Monthly Archives: September 2010

Pygmy Boa

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Barry is always into new and different things and here he is rooting around trying to find a Pygmy Boa.

Barry is always into new and different things and here he is rooting around trying to find a Pygmy Boa.

We now have a bin that we created for our compost worms filled with moistened shredded paper which we feed every three days or so with scraps of fruit, vegetables, egg shells and coffee grounds. So when Barry found a Pygmy Boa in our wash house at Harbour Club Villas last night, he popped it in with the worms. I wanted to take photos in the day light so we had to find a temporary home for it.

Here's some of the worms and in about another four months, we should be able to harvest the finished compost.

Here's some of the worms and in about another four months, we should be able to harvest the finished compost.

This Pygmy or Dwarf Boa is about 12 inches long which is about the size that they grow to here in the islands.

This Pygmy or Dwarf Boa is about 12 inches long which is about the size that they grow to here in the islands.

These snakes are non poisonous and harmless. They have a yellow or orange tailtip which serves as a lure to their prey and also apparently the colour may discourage predators.

Barry holds the Pygmy Boa in his hand and you can see the yellowish tail.

Barry holds the Pygmy Boa in his hand and you can see the yellowish tail.

The Turks and Caicos Dwarf or Pygmy boa is endemic to these islands meaning that this snake is only found in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Maybe it was the light, but the Pygmy Boa's head showed a blue tinge and it had beautiful markings.

Maybe it was the light, but the Pygmy Boa's head showed a blue tinge and it had beautiful markings.

Our island snakes are at risk and are preyed upon by cats, dogs and rats. In the past, Barry has shown boas we’ve found to several of our local friends and visitors to Harbour Club so that they can see how harmless these snakes really are. Next time you are fortunate enough to see one, remember that they need our protection in order to survive here in the Turks and Caicos.

We must try to keep these beautiful creatures from becoming extinct.

We must try to keep these beautiful creatures from becoming extinct.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Lignum Vitae….Tree of Life

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The beautiful Lignum Vitae is found throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands

The beautiful Lignum Vitae is found throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands

The other day I noticed a Lignum Vitae just loaded with bright yellow-orange fruits. The fruits are capsule shaped and they split open in September and October to expose black seeds that are enclosed in a fleshy red pulp.

Lignum Vitae translated from Latin means "tree of life" and was used in folk medicine as well as being prized by carpenters.

Lignum Vitae translated from Latin means "tree of life" and was used in folk medicine as well as being prized by carpenters.

Commonly called ironwood, the wood is so dense that it will not float even in seawater. Lignum Vitae is the heaviest and densest wood in the world and will rapidly sink to the bottom when placed in water. It resists rot caused by insects and moisture that lignum vitae wood used as posts for dwellings by Taino Indians have been found. Loyalist settlers also harvested valuable hardwoods from the Caicos bush and exported them to Europe.

When the lignum flowers, the whole tree is laden with beautiful blue-violet blossoms.

When the lignum flowers, the whole tree is laden with beautiful blue-violet blossoms.

The resin has been used for many years, in the treatment of arthritis and other ailments. At one stage it was thought to work both a contraceptive and a treatment for syphilis. Teas have been prepared from various parts of the tree and have been used to treat boils, swollen glands, fevers, aches and pains.

Close up of a colourful seed pod.

Close up of a colourful seed pod.

flowers bloom at different times and is generally because of seasonal rains.

flowers bloom at different times and is generally because of seasonal rains.

What an amazing tree…………even the insects and nectar drinking birds love the nectar of the Lignum Vitae.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Natural Bridge

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Every few years or so, a natural rock bridge appears out at Malcolm Roads Beach

Every few years or so, a natural rock bridge appears out at Malcolm Roads Beach

I’m sure many of the locals and those that have been here for quite a while have seen the natural bridge that appears and disappears depending on the build up of sand. Years ago this was the site of the Tiki Huts right on the rocks out at Malcolm Roads beach.

I had to dig for this one....I sure miss the days of going out to Malcolm Roads when the Tiki Huts were still there.

I had to dig for this one....I sure miss the days of going out to Malcolm Roads when the Tiki Huts were still there.

This old photo shows the one tiki hut that used to sit right out on the rocks with the bridge exposed and in actual fact there were others right infront of the bridge.

This was probably the first time I saw the natural bridge. We had Ania pose under it for a great shot.

This was probably the first time I saw the natural bridge. We had Ania pose under it for a great shot.

I put this photo in because it was taken from the steps leading up to the Amanyara one day after a storm pretty much took out all the sand.

I put this photo in because it was taken from the steps leading up to the Amanyara one day after a storm pretty much took out all the sand.

The above photo was taken in early October after hurricane Ike struck the islands. It pretty much took out all the sand and the steps leading down onto the beach were just hanging with a good four foot  drop off.

When our nephew Alexis came to help with clean up after the hurricane, I took him out to see this spectacular beach and the bridge.

When our nephew Alexis came to help with clean up after the hurricane, I took him out to see this spectacular beach and the bridge.

Eventually the ocean brings back the sand which accumulates and fills in the little beach found under the rock bridge. Of course visitors wouldn’t know that the sand covers over  the bridge at times.

Here it is all filled in by the sand.

Here it is all filled in by the sand.

No rocks showing just a perfect little sandy cove.

No rocks showing just a perfect little sandy cove.

Those tiki huts bring back such fond memories of “off roading” down that narrow, washed out hill just before getting to Malcolm Roads. The first view of this beach was always awesome in all its’ breathtaking beauty. We’d usually be the only ones there on our ladies day outing complete with cooler jugs of pina coladas and Sweet T’s or Lamont’s chicken!! We’d laze all day out there enjoying the water and of course for me, always such spectacular colours for some great picture taking.
This is a gem of a place! Hope you too may get a chance to see the bridge one day.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Danny Buoy’s Irish Pub

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Mark at Danny Buoy's was kept busy Friday night.....rockin' music with Bows and Arrows, two birthday gals and great fun.

Mark at Danny Buoy's was kept busy Friday night.....rockin' music with Bowen Arrow, two birthday gals and a whole lot of fun.

Barry and I seldom go out but when we heard that David Bowen was entertaining at Danny Buoy’s, we couldn’t pass it up. What an evening of great fun, laughter, good rockin’ music by Bowen Arrow. The music brought the house down, freely flowing drinks and two beautiful birthday gals with friends out celebrating. We had a blast!

Bows and Arrows was the featured band .

Bowen Arrow was the featured band .

 

Indira celebrates her birthday at Danny Buoys

Indira celebrates her birthday at Danny Buoys

Come on out to Danny Buoy’s next Friday night……….lots of drinks and delicious pub food and Bowen Arrow will provide the entertainment!

 

See you there.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Beach Playtime

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This pretty little miss was having a blast playing in the water.

This pretty little miss was having a blast playing in the water.

I just love seeing little kids having such fun as they play in the water and of course I always have my camera ready. This cutie was just shrieking with excitement as she splashed and played.

The whole family posed together in the shallows.

The whole family posed together in the shallows.

A fun filled play time splashing in the water on a gentle and calm afternoon on one of Provo's beaches.

A fun filled play time splashing in the water on a gentle and calm afternoon on one of Provo's beaches.

Enjoy the beaches of Provo!
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Rainbow over Harbour Club

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I watched the storm coming over the lake towards us with thunder and lightning. It started to sprinkle with rain as I first noticed the rainbow and headed up our hill to a high spot where I took some photos. A beautiful rainbow appeared over us and the big house on the hill.

I watched the storm coming over the lake towards us with thunder and lightning. It started to sprinkle with rain as I first noticed the rainbow and headed up our hill to a high spot where I took some photos. A beautiful rainbow appeared over us and the big house on the hill.

 Love those rainbows!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Taylor Bay R & R

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Arriving at Taylor Bay beach on Sunday........wow, the colours were so vibrant.

Arriving at Taylor Bay beach on Sunday........wow, the colours were so vibrant.

Sunday we motored over to Taylor Bay. There were ominous black clouds with thunder in the distance but we hadn’t been out for a while so that didn’t stop us. We were the only people there in the early afternoon too so we had the place to ourselves for a few hours.

Little Malaika loved playing on the beach after having been in Europe for the past six weeks.

Little Malaika loved playing on the beach after having been in Europe for the past six weeks.

The ominous black clouds just hovered over us but there was still lots of sunshine and no rain showers.

Barry has a late afternoon float in the shallows while looking out at the boat which was moored in three feet of water.

Barry has a late afternoon float in the shallows while looking out at the boat which was moored in three feet of water.

A kayaker waves at us as we head for home as the sun starts to set.

A kayaker waves at us as we head for home as the sun starts to set.

We were treated to an amazing sunset in the marina at Harbour Club Villas.

We were treated to an amazing sunset in the marina at Harbour Club Villas.

Sailboat “Lig” rides at anchor at our dock as the pink and orange after glow of the sunset lights up the skies.

Another perfect afternoon on the water. We hope you’ll be able to visit us soon and enjoy the beaches of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Silly Season

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Hot, hot, hot these past few days. Not much breeze to cool us off and the calm waters are so inviting.

Hot, hot, hot these past few days. Not much breeze to cool us off and the calm waters are so inviting.

Silly Season they call it! Everyone in years past used to leave the island during this time and there wasn’t much going on or much to do. So things and people ( those of us left here) got a bit “silly” and that’s how the name came about.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com