Sunday Beach Day

Barry deserves top billing as he "frolics" in the water with an ever present Coors Lite!!!

Barry deserves top billing as he "frolics" in the water with an ever present Coors Lite!!!

We motored out from our Marina channel to a small sliver of white powdery sand beach for a few hours Sunday afternoon

We motored out from our Marina channel to a small sliver of white powdery sand beach for a few hours Sunday afternoon

It was pretty windy and the ocean was rough last Sunday but we thought it would be fine. It was a bumpy ride over the white caps so much so that I was literally gripping onto the hand rail. Luckily we were protected from the wind and things calmed down as we approached and moored at a little beach.

As I explored the island, the others stayed on the boat and slowly made ready to enjoy the water.

As I explored the island, the others stayed on the boat and slowly made ready to enjoy the water.

I was thrilled to see several Rock Iguanas and I could hear the rustling of many others as they made their escapes before I could spot them.

I was thrilled to see several Rock Iguanas and I could hear the rustling of many others as they made their escapes before I could spot them.

The Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana was re-introduced to several of the many little Cays. It is an endangered species of lizard and is endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The waves were pounding on the far side of the island and I was fascinated by the large rock formation with a hole in it.

The waves were pounding on the far side of the island and I was fascinated by the large rock formation with a hole in it.

We enjoyed the sun, sand and beach and of course we had it all to our selves. Even the iguanas didn't mind sharing this little spot of paradise.

We enjoyed the sun, sand and beach and of course we had it all to ourselves. Even the iguanas didn't mind sharing this little spot of paradise.

There’s so many idyllic beaches and secluded getaways in these picture perfect islands. We hope you’ll come down and visit us in the Turks and Caicos Islands soon and enjoy what our islands have to offer.
Marta

Sea Purslane

A grasshopper sits posing on a pretty, pale pink Sea Purslane flower

A grasshopper sits posing on a pretty, pale pink Sea Purslane flower

Sea Purslane grows abundantly in salty and dry habitats such as on the tiny cays just out from Harbour Club Villas and Marina. We decided to explore one day and stopped on a little cay with a spectacular view of the Five Cays shoreline.

View of Five Cays shoreline from one of the tiny cays where Rock Iguanas have been introduced

View of Five Cays shoreline from one of the tiny cays where Rock Iguanas have been introduced

We spotted some Rock Iguanas but they scurried away quickly as we approached. I did manage to get a photos of one though!

This rock iguana was very wary and was ready to take flight if I came any closer

This rock iguana was very wary and was ready to take flight if I came any closer

On one of the slopes of this little cay, a carpet of sea purslane cascaded over the rocks. Some had star shaped pink flowers that bloom throughout the year.

Sea Purslane carpets the rocks on this little cay

Sea Purslane carpets the rocks on this little cay

Sea Purslane is a succulent herb that makes for a great ground cover. It grows along beaches and along the edges of salinas and has smooth, fleshy leaves. The leaves are edible and have a salty taste. I’ll have to find out if iguanas eat the leaves as this island seemed pretty limited in the way of food. 

Sea Purslane is also know as Sea Pickle and can be used medicinally for treatment of scurvy and kidney disorders

Sea Purslane is also know as Sea Pickle and can be used medicinally for treatment of scurvy and kidney disorders

What a great plant and useful for so many things!

 

Marta

 

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Small cay

What a view! Over looking our anchored boat with Five Cays in the background.

What a view! Over looking our anchored boat with Five Cays in the background.

Today we pulled up and anchored off this little uninhabited cay………….just us and the local iguana population. They were really skittish but we saw quite a few which scuttled away as soon as they saw us. Over the years, iguanas have been introduced to some of the offshore cays as a protective measure.  What a great view from the island with the settlement of Five Cays off in the distance. Weather was perfect and as you can see from the photo, the water was different shades of turquoise.
Come see for yourselves……….plan a vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Hope to see you soon!
Marta