Times of the Islands

Posted on January 16, 2016 by marta

Times of the Island……….a beautiful island magazine that’s published four times a year.

Times of the Islands current issue for Winter 2015/16 is on the stands now and I’m so excited and proud of my cover photo! Taken on a stunningly beautiful day from the top of Jim Hill. It was one of those days filled with reflections and calm flat waters that you dream about and try to capture the beauty. I know I did!!

Taken on the same day, a fishing boat heads off to French Cay and passing the Five Cays in the background.

This issue had several of my photos as you browse through reading some great articles. I was surprised to find my photo of bonefishing with Darin Bain taken on another clear bonefishing day on the back side of Middle Caicos.

Bonefishing with Darin off Middle Caicos…no land in sight just a perfect, top class bonefishing day.

Joe Cermele and his beautiful bride on his honeymoon trip to Provo. What else would you do but fish???

Joe Cermele of Field and Stream wrote an article for Times of the Islands and I arranged for him to go out with Darin on this day so I could take photographs for my bonefishing portfolio. The article is called “If You Love Me, Let Me Fish……..A newly wed’s quest for Provo bonefish.” Here’s the exert from this moment when I had gone into the water to catch some shots of the boat.

“Are those all bonefish?,” I ask Darin in disbelief of what I’m seeing. He grins and tells me I’m not going crazy. I cast directly into the center of what must be 200 gray ghosts swimming in unison like choreographed jets in an air show. I hook one instantly and the entire school follows its struggling brother. Cameras flash as I land the fish and quickly return it to the turquoise water. The school hasn’t moved far. For the next 40 minutes, bone after bone attacks my fly in what I can only describe as the antithesis of everything I know about the species. Bonefish are sly, wary, and cunning fighters. These fish would strike a hotdog if I presented it to them, and they have no qualms about swimming right up to the boat. Christen even lands a few after I hook them up. “

Times of the Islands winter issue has a great article on the TSPCA……….all volunteer run. Here are the judges at the annual dog show.

The TCSPCA has a remarkable and dedicated group of volunteers………they are all amazing people.

My favourite little donkey taken on Salt Cay

He was just the cutest little guy

A flock of flamingos on Salt Cay out at North Creek

Such beautiful flamingos taken on a trip to Salt Cay

Times of the Islands is a publication worth taking home with you. If you’d like to read the magazine from cover to cover, the link is below.

http://www.timespub.tc/pdfpub/Winter%202015-2016%20Times%20of%20the%20Islands.html

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Trip Advisor Hall of Fame

Posted on May 23, 2015 by marta

CONGRATULATIONS……….FIVE-TIME WINNER OF THE CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

We are thrilled to announce that Harbour Club Villas and Marina have been recognized as a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence HALL OF FAME WINNER.

The ‘Hall of Fame’ was created to honour those businesses that have earned a Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years. The Certificate of Excellence award celebrates excellence in hospitality and puts a spotlight on those that consistently deliver an exceptional service to their customers. It is given only to establishments that achieve great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.

Currently we are #4 of 44 hotels on Trip Advisor! For a small vacation complex like ours, this is a major achievement and all our thanks go to our travelers for sending in their reviews.

Six, one bedroom cottages at the edge of Flamingo Lake……..great accommodation for couples, families and groups.

Specializing in couples and small groups, we can accommodate from 2 to 24 guests in our unique and very beautiful accommodation on the south side. We have affordable and highly competitive prices. all villas are available to rent either individually or as a collective group and if required, we’ll rent on an exclusive basis to ensure your family or friends have a very memorable stay.

It is our genuine intention that guests arrive as guests and leave as our friends.

A unique location between the lake and our own private Marina with a channel out to Cooper Jack Bay

Here’s what some of our guests have said……….

Nannie says “Hidden from the rest of the tourists, you have your own island retreat, surrounded by the most incredible gardens and water vistas. Your villa has just enough amenities so as to not interrupt its relaxed and soothing island oasis vibe! Truly my new favorite spot on the globe.”

Hummingbirds, green herons, bananaquits, grey king birds and recently a yellow bellied sapsucker……all can be seen at the pool and grounds of Harbour Club Villas.

“There have been very few times in my life where words have failed me. This is one of those occasions! Barry and Marta, you two are such a find! I wish we were neighbors. The villa feels like home and we wanted for nothing during our all too short stay. I especially enjoyed your gardens, the hummingbirds and the blooming “old man.”

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com/ecotourism.htm

Ask Marta to show you the best spots to eat (my personal favorite is the Bay Bistro), or best isolated beaches where treasure may or may not be found…or WHERE TO FIND THE BONEFISH!!!!!!! ”

Rod and Kim Hamilton stayed at Harbour Club Villas to do some DIY bonefishing while writing their book.

“I can highly recommend. Marta and Barry are taking great care of us and if you can believe it, the bonefishing is at the end of their driveway. I can see bonefish tailing from my front window.”

Rod gives the Turks & Caicos a nine out of a possible ten “spousal rating”. Pick up and read his book DIY Bonefishing or ask me to read my personalized copy. By the way, my photos are in the book too!

http://www.bonefishing.tc/

Step out into the lake and be fishing in minutes………..yes the bonefish are just waiting for you.

“Ahhhh yes……..a do-it-yourself bonefish delight! While we were there in April, five of the six cottages housed some world class bonefish and fly experts! What a treat as that is what lured (hahahahaha) my husband and I to this cozy retreat.”

Craig says ” This was my third visit to Harbour Club and as usual our accommodations were immaculate. I am already planning a return visit next year to coincide with an early morning incoming tide. All in all, this is a great winter getaway spot, very “spouse friendly” and a good choice for DIY bonefishing when you don’t have all day to fish.”

A home away from home in lovely surroundings

“Staying on the south side of the island offers a much more immersed and laid back feel to your vacation. While Grace Bay may offer some of the amenities some people prefer, others may prefer a more quiet and secluded stay that isn’t always easy to find on the other side of the island. The Harbour Club Villas are very spacious, comfortable, with air conditioning. We loved walking down the hill to the marina to go sit on the dock in the morning, very beautiful.”

A short walk in the mornings and onto dive boats moored in the marina and close by………Aqua TCI is right on our docks.

“Our villa was large, airy and well appointed. Two of us are divers and had about a 2 minute walk to the dive boat. Marta and Barry are wonderful hosts and provided us with great tips about the island. We will return!”

Aqua TCI is moored on our docks and will show you our spectacular underwater reef life………..the clarity is unbelievable.

Connie ( a six time returning guest) writes”Through snorkeling and diving we saw over 60 varieties of fish and a number of larger sights such as reef sharks, nurse sharks, barracudas, southern stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays and green turtles. The highlight for us was five flying gunnards that we saw with Flamingo Divers at a site called Coney Island off West Caicos.”

Divers can sit and have breakfast overlooking Flamingo Lake before heading off to the dive sites.

“We loved our villa and our stay. The diving was terrific and the 2 minute walk to the Marina for 8:30 a.m. dives is the way to go!!!”

And, breakfast with a view too.

http://www.diving.tc/index.htm

Let us help you arrange your dream island wedding. Rent all our villas for your own exclusive use.

“My new husband and I, along with 17 of our family and friends stayed at Harbour Club Villas for a week. We got married on a beach in Provo (that Marta showed us) and had our reception at the villas. You will not find a nicer place to stay or have better hosts then Marta and Barry. The villas are very roomy, comfortable and clean. Your bed is made everyday and you get fresh towels. There are beach towels and beach chairs as well. Marta and Barry make you feel that they want to do whatever they can to make your stay the best it can be. We had our wedding reception there…we hired a caterer, decorated the bbq/eating area, had music and danced..it was the perfect setup. They did so much to help us with our wedding.”

http://www.cloudnine.tc/wedding.htm

Trip Advisor welcomes Harbour Club Villas to its’ Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame. This unique accolade is granted only to those businesses that have won the Certificate of Excellence for five years in a row.

A big thank you to all our visitors and guests who took time out to send in their reviews.

Marta and Barry

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Under the Dock at Harbour Club

Posted on April 28, 2015 by marta

Anemones growing under the floating docks at Harbour Club’s Marina

A beautiful late afternoon spent lying on the docks taking photos of the marine life and world under our marina docks at Harbour Club Villas. Our guests had wandered down every evening of their stay and were coming back to tell me of all the sightings. I just had to see for myself.

Lying on the docks taking photos of the pale anemones with my reflection in the water.

Many pretty squirrel fish were darting around under the docks

The common blue crab was feeding on growths covering sturdy ropes laying in the water.

The beautiful neon yellows of the juvenile schoolmaster snapper.

Here’s some grunts, foureye butterfly fish and schoolmaster snapper.

Squirrel fish and schoolmaster snapper captured together

Love this photo of a little squirrel fish

Sea Anemone in pretty pink

Pretty but not sure what this is??

A fairly large barracuda kept prowling past.

Excitement when a guest spotted this octopus……..thanks Bryan for the photo.

Red-banded fanworm swaying with the currents.

Octopus trying to hide from Mike’s camera……what a beauty and changing colours.

An upside-down jellyfish.

I’m really amazed at all the marine life found down at the docks. Our guests at Harbour Club Villas love to wander down there in the evenings to discover all sorts of creatures, many birds, even sighting turtles and a four foot reef shark a few weeks ago.

Marta

http://www.diving.tc

Evening Stroll at Harbour Club Villas

Posted on March 25, 2015 by marta

Zenaida Dove perches on the back stone wall by the pool area at Harbour Club Villas

A beautiful, still and calm evening for a stroll around Harbour Club’s grounds and down to the Marina. An over abundance of opportunities as I wander around taking photos of the flowering plants, animals and sunset views. Here’s a selection and I hope you enjoy seeing them.

The pool at Harbour Club Villas in the late afternoon. Look at the flowering desert rose.

A perfect bridal bouquet of orange island honeysuckle favoured by the hummingbirds.

Pesky woodpecker that’s drilling holes in our coconut palms…….he’s a yellow bellied sapsucker.

Cankyberry, a species of nightshade found on our islands with its sharp prickles.

This little anole lizard was perched high on my frangipani licking I don’t know what off the budding flowers.

A bright yellow spiny orb weaver. Quite pretty really even though I don’t really like spiders.

Neighbours out for an evening sail coming in to the Marina at dusk.

This little anole was curious and posed for the camera.

The sunset glow of golden colours is so amazing looking towards Five Cays from Harbour Club Villas and Marina

Aqua TCI divers boat gently rides out the evening in the Marina, ready and waiting for another great dive day in the waters of Provo.

All this in a casual evening stroll around Harbour Club Villas and Marina. Love the peaceful quiet as the sun sets over our islands.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Flora and Fauna at Harbour Club Villas

Posted on November 14, 2014 by marta

An anole lizard wards off visitors on Harbour Club Villas’ office deck.

Another week of photographing some of the critters wandering through the gardens at Harbour Club Villas along with our beautiful wild orchids that have just started to bloom. I came home the other day to this anole lizard guarding our deck. He wasn’t too pleased to see me but did pose long enough for me to snap a photo or two.

Cute anole and he had the most gorgeous colours on top of his little head.

A pretty shell house for this little hermit crab……..he didn’t want to go to the pool!

We often find hermit crabs also know locally as soldier crabs ambling on through. Sometimes we even help them by giving them a choice of a new home. There’s also been some strange houses such as PVC pipe, an old film canister and basically they’ll use whatever they can find in the moment. This one had a very pretty shell.

We often find hermit crabs and I’m sure I’ve photographed many of them.

Here’s a gorgeous Encyclia Altissima wild orchid.

The wild orchids are blooming all over Providenciales. Found our first Encyclia Altissima orchid today just starting to bloom and what a beautiful scent they have.

A cluster of wild orchids in the bush by Harbour Club Villas

A Cuban tree frog ……….. look at those suction pads.

This little Cuban tree frog is not native to the Turks and Caicos Islands but they are spreading rapidly throughout.

Pretty amazing to see how far they can jump!

A yellow bellied sap sucker………this is a new bird for me and really exciting to see.

Here he is pecking holes in our coconut palms.

A row of old holes and then the new ones.

It was thrilling to catch sight of and photograph the yellow bellied sap sucker. Definitely not easy to do as they are very shy birds and hard to get a photo of them.

Hoping we can show you some of the local critters around Harbour Club Villas…lots of birds, lizards, geckos and some beautiful flowering plants and shrubs.

Marta

Bananaquits Bath Time

Posted on August 15, 2014 by marta

Bananaquit enjoying the water droplets.

Harbour Club Villas has quite a few birds now and this is an never ending source of photos for me. Another hot, sunny day on island and so I sprayed down our pepper and tomato plants. Within minutes all kinds of birds showed up to enjoy fluttering about in the droplets on the small palms and Washingtonians. They would fluff up their feathers to expose bare skin and rapidly flick their wings in the droplets collected on the fronds. Tough to try and get photos that are in focus because they were moving so fast. Here’s a selection of bananaquit photos.

A Washingtonian palm frond makes a perfect bird bath.

A lot of hopping about from frond to frond

Two little bananaquits enjoying a bath on a hot Provo day

Love this photo of a bananaquit on a palm frond

Fluttering wings picking up water droplets

A natural bird bath

Providenciales has numerous birds and the bananaquit is perhaps one of the more colourful small birds. I love to watch them especially around Harbour Club Villas pool area where many of our guests and bird watching guests can sit, enjoy and capture them in their photographs.

Call us for more information.

Marta

A New Look for Harbour Club Villas

Posted on July 8, 2014 by marta

Harbour Club Villas and Marina …… a beautiful location between Flamingo Lake and Cooper Jack Bay on Provo’s south shore.

Our six rental villas are in a beautiful, tranquil setting just perfect for a great vacation on Providenciales. Rent one villa or rent them all for your next group holiday or event such as a family wedding. We are only a five minute drive from Grace Bay beach too. We’ve been here for 15 years and know all the best spots, things to do and will send you to many amazing beaches to explore and enjoy.

We have recently given our villas a new look with bright Caribbean colours. Windows are screened and louvered so guests can enjoy the cooling tropical breezes. Let me show you through our villas.

Comfortable queen sized beds in our villas

Bright, open living rooms

Villas can sleep extra people on a sofa bed

Lots of couches and a dining room area overlooking the lake

Flat screened TV and a fully equipped kitchen

New colours of blue, green and yellow to brighten up the villas

High ceilings and a large living area for our guests comfort

Dining room table and seating for four and all with a view

Come and enjoy what we have to offer at Harbour Club Villas and Marina. We have six, one bedroom villas with fully equipped kitchens providing everything that you could wish for in lodging in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Harbour Club Villas and Marina Dramatic Skies

Posted on May 22, 2014 by marta

Sunset out over the Marina at Harbour Club Villas and Cooper Jack Bight

The last few nights have been pretty spectacular…..beautiful vibrant colours of the sunsets along with some dramatic skies. Here’s a selection of photos.

Over the roof tops of the villas at Harbour Club, the skies over the lake explode with colour.

Harbour Club’s Marina with mast and stunning sunset skies

Dramatic skies this afternoon in anticipation of some rain………..it’s been so dry.

The sun hangs over the horizon in a fire filled orange sky

An island sunset in the Turks and Caicos ….. hard to beat!

Harbour Club Villas is on the south side of Providenciales that’s a five minute drive away from Grace Bay beach. You’ll be able to enjoy the quiet beauty and natural scenery found in our area. Call us and book your next holiday or vacation on Provo soon. Marta http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Southern Shores

Posted on March 31, 2014 by marta

A flat calm day on the south side of Providenciales and the entrance to the Marina at Harbour Club Villas.

Most of our island visitors miss the most beautiful and tranquil side of the island where you will find Harbour Club Villas and Marina. The shoreline is absolutely beautiful with waters that are shallow and numerous beaches where you can walk for a long ways out before it gets deep. This area off shore is called the Caicos Banks, the domain of the bonefish and flats as far as you can see. The ocean doesn’t get deeper than 15 to 20 feet and as you skim over the surface, you’ll see the bottom not too far below. Here are some of my favourite photos of the area known as Turtle Tail just by the villas at Harbour Club.

Fishing flats down on Turtle Tail about a mile from Harbour Club.

Wade the waters of Juba Salina in search of bonefish.

Views overlooking the turquoise waters of the South side of Provo

Tidal beaches on Cooper Jack Bight are within a kayak ride from Harbour Club’s villas.

Take a kayak out and explore the tidal beaches near the villas and just outside the Marina channel.

Turquoise blue waters that are crystal clear and shallow.

A lone fisherman motors home as the sun sets.

Hope to see you staying with us at Harbour Club Villas and Marina……we’ll show you our beautiful piece of paradise with numerous beaches and all kinds of sights to see. We’ll point you in the right direction.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Harbour Club Villas

Posted on February 9, 2014 by marta

Harbour Club Villas and Marina looking out over Flamingo Lake

The six villas at Harbour Club make for a charming vacation hideaway that’s a little removed from the hustle and bustle of Grace Bay but still within a five minute drive.

View from Jim Hill looking over Flamingo Lake towards Harbour Club Villas

We have made a name for ourselves marketing the natural beauty and tranquility of the southern shores of Providenciales where the villas are located. Our guests are drawn towards quiet enjoyment of the natural beauty that surrounds us. We have guests coming for the excellent “catch and release” bonefishing in Flamingo Lake and Turtle Lake and the nearby ocean flats, scuba divers that return year after year and leave from our marina docks, birders, photographers and birdwatchers that enjoy the water birds, flamingos, egrets, herons, ospreys that are in our area and kayakers that love to explore the Cooper Jack shoreline and Delou’s beaches.

Six, one bedroom villas with fully equipped kitchens for your vacation rental on Provo’s south shores.

The villas were built in 1998 on the southern shore of Providenciales and comprise six, one bedroom villas, a pool and gazebo, a private marina with several dive companies close by including Flamingo Divers, Caicos Adventures,Ocean Vibes, Provo Turtle Divers and Provo’s newest addition, Aqua TCI. Here’s some photos of Harbour Club Villas and Marina on the south shore of Providenciales.

Gazebo with pool for just lazing around and relaxing.

The Marina at Harbour Club Villas from where several dive companies leave in the mornings for the dive sites at West Caicos and French Cay.

Contact Harbour Club Villas for all your diving needs, dive packages with several dive companies operating out of the marina just a short walk away from the villas.

Bonefishing just steps away in Flamingo Lake right infront of the villas.

The villas are located very close to two bonefishing lakes and flats about a mile down the road. Grab your rod and fish whenever you want to. If you don’t fish, no worries as we are always happy to share our knowledge of this beautiful island paradise especially all our great beaches.

Villa with gazebo and pool with a barbecue/grill for guests to use.

Stone walkways and tropical vegetation.

Poolside ………. relax and read a book and catch some sunshine.

Sheltered gazebo where guests can barbecue and have a drink or two.

Entrance to the pool at Harbour Club Villas

Flamingos in front of the villas in Flamingo Lake…a great spot for other water birds too

Breakfast on your own private patio with lake views

Freshly roasted island coffee for breakfast with a view

Villas are spacious with high ceilings and louvered and screened windows that look out over the lake. Bedrooms are air conditioned with a queen sized bed. The living room has a queen sofa bed onto which we place a proper queen sized mattress to make it as comfortable as a regular bed. The villa dining area has seating for four, counter top bar separating living room from a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with walk-in shower, flat screened cable TV and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Each villa has its own patio area with table and chairs overlooking the lake. We also provide guests with beach chairs, coolers plus lots of pocket novels as well as local books with island type information.

Spacious bedroom with queen sized bed

Bathroom with walk in shower, towels and beach towels provided.

Louvered and screened windows, ceiling fan and airconditioning.

Comfortable couches and ample space throughout Harbour Clubs villas

Flat screened TV’s for our guests viewing pleasure and a fully equipped kitchen

Flat screen TV with counter/bar and complimentary WiFi throughout villas and grounds

Comfortable living area with dining table and chairs with views of the lake

The lake is right outside your villa..great for bonefishing

A sofa bed can be pulled out for additional guests or for group bookings such as weddings.

Sofa beds can be made up with a regular queen mattress on top to make it more comfortable

Villas are all spacious with ample room and with fans throughout.

Open and airy with louvered and screened windows to catch the breezes

Room for additional guests with the sofa bed pulled out

Queen mattress is placed onto the sofa bed to make it as comfortable as a regular bed.

Extra bed in the nook by the windows for additional guests

Sofa beds are as comfortable with added queen mattresses

Ample room for a sitting area when the sofa bed is in use.

Flamingo Lake and Harbour Club Villas in the distance.

Bonefishermen love fishing the lake in front of the villas.

Harbour Club entrance sign with bonefisherman.

Marina view towards Coper Jack on the south side of Providenciales.

View from Jim Hill a short walk away that overlooks Five Cays and the marina entrance.

The sun sets and the reflections on the lake waters are stunning.

Six, one bedroom villas ……….rent one or rent them all for your next family occasion such as weddings.

Villas can be rented seperately or you might consider several villas for a family occasion such as weddings, reunions, anniversaries or birthdays.

Many weddings have selected the villas as their home away from home.

A beautiful night for a wedding reception at Harbour Club.

Mirror calm reflections on Flamingo Lake right by Harbour Club Villas.

One bedroom villas fully self contained for your vacation on Provo.

Harbour Club Villas welcomes any and all inquiries. We hope to see you soon in our beautiful islands of the Turks and Caicos.

Marta

MyTurksAndCaicosBlog.com

Turks and Caicos Vacation, Travel, Fishing, and Diving

Tag Archives: Harbour Club Villas and Marina

Times of the Islands

Trip Advisor Hall of Fame

Under the Dock at Harbour Club

Evening Stroll at Harbour Club Villas

Flora and Fauna at Harbour Club Villas

Bananaquits Bath Time

A New Look for Harbour Club Villas

Harbour Club Villas and Marina Dramatic Skies

Southern Shores

Harbour Club Villas