to be recognized as a great place to book your vacation when visiting Provo. We were voted in at number eleven of the top 25 Hotels of the Caribbean this year and best of all, the award was for exceptional service to our guests. Our guests are all like friends and this award is coming from those who know us best, our travelers and visitors that have posted unbiased reviews of their vacations in our villas and their stays at Harbour Club. Many of our guests are repeat friends now and come back year after year.
The Travelers’ Choice Award given out by Trip Advisor is based on the opinions and reviews of millions of travelers and awarded to only a few, select hotels and establishments. Harbour Club Villas and Marina is now one of these stand out and distinctive properties. A great achievement for such a small vacation villa rental establishment.
Six, one bedroom villas that are perfect for couples or family groups.........rent one villa or all of them for that relaxing holiday you've always wanted
This hidden gem of an idyllic spot is both central and yet quiet, great for bonefishing and divers, built in 1998 on the southern shore of Providenciales. A local architect, local contractors and local stone
workers were all instrumental in building what you see standing today overlooking Flamingo Lake. An intimate cluster of six, one bedroom villas, a pool and gazebo, a marina with several dive companies close by including Ocean Vibes, Flamingo Divers and Caicos Adventures.
Harbour Club's Marina where dive boats head off daily for the dive sites out at West Caicos and French Cay
Let me show you through our six villa estate through more of my photos and don’t forget that we’ll arrange everything for you so that all you need do is relax and enjoy your vacation home away from home.
Spacious and open living room with all the comforts of your own villa accommodation
Large living room with dining area and a fully equipped kitchen.
Just perfect........have a bite to eat overlooking Flamingo Lake where you can often see bonefish tailing
all the bedrooms have comfortable queen sized beds and also the villas have sofa beds for additional guests
All villas are screened and have louvered windows for the cooling island breezes and fans throughout.
Many of our guests come for bonefishing in the lakes by Harbour Club Villas and we'll point you in the right direction giving our guests all kinds of tips as to where to go.
Flamingo Lake at sunset is absolutely spectacular......bonefishing can be great just before dusk.
Our gazebo by the pool is great for barbecues and meeting other guests
Have a dip in the pool or just relax while reading a book......Harbour Club has it all
Let us book some scuba diving for you..........it's just a short walk down to Harbour Club's Marina where dive boats are moored.
Each villa has its own patio.........grab your morning coffee and enjoy the view
Let us help you arrange your special wedding day...Harbour Club Villas can accommodate smaller groups of up to 24 people
We've had many beautiful brides at our villas. Contact Marta and I'll help you with all the planning for that special island beach wedding in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Here’s hoping we’ll see you in the not so distant future. We’ll help you make all the arrangements whether it be a special occasion getaway for two, honeymoon, anniversary, a bonefishing package or a group gathering for that wedding or scuba dive island holiday. Let us know what you would like and we’ll take it from there so that you only have to think about the great vacation to come. Contact us ……… Marta and Barry through our websites at:
www.harbourclubvillas.com info on our villas.
www.cloudnine.tc wedding and group information.
www.bonefishing.tc bonefishing and fishing site including bonefishing packages with a local island guide.
www.diving.tc information on scuba diving, guest diving comments and dive sites in the Turks and Caicos.
Come join us and enjoy a peaceful vacation in our tropical island paradise.
Marta and Barry
Tarpon On the Fly
Wow.........Lenny caught himself a beauty! This tarpon was at least 35 pounds.
Harbour Club Villa guest Lenny Mokan spotted tarpon on his bonefishing trip recently. He wasn’t rigged for tarpon and was broken off twice before rigging a heavier line.
Here's a nice bonefish.........Darin's amazing at spotting and finding fish
The rod bent double and the tarpon performed a great aerial display
Darin holds up the tarpon......what a great fish!
Lenny gently releases his first tarpon all 35 pounds of it!
Way to go Lenny!
Lenny's going to mount the fly when he frames up his best tarpon photo.
Check out Harbour Club Villas’ bonefishing packages and just like Lenny, you too can fish the endless flats off Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Hope to see you soon…the fishing is GREAT.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com