Author Archives: marta

Snuba

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Snuba with Jodi as she takes our guests for a closer look at the reef and this wonderful turtle.

Snuba with Jodi as she takes our guests for a closer look at the reef and this wonderful turtle.

Not quite ready to scuba dive………..well try some Snuba with Jodi who will guide you along the White House Reef at Coral Gardens on Grace Bay.  Snuba divers breathe under water through a 20 foot air line which is connected to a scuba tank mounted on a raft. The raft floats above on the surface and follows the snuba divers where ever they go. What a great way to experience being under water and to see our coral reefs right up close.

Grace Bay beach

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Grace Bay beach at Coral Gardens is great for snorkeling with the turtles.

Grace Bay beach at Coral Gardens is great for snorkeling with the turtles.

Here’s my favourite photo of Grace Bay beach taken at the White House Reef by Coral Gardens. The reef comes up very close to the shore and is protected by a circle of buoys. Snorkelers are asked to stay outside the circle of markers to protect parts of the reef that come up close to the surface at low tide. Recent sightings have included turtles, eagle rays and all kinds of colourful fish.

Flat calm and the clearest water you will ever see greets the snorkeler at the White House Reef on Grace Bay beach

Flat calm and the clearest water you will ever see greets the snorkeler at the White House Reef on Grace Bay beach

Snorkeler Mike heads out to check out the reef. You can see the circle clearly in the photo so remember to stay outside and there’s lots to see as you make your way around the buoys.

Wow.....what amazing colours the parrotfish have.

Wow.....what amazing colours the parrotfish have as they swim through the coral reef.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world with incredible visibility. Visit the White House Reef at Coral Gardens on Grace Bay beach when you head to our beautiful islands for your next vacation. The water’s great!!!!

See you soon,

Marta

http://www.diving.tc

Curly Tailed Lizard

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A Curly Tailed Lizard eyes me from his perch on top of an old anchor

A Curly Tailed Lizard eyes me from his perch on top of an old anchor

 This Curly Tailed Lizard is only found in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Although it is fairly common in the islands, this particular species is found nowhere else in the world.

This little Turks and Caicos Curly Tailed Lizard species is only found here.

This little Turks and Caicos Curly Tailed Lizard species is only found here.

It is identified by yellow and black stripes along his back and is the second largest lizard after the Rock Iguana.  Each major island has a Curly Tailed lizard that has slightly different colouration and or patterns. Leiocephalus psammodromusa is its proper name and it is a ground dweller.

Keep your eyes open for these lizards on your next trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

More Hermit crabs

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More Hermit Crabs? But this one today was soooooo neat!

More Hermit Crabs? But this one today was soooooo neat!

You may think that I’ve gone crazy for crabs but I couldn’t resist taking photos of this hermit crab. Barry found this little guy on his way to the pool. I got him to pose for the camera because as hermit crabs go…….this one was really colourful with his great shell.

Hermit Crab up close and personal!

Hermit Crab up close and personal!

 For all you crab lovers out there………..enjoy these photos.

Cheers,

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

One more photo of this Hermit Crab

One more photo of this Hermit Crab

Thirsty work!

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Relaxing in the water is such hard thirsty work as this gentleman discovered.

Relaxing in the water is such hard thirsty work as this gentleman discovered.

What can I say………..this is the life. Floating along in our sparkling clear ocean while sipping on a beer. I hope you’ll come on down to enjoy our white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water. See you soon,

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Crabs

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"Crabby Johnson" visits Harbour Club in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

"Crabby Johnson" visits Harbour Club in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Hi Marta and Barry.  Mike and I got your email message letting us know of your new blog.  It’s quite fun!  I love your pictures.  It brings back such nice memories of the fun we had when we stayed with you.  When I saw the crab pictures it reminded me that we were going to send you a picture of the very large crab that walked from the back of your property down the driveway.    I’m including it with this message. Kevin had heard a sound in the bushes near the veranda and when we went to look we saw him.  He proceeded to “walk” under our rental car and down the driveway.  You can tell how large he is in relation to the size of the tire.  Kevin named him “Crabby Johnson.  I hope you are back to normal after the hurricane scare in September.  Thanks again for letting us know about the blog. Take care, Sandy and Mike Adamson

What a great photo and I’d forgotten that you were going to email me it……………Thanks alot and he is huge judging by the tire!!!  I wished I had seen him too.

Thanks for your email,

Marta 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Rainbow over the Cays

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A rainbow appears over the little cays off the south side of Provo.

A rainbow appears over the little cays off the south side of Provo.

A cloudy day, a sudden rain storm and out came this beautiful rainbow on the south side of Provo and just up the road from Harbour Club Villas. I took the photo from a friend’s house high on a hill ( “high” meaning about 100 feet above sea level which is high for here!!)

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Green Heron

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Doesn't look like there's any fish here!!!

Doesn't look like there's any fish here!!!

The Green Heron is one of the smallest herons in the Turks and Caicos Islands and this one keeps coming back to our pool. He has made himself at home and complains loudly when guests disturb him. It’s local name is the “Kow Kow” because of the loud call he makes. Birdwatchers and birders enjoy the variety of birds they can see around Harbour Club Villas.

Birdwatching is great in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Turk’s Head Cactus

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This Turk's Head Cactus with both flowers and pink fruit grows wild in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This Turk's Head Cactus with both flowers and pink fruit grows wild in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Turk’s Head Cactus is one of the national emblems of the Turks and Caicos Islands where it loves the dry climate and thrives in exposed areas. It is named after the distinctive reddish cap that sits on top of the green cactus and looks like a Turkish fez (cap).

Turk's Head Cactus blooms throughout the year in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Turk's Head Cactus blooms throughout the year in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turk’s Head Cactus produces small spikey looking pink flowers and as they die, they form the fruit which grows inside the white spongey cap. The rosey pink fruit contains the seeds and are much loved by our lizards and birds, iguanas too.  The locals also will eat them as they apparently are sweet and juicy. I haven’t tasted one yet but will do so one of these days.

Turk's Head Cactus with pretty pink flowers
Turk’s Head Cactus with pretty pink flowers

I’ve had some success in growing Turk’s Head Cactus and have lots started

at Harbour Club Villas. They take forever to grow though!!!!
Cheers,
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com