These two young local boys in Blue Hills were showing off a beautiful conch shell that they wanted to sell.
Blue Hills is another of my favourite areas where there’s always something great to photograph. These guys were on the beach by Da Conch Shack selling conch shells that they had cleaned.
Marta
Old photo taken in 2002 of the tiki huts and dive boat out at Malcolm Roads beach
Years ago, Malcolm Roads was only accessible with a 4×4 jeep type vehicle and the hill was soooooo intimidating, pitted and huge ruts towards the bottom. It was always worth it as at the end of the road was a simply breathtaking stretch of beach with the tiki huts. We used to do our ladies beach day down there with not another soul around. I thought some of you might like to see my old photos of the tiki huts and beach.
White, powdery sand beach and always the amazing colours of blue and turquoise
When we first came to Providenciales, the tiki huts were still useable for some shade but began to drastically deteriorate. They were originally built for a French game show that took place on that beach around 1992.
It's a real shame that this beautiful area was not protected for future generations. It is now the site of an exclusive hotel.
Dive boats would spend their intervals pulled up fairly close to shore
Those were the days.......exotic, remote......a piece of paradise.
Hope you enjoyed my old photos of the tiki huts at Malcolm Roads. A bit of history that many of us fondly remember.
Marta
In years gone by, the beautiful richly brown and mottled shell of the Hawksbill turtle’s shell was prized for tortoiseshell used for decorative purposes.
The Hawksbill turtle is easy to identify as it has a very distinctive sharp curving beak much like a hawk. The boney plates of the shell are streaked with amber, yellow and brown.
To the Taino Indians in the Turks and Caicos Islands, turtles were an important food item. Nowadays turtles are more often promoted as a tourist attraction.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has adopted new conservation plans for sea turtles that will protect mature adults so they can breed, and reverse population declines.
Restrictions have been put into place and it is illegal for fishermen to kill turtles with shells over 60 cm or under 45 cm.
The distinctive “hawk” like beak of the Hawksbill turtle
In some countries the shell is still used to make hair ornaments, jewelry, and other decorative items and therefore they are on the critically endangered list.
Look at the wonderful colours in the shell of the Hawksbill turtle
Look for the Hawksbill turtle as you snorkel the coral reefs and waters of the Turks and Caicos on your next island vacation.
Marta
A Club or Pencil sea urchin found on the beach
Isn’t this something ! Anna found this sea urchin on the beach and I thought it just had all kinds of encrustations making it look quite unique. However on looking things up, I discovered that this is a Club or Pencil urchin.
See you on the beach,
Marta
We just had to stop and take photos of this unique conch inlaid island stone wall.
A row of conch adorns the top of the wall surrounding these houses in The Bight
Snorkeling along the shoreline looking for shells
Malcolm Roads beach is a spectacular stretch of sand with some pretty good snorkeling. Tina found all kinds of tiny shells and bits of coral right close to the shoreline.
A handful of treasures from the sea
Tiny shells and bits of coral are found just under the water in the sand along the waters edge.
Zebra Nerites are beautiful snails that you can find in rocky tidepools under full sun in the Turks and Caicos Islands
When you are out exploring the North West Point area of Providenciales, look for these neat snails in the rock pools along the shoreline. They are found among intertidal rocks and are a small white shell with black zebra-like stripes.
Close up of these zebra striped shells
A storm at sea intensifies the turquoise colours of the ocean
It doesn’t matter what the weather is like at Malcolm Roads, the colours are always spectacular for photo taking. A passing storm and clouds turned the sea into brilliant shades of blue and turquoise. Dive boats were anchored out at the dive sites and in the foreground, two magnificent Cactus Trees framed my photo.
The Cactus Tree or Consolea nashii, ( locally called horse pear) is endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bahamas.
The Cactus Trees found at Malcolm Roads can reach hights of 12 feet and have a woody trunk. Flowers bloom throughout the year and are a rich red in colour with yellow stamens.
Bright red flowers of the Cactus Tree
This particular species is found exclusively in the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the Bahamas.
Visit the spectacular beach at Malcolm Roads and watch for these wonderful Cactus Trees.
Cheers,
Marta
A Sea Biscuit covered by an assortment of shells and seaweed is found in the shallow waters of the south side of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
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!
For all you crab lovers out there………..enjoy these photos.
Cheers,
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
One more photo of this Hermit Crab