Category Archives: Providenciales

Christmas Potcake

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Here's Ava the potcake pup that was adopted recently by our guests at Harbour Club

Here's Ava the potcake pup that was adopted recently by our guests at Harbour Club

We received recent photos from Joe and Christen of their little Potcake named Ava that they adopted in November while here on their honeymoon. Jo writes “Ava is an utter joy and we couldn’t be happier with her. She’s the best souvenir I’ve ever brought home from a trip.  Attached you’ll find some recent photos, including her about to eat a Christmas ball, her donning her fancy jingle-bell collar, and her first romp in the snow (we’re supposed to get 2 feet tonight). EVERYONE loves our dog and she’s as friendly as could be.

Here's Ava with her "jingle bell" collar and just waiting to see what goodies Santa will bring her.

Here's Ava with her "jingle bell" collar and just waiting to see what goodies Santa will bring her.

Please, if you are able to help in any way……. contact Jane at Potcake Place, the fine potcake friends at the Turks and Caicos SPCA or call me at 1 8666 456 0210. They are always looking for people to take potcakes to Canada or the USA to join their new “forever” families. Adopt one if you can or make a donation towards the fostering and care of these little puppies. Thanks to Joe and Christen, Ava is one happy puppy who’ll spend her first Christmas surrounded by the warmth and love of her new family.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Christmas Wild Poinsettia

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Wild Poinsettias grow throughout the islands.

Wild Poinsettias grow throughout the islands and we're fortunate to be able to see them growing wild.

The wild poinsettia is found throughout our islands. It has leaves that are shaped like a lance and are often tipped with a deep red towards the centre. This cluster of red leaves gives the impression of a flower but the actual flower is found at the centre and in the photo the flowers have grown into green seed pods. Poinsettias are a favourite at Christmas time and many will buy the cultivated variety.
A floral bouquet of wild poinsettias and wild plumeria or frangipani in the gardens of Harbour Club Villas.

A floral bouquet of wild poinsettias and wild plumeria or frangipani in the gardens of Harbour Club Villas.

These beautiful wild flowers are found growing wild almost everywhere you go. The milky sap from the poinsettia is used as bush medicine and is a remedy for warts and corns.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Hummingbirds

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A male Bahama Woodstar Hummingbird perches for a while as I took his picture

A male Bahama Woodstar Hummingbird perches for a while as I took his picture

The pool area at Harbour Club Villas is the place to birdwatch and frequently we see these beautiful tiny creatures as they hover from flower to flower especially liking the flowers on my firecracker bushes.  The Bahama Woodstar is the only hummingbird that is found regularily in the Turks and Caicos. They are generally green on the top of the body with a brown underbody. The female is rather dowdy and drab where as the male has that magnificent irridiscent purple throat which shimmers and glints as the sun catches it.

This tiny female takes a rest on a vine under our palm tree.

This tiny female looked like a baby not quite used to flying as she takes a rest on a vine under our palm tree.

 The only time I manage to snap a photo is when they perch and rest for a while. These little guys can fly every which way…up, down, left, right and backwards too. When they hover their wings flap at about 50 times per second. Humming birds have a very fast heart and breathing rate and therefore they need to feed every ten minutes or so throughout the day.

A humming bird sits on her small nest built on a forked branch.

A humming bird sits on her small nest built on a forked branch.

One of our guests at the villas was an avid bird watcher and she discovered a nest with only one egg in it. I can’t believe how tiny hummingbird nests are. This one was precariously built in the fork of a three foot tree which was more like a twig. The cup shaped nest is built out of plant fragments and silk from spiders’ webs which is all glued together with her own saliva.

A female sits on her eggs.

A female sits on her eggs.

A female hummingbird will usually lay two white eggs which take about two weeks to hatch. A further three weeks in the nest and then the young are ready to fly. Unfortunately this twig like branch was bent over in a strong wind and the egg flew out and broke. I would have loved to have seen the young but this was not to be.

 

Enjoy nature around you and watch for the colourful Bahama Woodstar hummingbirds while you enjoy your vacation here on Provo.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Wild Flowering Vines

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Tiny purple flowers on a vine that I found today.

Tiny purple flowers on a vine that I found today.

I’m not sure what made me look down on the ground but I’m glad I did. We have a rocky bank by the villas that we cleared some weeks ago and now there are many tiny clumps of creeping vines that are like a ground cover. Miniature little flowers with pointed petals are blooming all over and they are so pretty.

These little flowers are really quite lovely and if you didn't look closely, you'd miss them

These little flowers are really quite lovely and if you didn't look closely, you'd miss them

I haven’t been able to come up with a name for them. I also found what I think is a variety of  Creeping Day Flower in a very pretty blue. Some seeds must have blown in and they started to grow under one of my coconut palms.

Tiny, unique looking blooms of the Creeping Day flower.

Tiny, unique looking blooms of the Creeping Day flower.

Several months ago, I came across a plant with pale white flowers at Harbour Club Villas that I identified as a Creeping Day Flower. This one has blue flowers and the same leaf structure so I’m assuming it is a variety of the same plant. Again such small flowers that under normal circumstances you’d miss.

Amazing how many small low to the ground vines there are here in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Amazing how many small low to the ground vines there are here in the Turks and Caicos Islands

 

Keep a close eye out for these miniature flowering vines. They are exquisite with their delicate blooms.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Power Boat Charters

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

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

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

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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

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

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!)

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

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

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

JoJo the dolphin put in a surprise appearance

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

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

No comment!!

No comment!!

 

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

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.

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!!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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Our daughter Tina and potcake friends at Smith's Reef

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

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Mike floating about on Grace Bay beach at the Bay Bistro

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

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

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.

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

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