Maskanoo 2010

Posted on December 28, 2010 by marta

David Bowen danced up a storm as he led the Maskanoo parade last night in Grace Bay.

Wow!! What a spectacular evening we all had as hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the sights and sounds and the fun of Maskanoo 2010. Maskanoo is a combination of Masquerade or “Massin” as it’s known in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamian Junkanoo.

Young and old came out to watch the masked revellers as they paraded and danced their way down Grace Bay Road.

Locals were out in full force dancing to the rhythms along with our island visitors as everyone joined in together to celebrate the TCI’s FIRST Maskanoo.

This Maskanoo-er had unique bottle shakers with colourful decorations.

David Bowen, the cultural director and his group of dedicated helpers and workers have put in hours to stage this event. It’s important for the younger generation to get involved as well as educated about our island’s heritage and culture. What a great way to pull everyone in together for a funfilled Maskanoo.

Happy smiles and dancing feet during last evening's Maskanoo parade.

Dancers from the We Funk group up on the stage.

The evening was full of local entertainment with dancers, bands, ripsaw, drums, arts and crafts displays, food, drinks…a great showcase of the islands’ cultural heritage.

This local youngster was part of the great entertainment.

Dancing to the beat of the drums, whistles, shakers and other instruments

Mark your calendars……….an event NOT to be missed. Next year will be bigger and with more participants. See you there.

Well done everyone. We had a super fun filled Maskanoo evening.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Natural Bridge

Posted on September 19, 2010 by marta

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Times of the Island

Posted on January 8, 2010 by marta

Here we are............my FIRST magazine cover!

I’m so thrilled with achieving one of my goals………..to get a cover photo on the Times of the Island magazine. I had to send this photo to Kathy (the editor) as I thought it was pretty good especially with the stunning reflections on the waters of Flamingo Lake right beside our villas. Kathy phoned me to say that they wanted to use my photo in the Winter 2009-2010 edition of the magazine. So pick up your copy of The Times of the Island while you are here on Provo. The articles are always interesting and I’m sure you will enjoy reading them along with some great photography.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Season Opens

Posted on October 22, 2009 by marta

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

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 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!!

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.

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

Chalk Sound

Posted on August 16, 2009 by marta

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

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

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

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

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

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Chitons

Posted on June 9, 2009 by marta

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

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.

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.

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

Posted on June 4, 2009 by marta

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

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.

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.

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

Sapodilla rock carvings #2

Posted on April 24, 2009 by marta

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.

Inscription dated 1812 and 1821

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

Posted on April 23, 2009 by marta

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

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

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

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

Old Tiki Huts at Malcolm Roads

Posted on April 22, 2009 by marta

Old photo taken in 2002 of the tiki huts and dive boat out at Malcolm Roads beach

Years ago, Malcolm Roads was only accessible with a 4×4 jeep type vehicle and the hill was soooooo intimidating, pitted and huge ruts towards the bottom. It was always worth it as at the end of the road was a simply breathtaking stretch of beach with the tiki huts. We used to do our ladies beach day down there with not another soul around. I thought some of you might like to see my old photos of the tiki huts and beach.

White, powdery sand beach and always the amazing colours of blue and turquoise

When we first came to Providenciales, the tiki huts were still useable for some shade but began to drastically deteriorate. They were originally built for a French game show that took place on that beach around 1992.

It's a real shame that this beautiful area was not protected for future generations. It is now the site of an exclusive hotel.

Dive boats would spend their intervals pulled up fairly close to shore

Those were the days.......exotic, remote......a piece of paradise.

Hope you enjoyed my old photos of the tiki huts at Malcolm Roads. A bit of history that many of us fondly remember.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

MyTurksAndCaicosBlog.com

Turks and Caicos Vacation, Travel, Fishing, and Diving

Category Archives: History

Maskanoo 2010

Natural Bridge

Times of the Island

Conch Season Opens

Chalk Sound

Chitons

Turks and Caicos Islands National Dress

Sapodilla rock carvings #2

Sapodilla Hill Rock Carvings

Old Tiki Huts at Malcolm Roads