The Fool’s Regatta 2014

Posted on June 15, 2014 by marta

The 24th Annual Fools Regatta………what an amazing day out on the water.

The 24th annual Fool’s Regatta was the place to be on Saturday. All our Harbour Club Villas guests were taking in the fun at the beach with a full day of racing ahead, hobie cats, picos, big boats, caicos sloops and man made rafts were all racing. The day was as perfect as it could be, hot and sunny with a breeze blowing and lots of refreshments and food.

Waiting for the races to begin at the Bight Children’s Park

The wind was steady and the seas were calm.

Neck and neck as the sailors took to the race course.

The start of the big boats race………….there’s Capt Tim and Beluga who have been in every race for several years.

Some of the youngsters from the Provo Sailing Association getting ready for their heat.

Lovely shot of the kids skimming along over the water.

Time for a break and to cool off in the water.

Ready for the raft race with the Turks and Caicos flag.

Let the raft race begin………….and off they go.

Paddling for home and all the rafts stayed afloat! Well done everyone.

Looks like they are taking on water but everyone finished the race.

Another successful Fool’s Regatta and the revival of the Great Raft Race. Mark your calendars for next year especially if you decide to come to the Turks and Caicos in June. We let all our guests at Harbour Club Villas know that this is a “must see and do” event. I look forward to it every year as it is filled with excitement and racing entertainment. Well done to all the volunteers and participants. Can’t wait to see you again next year.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Harbour Club Villas and Marina Dramatic Skies

Posted on May 22, 2014 by marta

Sunset out over the Marina at Harbour Club Villas and Cooper Jack Bight

The last few nights have been pretty spectacular…..beautiful vibrant colours of the sunsets along with some dramatic skies. Here’s a selection of photos.

Over the roof tops of the villas at Harbour Club, the skies over the lake explode with colour.

Harbour Club’s Marina with mast and stunning sunset skies

Dramatic skies this afternoon in anticipation of some rain………..it’s been so dry.

The sun hangs over the horizon in a fire filled orange sky

An island sunset in the Turks and Caicos ….. hard to beat!

Harbour Club Villas is on the south side of Providenciales that’s a five minute drive away from Grace Bay beach. You’ll be able to enjoy the quiet beauty and natural scenery found in our area. Call us and book your next holiday or vacation on Provo soon. Marta http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Old Man Cactus Flower

Posted on April 27, 2014 by marta

Old Man Cactus with flower bud ready to blossom.

Caught sight of this the other day and made a point of returning at night to try and catch some photos of the flower. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried over the years and this is only the second time I’ve seen the cactus flower. The Old Man Cactus (local name) is also named the Bahama Dildo. It only flowers at night and has fragrant satiny white flowers. Here’s a selection of photos taken on the hill at Harbour Club Villas and Marina.

What a gorgeous looking flower with satin like petals.

The flower attracts butterflies and other insects and there’s one in this photo….a weevil of some kind

Tufts of white hairy material that looks like an old man’s beard hence the name.

Fragrant and a favorite source of nectar for butterflies and insects.

The wool is often gathered by birds as it makes an ideal nesting material.

The Dildo Cactus (Cephalocereus millspaughii) is the most common cactus found in the Turks & Caicos.

A type of weevil feeding on the cactus flower.

I loved seeing this spectacular flower but I must say it was tricky to photograph in the dark. I’m hoping you too will get a chance to see one in bloom. Well worth it though.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Southern Shores

Posted on March 31, 2014 by marta

A flat calm day on the south side of Providenciales and the entrance to the Marina at Harbour Club Villas.

Most of our island visitors miss the most beautiful and tranquil side of the island where you will find Harbour Club Villas and Marina. The shoreline is absolutely beautiful with waters that are shallow and numerous beaches where you can walk for a long ways out before it gets deep. This area off shore is called the Caicos Banks, the domain of the bonefish and flats as far as you can see. The ocean doesn’t get deeper than 15 to 20 feet and as you skim over the surface, you’ll see the bottom not too far below. Here are some of my favourite photos of the area known as Turtle Tail just by the villas at Harbour Club.

Fishing flats down on Turtle Tail about a mile from Harbour Club.

Wade the waters of Juba Salina in search of bonefish.

Views overlooking the turquoise waters of the South side of Provo

Tidal beaches on Cooper Jack Bight are within a kayak ride from Harbour Club’s villas.

Take a kayak out and explore the tidal beaches near the villas and just outside the Marina channel.

Turquoise blue waters that are crystal clear and shallow.

A lone fisherman motors home as the sun sets.

Hope to see you staying with us at Harbour Club Villas and Marina……we’ll show you our beautiful piece of paradise with numerous beaches and all kinds of sights to see. We’ll point you in the right direction.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Birds at Harbour Club Villas

Posted on March 11, 2014 by marta

A beautiful Bahama Woodstar hummingbirds flies to the Dwarf Poinciana flowers for nectar.

Activity around the pool at Harbour Club Villas has been amazing. I sit there often trying to capture all our birds coming in to feed from the variety of flowering plants. Our villa guests too are taking photos of the Hummingbirds and Bananaquits that are always there twittering and flying from perch to perch. Our resident Green Heron often comes for drinks and preens himself by the pool. He’ll squawk at you if he doesn’t like you enjoying “his” private pool!! We have Mourning Doves that peck at the gravel under the neem trees at the top of the driveway. They must be finding food there and also seen this week was the Northern Mockingbird.

Pretty little bananaquit sitting in our Tamarind tree…see the fruit…….found in my favourite Worcestershire Sauce.

We see Mourning Doves every day pecking at something underneath the neem trees.

The Northern Mockingbird is locally called “Preacher Bird”

Our resident Green Heron preening and grooming by what he thinks is his own private swimming pool!

The Island Honeysuckle attracts many birds to our pool area at Harbour Club Villas.

My first sighting of a Cuban Crow in one of our Palm trees……uncommon to see on Provo and has a bizarre gobbling cackle which is how I tracked him down at the villas.

A baby Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher just learning to fly……….so cute!

The Gray Kingbird comes to the Turks and Caicos to breed in the summertime.

The American Kestrel known as Sparrowhawk is commonly seen here year round.

The Yellow Warbler male has reddish brown streaks and lives and breeds in the Turks and Caicos year round.

And just because I love them so much, another photo of the Bahama Woodstar hummingbird that guests can watch daily by the pool at Harbour Club Villas.

Birdwatchers have so many birds they can see when on holiday and staying at Harbour Club Villas. The surrounding area has other water birds as well so have those cameras ready!

Harbour Club Villas

Posted on February 9, 2014 by marta

Harbour Club Villas and Marina looking out over Flamingo Lake

The six villas at Harbour Club make for a charming vacation hideaway that’s a little removed from the hustle and bustle of Grace Bay but still within a five minute drive.

View from Jim Hill looking over Flamingo Lake towards Harbour Club Villas

We have made a name for ourselves marketing the natural beauty and tranquility of the southern shores of Providenciales where the villas are located. Our guests are drawn towards quiet enjoyment of the natural beauty that surrounds us. We have guests coming for the excellent “catch and release” bonefishing in Flamingo Lake and Turtle Lake and the nearby ocean flats, scuba divers that return year after year and leave from our marina docks, birders, photographers and birdwatchers that enjoy the water birds, flamingos, egrets, herons, ospreys that are in our area and kayakers that love to explore the Cooper Jack shoreline and Delou’s beaches.

Six, one bedroom villas with fully equipped kitchens for your vacation rental on Provo’s south shores.

The villas were built in 1998 on the southern shore of Providenciales and comprise six, one bedroom villas, a pool and gazebo, a private marina with several dive companies close by including Flamingo Divers, Caicos Adventures,Ocean Vibes, Provo Turtle Divers and Provo’s newest addition, Aqua TCI. Here’s some photos of Harbour Club Villas and Marina on the south shore of Providenciales.

Gazebo with pool for just lazing around and relaxing.

The Marina at Harbour Club Villas from where several dive companies leave in the mornings for the dive sites at West Caicos and French Cay.

Contact Harbour Club Villas for all your diving needs, dive packages with several dive companies operating out of the marina just a short walk away from the villas.

Bonefishing just steps away in Flamingo Lake right infront of the villas.

The villas are located very close to two bonefishing lakes and flats about a mile down the road. Grab your rod and fish whenever you want to. If you don’t fish, no worries as we are always happy to share our knowledge of this beautiful island paradise especially all our great beaches.

Villa with gazebo and pool with a barbecue/grill for guests to use.

Stone walkways and tropical vegetation.

Poolside ………. relax and read a book and catch some sunshine.

Sheltered gazebo where guests can barbecue and have a drink or two.

Entrance to the pool at Harbour Club Villas

Flamingos in front of the villas in Flamingo Lake…a great spot for other water birds too

Breakfast on your own private patio with lake views

Freshly roasted island coffee for breakfast with a view

Villas are spacious with high ceilings and louvered and screened windows that look out over the lake. Bedrooms are air conditioned with a queen sized bed. The living room has a queen sofa bed onto which we place a proper queen sized mattress to make it as comfortable as a regular bed. The villa dining area has seating for four, counter top bar separating living room from a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with walk-in shower, flat screened cable TV and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Each villa has its own patio area with table and chairs overlooking the lake. We also provide guests with beach chairs, coolers plus lots of pocket novels as well as local books with island type information.

Spacious bedroom with queen sized bed

Bathroom with walk in shower, towels and beach towels provided.

Louvered and screened windows, ceiling fan and airconditioning.

Comfortable couches and ample space throughout Harbour Clubs villas

Flat screened TV’s for our guests viewing pleasure and a fully equipped kitchen

Flat screen TV with counter/bar and complimentary WiFi throughout villas and grounds

Comfortable living area with dining table and chairs with views of the lake

The lake is right outside your villa..great for bonefishing

A sofa bed can be pulled out for additional guests or for group bookings such as weddings.

Sofa beds can be made up with a regular queen mattress on top to make it more comfortable

Villas are all spacious with ample room and with fans throughout.

Open and airy with louvered and screened windows to catch the breezes

Room for additional guests with the sofa bed pulled out

Queen mattress is placed onto the sofa bed to make it as comfortable as a regular bed.

Extra bed in the nook by the windows for additional guests

Sofa beds are as comfortable with added queen mattresses

Ample room for a sitting area when the sofa bed is in use.

Flamingo Lake and Harbour Club Villas in the distance.

Bonefishermen love fishing the lake in front of the villas.

Harbour Club entrance sign with bonefisherman.

Marina view towards Coper Jack on the south side of Providenciales.

View from Jim Hill a short walk away that overlooks Five Cays and the marina entrance.

The sun sets and the reflections on the lake waters are stunning.

Six, one bedroom villas ……….rent one or rent them all for your next family occasion such as weddings.

Villas can be rented seperately or you might consider several villas for a family occasion such as weddings, reunions, anniversaries or birthdays.

Many weddings have selected the villas as their home away from home.

A beautiful night for a wedding reception at Harbour Club.

Mirror calm reflections on Flamingo Lake right by Harbour Club Villas.

One bedroom villas fully self contained for your vacation on Provo.

Harbour Club Villas welcomes any and all inquiries. We hope to see you soon in our beautiful islands of the Turks and Caicos.

Marta

www.harbourclubvillas.com

Five Cays Bay and Bugaloos

Posted on February 6, 2014 by marta

I don’t think the view can get any better than this one

This spectacular view of the bay at Five Cays greets you as you find a seat at Bugaloos Conch Crawl. It truly is a remarkable and unforgettable place as you sit peacefully looking out at the shallow waters of the bay waiting for drinks and mouth watering, tasty conch dishes.

Sitting and soaking in the beauty while sipping on a beer.

Trees grow through holes carved in the wooden tables and provide shade from the hot sun.

Come, sit and stay awhile as you gaze out over the ocean. Watch the little waves come rippling in and sand bars forming as the tide goes out. Order conch any which way you want it….conch salad, fritters or cracked, fish and lobster too.

Our lunch arrives and we order another ice cold beer.

Bringing a load of conch from the pens out in the water.

I waded on out to see the conch being “knocked”.

Two beautiful conch shells which will be cleaned and then sold.

Two eyes and a mouth in between and there are males and females, I’m shown and told by a local expert.

The operculum or claw of the conch…..this is how they move.

The conch pistol is touted to be an aphrodisiac…………try it on your lunch or dinner stop at Bugaloos.

This guy would do anything for conch!!

Mounds of conch as the conch gets “knocked”.

Sweet little miss with a conch shell.

Beautiful pink conch shells ready for purchase.

Visit Bugaloos in Five Cays………….the conch tastes great!

Hope to see you at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl when you head to Providenciales for your next holiday.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Pirates Hideaway Salt Cay

Posted on January 31, 2014 by marta

Our limousine awaits outside Pirates Hideaway, our island home for a few days.

Our trip to Salt Cay was just simply too short…………I had met with Candy Herwin on Provo and she had given me all the information on this little jewel of an island. I had been there in 2003 and just can’t believe it took me this long to return. Candy has converted an old salt raker’s house into a charming , four bedroom, two bathroom house called Pirates Hideaway. I loved it and for three days, it was our home. Our limo was a neat little red golf buggy just perfect for beatling around in.

Replica salt wagon stands outside our home for three nights

Salt Wagons like the replica above were used for loading piles of raked salt and drawn by the donkeys.

This fella was adept at opening the gate.

Morning coffee, a quick text and away we go to explore the island.

Spacious kitchen and living room at Pirates Hideaway

Champagne birthday celebration.

Captain’s Quarters master bedroom where I stayed.

A lot of love, care and attention has been put into this quaint salt raker’s house which has a warm, inviting feel to it. Add the history and limitless knowledge of Salt Cay that Candy Herwin has and this makes it a unique home away from home for visitors to experience and enjoy. She has so many stories to tell and is always searching out the history of these islands. She has taken upon herself to interview and talk to the islands old timers to record and preserve their reminiscences and stories of when they were young. Photos too……….she has such a collection.

Loved the breezes flowing through and billowing the curtains.

Love the shark bathroom and the wooden slat windows.

Great pirate murals throughout Pirates Hideaway.

I’m not sure why I love these wooden slats so much……reminds me of a bygone time when things were much simpler.

Love this shot of the old wooden gate and Pirates Hideaway

On one of my walks in the early morning hours

Good to see that these old stone walls are still standing

Saying goodbye to Salt Cay……..so sad to leave.

A beautiful little island surrounded by a turquoise sea.

All good things must come to an end…….that is until next time. Believe me, there will be a next time and very soon.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Half Moon Bay

Posted on January 27, 2014 by marta

This little guy popped his head up in Turtle Cove Marina before we were leaving.

A beautiful trip heading out from Turtle Cove Marina following the shore line towards Little Water Cay and the iguanas and on to Half Moon Bay. It’s a favourite stopping spot with a magnificent stretch of beach and of course that signature turquoise water.

The reef as we head towards Half Moon Bay

A long stretch of pure white , soft sand and silver palms at either end.

Struggling vegetation due to erosion of the sands.

Picturesque rocks and aqua ocean backdrop.

A green iguana comes up to say hello.

Conch shell lying at the water’s edge.

A sing ray cruises by in the shallows close to the beach.

A stick and a sea fan make for great toys

Loads of dragonflies.

Hoping you get an opportunity to enjoy this idyllic beach on an afternoon cruise. Maybe you’ll spot the iguanas as we did.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Harbour Club Villas and Marina

Posted on January 12, 2014 by marta

Our little piece of paradise overlooking Flamingo Lake and our Marina at Cooper Jack.

Harbour Club Villas and Marina……a gem of a place on the South Side of Provo with Flamingo Lake on one side and our Marina leading out to beautiful Cooper Jack Bay on the other. It’s a new year and past time to tell you a little about our piece of paradise, our location, surrounding area and all the beautiful out of the way spots and things you will find when staying with us.

A kite cam view of our six rental villas. Thank you to our neighbors Polly and Byron for this sensational photo.

Fifteen years ago, we built six , one bedroom villas overlooking the lake on 2.2 acres in an area that is called Turtle Tail. It is a unique place to call home while visiting Providenciales. A place where you can look out sometimes and see bonefish tailing, watch the hummingbirds, doves, bananaquits and a green heron or two that drops by the pool daily for a drink and squawks at you if you intrude on his space. A walk down into the marina and you are greeted by our neighbour’s two potcakes, Effie and Gemma who love coming by for threats from our guests. Can you believe that our guests actually bring treats, and premium cuts of meat with them to feed these two dogs?

A perfectly still, calm day….we call it a French Cay day.

Take out our complimentary kayaks and spend a few hours paddling close to the shore in a foot or two of water exploring the hidden coves, Delou’s beaches and even some of the small cays to see the iguanas and snorkel.

A bird’s eye view of the lake, villas, marina and channel out to Cooper Jack Bight

Delou’s beaches across the channel and accessible by our complimentary kayaks

Many of our guests take out the kayaks and explore the shoreline…..beautiful little coves and tidal beaches, some coral heads to snorkel and some of the little cays have green iguanas. A delightful way to spend an afternoon on a beach just made for two.

Out kayaking making for one of the cays.

Visit one of the little cays with the kayaks and see our local iguanas.

One of the tiny tidal coves along the shore line

Kayak on Delou’s beach and Cooper Jack Bight

We have scuba dive boats just waiting to take you out to West Caicos or French Cay

Walk down to the Marina in the evenings and here’s where you will find all the dive operators….Flamingo Divers, Ocean Vibes, Caicos Adventures, Provo Turtle Divers and Jodi, the Snuba lady too. Our marina is the shortest distance to the amazing dive sites at West Caicos and French Cay. We’ll help you book some scuba diving, snorkeling or snuba so just let us know what you’d like to see and do.

Here’s Snuba TCI heading off for a wonderful day of snuba and snorkeling.

I’ve spent many hours on this small beach.

We have gorgeous sunsets which you can enjoy from the Marina

Flamingo Lake and one of our guests bonefishing

Bonefishermen love staying at our villas. All they have to do is walk out their villa door and be bonefishing in the lake within minutes. Sometimes you can even see the bonefish tailing from the villas. There are several areas where you can wade the flats too.

Bonefish churning up the lake waters at sunset.

Reflections on Flamingo Lake right by our villas.

Sunset and a flamingo on Flamingo Lake with Harbour Club Villas in the background.

A beautiful early morning calmness on the lake.

A Reddish Eagret looking for fish in Flamingo Lake.

Birdwatchers, birders and wild life lovers will enjoy watching the many water birds that fly in to enjoy the lake. As you walk from Harbour Club Villas along the Lake and Juba Salina, you’ll see all kinds of Herons, ducks and even flamingos.

Often we see small groups of Flamingos

Taking a look at the beautiful fishing flat close to Harbour Club Villas

Bonefishing on the flats of the south side of Provo.

Juba Salina is further down Turtle Tail and often you’ll see flamingos down this way.

Marta’s little beach or Dog beach at sunset….it’s tucked away so you’ll have to ask me where it is!!

This celebrity’s mansion overlooks the waters of the south side just down the road from the villas.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these photos of the south shore line close by Harbour Club Villas. It’s a wondrous area that’s quiet and tranquil, great for fishing, bonefishing, kayaking, walking and bird watching. For those that want to scuba dive, we are available to make the arrangements for you. Come and enjoy our piece of paradise……..the south side of Provo.

Marta

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MyTurksAndCaicosBlog.com

Turks and Caicos Vacation, Travel, Fishing, and Diving

Author Archives: marta

The Fool’s Regatta 2014

Harbour Club Villas and Marina Dramatic Skies

Old Man Cactus Flower

Southern Shores

Birds at Harbour Club Villas

Harbour Club Villas

Five Cays Bay and Bugaloos

Pirates Hideaway Salt Cay

Half Moon Bay

Harbour Club Villas and Marina