Turks and Caicos Islands….Open for Business

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Harbour Club Villas and Marina has a new look with new, white metal roofs…….Yes we are open for business after Hurricane Irma.

Yes, we can now say that we survived a Category 5 Hurricane!

It has been a chaotic and traumatic time for all of us here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We were hit hard with damages especially to all the roofs. Our red tiled roofs are no longer, ripped off by the horrific force of the winds and left in piles after Hurricane Irma.

Now some 50 days after, we have new white metal roofs and clean up is almost complete. The Turks and Caicos Islands are open for business and better than ever…….restaurants are opening, dive boats are back in the water, snorkeling is great and we’ve seen so many turtles and our bonefishermen are back in the lake and on the flats, excursions and more.

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Red tiles are no longer but fresh looking, white roofs

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Grace Bay Beach at the Bight Reef is as beautiful as ever so book your vacations now. This was taken a few days ago

Our beaches are all as stunning as ever with the prettiest sparkling water you’ll ever see. All my photos have been taken recently and quite honestly, if you want beaches that have few people on them, now’s the time to come. We are waiting for you so head down for some fun in the sun and on the beach.

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Our first flower appears after the wrath and devastation of Irma and it was so beautiful to see.

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A rippling effect as the sunlight plays on the waters of Grace Bay

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Young flamingos were sighted in Flamingo Lake close by the villas at Harbour Club

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A spectacular sunset over Flamingo Lake

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Stark silhouette of leafless trees that were stripped by Hurricane Irma

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Footprints in the sand along the edge of the water on Grace Bay

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A little hummingbird sits on a rope left over from tying our trees together for strength against the hurricane……..so where do they go during hurricanes?

Not ready for scuba diving......call Jodi at Snuba TCI.

Not ready for scuba diving……call Jodi at Snuba TCI.

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Peaceful and serene on the south side of Provo where our villas are located.

Dive operators are ready to take you out for some scuba diving.

Dive operators are ready to take you out for some scuba diving.

There’s some great diving waiting for you…….four of the island’s dive operators leave from the marina at Harbour Club or close by: AquaTCI, Flamingo Divers, Provo Turtle Divers and Caicos Adventures. Give them and us a call for all your diving needs………grab your buddy and come on down.

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Snorkeling Smith’s Reef after the hurricane…..so many juvenile hawksbill and green turtles were sighted.

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The Bight Reef on a clear day recently…still debris lying on the bottom but thankfully the reef looks really good.

Sailing along Grace Bay with the Atabeyra just this past week

Sailing along Grace Bay with the Atabeyra just this past week

There’s many water based excursions you can choose and one of the best is sailing on the Atabeyra……….so relaxing, do a snorkel or a sunset cruise and watch that rum punch!!!

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Here’s my version of “Fall” colours on Provo !

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Bonefishing in Flamingo Lake and yes, we saw fishermen last week.

Provo Ponies is ready to take you for a leisurely ride on Long Bay beach

Provo Ponies is ready to take you for a leisurely ride on Long Bay beach

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This could be you in one of these lounge chairs?

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Those adorable potcakes…….so many of them waiting for good forever homes.

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Forever shades of blue and turquoise.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are open for business after the hurricanes and we invite you to join us. We want to show you our special “beautiful by nature” islands and friendly welcoming people.

Hope to see you all very soon.

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Horseback Riding on the Beach with Provo Ponies

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

 

Provo Ponies… Riding on the beach

What a treat to see Provo Ponies' Camille and her group out at Long Bay beach.

What a treat to see Provo Ponies' Camille and her group out at Long Bay beach.

We went out to Long Bay beach and started walking from the future site of another hotel. The kite boarders were out in full force and it was fun watching them jumping and twirling and racing across the shallow waters out there. We were fortunate to see Camille from Provo Ponies who had her group out for a leisurely ride along the beach. I caught this great photo as Camille’s horse pranced out of the water and her dog seemed to want to play along.

Meet Cowboy as he heads to cool off in the water

Meet Cowboy as he heads to cool off in the water

Cowboy is a Paso Fino……these horses were originally shipped to Provo from the Dominican Republic and when Camille rescued them, they were showing signs of abuse. Camille and friends nursed them back to health and eventually became Provo Ponies.

Enjoy a horseback ride along an amazingly beautiful stretch of beach when you are next here on Providenciales. The warm sun, the turquoise ocean, true blue skies and miles of deserted beach will make for a horseback ride to remember.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com 

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Provo Ponies on the beach

Riding with Provo Ponies out at Long Bay beach

Riding with Provo Ponies out at Long Bay beach

Imagine riding horses along a tropical beach on a perfect day with blue skies and the gorgeous backdrop of the turquoise waters out at Long Bay Beach. We were out for a long walk along the beach a week ago and met this group of horses and riders. Provo Ponies with Camille Slattery will take you for an idyllic ride along this quiet stretch of beach and since it is quite shallow you can take your horse out into the water.

You can trot and canter along a beautiful stretch of Long Bay Beach

You can trot and canter along a beautiful stretch of Long Bay Beach

What I find quite unique is that Provo Ponies started as a rescue operation for horses and ponies in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Many of the ponies and horses are from Grand Turk and the original ones were Paso Finos that had come to the TCI from the Dominican Republic and sadly were showing signs of abuse. These fine animals have been given a second chance and are loving their lives now and giving pleasure to so many people coming here to ride on the beaches of Provo.

If you would love to ride on the beach, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with Camille at Provo Ponies.

Happy trails!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com