Blackbeard’s our favourite home away from home
Two trips to Salt Cay recently, one in January for birthday celebrations with my sisters and the second, just to get away and enjoy a slower pace. The hurricanes greatly impacted this little island and the destruction caused was beyond belief.
I don’t want to dwell on the many issues the island is facing or the negatives. My aim in this blog is to show you the charm and beauty of Salt Cay today. In a later blog, I will show you and cover the historical side.
The donkeys were wandering in small groups and posed picturesquely in front of this house.
The White House, a beautiful Bermudian house with stone roof that sustained damages from Hurricane Irma.
The White House, built in the Bermudian style has a limestone roof and overlooks the salt ponds. Salt storage was at ground level and the family lived on the top level. The owner – a 4th generation Harriott, is repairing the building; mostly water damage from leaking roof. He said that experts from Bermuda were coming to help repair the roof.
The Coral Reef Bar and Grill is a real meeting spot for everyone.
We used to be able to walk along the side sea wall but no longer as it collapsed during the strong seas and pounding of the waves. The sand is now filling in the harbour so that where there once used to be water, it’s now all silted in. Debbie had to watch the front of Coral Reef Bar and Grill be washed away from the horrific storm. She has lost part of her restaurant …. the deck is gone and the erosion has been very extensive.
Salt Cay Divers boat ready to take us out whale watching and YES, we saw a mother and her calf.
Pristine North Beach with view towards Grand Turk and cruise ship.
Footprints in the sand and not another soul in sight.
Love the sea glass and so many shells.
Early morning coming up over the salt pans as I walk with my camera. A donkey walks past me along Victoria Street.
North Creek in the early morning
Bermudian kitchen at Government House
Walking along the Folly as the sun rises creating reflections of the White House in the salt ponds
I spotted a lone flamingo in the salt pond
View from the Folly across the salt ponds towards Victoria Street
Here’s the White House from Dunscombe Point and what used to be the island’s swimming hole
An endangered iguana suns himself on the walls of the old cemetary
Field of ancient Turks Head cactus on Cotton Cay just off Salt Cay Turks and Caicos Islands
A great way to get around by bicycle.
So tough to get up on those gangly legs!
What a beautiful morning on Salt Cay
The church is gone, crumbled by the hurricanes but the view still takes my breath away
Can’t get enough of those donkeys!
Some wonderful snorkeling just off the beach.
My trips to Salt Cay have been many over the years. These two trips will stand out in my memory. The first trip in January was filled with nostalgia as I remembered the way Salt Cay was pre Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The second trip in April was all and more than I expected…….the resilience of the people as they picked up the pieces and got on with what life had dealt them.
Still a long ways to go but I’LL BE BACK for your special brand of sunshine.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
thank you so much for this retrospective which took me back to my beautiful island home!!! each place made me cry!!!next time, include some pics of the awesome people there- ella, nettie, polie, shyne, debbie, gladys, etc!!!!
Excellent photographs!
So sorry to hear of the damage, especially to Debbie’s restaurant.
Hope that the dive and gift shop is OK. So much of the Caribbean was damaged by the storms, very sad. We hope that your house is alright? Photo’s are beautiful, thanks for the share and reminder of one wonderful island.
Hi Bob, It’s been tough for all the Salt Cay people as also the rest of us. Only now are some getting roofs repaired. We’re on Provo and sustained major roof damage but all was repaired right away as Harbour Club Villas and Marina were the first on the list after the Hospital and Menzie’s Clinic. Still no word on repairing the seawall but Debbie is hanging in there. We saw whales…went out with Salt Cay Divers and Richard.