Power Boat Charters

Posted on December 6, 2009 by marta

Wow....what a gorgeous cruiser.........the boat I mean but Captain Keith was impressive too with bow tie and striped jacket.

Last night at South Side Marina which is adjacent to Harbour Club Villas’ Marina, we enjoyed a wonderful evening of champagne and a delicious buffet to celebrate the launching of Captain Keith’s luxury island charters. We walked down from the villas to our Marina docks and took a look at “Foot Loose” lit up for the party and the Christmas season. What a beautiful and elegant power cruiser she is!!

Champagne and deluxe seating on board Foot Loose

Motor out along the southern coastline or out to French Cay and West Caicos, perhaps a trip to South Caicos or even Grand Turk. You’ll be whisked away to deserted cays, do some snorkeling, total relaxation and when you get hungry, you’ll be served a sumptuous champagne buffet.

Captain Keith at the controls as he celebrates with some champagne

Captain Keith gave us a tour of the boat and sits at the controls as he celebrates with some champagne

Freedom Luxury Charters is open for business. Enjoy cruising onboard Foot Loose. Email me for more information and I’ll put you in touch with Captain Keith.

Happy Island Cruisin’ at your leisure. All the best Keith and much success.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

The Little Caribbean Mermaid

Posted on December 4, 2009 by marta

Benjamin the lobster fisherman, his faithful potcake Lucky meet an old woman who lures him into searching for a ring under the sea.

Benjamin the lobster fisherman, his faithful potcake Lucky meet an old woman (Josie Smith) who lures him into searching for a ring under the sea.

A simply stellar performance………I’m stunned at the depth of talent on display this evening at the first night performance of The Little Caribbean Mermaid and the Enchanted Ring. I’m not sure what I expected exactly but it was the most entertaining, fun filled evening full of laughter, comedy, to the point “in-jokes” about PPC, Lime and even JoJo the dolphin was part of the act.

Widow Bling (Asa from Caicos Adventures fame) was hilarious decked out in all "her" finery

Benjamin (Michael Burchill) and Lucky (Ian Arthur)explore under the sea searching for the ring and meet the beautiful Isabella (Alison Capron) and her best friend Queen Lareefah (Cora Malcolm) the Queen Angelfish.

Mermaid Isabella captivated not only the audience but Benjamin too

Spectacular underwater sets, superb costumes and all the characters in the production kept the audience enthralled as they were drawn into participating in the performance. Shouts of laughter as the audience screamed “Behind you, Behind you” as the infamous Lionfish (Mervin Forbes) put in an appearance.

The Lionfish carries off with SALT and PEPPA (wannabe SPICE types!)

Salt (Matthew Williams) and Peppa (Bernard Rodriguens) the two bumbling secret agents made the audience laugh at their antics as the story unfolded.

Queen Lareefah with fishy friends

Handsome King Neptune with his gold trident

Handsome King Neptune (Addison Stoddard) with his gold trident

Unforgettable dance numbers and singing had the crowd clapping in time to the up tempo music

JoJo the dolphin put in a surprise appearance

This little boy (he was a pufferfish) was in a fantastic costume.

This little boy (Cole Nickson, the pufferfish) was in a fantastic costume.

The spotted drum fish (Aphrah Groves) had a swimming good time as he drummed his way through the show

The spotted drum fish (Aphrah Groves) had a swimmingly good time as she drummed her way through the show

Dave Volkert as Benjamin's father had the crowd in stitches

No comment!!

King Neptune (Addison) and his queen (Josie) at the finale

This little one upstaged Isabella, the mermaid (sorry Alison!) as she danced up a storm in front of us.

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!!!! What a resounding success…….we had such a good laugh and it was a great way to start off the Christmas season.

Jayne the writer and Mickey the "go to boy" in their usual every day attire....well it's the only photo of them that I have!!

I musn’t forget to mention that Jayne from Flamingo Divers wrote the script and Meryl Cooper was the director. Performances are at Brayton Hall on Dec 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 at 7 pm nightly with a matinee at 2 pm on Saturdays. Tickets are available at Unicorn Books, IGA Graceway, Saltmills Diner and IGA Gourmet.

For a great evening of laughter and entertainment take in the show on one of the above days or go again as it’s worth seeing over and over again!!

Break a leg!!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Festival

Posted on November 28, 2009 by marta

The annual Conch Festival was held this afternoon down in Blue Hills

The Turks and Caicos Conch Festival is held each year in Blue Hills and today was the day for fun and conch tasting. The weather was a little cloudy but nonetheless all kinds of delectable conch dishes were prepared and samples served up by the islands best restaurants.

Delicious servings of conch were tasted by the crowds attending this annual event

The 6th annual Conch Festival had all kinds of events from marching brass bands, our island queen’s were in attendance, conch blowing, cultural performances, Mojito contest along with my favourite event… the Bamberra Rum Junk A Noo Rush.

Junkanoo is a must to see and enjoy........Blue Hills is the place to be.

You can't help but dance along with the drum beats, whistles and bells.

The colourful costumes of the swirling dancers combined with goatskin drums, cowbells, horns and other instruments. Everyone joins in as the performers go through some wild and uninhibited dancing as they bang on drums and move down the Blue Hills road. The word “rush” is given to this all-out form of dancing in the streets as people “jump up” to the island rhythms.

Mark your calendars. November is the month for the conch festival so come join us on Provo.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Potcake friends

Posted on November 25, 2009 by marta

Our daughter Tina and potcake friends at Smith's Reef

We were out at Smith’s Reef when two potcakes came up to say hello to Tina. I snapped this photo as they sat on the beach on either side of her watching the snorkelers in the water. To the left of the photo, you can see the sandy roadway leading into the water where snorkelers can start exploring the snorkel trail.

Happy snorkeling!

Marta

http://www.diving.tc

Beaches and more beaches

Posted on November 22, 2009 by marta

Mike floating about on Grace Bay beach at the Bay Bistro

I decided to take Mike to one of my favourite spots along the North shore and Grace Bay. It really is interesting how the beach changes from one end at the entrance to Turtle Cove Marina to the other end at Leeward. If you want to snorkel, the best spots are at Smith’s Reef and the Bight Reef at Coral Gardens (White House Reef). Mike took all his great photos of turtles at the Bight Reef. Here’s one from today……..he saw turtles, a sting ray, a huge barracuda, a lionfish (oh no!!!!) and lots of fish.

Mike snapped this photo of a Hawksbill Turtle at the Bight Reef

The best for just enjoying the water and swimming, just lazing around and for the softest sand is just in front of the Bay Bistro ( great food and tell Chef Clive, Marta sent you!) and Sibonne. We used to find all kinds of sand dollars there years ago but when things got built up they all disappeared. We spent hours here today just enjoying the water.

Nothing like having a cold Corona on the beach while enjoying the water

While Mike was out snorkeling at the Bight Reef, I saw a white eagret swoop over my head and land. He stayed for a while and I managed to get some great shots.

A white eagret stopped by to check things out.

To top off every fantastic day in the Turks and Caicos Islands…….. a sunset that was extraordinary. We were at a friends house overlooking our villas at Harbour Club and Flamingo Lake below us. The colours and the calm waters showed off the Five Cays so clearly.

Harbour Club Villas between Flamingo Lake and the ocean at Cooper Jack Bight

On your next visit to Providenciales, explore all our beaches as there’s many of them each one as spectacular as the next. See you there!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

A quiet beach and Flamingos

Posted on November 19, 2009 by marta

Another spectacular day....calm and clear and I dragged Mike along for a photo. Who am I kidding....it was quite a few photos and Mike was very patient.

Our little “no name” beach (I call it My Beach or Dog Beach) is just down the road and tucked away. It’s know to the locals and several dogs who come to cool off in the water with or without owners. This is the favourite beach for our honeymoon couple Tim and Kristi who are staying with us now. Tim loves to bonefish and Kristi loves the beach so they are both happy.

Kristi loves this little beach and reads her book and cools off in the water.

Meanwhile, down the road a short ways, Tim was searching for bonefish. When we saw him, there was a school of bonefish that he had sighted. A flamingo flew right over his head as he was wading and I managed to catch it on camera………it’s a bit blurry but you can make out the flying flamingo.

Here's Tim bonefishing with a flamingo flying overhead.

The water was so calm and besides Kristi, there were only three other people just strolling along in the shallow waters.

The three dots are people walking out in the shallow water.

Today was again, another one of those days where the ocean was like a mirror. It was late afternoon and we had spent an hour taking photos of the flamingos…..at least we tried to get up as close as we could to them. They kept wandering over to the otherside.

Conference call as the flamingos gather together to squawk about the shrimps.

This is the first year that I’ve seen more than a handful of flamingos. Usually we see no more than five or so but there were alot of them there on the lake and salina today.

The flamingos were different colours some a real vivid pink.

The flamingos made reflections in the water as they slowly walked along occasionally feeding with heads under the water. If you are a bird watcher and here on vacation, make your way down Venetian Road past our villas at Harbour Club and you’ll see them. I’ll meet you there maybe???

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Bonefish Heaven

Posted on November 18, 2009 by marta

Today I experience a bit of Bonefish Heaven out on the flats by Pine Cay.

What an unbelieveable day we had out on the flats with our guide Darin Bain of D and B Tours. He ordered up this spectacular flat calm day with clear see through water and those reflections! We headed off towards Pine Cay and it didn’t take Capt. Darin long to sight the fish.

Joe got busy and caught his first bonefish of the day.........a beauty!

We couldn’t have picked a better day and I was just along to take the photographs. I’m not sure how many cards I filled or batteries but I made sure I wouldn’t run out. The colours of the ocean, the flats, the bonefish and the reflections in the water were all breathtaking. I don’t fish but found the whole experience exciting and exhilarating.

Joe releases a good sized bonefish one of many caught this day.

I think Joe hooked up at least 13 or so and landed some six. At one point when I was shooting from the water, he saw a hundred or so coming towards me from behind. What a sight to see!

Fish On...........Joe catches another one and check out the reflections in the water.

Capt Darin has been fishing the Caicos Flats for over 10 years and he really knows the area like the back of his hand and will put you on the fish. His eagle eyes can see them when no one else can…..I was hopeless at seeing them but then I was too busy with the camera.

Joe smiles from ear to ear.......another bonefish. They're called "the ghosts of the flats"

Joe and Christen are honeymooning at Harbour Club Villas and Joe is a photo journalist with Field and Stream Magazine. This is his first time fishing for bonefish and I think we have him convinced that the Turks and Caicos Islands is the place for bonefishing.

Bonefishing is GREAT in the Turks and Caicos Islands

A perfect day! All you bonefishermen out there just have to head down to Provo and I’ll hook you up with Darin for a trip out onto the flats. Call me and I’ll arrange everything for you.

Tight Lines!

Marta

http://www.bonefishing.tc

Potcakes

Posted on November 17, 2009 by marta

I have a new Mommy and Daddy!!!!! I'm so excited and so are they.

Today was an exciting day for our honeymoon guests Christen and Joe. They had corresponded with the amazing volunteers at Potcake Place and filled out application forms to adopt one of these precious little potcakes. Jane, the founder of Potcake Place brought the pups over to Harbour Club Villas to introduce them to each other and for a little play/get acquainted session.

Potcakes need your help so that they can be placed in a wonderful "forever home" with a loving family.

I honestly don’t know how it’s possible not to love these little charmers and then to have to choose. Ono will find a loving family to call home too.

Here's Ono with her sweet little face and crooked ear.

Christen and Joe couldn’t resist the playful nature of a potcake puppy that they’ve already named Ava………Joe tells us she’s named after an Ava fishing jig. Joe’s passionate about his fishing and what could be better than a honeymoon in the Turks and Caicos, some bonefishing and wading in Turtle and Flamingo Lakes, a new family member called Ava and don’t forget some snorkeling for Christen too!!

Ava gets a cuddle from Jane.

There are several ways in which you can help: Volunteers are needed to carry potcakes to their new owners so if your flying from Provo to Canada or the States, please contact Jane at Potcake Place. Please give what you can as all the donations go towards fostering the puppies. Most importantly, if you can adopt a potcake and give it all the love and attention it deserves, just call me 1 866 456 0210 or email us and I’ll point you in the right direction.