Author Archives: marta

TCSPCA Dog Show

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I know I'm going to get doggie treats for this smile!!!!

I know I'm going to get doggie treats for this smile!!!!

What a great event ………. every year I  look forward to it and head down to Turtle Cove Marina. This year’s Turks and Caicos SPCA dog show was bigger and better than ever.

This little guy was four months old with a mind of his own (the potcake I mean)

This little guy was four months old with a mind of his own (the potcake I mean)

Lil'Bug just didn't want to negotiate the tunnel on the obstacle course. Look at the cute pink bows.

Lil'Bug just didn't want to negotiate the tunnel on the obstacle course. Look at the cute pink bows.

Too cute for words........the winners of the owner and dog look a like contest

Too cute for words........the winners of the owner and dog look a like contest

This duo posed for lots of photos

This duo posed for lots of photos

The end of the obstacle course required going through these canine jaws

The end of the obstacle course required going through these canine jaws

Who can resist a loveable face like this????

Who can resist a loveable face like this????

On your next visit to Provo, stop by and see if there’s any way you can help the Turks and Caicos SPCA. They do such good work and perhaps you can contribute by giving a donation.

Keep those tails wagging!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

North West Point Walk Part 2

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Here's the pelican gobbling up a fish while the seagull hovers waiting to snatch a tasty morsel.

Here's the pelican gobbling up a fish while the seagull hovers waiting to snatch a tasty morsel.

We stopped to sit for a while and take in the view of the waves breaking on the shore. You can just make out the Amanyara resort way down at the end of the coastline.

Pat takes a break and just above her head you can make out the Amanyara Resort

Pat takes a break and way past her at the other end, you can make out the Amanyara Resort

As we walked along the beach towards Malcolm Roads and the Amanyara, I came across something just lying there in the sand. It was an egg and the best I could come up with on the internet was that it looks like a sandpiper egg. This would make sense and most of the birds we saw were Ruddy Turnstones, a common visitor here to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This egg was just laying there in the sand. It had black, brown and greyish markings.

This egg was just laying there in the sand. It had black, brown and greyish markings.

Here's a Ruddy Turnstone. It's fun to watch them scurrying about along the sand and rocks

Here's a Ruddy Turnstone. It's fun to watch them scurrying about along the sand and rocks

Once we got onto Malcolm Roads beach we were ready to hit the water. We had such fun riding the waves and playing in the surf.

Yogi disappears in the surf and all that can be seen are his legs and feet.

Yogi disappears in the surf and all that can be seen are his legs and feet.

Pat enjoying the breaking waves

Pat enjoying the breaking waves

 

What a great way to end the day………….playing in the waves as they came crashing into the beach at Malcolm Roads.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

North West Point Walk

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The road was washed out in two spots...............quite deep too but we pushed on through to explore and find this new beach.

The road was washed out in two spots……………quite deep too but we pushed on through to explore and find this new beach.

Yesterday we set off to explore a beach along the North West Point coast line that we’ve never been to but had heard about from some of our recent Harbour Club Villas guests. We had turned around the day before as it was getting dark and we didn’t know how deep the washed out part of the road was.

Wow! A spectacular rocky shoreline with powdery sand beaches

Wow! A spectacular rocky shoreline with powdery sand beaches

This stretch of beach is between the North West Point and Malcolm Roads beach and we basically walked the beach in both directions. There are some great dive sites off this beach and two of them are named Shark Hotel and Black Coral Forest.

Typical vegetation of the area including this beautiful Cactus Tree just starting to bloom.

Typical vegetation of the area including this beautiful Cactus Tree, Consolea nashii, ( locally called horse pear) just starting to bloom.

We watched a pelican being harrassed by sea gulls as it skimmed and dove into the water catching fish. The gulls would literally sit on top of the pelican in hopes of stealing a tasty morsel of fish.

I'm not sure how well you can make this out but the seagull was dancing on the pelicans head

I’m not sure how well you can make this out but the seagull was dancing on the pelicans head

I’ll post more tomorrow as we had such a great time seeing this part of Provo. It was our first trip out here and I’m sure we’ll return many more times.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Osprey

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An osprey on our walk out along the beach to the North West Point

An osprey on our walk out along the beach to the North West Point

We went for a long walk along the beach towards the North West Point where we spotted a magnificent osprey. He had just caught a fish which is what they feed on exclusively.

Ospreys will soar along the coast line as they search for ripples made by fish

Ospreys will soar along the coast line as they search for ripples made by fish

The osprey is found throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands where it is a year round resident. Every time we head out to the North West Point, we always see them. This time, I managed to get up fairly close and was happy at how well the photos turned out.

A great beach for beachcombing and an added bonus was to see this osprey.

A great beach for beachcombing and an added bonus was to see this osprey.

The osprey was a little agitated as I got closer and he didn't want to stop feeding on the fish

The osprey was a little agitated as I got closer and he didn't want to stop feeding on the fish

The osprey that breed in the Turks and Caicos Islands are a distinct sub-species that have a faint stripe behind the eye. Ospreys that are not from the region have a pronounced black stripe. If you enjoy bird watching you’ll definitely see ospreys as you wander some of the beaches.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Fool’s Regatta 2009

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The kids had such fun racing handmade rafts down at the new Bight Park

The kids had such fun racing handmade rafts down at the new Bight Park

Barry and I headed down after three to take in the festivities at the annual Fool’s Regatta on Saturday. It is always such fun and this year the emphasis was on the kids. Food and drinks along with boat races, tug o’ war, hobie wave racing and a couple of beautiful caicos sloops.

Exhausted after paddling hard in the raft race to get to the finish!

Exhausted after paddling hard in the raft race to get to the finish!

The proceeds from this year’s Regatta went to the Volunteer Fire Fighters and the new National Sailing Centre.

Guess what this little fellow is going to be when he grows up?

Guess what this little fellow is going to be when he grows up?

We watched the exciting Hobie Waves racing and each one had to have a child on board.

We watched the exciting Hobie Waves racing and each one had to have a child on board.

The fire fighters team in the tug o' war............the rope broke three times until someone went and found a less weather beaten rope

The fire fighters team in the tug o' war............the rope broke three times until someone went and found a less weather beaten rope

North Caicos was well represented by this beutiful Caicos Sloop called Messenger II

North Caicos was well represented by this beautiful Caicos Sloop called Messenger II

Such a fun day………lots of sunshine, great events to watch and best of all we ran into people we hadn’t seen in a while. A time to relax with friends and just enjoy a great day at the beach. We’ll be sure to see you at the Fool’s Regatta in June of next year.

See you then!

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Barry’s Birthday

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We spent a great afternoon on and in the water to celebrate Barry's birthday today along with visiting friends from Banff.

We spent a great afternoon on and in the water to celebrate Barry's birthday today along with visiting friends from Banff.

The water today was like a bathtub and we spent hours out at Osprey Rock and stopped at Taylor Bay on the way back.

Pelicans kept dive bombing right infront of us at Osprey Rock. What a show they put on!

Pelicans kept dive bombing right infront of us at Osprey Rock. What a show they put on!

A beautiful sunset at the entrance to Discovery Bay canals and Harbour Club's Marina

A beautiful sunset at the entrance to Discovery Bay canals and Harbour Club's Marina

Another beautiful day on the water spent with good friends……….you just can’t beat it!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Night Heron

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Night Heron on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Last night we had a late night visitor at Harbour Club Villas.......this Yellow-crowned Night Heron surprised our guests.

This heron is frequently seen in the Turks and Caicos Islands and its main food is land crabs. I think the one at the villas roosts in one of our neem trees as he has surprised us several times. On one of my trips out to Blue Hills it was low tide and I spotted a Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Apparently they will go into the sea at low tide in search of marine crabs.
Low tide at Blue Hills shows a night heron searching for something to eat.

Low tide at Blue Hills shows a night heron searching for something to eat.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is usually grey with prominent black and white head. It is primarily nocturnal but as you can see from the photo, they will come out during the day and stalk their prey. 
Close up of a night heron.............the tide was out and he was probably looking for crabs.

Close up of a night heron.............the tide was out and he was probably looking for crabs.

On your next visit to Provo, keep your eyes open as you are sure to see a variety of birds.  Birdwatching is great in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com 

Atabeyra Wedding

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Congratulations to Isa and Chris who were married on board the good ship Atabeyra yesterday.

Congratulations to Isa and Chris who were married on board the good ship Atabeyra yesterday.

Congratulations to Isa and Chris who were married yesterday.  A great wedding day……… it was pretty hot as Isa and Chris posed for some photos in the shaded and slightly cooler driveway at Harbour Club Villas. Family came from Brazil, Spain and the USA for this special occasion.

Smiling bride and groom before heading off with family and friends for the wedding.

Smiling bride and groom before heading off with family and friends for the wedding.

After much emailing back and forth, the decision was,  to be married at sea onboard the S/V Atabeyra with Captain Dave and his crew. This beautiful old vessel is a traditionally rigged trading schooner that has been refurbished and now does charters. I like to call it a rum runner (a romantic ring to it!!) as it used to ply back and forth between the Turks and Caicos Islands and Hispaniola carrying rum, beer and produce.

Here's my favourite photo of the Atabeyra.....we've had many a great trip with Capt. Dave over the years.

Here's my favourite photo of the Atabeyra.....we've had many a great trip with Capt. Dave over the years.

Claudio, the bride’s father, is a photo journalist and I will ask if I can post some of his great wedding photos taken on board during the wedding ceremony with Pastor Coleby of the Healing Waters Ministry here on Provo.

Gabriel, Isa's son sits for a moment as we try and coax a smile out of him. Gabriel had had more than enough of the picture taking.

Gabriel, Isa's son sits for a moment as we try and coax a smile out of him. Gabriel had had more than enough of the picture taking.

There’s so many wedding options here in the Turks and Caicos Islands and sailing off into the sunset, a wedding at sea is one of them and very romantic too.  Give me a call at Harbour Club Villas and we’ll give you some ideas and lots of information on having your wedding in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Congratulations Isa and Chris.

Marta

 

http://www.cloudnine.tc

Flamingo sunset

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A solitary flamingo at sunset with the reflexion of the clouds in the waters of Flamingo Lake

A solitary flamingo at sunset with the reflection of the clouds in the waters of Flamingo Lake

What a sight………the sun setting behind a new house being built on the lake and a lone flamingo. A glittering pathway of  shimmering gold appeared on the surface of Flamingo Lake while the reflexion of the clouds made for a truly spectacular moment. I had seen the flamingos close to the water’s edge and grabbed one of our Brazilian guests who is a photo journalist and off we went to capture these shots. As soon as we arrived, the two flamingos headed further out on the lake.

Flamingo silhouette with the warm colours of another spectacular Provo sunset

Flamingo silhouette with the warm colours of another spectacular Provo sunset

Hope you get to see flamingos on your next visit to our beautiful islands.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Chad loves fishing

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The last time I shot a photo of Chad was in 2003.......he told me the sun had bleached his hair!!!

The last time I shot a photo of Chad was in 2003.......he told me the sun had bleached his hair!!!

I had to go through my photo files to come up with this photo taken out at the old Leeward Marina in 2003. Quite a difference in the size of fish and I guess Chad has vastly improved on the size of the fish caught. In the 2003 photo there was only enough fish for a bit of sushi. The Dorado caught by Chuckee 11 at the Caicos Classic was at least 30 lbs.

Don’t forget next year’s Caicos Classic tournament will be held again in June.

Marta

 

http://www.bonefishing.tc