Author Archives: marta

Times of the Island

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Here we are............my FIRST magazine cover!

Here we are............my FIRST magazine cover!

I’m so thrilled with achieving one of my goals………..to get a cover photo on the Times of the Island magazine. I had to send this photo to Kathy (the editor) as I thought it was pretty good especially with the stunning reflections on the waters of Flamingo Lake right beside our villas. Kathy phoned me to say that they wanted to use my photo in the Winter 2009-2010 edition of the magazine. So pick up your copy of The Times of the Island while you are here on Provo. The articles are always interesting and I’m sure you will enjoy reading them along with some great photography.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Orchids

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Orchids blooming with the marina entrance in the background.

Orchids blooming with the marina entrance in the background.

This Tall Encyclia orchid was growing on the rock ridge overlooking the entrance to our marina. The days have been so gloomy and so I decided to see if the rain had made our local plants bloom. The Encyclia Altissima orchids are growing all over and flowering at this time of year. This one was quite showy with vivid purple striped lines on its petals.

The Marina channel and Cooper Jack Bight were perfectly calm creating a pastel backdrop of colours as the sun tried to break through the clouds.

The Marina channel and Cooper Jack Bight were perfectly calm creating a pastel backdrop of colours as the sun tried to break through the clouds.

We have been waiting for days to see the sunshine and today was the day……….and it lasted all day!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Leeward Beach on a cloudy day

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Sea oats and weathered deck chairs with a backdrop of soft pastel shades on a cloudy day out at Leeward beach.

Sea oats and weathered deck chairs with a backdrop of soft pastel shades on a cloudy day out at Leeward beach.

We haven’t seen much sunshine here in the Turks and Caicos Islands this week but photos such as this one will show you that no matter what the weather, the water and the beaches are always spectacular.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Wild Potato Vine

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Every year before Christmas, I watch for the Ipomoea vine growing in the bush.

Every year before Christmas, I watch for the Ipomoea vine growing in the bush.

Finally, after weeks of looking I spotted this showy, red flowering vine on my neighbour’s property. I’ve been watching out for the Ipomoea vine also known as the Christmas vine and or Wild Potato. I’m thinking this last week has been rainy and cool and all of a sudden, I’ve noticed bright splashes of red adorning the tree tops and in this case, on a Poisonwood tree. Perhaps the rains coaxed the blossoms to open.

A brilliant red flower and a mass of buds on this Ipomoea vine.

A brilliant red flower and a mass of buds on this Ipomoea vine.

Usually, the Ipomoea blooms for the holiday season starting in October but as I said, I saw my first one only the other day while travelling down Venetian Road.  I wandered over onto my neighbour’s property this afternoon to take pictures of  orchids and found this Wild Potato growing on a tall poison wood……a little difficult to photograph as I didn’t want to touch the poisonwood.

The Ipomoea grows throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and is one of the prettiest with brilliant red flowers.

The Ipomoea grows throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and is one of the prettiest with brilliant red flowers.

Watch for these flowering vines as you travel the roads of Provo…….it’s impossible to miss with those bright red flowers that stand out amongst the green foliage.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Ruddy Turnstones at Sharkbite

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This little Ruddy Turnstone dropped by for tidbits while we were having lunch at the Sharkbite.

This little Ruddy Turnstone dropped by for tidbits while we were having lunch at the Sharkbite.

Lunch at the Sharkbite in Turtle Cove Marina is always interesting……….the Ruddy Turnstones create quite a show as they vie for the choicest bits from the lunch time crowd and at night, you’ll be lucky to catch sight of the “resident” bull shark that hangs out looking for food.

Lined up all in a row along the ledge of the Sharkbite Restaurant's deck.

Lined up all in a row along the ledge of the Sharkbite Restaurant's deck.

Ruddy Turnstones are a common visitor to our shores and some are even year round residents. They seem to love the Turtle Cove area but then you can hardly blame them especially with such a variety of great restaurants with an easy food supply. They become habituated and really, we shoudn’t be feeding them but it happens everywhere……..ie. the gophers or ground squirrels at the buffalo paddocks in Banff were always such roly poly fat little things from all the visitors feeding them.

Birdwatchers can see the Ruddy Turnstone almost anywhere especially in Turtle Cove.

Birdwatchers can see the Ruddy Turnstone almost anywhere especially in Turtle Cove.

Drop by the restaurants in Turtle Cove on your next holiday on Provo. Lunch was great at the Sharkbite……..some of the best conch chowder I’ve ever tasted!!

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Christmas Beach Baby

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Christmas wishes and flowers to Oma and Opa in Germany from their little munchkin

Christmas wishes and flowers to Oma and Opa in Germany from their little munchkin

We took little Malaika down to the beach close to Harbour Club Villas. She loves to play in the sand and even though the weather today was a little overcast, it was Christmas picture perfect! The light was gentle as she crawled all over the sand as we tried to get her to forget the santa hat.

Red hibiscus and a red Santa hat as Malaika enjoyed the sand at the beach

Red hibiscus and a red Santa hat as Malaika enjoyed the sand at the beach

There was no one else on this little beach as we tried to get Malaika to smile and laugh for the photo……she was just too busy with the flowers.

I managed to get a huge smile as she waved the Christmas star back and forth to catch the breeze.

I managed to get a huge smile as she waved the Christmas star back and forth to catch the breeze.

 

Christmas wishes to all.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Christmas Potcake

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Here's Ava the potcake pup that was adopted recently by our guests at Harbour Club

Here's Ava the potcake pup that was adopted recently by our guests at Harbour Club

We received recent photos from Joe and Christen of their little Potcake named Ava that they adopted in November while here on their honeymoon. Jo writes “Ava is an utter joy and we couldn’t be happier with her. She’s the best souvenir I’ve ever brought home from a trip.  Attached you’ll find some recent photos, including her about to eat a Christmas ball, her donning her fancy jingle-bell collar, and her first romp in the snow (we’re supposed to get 2 feet tonight). EVERYONE loves our dog and she’s as friendly as could be.

Here's Ava with her "jingle bell" collar and just waiting to see what goodies Santa will bring her.

Here's Ava with her "jingle bell" collar and just waiting to see what goodies Santa will bring her.

Please, if you are able to help in any way……. contact Jane at Potcake Place, the fine potcake friends at the Turks and Caicos SPCA or call me at 1 8666 456 0210. They are always looking for people to take potcakes to Canada or the USA to join their new “forever” families. Adopt one if you can or make a donation towards the fostering and care of these little puppies. Thanks to Joe and Christen, Ava is one happy puppy who’ll spend her first Christmas surrounded by the warmth and love of her new family.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Christmas Wild Poinsettia

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Wild Poinsettias grow throughout the islands.

Wild Poinsettias grow throughout the islands and we're fortunate to be able to see them growing wild.

The wild poinsettia is found throughout our islands. It has leaves that are shaped like a lance and are often tipped with a deep red towards the centre. This cluster of red leaves gives the impression of a flower but the actual flower is found at the centre and in the photo the flowers have grown into green seed pods. Poinsettias are a favourite at Christmas time and many will buy the cultivated variety.
A floral bouquet of wild poinsettias and wild plumeria or frangipani in the gardens of Harbour Club Villas.

A floral bouquet of wild poinsettias and wild plumeria or frangipani in the gardens of Harbour Club Villas.

These beautiful wild flowers are found growing wild almost everywhere you go. The milky sap from the poinsettia is used as bush medicine and is a remedy for warts and corns.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com