Category Archives: Turks and Caicos History

Pretty Spider’s Web

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Liquid sunshine pearl drops on a spider's web taken one afternoon that I found irresistable for a photo.

Liquid sunshine pearl drops on a spider's web taken one afternoon that I found irresistable for a photo.

I’m not a big fan of spiders at any time but when I came across a spider’s web dotted with drops of rain after one of our brief rain showers, I couldn’t resist trying to get some photos.

It was fascinating the way the silvery drops hung delicately off the silken strands of the web

It was fascinating the way the silvery drops hung delicately off the silken strands of the web

The spider's web with strands of liquid pearls stood out from the backdrop of one of my fushia coloured bouganvillea.

The spider's web with strands of liquid pearls stood out from the backdrop of one of my fushia coloured bouganvillea.

 The gardens here at Harbour Club Villas always present something interesting or new for me to photograph. Yesterday for example, I couldn’t get a photo of a baby dove that was trying to fly. It was in our wild area hidden somewhat by the bush. Never mind……..there’s always shots that are missed but something else always comes along to take its place.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

French Cay

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A magnificent stretch of beach with the clearest turquoise water at French Cay

A magnificent stretch of beach with the clearest turquoise water at French Cay

French Cay is a small uninhabited island about 15 miles due south of Providenciales. It was once the hideout of a pirate called Nau L’Ollonais also known as Francois L’Ollonais in the 17th century. He would ambush and capture passing sailing vessels and was a ruthless and cruel buccaneer.

Floating in the water was the only way to cool off......it was so hot

Floating in the water was the only way to cool off......it was so hot

The boat's shadow is reflected in the water and note the starfish.

The boat's shadow is reflected in the water and note the starfish.

The day of our trip to French Cay was certainly one of the best ever for weather. All the way there and back we could see the ocean floor as clear as day. One of the highlights was seeing so many orange cushion stars strewn along the sandy bottom.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Conch Season Opens

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Conch season opened several days ago.

Conch season opened several days ago.

I didn’t know we had a conch season here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I found out yesterday that Conch season opened Oct 15th and will run until July 15. Conch has played an integral part in the islands’ history. The Taino and Lucayan indians subsisted on conch and the Bermudians and American Loyalists also fished for conch for their food as this was a cheap food source rich in protein. Conch from the Turks and Caicos Islands was actively traded with Haiti on board Caicos-built sloops. Millions of conch were dried and shipped reaching a peak in 1943 when 3.9 million conchs were exported

Conch assembly line on the beach in Blue Hills

Conch assembly line on the beach in Blue Hills

Using a small hammer with a pointed head, the conch is “knocked” with a hole between the second and third row of nodes on the shell’s spire and this provides access to the tendon that holds the animal in its shell. The animal can then be pulled out by its claw which is removed with a fileting knife along with some tough skin and knobs.

The conch is "knocked" and the animal removed from the shell.

The conch is "knocked" and the animal removed from the shell. The translucent "rod" can be seen against the pink of the shell.

The long, translucent  and gelatinous rod know locally as “the pistol” or nature’s own Viagra is pulled out. This is quickly eaten as it is purported to be an aphrodisiac.

To many, this is the best part of the conch!!

To many, this is the best part of the conch!!

On a really good day, about 1,000 conch can be harvested. In recent years a quota for export has been set at 1.6 million pounds which does not include the shells. Some of the discarded shells are used by local crafts persons to create some lovely looking gifts for our visitors to take back home for family and friends.

Conch shells lined up and ready for sale in Blue Hills.

Conch shells lined up and ready for sale in Blue Hills.

Enjoy a selection of conch dishes when you are in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Are you brave enough to eat “the pistol”?????
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Cannons at Ft. St. George Cay

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Ania snorkels to try and find the canons lying in shallow water.

Ania snorkels to try and find the cannons lying in shallow water.

In 1798 the work on Ft St George was begun. A detachment of 2oo men was sent from Jamaica and they brought with them cannon and other equipment. The unit was from the 67th Royal Hampshire Regiment and when supplies failed to arrive from Nassau, these men experienced real hardship. They had to depend on fish and locally grown corn and as a result some 30 were lost through illness and death.

A marker lies buried in the sand on Ft St George Cay

A marker lies buried in the sand on Ft St George Cay

Ensign Neil Campbell was the commander and he persisted in erecting the fort on St. George’s Cay, guns were mounted and barracks and storeroom finished.

Two cannons lie in a few feet of water and are covered with marine growth

Two cannons lie in a few feet of water and are covered with marine growth

It is thought that there are five or six cannons lying in the water in an arc pointing out to sea.  Whenwe were there, we saw two that were pretty much buried in the sand and overgrown with marine growth. It is possible that the cannons were originally mounted on land and that erosion and undermining of the land over the past 200 years has caused the cannons to fall into the sea.

Closer view of one of the cannons in the waters off Ft St George

Closer view of one of the cannons in the waters off Ft St George

Many years ago when we first came to take a look at the cannons, there were several snorkelers out in the waters. One of them excitedly found something lying in the sand. It was a silver coin. We always wondered what other treasures might be lying there covered by the sand and even how many other artifacts have been found and taken away from the islands. Let’s hope that somehow, sometime this will be a protected area and that it will become an heritage site/ historic park for future generations to enjoy.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Chalk Sound

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My favourite photo of Chalk Sound taken from the road infront of this private home with its' own Juliet balcony

My favourite photo of Chalk Sound taken from the road infront of this private home with its' own Juliet balcony

Many peoples introduction to Chalk Sound is from the air coming into the airport. It has the most spectacular turquoise colourations dotted with mini cays or islands. For those of you familiar with our second home in Banff, Alberta, Canada…..we have Peyto Lake which has similar turquoise colour that is due to glacial rock particles that are suspended in the water.

We were lunching at Las Brisas Restaurant one day and I happened to catch some photos of this gentleman going for a swim

We were lunching at Las Brisas Restaurant one day and I happened to catch some photos of this gentleman going for a swim

Chalk Sound is variously referred to as a large lake, a land locked lagoon, a large natural creek , a bay or sound as well as an inland waterway. Take your pick. It is shallow and silty and you can see the clouds of fine sand particles kicked up by the above swimmer. That’s what gives the water its stunning turquoise colour.

View of the water looking towards Silly Creek and the residential area of beautiful private homes

View of the water looking towards Silly Creek and the residential area of beautiful private homes

Chalk Sound is a national park and is approximately three miles long (5 km) and lies in the south west part of Providenciales. At one time in the early 1900’s it was leased for raising and canning turtles, lobster and shellfish. Mr George Silly ( a part of Chalk Sound called Silly Creek still retains his name ) lived on a barren bluff between the two entrances to Chalk Sound in a thatched roofed cottage and he had a small shop and a cannery there.

Clouds reflecting in the turquoise waters of Chalk Sound

Clouds reflecting in the turquoise waters of Chalk Sound

The history of Chalk Sound revolves around various commercial enterprises such as mentioned above. George Silly also leased Chalk Sound and tried to rejuvenate the sponge industry. He had 250,000 cuttings of reef sponges sown. He continued this experiment of planting sponge beds but the operation died out after his death in 1917 and was abandonned after the war.

Chalk Sound private home with a million dollar view

Chalk Sound private home with a million dollar view

Today Chalk Sound is lined with spectacular homes but you can rent kayaks from Las Brisas Restaurant or perhaps be lucky enough to see the kids learning how to sail a Caicos Sloop. Stop in at Las Brisas Restaurant for a delicious lunch or dinner with one of the best views on Provo. Their Paella is really good………Pina Coladas too!!

An Old Man Cactus stands tall against the panoramic blue turquoise background of Chalk Sound

An Old Man Cactus stands tall against the panoramic blue turquoise background of Chalk Sound

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Chitons

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Chitons are unusual creatures that cling to the rocks

Chitons are unusual creatures that cling to the rocks

Have you ever wandered through the water at low tide and checked out the rocks? For sure you’ll see these interesting looking things attached to the rocks. They are called Chitons, Coat of Mail shells or more locally by the colourful name of “suck rock”. Chitons are armoured, oval shaped creatures that live on the rocks around the tide line and basically are almost impossible to pry off the rocks.
A common resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the Fuzzy Chiton and this one had star barnacles living on its' plates

A common resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the Fuzzy Chiton and this one had star barnacles living on its' plates

  These animals or mollusks are characterised by eight armoured plates. The West Indian Fuzzy Chiton is medium sized and you don’t often notice them because their colour and texture is similar to the rocks on which they live and therefore they blend in. I thought the above photo was unusual because of the tiny star barnacles (also a mollusk) living on it’s back.

 

Here's a closeup of the West Indian Fuzzy Chiton showing the barnacles.

Here's a closeup of the West Indian Fuzzy Chiton showing the barnacles.

 Apparently the Lucayan Tainos used to harvest the chitons by using tools made from conch shells. They were somehow able to get the meat inside without smashing the plates. The small strip of chiton meat is salty, rubbery and a little slimy.

 

This chiton shell was found by a guest of Harbour Club Villas and it has the most beautiful markings.

This chiton shell was found by a guest of Harbour Club Villas and it has the most beautiful markings.

If you are out exploring any of Providenciales’ rocky shoreline, stop to take a look and see if you can find these interesting mollusks.

See you on the rocks!!

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

 

Turks and Caicos Islands National Dress

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Sweet smiling island girls in their national dress

Sweet smiling island girls in their national dress

I love this photo………the girls are soooo cute with such beautiful smiles and dressed in their national costume. Up until 2002, we did not have a national dress representative of all the islands of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our island ancestors wore basic and practical clothing reflecting a simple and humble lifestyle. An idea was born and developed by David Bowen with tremendous help from a group of dedicated people.

These handsome young boys were eager to smile for the camera

These handsome young boys were eager to smile for the camera

Colours were selected for each island: Red for Grand Turk representing the red/pink  fruit of the national plant, the Turks Head Cactus; White for Salt Cay and the colour of salt; Orange for South and East Caicos showing off the colours of the spiny lobster and fish as well as the fishing industry in South Caicos; Tan for Middle Caicos and the natural colour of the island’s thatch that covered most of the early homes and roofs and today the colour represents the crafts of basket weaving, straw hats and brooms; Green for North Caicos and Parrot Cay where fruit trees and others flourish in the fertile soil along with Wades Green Plantation where cotton grew and flourished in days gone by; Turquoise for Providenciales, Pine Cay and West Caicos where the turquoise water surrounds us and contributes to bringing us our newest resource of tourism.

These young people perform folk songs in their national dress of white cotton with coloured bands representing each island.

These young people perform folk songs in their national dress of white cotton with coloured bands representing each island.

Six colours were chosen for the main islands of the Turks and Caicos and two more for symbols of our national pride.  Pink for the conch shell and our flamingos and Yellow, the colour of the sun shining down on our beautiful islands and cays and also the sun is a major factor in bringing us all our tourist visitors.

These girls and boys performed in their national dress at the Carifta Games held in Provo in 2007.

These girls and boys performed in their national dress at the Carifta Games held in Provo in 2007.

Each person proudly displays and wears their individual island colour …..the girls wear scarves and sashes in their islands’ corresponding colour and the boys have hat bands in the colour of their island home .

I found this information so very interesting and I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed looking everything up.

When you are here in Provo make sure to find out if there are any cultural events or performances taking place.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch World

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View of the Subsea Pasture where the conch grow from about 6 cm to adult conch

View of the Subsea Pasture where the conch grow from about 6 cm to adult conch

Today we headed out to see the Conch Farm…….the only one of its kind in the world. I’d heard that they had suffered quite some damage from Hurricanes Hanna and Ike. I have been through the farm several times over the years and today was an  opportunity to go again. The old dock was gone and lots of damage sustained by Ike’s 140 mph winds as well as an 8 foot storm surge during Hanna.

Here's our friendly and informative guide Danver who told us everything you ever wanted to know about conch and more!

Here's our friendly and informative guide Danver who told us everything you ever wanted to know about conch and more!

Provo Conch World has been in existence since 1984 with 12 million dollars invested to develop conch farming to the commercial scale it operates at today. Currently they have about 500,000 conch!

On shore nursery ponds containing small conch from 2 to 6 cm

On shore nursery ponds containing small conch from 2 to 6 cm

Baby conchs grow in these nursery ponds for about a year until ready to be put out in the sub-sea pasture

Baby conchs grow in these nursery ponds for about a year until ready to be put out in the sub-sea pasture

I have lots more photos and will continue tomorrow
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sapodilla rock carvings #2

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View of boats at anchor at Sapodilla Bay from the top of the hill

View of boats at anchor at Sapodilla Bay from the top of the hill

A great view point to watch the sun go down and look for the Green Flash…………the top of the hill has scattered rock carvings with names and dates. They say these carvings were left by sailors on watch.

This carving bears the name S Thompson and shows the Masonic symbol

This carving bears the name S Thompson 1874 and shows the Masonic symbol

This is quite an elaborate carving with Palestine at the top and the name R N Bacon and dated

This is quite an elaborate carving with Palestine at the top and the name R N Bacon.

Inscription dated 1812 and 1821

Inscription dated 1812 and 1821

This one's from 1832

This one's from 1832

Here's what Sapodilla Bay looks llike from where the carvings are

Here's what Sapodilla Bay looks like from where the carvings are

Be sure to visit Sapodilla Hill to see these carvings and enjoy the view when you visit us on Providenciales.

See you up there!
Cheers,
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sapodilla Hill Rock Carvings

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Here's the trail leading up Signal Hill to where the carvings are found

Here's the trail leading up Signal Hill to where the carvings are found

On the way out to South Dock and just past the Chalk Sound turn off, you’ll find a rough dirt road that ends at the old Mariner Hotel. Park beside the link fence at about a third of the way to the old hotel and look to the right…..you should see the trail head.

At the top of Signal Hill look down in the rocks and you'll find the carvings

At the top of Signal Hill look down in the rocks and you'll find the carvings

There are many names and dates carved into the rocks supposedly by shipwrecked sailors in days gone by. The inscriptions are quite old and you can clearly make out names such as Balfour and  Harriott along with dates.

This appears to be the earliest date 1767

This appears to be the earliest date 1767

One of the inscriptions could be attributed to a 19th-century official: W.R. Inglis, second President of the Turks & Caicos (1854-1862).

Inscription by W.R. Inglis around 1854-1862

Inscription by W.R. Inglis around 1854-1862

I want to post more photos of the inscriptions and will do that tomorrow. The view is magnificent from the top of Sapodilla and well worth a trip to see these old carvings.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com