Category Archives: Providenciales

Starfish Flower

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This has to be one of the most unique and strange looking flowers I've ever seen.

This has to be one of the most unique and strange looking flowers I've ever seen.

I’m not sure where I got a cutting for this cactus like plant and was amazed one day to see a spectacular flower appear. It is called Stapelia Gigantea or Starfish Flower.

The starfish-shaped flower of the Stapelia Gigantea is a subdued yellow covered by miniature purple hairs.

The starfish-shaped flower of the Stapelia Gigantea is a subdued yellow covered by miniature purple hairs.

The flowers can be 10 to 16 inches across and are fleshy and shaped like five pointed stars. The interesting thing about this plant is the way pollination occurs.

The center of the flower is fleshy and exudes a horrid smell!!

The center of the flower is fleshy and exudes a horrid smell!!

The flowers are known for their foul smell which resembles the odour of rotting meat. The fine hairs, colouration and surface mimic decaying animal matter and attract mostly flies, which act as pollinators.  Before I knew the name of this plant, I called it the “shit” plant but it is also known as Carrion or Toad plant.

Stapelia Gigantea blooming at Harbour Club Villas

Stapelia Gigantea blooming at Harbour Club Villas

This Starfish Flower grows well in direct sunlight and has an interesting bud shape which opens to show a beautiful star like flower with tapering ends.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Pygmy Boa back to the wild

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Barry picks the Pygmy Boa up for a few last photos before letting him go.

Barry picks the Pygmy Boa up for a few last photos before letting him go.

 

A closeup of the boa's head.

A closeup of the boa's head.

 

We released him into our wild area where there's lots of places to hide. Note his forked tongue!

We released him into our wild area where there's lots of places to hide. Note his forked tongue!

 

One last photo before he slithers away.

One last photo before he slithers away.

 

Protect our wild life and I hope everyone enjoys these photos.

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Pygmy Boa

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Barry is always into new and different things and here he is rooting around trying to find a Pygmy Boa.

Barry is always into new and different things and here he is rooting around trying to find a Pygmy Boa.

We now have a bin that we created for our compost worms filled with moistened shredded paper which we feed every three days or so with scraps of fruit, vegetables, egg shells and coffee grounds. So when Barry found a Pygmy Boa in our wash house at Harbour Club Villas last night, he popped it in with the worms. I wanted to take photos in the day light so we had to find a temporary home for it.

Here's some of the worms and in about another four months, we should be able to harvest the finished compost.

Here's some of the worms and in about another four months, we should be able to harvest the finished compost.

This Pygmy or Dwarf Boa is about 12 inches long which is about the size that they grow to here in the islands.

This Pygmy or Dwarf Boa is about 12 inches long which is about the size that they grow to here in the islands.

These snakes are non poisonous and harmless. They have a yellow or orange tailtip which serves as a lure to their prey and also apparently the colour may discourage predators.

Barry holds the Pygmy Boa in his hand and you can see the yellowish tail.

Barry holds the Pygmy Boa in his hand and you can see the yellowish tail.

The Turks and Caicos Dwarf or Pygmy boa is endemic to these islands meaning that this snake is only found in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Maybe it was the light, but the Pygmy Boa's head showed a blue tinge and it had beautiful markings.

Maybe it was the light, but the Pygmy Boa's head showed a blue tinge and it had beautiful markings.

Our island snakes are at risk and are preyed upon by cats, dogs and rats. In the past, Barry has shown boas we’ve found to several of our local friends and visitors to Harbour Club so that they can see how harmless these snakes really are. Next time you are fortunate enough to see one, remember that they need our protection in order to survive here in the Turks and Caicos.

We must try to keep these beautiful creatures from becoming extinct.

We must try to keep these beautiful creatures from becoming extinct.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Lignum Vitae….Tree of Life

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The beautiful Lignum Vitae is found throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands

The beautiful Lignum Vitae is found throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands

The other day I noticed a Lignum Vitae just loaded with bright yellow-orange fruits. The fruits are capsule shaped and they split open in September and October to expose black seeds that are enclosed in a fleshy red pulp.

Lignum Vitae translated from Latin means "tree of life" and was used in folk medicine as well as being prized by carpenters.

Lignum Vitae translated from Latin means "tree of life" and was used in folk medicine as well as being prized by carpenters.

Commonly called ironwood, the wood is so dense that it will not float even in seawater. Lignum Vitae is the heaviest and densest wood in the world and will rapidly sink to the bottom when placed in water. It resists rot caused by insects and moisture that lignum vitae wood used as posts for dwellings by Taino Indians have been found. Loyalist settlers also harvested valuable hardwoods from the Caicos bush and exported them to Europe.

When the lignum flowers, the whole tree is laden with beautiful blue-violet blossoms.

When the lignum flowers, the whole tree is laden with beautiful blue-violet blossoms.

The resin has been used for many years, in the treatment of arthritis and other ailments. At one stage it was thought to work both a contraceptive and a treatment for syphilis. Teas have been prepared from various parts of the tree and have been used to treat boils, swollen glands, fevers, aches and pains.

Close up of a colourful seed pod.

Close up of a colourful seed pod.

flowers bloom at different times and is generally because of seasonal rains.

flowers bloom at different times and is generally because of seasonal rains.

What an amazing tree…………even the insects and nectar drinking birds love the nectar of the Lignum Vitae.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Natural Bridge

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Every few years or so, a natural rock bridge appears out at Malcolm Roads Beach

Every few years or so, a natural rock bridge appears out at Malcolm Roads Beach

I’m sure many of the locals and those that have been here for quite a while have seen the natural bridge that appears and disappears depending on the build up of sand. Years ago this was the site of the Tiki Huts right on the rocks out at Malcolm Roads beach.

I had to dig for this one....I sure miss the days of going out to Malcolm Roads when the Tiki Huts were still there.

I had to dig for this one....I sure miss the days of going out to Malcolm Roads when the Tiki Huts were still there.

This old photo shows the one tiki hut that used to sit right out on the rocks with the bridge exposed and in actual fact there were others right infront of the bridge.

This was probably the first time I saw the natural bridge. We had Ania pose under it for a great shot.

This was probably the first time I saw the natural bridge. We had Ania pose under it for a great shot.

I put this photo in because it was taken from the steps leading up to the Amanyara one day after a storm pretty much took out all the sand.

I put this photo in because it was taken from the steps leading up to the Amanyara one day after a storm pretty much took out all the sand.

The above photo was taken in early October after hurricane Ike struck the islands. It pretty much took out all the sand and the steps leading down onto the beach were just hanging with a good four foot  drop off.

When our nephew Alexis came to help with clean up after the hurricane, I took him out to see this spectacular beach and the bridge.

When our nephew Alexis came to help with clean up after the hurricane, I took him out to see this spectacular beach and the bridge.

Eventually the ocean brings back the sand which accumulates and fills in the little beach found under the rock bridge. Of course visitors wouldn’t know that the sand covers over  the bridge at times.

Here it is all filled in by the sand.

Here it is all filled in by the sand.

No rocks showing just a perfect little sandy cove.

No rocks showing just a perfect little sandy cove.

Those tiki huts bring back such fond memories of “off roading” down that narrow, washed out hill just before getting to Malcolm Roads. The first view of this beach was always awesome in all its’ breathtaking beauty. We’d usually be the only ones there on our ladies day outing complete with cooler jugs of pina coladas and Sweet T’s or Lamont’s chicken!! We’d laze all day out there enjoying the water and of course for me, always such spectacular colours for some great picture taking.
This is a gem of a place! Hope you too may get a chance to see the bridge one day.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Danny Buoy’s Irish Pub

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Mark at Danny Buoy's was kept busy Friday night.....rockin' music with Bows and Arrows, two birthday gals and great fun.

Mark at Danny Buoy's was kept busy Friday night.....rockin' music with Bowen Arrow, two birthday gals and a whole lot of fun.

Barry and I seldom go out but when we heard that David Bowen was entertaining at Danny Buoy’s, we couldn’t pass it up. What an evening of great fun, laughter, good rockin’ music by Bowen Arrow. The music brought the house down, freely flowing drinks and two beautiful birthday gals with friends out celebrating. We had a blast!

Bows and Arrows was the featured band .

Bowen Arrow was the featured band .

 

Indira celebrates her birthday at Danny Buoys

Indira celebrates her birthday at Danny Buoys

Come on out to Danny Buoy’s next Friday night……….lots of drinks and delicious pub food and Bowen Arrow will provide the entertainment!

 

See you there.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Beach Playtime

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This pretty little miss was having a blast playing in the water.

This pretty little miss was having a blast playing in the water.

I just love seeing little kids having such fun as they play in the water and of course I always have my camera ready. This cutie was just shrieking with excitement as she splashed and played.

The whole family posed together in the shallows.

The whole family posed together in the shallows.

A fun filled play time splashing in the water on a gentle and calm afternoon on one of Provo's beaches.

A fun filled play time splashing in the water on a gentle and calm afternoon on one of Provo's beaches.

Enjoy the beaches of Provo!
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com