Turks Head Cactus

My small Turks Head Cactus is blooking and throwing off seed pods like crazy!

My small Turks Head Cactus is blooming and throwing off seed pods like crazy!

I can’t believe all the seed pods on my Turks Head Cactus……all shaped like peppers but in a rosy pink colour. This little Anole lizard was looking to eat a few. I believe they do eat them along with the birds. Actually, I ate one and they are quite tasty.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Another Taylor Bay Sunday

Low tide, the exposed sandbar and our boat is anchored out in only two feet of water.

Low tide, the exposed sandbar and our boat is anchored out in only two feet of water.

 I guess it’s becoming our favourite place to go on Sundays………….tranquil Taylor Bay with its powdery soft white sand and all that shallow water ideal for babies and little kids. Today we seemed to be miles from shore but it was low tide and we were anchored in two feet of water.

This little Miss and her family was at the beach for some fun in the water

This little Miss and her family was at the beach for some fun in the water

This little one just shrieked with delight as she splashed in the water

This little one just shrieked with delight as she splashed in the water

It was absolutely wonderful at Taylor Bay today. The anticipated tropical storm didn’t make it as far as the Turks and Caicos Islands although we did get some two inches of rain. Oh how we love the rain!!! We had madly spent two days trying to get everything fertilized in time for the rains. So a day out boating and lazing in the water was a welcomed event.

Late afternoon and the tide started to come in creating ripples and waves over the sand bars.

Late afternoon and the tide started to come in creating ripples and waves over the sand bars.

Take time out to spend a few hours in Taylor Bay on your next Provo trip. We’ll likely be there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Pygmy Boa Snake

Olique is fascinated by a baby Boa but Barry couldn't quite convince him to hold it.

Olique is fascinated by a baby Boa but Barry couldn't quite convince him to hold it.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have no venomous snakes……..thank goodness!! What we do have so far is three species of snakes, the largest is the Bahama Rainbow Boa or Bahama Cat Boa, the Caicos Islands Pygmy Boa known locally as the Chicken Snake and the rarely seen Richard’s Worm Snake that burrows in the earth and looks very much like a pink earthworm.

Note the orange tip of the Pygmy Boa's tail.

Note the orange tip of the Pygmy Boa's tail.

The Caicos Islands Pygmy Boa is endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands. In other words, it’s not found any where else in the world. This snake has a range of colourations from gray and black speckled to a deeper reddish brown. The tip of the tail is a bright orange which they use as a form of defense. The boa will curl up in a ball when threatened and wave the orange tipped tail to protect their heads which are quite vulnerable.

Barry tries to get godson Olique to touch the small boa.

Barry shows Olique that Pygmy Boas are harmless and very unique to these islands

I found this little Boa curled up under a bunch of dead leaves in one of our planters and since Barry loves snakes, he kept it to show Olique. We’ve had several Pygmy Boas here at Harbour Club Villas and one time years ago when we were building, Barry rescued one that was about to be killed by the workers. He patiently showed the workmen that it was harmless and actually got them to handle and hold this unique little creature. All our snakes were released and we would hope are around here somewhere.

Olique is fascinated by the way this snake curled around Barry's finger

Olique is fascinated by the way this snake curled around Barry's finger

Check out the orange tail tip in the above photo. This Pygmy Boa will eat ants, termites, mice, rats and small lizards and geckos so they are great to have around. They grow to less than a foot long and are the smallest Boa Constrictor in the world and as such, this fact has made them famous. Make sure you don’t harm these beautiful and rare snakes should you happen to find one.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Passing storm

A passing storm with heavy dark clouds intensifies the turquoise colour of the ocean at one of the cays of the southside of Providenciales

A passing storm with heavy dark clouds intensifies the turquoise colour of the ocean at one of the cays on the southside of Providenciales

Unbelieveable ocean colours are frequent here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. You just have to have a camera ready because these passing storms out over the ocean are fleeting………..one minute it is cloudy and dark with amazing colours and the next minute it clears off.
Marta

End of the day

Coming home this evening we were treated to a spectacular sunset

Coming home this evening we were treated to a spectacular sunset

The end of a relaxing day on the water and another island sunset. This one had some amazing cloud formations over the southern shoreline from Osprey Rock, Taylor Bay and Sapodilla Bay.

The sun dancing on the water of the canal that runs past the Marine Biology School.

The sun dancing on the water of the canal that runs past the Marine Biology School.

We had a lovely afternoon on the water and as we turned into Harbour Club’s marina , the sun was just disappearing over Cooper Jack hills. The photo is taken just by the Marine Biology School where the canal leads off towards Turtle Lake. A great place to watch the sun go down into the ocean and perhaps see “the green flash” is at Sapodilla Bay.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Lazy afternoon at Taylor Bay

Yesterday was so spectacular I dropped everything and drove up the hill to a friend's house to get this photo.

Yesterday was so spectacular I dropped everything and drove up the hill to a friend's house to get this photo.

Harbour Club Villas (six red roofs) sit overlooking Flamingo Lake. It was a perfect day to get some new photos of our villas from a vantage point up at a friend’s house on Ocean Drive. It was one of those flat calm days and definitely a must to take off on the boat for the afternoon.
I love the water when it's like this, shimmering patterns glint in the late afternoon sun at Taylor Bay

I love the water when it's like this, shimmering patterns glint in the late afternoon sun at Taylor Bay

It was after 3 pm when we got onboard and headed out to Taylor Bay. I’ve mentioned before that this is an idyllic spot especially when you have kids and we had friends with a baby who came out with us. The water was warm as we moored in two feet of water quite a ways from the shore. The baby absolutely loved it.
Baby's hungry and so it's time to get on board and nurse her.

Baby's hungry and so it's time to wade back to the boat for a feeding.

Barry shows us all how to relax, put your feet up and float your cares away!!

Barry shows us all how to relax, put your feet up and float your cares away!!

 Harbour Club Villas are a great place to stay when on Provo and Taylor Bay is one of those soft powdery sand beaches where kids will have the time of their lives playing in the sand and shallow water. Come and see us soon.

Marta

Beaching and Shopping

Just love the colours on the beach bag and the ocean at Long Bay
Just love the colours on the beach bag and the ocean at Long Bay

My sister Eve found this gem of a beach bag while shopping on Grace Bay. Of course, this shot was just waiting to be snapped………a beautiful blonde, the colourful sea horses and stylized seaweed and our ever graduating turquoise hues of Providenciales ocean out at Long Bay beach. Of course, not only are the beaches spectacular but the shopping is always full of interesting things. Come to the Turks and Caicos Islands and enjoy all we have to offer. See you soon!

Marta

Injured juvenile heron

An injured juvenile heron at Harbour Club Villas

An injured juvenile heron at Harbour Club Villas

Barry found this injured juvenile Yellow-crowned night heron wandering around at the back of our villas at Harbour Club. His wing was definitely broken and the poor thing was unable to fly.

Every time we tried to approach it, it would run away.

Every time we tried to approach it, it would run away.

We tried to corner him and catch him but he was too fast and scurried away into the bushes. Nature will take its course I’m sure as it was unable to fly.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Island Coffee

The best coffee on island is roasted here on Provo by Vicki

The best coffee on island is roasted here on Provo by Victoria

Providenciales has it’s own coffee lady who roasts the coffee beans into delicious blends that are savoured throughout the islands. We met Victoria Turner when we first came to Provo about ten years ago and at the time a delicious, good cup of freshly roasted coffee was hard to come by.

Vicki pours the green coffee beans into the roaster

Victoria pours the green coffee beans into the roaster

Victoria started her company Turks and Caicos Coffee Roasters and came to me asking for a photo she could use for her speciality coffee bags.  A beautiful beach, turquoise water, blue skies photo was chosen and is now her trademark for good island coffee.

Vicki checks to make sure the coffee beans are perfectly roasted

Victoria checks to make sure the coffee beans are perfectly roasted

The aroma when Vicki is roasting is indescribably good!!!!

The aroma when Victoria is roasting is indescribably good!!!!

Victoria’s coffee is available in our local gift shops, Graceway IGA and many of the island resorts and restaurants carry their own special blends. It makes for a perfect gift for friends and family back home.

Vicki with Tina and Sheldon at their wedding...........coffee for all their guests

Victoria with Tina and Sheldon at their wedding...........coffee for all their guests

Tina and Sheldon gave all their wedding guests a gift of island coffee blended for this special occasion. Look for Turks and Caicos Islands roasted coffee or email me and I’ll put you in contact with Victoria.

Fresh coffee roasted right here on Provo is the only way to go!!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com