Category Archives: Beaches

beaches on the Turks and Caicos Islands

Horseback Riding on the Beach with Provo Ponies

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Beautiful Long Bay beach and waiting for Provo Ponies and our Harbour Club Villa guests to head my way.

A quiet late afternoon on Long Bay beach just waiting to take photos of our Harbour Club Villas guests out horseback riding with Provo Ponies. I kept myself entertained taking a few photos of the kite boarders and a washed up conch shell. Provo Ponies was started as a rescue mission for horses and ponies in the TCI. Camille and few of her close friends purchased 7 Paso Fino’s that had been shipped to Provo from the Dominican Republic. Sadly, there were signs of abuse and the horses were in such poor condition, malnourished and dehydrated. It’s not an easy thing to raise and care for horses on an island such as this one where everything has to be shipped in. Remember that there is no or very little fresh water here and not much soil to grow grass or hay or grains. Provo Ponies was formed when it became evident that these rescue horses would have to earn their keep. They became fit and were thriving under Camille and friends excellent care getting regular exercise, food and loving attention.

 

The horses went straight for the water

 

These horses love the water and the kite boarders were out too.

 

Long Bay waters are shallow and perfect for the ponies.

 

Josee enjoying herself riding Ike (I think that's Ike)

Ike’s story is that he was abandoned on Grand Turk and left to fend for himself. He was eventually rescued and bought from his owner and is now happily working and exercising on Long Bay beach. He is a Morgan Percheron cross, born in 2000 and rescued to a wonderful new life in 2010.

Kevin loving his ride along the beach and in the water.

Did you know that the horses make all kinds of sounds to each other as they love being in the water.

Great way to spend an afternoon on Provo with Provo Ponies and Clyde, Turtle, Bosco and Ike!

Meet a few of the ponies………… Clyde on the left, is the guide horse for now and he’s a thoroughbred/Clydesdale cross.  Turtle is a beautiful, massive Belgian and 18hh who was found and bought from the owner in 2010 when he was about 700 pounds underweight. Bosco is a Standardbred whose greatest love is wading in the water and of course Ike who doesn’t mind the hard work because he loves his job!

Time for a little gallop along the beach!

 

Another turn in the water for our Harbour Club guests as the sun slowly sets.

What a beautiful horse Bosco is.......I love this photo!

 

Time to head back to the corrals.

End of a perfect afternoon ride

 

Hoof prints in the sand at sunset

 

 

 

It’s time to head back to the corrals after an amazing afternoon on horseback enjoying the sun, sand and water………………a taste of heaven! It is best to book your ride early, go on line and book before you arrive as Provo Ponies is always busy.

See you on the beach, next time.

 

Marta

 

Salt Cay Weekend

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Flying in to Salt Cay with Caicos Express on a clear day just great for photos.

I just love Salt Cay and returning there after 10 years made me wonder what took me so long!  It is truly a stunningly beautiful, friendly and charming gem of a place. A girl friend’s birthday celebration and three whole days of golf buggying around this little island was a perfect getaway.

Deane's Dock as our pilot brings us in for a smooth landing.

Closer view of the repaired break water at Deane's Dock

 

Salt Cay's little airport has remained the same for all these years.

 

Pirate's Hideaway was our home away from home

A replica of the donkey drawn carts that hauled the salt, stand in front of Candy Herwin’s treasure of a cottage called Pirate’s Hideaway where we stayed for the three nights. Candy is a wealth of knowledge on Salt Cay but unfortunately she wasn’t going to be on island during our stay. Nonetheless we met, she told me everything I needed to know along with giving me her wonderful map of Salt Cay. She’s currently on Provo where she had lined up meetings with two elderly ladies to record their stories. She uses a video recorder and has been helping the residents of the islands to preserve their culture and heritage so that these stories can be enjoyed by generations to come.

Candy Herwin's map "A History Tour of Salt Cay".

The only way to see Salt Cay..........our little golf cart took us all over the island

Our first donkeys...we were a bit leery of them but realised quickly that all they wanted was food or water.

 

This lovely mansion was being worked on. A new front patio overlooking the ocean and repairs to the seawall

Colourful gates and charming houses, old stone walls and even a stop sign or two.

I just love these old walls and sandy lanes.

This little baby donkey was adorable as he stood outside the gate to our place.

Looking across the salt pans towards the Brown House and St. John's Church.

Sunrise through the gates of St. John's church

 

North Creek in the early morning had such muted colours.

 

We found so much sea glass as we walked the beaches of Salt Cay.

 

We visited with sweet Miss Amie over her garden fence.

 

This beautiful little cove was our first late lunch stop, beer, snacks and a snorkel.

We stopped for a few provisions.

Dinners were at Pat's Place........stew peas to die for and Pat explains twice fried plantains. Delicious fry fish and chicken curry.

Pa Poley (Mr. Holton Dickenson) was the best tour guide ever! Thank you!

 

Captivating North Beach.........not another soul there. Birthday champagne on the beach!

Colourful doorway frames a black cat

Did you know that the donkeys on Salt Cay are good at opening gates?

I simply have to stop for now. Hoping this has given you a taste of Salt Cay and all its’ people (93 I’m told), places, stunning beaches, and history too. Noticeably absent are some of the historical parts of this little island. This I have left for another day. After all I only took some 3400 photos.

 

I love Salt Cay and will return again very soon.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

Providenciales Afternoon Clouds and Skies

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Trying to outrun the darkening clouds and coming rains

A beautiful sunny day on Sunday until about 2 pm and of course our planned boat trip for some beach, water and sunshine time. We headed out and this was the amazing skies behind us as we tried to find our little piece of sunshine. Here are photos of the changing skies as we headed towards Dellis Cay. We saw it all on our Sunday trip from sunny skies and puffy white clouds to somber, dark rain clouds and sunset skies too.

View from Dellis Cay looking towards Pine Cay........ such magnificent colours in shades of turquoise and blue.

 

Such beauty on this deserted island with its abandoned resort and villa buildings.

 

A few dark storm clouds obscured the sun creating interesting colours on the ocean.

 

Years ago we would come to Dellis to find sand dollars and shells ..... the best shelling beach in the TCI.

The abandonned buildings on Dellis Cay stand forlornly looking out as the world goes past through its' empty windows

Dellis Cay is a 560-acre private island that got its name from the Dellis family who lived on the island and earned their living sponge farming in the 1950’s. It lies to the east of Pine Cay and is a 20 minute boat ride from Providenciales. Years ago, island excursions, locals and visitors alike would spend many hours wandering the beautiful beaches, picking up numerous shells as well as hunting for sand dollars. Unfortunately there were no sand dollars that I saw but the shells are still all over the beach.

The beauty that was Dellis Cay is now spoiled by the unfinished structures of a failed resort scheme that formed part of the 2008 Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay Project. One part of this complex called The Residences at Mandarin Oriental was supposed to open in 2010 but went bankrupt, construction was halted as you can see from the photos and financial problems caused cancellation of the development. And so the empty shells of deluxe private villas and residences on the beach stand waiting and watching and are faced with an uncertain future.

Parting view of the villas and residences on Dellis Cay.

 

Heading back to Providenciales with rays of sunshine streaking through the clouds

 

Coming home with a rain storm over the horizon and our boat's rooster tail.

 

We were treated to this amazing sky as we passed Smith's Reef.

 

Rounding the corner and heading into the channel to Turtle Cove Marina

Coming into Turtle Cove Marina with beautiful clouds.

 

Docking in the Marina after a perfect day on the water.

You simply can’t have a bad day in the islands……..rain or shine. Besides, what’s a bit of rain amongst good friends?

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

Railroad Vine

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Flowering railroad vine with delicate purple with magenta flowers.

Off to the beach we went yesterday and what a beautiful sight…….a profusion of purple flowers stretched out towards the sea.  Ipomoea pes-caprae is the official name but it is more commonly known as the Railroad vine, goat’s-foot vine or beach morning glory. Seems to me that August is the best month and when you see a carpet of flowers spread out before you.

Raindrops from a passing shower on the flowers.

The flowers open late in the evening and look their best early in the morning. On this day, we had to wait in the car for the rain shower to stop and the flowers were a little flattened but still gorgeous. When
fully opened they expose a purple star pattern throughout the center. The flowers usually fold and fade by the afternoon.

A carpet of railroad vines cover the sand as far as the eye could see.

 

Vines creep along the sand with showy purple flowers

The main pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps and ants and the sap from the leaves has been used as a first-aid treatment for jelly fish stings.

A dark pink star evect appears in the centre of this gorgeous flower.........and what a backdrop of turquoise water!

And so another spectacular beach day and always something special to photograph.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

A Beautiful Leeward Afternoon

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Ripples on the rocks, ripples in the sand, gentle waves and calm, turquoise waters.

An afternoon spent on the beach at Leeward brought many interesting sights and things to photograph. This island is rich in natural beauty and you don’t even have to look for it. Here are some of the photos taken in just a few hours.

A group of Black-Necked Stilts dropped by for a visit.

Elegant, long pink legs and quite noisy as they circled and dive-bombed .... not sure if there was a nest nearby??

 

Stilts are a common breeding resident of our islands.

 

Leeward rocks with patterns created by the clear waters

 

A small crab scuttles along the rocks and disappears quickly from the camera's view.

 

A grinning potcake with no collar was happily taking a cooling swim.

 

 

A beautiful starfish and look at that water....spectacular!

 

Ten or so starfish but why were quite a few floating? I'm hoping it wasn't that they were dying. Anyone know?

Washed up on the shore.

 

Brown Pelican sits on his favourite perch at Leeward

 

Constant entertainment watching the pelicans as they dive into the water for fish.

So that’s it, a lovely afternoon at Leeward and many photos later.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Kayaking at Harbour Club Villas

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Harbour Club guests taking a rest on this tiny idyllic slip of a beach outside the Marina entrance.

Tropical storm Chantal had fizzled out leaving us with hot but hazy weather for today. Perfect for a bit of a work out with the kayaks. Dan and Lynnetta took off with the ocean kayaks to explore the beautiful shore line just outside the Marina entrance at Harbour Club Villas.  There are small coves with pure white sand and since these are tidal, much depends on what time you choose to go out. The turquoise water is shallow so guests can hug the shoreline or cut right across without any worries.

Shooting from the top of the hill at Harbour Club through the masts of sailboats moored in the Marina.

 

Heading back the water was calm with a little breeze.

 

Delou's beaches are usually deserted so you can have your own private little beach.

 

A short paddle down past the Marine Biology School, a turn to the right and home.

It was definitely a good day today with cloudy skies keeping the temperatures just perfect for a kayak excursion.

Marta

www.harbourclubvillas.com

Fool’s Regatta 2013

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Picos ready and waiting to start the racing at the Fool's Regatta on Saturday.

The 2013 Fool’s Regatta at the Children’s Park in the Bight was held on Saturday. Saturday was as perfect as perfect gets even though it had a dubious and a bit ominous start weather wise. I arrived at about 1 pm in the afternoon and the kids races were underway. Tents were set up selling drinks and burgers, the water was warm and inviting (yeah for summer time when I can actually get into the water). Yes, I know what you are thinking but when you live on Provo, you tend to be pretty selective water warmth wise before swimming. Here’s some of the photos from the day.

The colourful Beluga was showing off for the crowds watching the racing.

The kids of the Provo Sailing Club were having a blast sailing and competing on the Picos

 

The kids (little and one big) were happily playing and building castles in the sand.

These two little seven year olds were away to the races.

Lil' Tinkerbell was sporting her pink bikini.......she's a potcake rescue chihuahua that's found her forever home.

 

Big boats and Caicos Sloops were also racing just off shore.

 

The talented youngsters of Provo Primary Steel Band entertained the crowds.

 

Most of the kids learn to sail with the Provo Sailing Club.

 

Wishing he could be out there sailing!

Every June the Fool’s Regatta gets underway so come down to the beach the next time you are here and especially during Regatta time.

 

 

Happy Sailing!!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com