Author Archives: marta

Potcakes

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I have a new Mommy and Daddy!!!!! I'm so excited and so are they.

I have a new Mommy and Daddy!!!!! I'm so excited and so are they.

Today was an exciting day for our honeymoon guests Christen and Joe. They had corresponded with the amazing volunteers at Potcake Place and filled out application forms to adopt one of these precious little potcakes. Jane, the founder of Potcake Place brought the pups over to Harbour Club Villas to introduce them to each other and for a little play/get acquainted session.

Potcakes need your help so that they can be placed in a wonderful "forever home" with a loving family.

Potcakes need your help so that they can be placed in a wonderful "forever home" with a loving family.

I honestly don’t know how it’s possible not to love these little charmers and then to have to choose. Ono will find a loving family to call home too.  

Here's Ono with her sweet little face and crooked ear.

Here's Ono with her sweet little face and crooked ear.

Christen and Joe couldn’t resist the  playful nature of a potcake puppy that they’ve already named Ava………Joe tells us she’s named after an Ava fishing jig. Joe’s passionate about his fishing and what could be better than a honeymoon in the Turks and Caicos, some bonefishing and wading in Turtle and Flamingo Lakes, a new family member called Ava and don’t forget some snorkeling for Christen too!! 

Ava gets a cuddle from Jane.

Ava gets a cuddle from Jane.

There are several ways in which you can help:   Volunteers are needed to carry potcakes to their new owners so if your flying from Provo to Canada or the States, please contact Jane at Potcake Place. Please give what you can as all the donations go towards fostering the puppies. Most importantly, if you can adopt a potcake and give it all the love and attention it deserves, just call me 1 866 456 0210 or email us and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Happiness is a new life full of love, laughter and Ava!!!!

Our wish for you......Happiness is a new life together full of love, laughter, sunshine and a potcake puppy named Ava!!!!

If you can be a courier, adopt or make a donation contact the Potcake Foundation and  PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

 

 

 

Bouganvillea and Praying Mantis

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I'm sure I spent over an hour taking photos of this Praying Mantis on a bouganvillea.

I'm sure I spent over an hour taking photos of this Praying Mantis on a bouganvillea.

Here's a close up of the praying mantis and the white flower of the bouganvillea.

Here's a close up of the praying mantis and the white flower of the bouganvillea.

Bouganvillea comes in such a variety of colours and the deep pink or fushia is one of my favourites.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Flamingo Lake Reflections

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Flamingo Lake was at its stunning best today .... flat calm with a mirror image reflection.

Flamingo Lake was at its stunning best today .... flat calm with a mirror image reflection.

I glanced out at the lake late this afternoon and the reflections in the calm waters took my breath away. I grabbed my camera and didn’t even have a chance to tell Barry where I was going. The ripples and the colours kept changing as the sun started to sink over the hill to the right of our villas at Harbour Club.

The sun started to set and tinged everything with an orangey glow

The sun started to set and tinged everything with an orangey glow

As I walked along the road the water was churning………….”nervous water” as the fishermen call it. The bonefish were tailing and rippling up the calm on Flamingo Lake.

The bonefish were tailing and rippling the surface of Flamingo Lake

The bonefish were tailing and rippling the surface of Flamingo Lake

In the foreground of the photo you can see all the circles and ripples created by tailing bonefish.

I zoomed in on this photo which does show a definite bonefish shape.

I zoomed in on this photo which does show a definite bonefish shape.

For all you bonefishing enthusiasts out there, fishing would have been great this evening. Our guests at Harbour Club Villas can just walk across the road and into the lake. We see bonefish tailing all the time and you can watch from your villa windows.

Bonefishing is great in the lakes by Harbour Club as well as the flats. Come on down and join us.

 

Tight lines!!

 

Marta

 

http://www.bonefishing.tc

Lionfish in the Turks and Caicos Islands

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Beautiful and colourful but a disastrous predator eating juvenile fish on Turks and Caicos Islands reefs.

Beautiful and colourful but a disastrous predator eating juvenile fish on Turks and Caicos Islands reefs.

Lionfish are also known as Turkey fish, Dragon fish or scorpion fish and they are now a serious threat to our coral reefs and surrounding waters here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If left to their own devices, lionfish could multiply in number into the millions eating up all marine life on the reef and then move into shallower waters where they will find conch and lobster. They are an extremely invasive species.

A snuba gal comes face to face with a Lionfish and Jodi from Snuba TCI snapped this great photo.

A snuba gal comes face to face with a Lionfish and Jodi from Snuba TCI snapped this great photo.

In June of 2009, Jodi and Snuba TCI donated $1200.00 worth of Lionfish catching gear….nets, gloves and collecting bags and gave it to the DECR on Provo. Jodi has caught at least 18 Lionfish on the Bight Reef at Coral Gardens also known as the White House Reef. I believe the first Lionfish sighted way back in 2006 was in this area. Today, all the dive operators are taking up the battle to catch any Lionfish they see out at the dive sites.

Lionfish have up to 18 needle like dorsal fins which contain venom purely for defensive purposes.

Lionfish have up to 18 needle like dorsal fins which contain venom purely for defensive purposes.

Lionfish are not poisonous but their spines are venomous and can cause a nasty sting to humans. They rely on lightening quick reflexes and camouflage to catch their prey.  They are a perfectly safe and delicious food fish once the fins have been removed. What remains is a tasty filet that’s as good as grouper according to some. The DECR has launched a 12 month long lionfish tournament which will award $3,000.00 to the first fisherman to record 3,000 lionfish catches.

Lionfish will hopefully be added to the menu at many of our islands' restaurants.

Lionfish will hopefully be added to the menu at many of our islands' restaurants.

Here’s what you can do to help:  Ask for lionfish at your favourite restaurants. Ask Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers or Jodi to show you how to catch them (other island dive operators can show you too). Join REEF and give a donation towards their research or just by collecting data on lionfish when you dive.

Thanks once again to Jodi of Snuba TCI and Jayne of Flamingo Divers for such great photos of Lionfish.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Tiki Hut Halloween

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A pretty lady bug and a scarey witch with skeleton hands.

A pretty lady bug and a scarey witch with skeleton hands.

When Doug Camozzi puts on a Halloween party, it’s the only place to be especially since Michael Jackson and Elvis were sighted. The parking lot by the Tiki Hut was full of bumble bees, pirates, fairies, monsters, princesses and others too numerous to mention. Even Dorothy (aka Chevette) was there and took a break to sit on Scarecrow’s knee!

Michael was joined by some of his scary friends.

Michael was joined by some of his scary friends.

Dorothy and pumpkin Scarecrow made a lovely couple

Dorothy and pumpkin Scarecrow made a lovely couple

I’ve never seen so many colourful, imaginative costumes and so many people were dressed up from 10 week old baby fairies to toga clad Caesars and we all thought “Nicky Nicolette” had simply the most gorgeous legs!  Corey Forbes and friend provided Caribbean music, there were face painters decorating kids’ faces, the jumping castles for the kids along with an assortment of games and of course delicious food……..a grand buffet or burgers and fries served up by the great Tiki Hut staff . Drinks were over flowing too!

This gory and gastly duo were enough to scare everyone away

This gory and gastly duo were enough to scare everyone away

 

It's a family fun affair for kids of all ages big and little too.

It's a family fun affair for kids of all ages big and little too.

Lil' Miss Glamour gal with her splendid hat was a hit.

Lil' Miss Glamour gal with her splendid hat was a hit.

These two little munchkins were so adorable and cute

These two little munchkins were so adorable and cute

Even little babies got into the fun of the night.......she's so precious!

Even little babies got into the fun of the night.......she's so precious!

This couple dressed in Roman togas ate grapes and waved cooling fans

This couple dressed in Roman togas ate grapes and waved cooling fans

Contrary to rumours, Nicolette and Jungle Man/Tarzan did not arrive at the party together

Contrary to rumours, Nicolette and Jungle Man/Tarzan did not arrive at the party together

 

No we're not the three Musketeers!!!

No we're not the three Musketeers!!!

Doug, in costume, sure knows how to throw the best parties.

It's Doug under that costume and he sure knows how to throw the best parties.

Well guys, if you weren’t at the Tiki Hut this evening you missed out on all the fun! Thanks Doug and all the  Tiki Hut helpers. We’re going to be there for sure next year and I can’t wait. I have so many more photos but can’t post them all. Be sure to head down to the Tiki Hut in Turtle Cove for lunch or dinner………great specials of the day, great food and even greater friendly staff and service.

See you there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Island Halloween

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!!  Tonight’s the night that the little gremlins will be out and about. Head down to the Tiki Hut for the island’s biggest and oldest Halloween party.

Our daughter (she's 29 now) dressed up as a scarey witch.

Our daughter (she's 29 now) dressed up as a scarey witch.

Ania says “Admit that he is the cutest thing ever Dad….. Well, let’s be honest, he’s not as cute as me but he comes a close second!!!! See our Grand-puppy below!!!!

Kona skunk is just bored with the whole affair.

Kona skunk is just bored with the whole affair.

Aren't I cute!!!!

Aren't I cute!!!!

And one more photo of Kona……………..

Look at me.............too cute hey Barry??

Look at me.............too cute hey Barry??

Barry’s comment was “That girl has too much time on her hands sending dress up photos of her dog.”

Have a great Halloween.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Coconuts

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Our godson Olique picks his first coconut that he wants to have a taste of.

Our godson Olique picks his first coconut that he wants to have a taste of.

It amazes me at how many of our guests at Harbour Club Villas have never tasted fresh coconut right off the tree. Back home, they are used to seeing a small brown nut with really hard white coconut inside and very little milk.

Barry uses his machete to cut away the fibrous husk surrounding the coconut.

Barry uses his machete to cut away the fibrous husk surrounding the coconut.

We had Olique over one day and Barry picked the coconut he wanted from off one of our coconut palms. One of our guests who was Korean, I believe, showed Barry how to cut away the fibrous husk to reveal the top end of the nut. He used to just hack into it and use his drill to make holes in the nut so we could drink the milk through a straw. Of course some rum needs to be added and a ” fresh from the tree” drink resulted. Wow, what a person won’t do to get a taste of fresh coconut milk!

Olique has his first taste of coconut milk............hmm.....not too sure about it!

Olique has his first taste of coconut milk............hmm.....not too sure about it!

I remember when living in Castries, St Lucia, my mother used to head to the market in the early mornings to “fight over” fresh green and young coconuts. These were the not fully formed ones with a delicious jelly inside and lots of milk. Still to this day, I love those young coconuts with jelly inside.

I think I like eating coconut now.

I think I like eating coconut now.

Coconut palms do not grow here naturally but were brought and introduced to the Turks and Caicos Islands. I’m not sure about the tall ones in Blue Hills as they might have been washed ashore at some point and just ended up sprouting.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com