Monthly Archives: April 2009

Spring Storm at sea

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A spring storm out over the banks creates unbelievable colours as we watched from the Marina at Harbour Club

A spring storm out over the banks creates unbelievable colours as we watched from the Marina at Harbour Club

The days of late have been unsettled with sporadic showers. I glanced out to sea from our villas at Harbour Club and saw a vivid streak of turquoise. I rushed to get my camera and went up to our look out on the hill overlooking our marina. Wow, what a sight…………. storm clouds were gathering out at sea and had turned the waters of Discovery Bay into the most glorious turquoise, green and aqua colours.

Fisherman Stanley's boat out in the Marina Channel at Harbour Club Villas

Fisherman Stanley's boat out in the Marina Channel at Harbour Club Villas

The colours of the ocean today were breathtaking as we watched the storm move over the water.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Shell

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These two young local boys in Blue Hills were showing off a beautiful conch shell that they wanted to sell.

These two young local boys in Blue Hills were showing off a beautiful conch shell that they wanted to sell.

Blue Hills is another of my favourite areas where there’s always something great to photograph. These guys were on the beach by Da Conch Shack selling conch shells that they had cleaned.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sapodilla

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Sapodilla fruit and flowers locally known as the "dilly" tree

Sapodilla fruit and flowers locally known as the "dilly" tree

I just thought you might like to know what a Sapodilla is…………this tropical tree is called a “dilly” locally and grows here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  The fruits are favoured by our island iguanas and the taste is sweet and pleasant, ranging from a pear flavor to crunchy brown sugar.

The flowers of the Sapodilla are quite beautiful and I hadn't noticed this until I went out to take photos.

The flowers of the Sapodilla are quite beautiful and I hadn't noticed this until I went out to take photos.

The bark of the Sapodilla tree produces Chicle which is a latex that has been used for many years as a chewing gum base .
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sapodilla rock carvings #2

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View of boats at anchor at Sapodilla Bay from the top of the hill

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 and dated

This is quite an elaborate carving with Palestine at the top and the name R N Bacon.

Inscription dated 1812 and 1821

Inscription dated 1812 and 1821

This one's from 1832

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

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Here's the trail leading up Signal Hill to where the carvings are found

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

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

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

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

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boattikiview

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

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.

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

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

 

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

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

Beach Wedding

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Shelley and Shandi stop for some photos outside their villa at Harbour Club

Shelley and Shandi stop for some photos outside their villa at Harbour Club

What a day for a beach wedding……..Monday, April 20th…..glorious sunshine and the wind lay down a little as Shelley and Shandi headed off in their jeep to Malcolm Road’s beach.  Shelley was a beautiful bride dressed in a gorgeous green lace wedding gown with a spray of lilies and orchids that matched her dress exactly. Shandi with his quiet smile didn’t seem to be too nervous!!!!!
Shelley and Shandi married yesterday on the beach at Malcolm Roads

Shelley and Shandi married yesterday on the beach at Malcolm Roads

Malcolm Road’s beach was deserted and picture perfect for their special wedding ceremony performed by Pastor Coleby of the Healing Waters Ministry.

Yeah!!!!!!!! We did it..........Just Married

Yeah!!!!!!!! We did it..........Just Married

Malcolm Road’s beach isn’t your usual wedding beach but Shelley and Shandi simply couldn’t get over the spectacular beauty of this area. The rocks reminded Shelley of her PEI (that’s Canada folks ) roots.
One of my favourite photos of the newly weds.........Yes, they both went right into the warm waters at sunset.

One of my favourite photos of the newly weds.........Yes, they both went right into the warm waters at sunset.

The happy couple went right into the water ………they had warned the photographers that this is what they wanted to do.
Congratulations to Shelley and Shandi on their marriage here on our beautiful island of Providenciales.

Congratulations to Shelley and Shandi on their marriage here on our beautiful island of Providenciales.

If you want a quiet, intimate island wedding and honeymoon, our six villa complex is perfect for smaller group occasions. Just contact me for information on having your wedding here on Provo. We’ll help you plan your very special wedding day.

See you in the islands!

Marta

http://www.cloudnine.tc

Providenciales south side

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Late afternoon, low tide and stormy dark rain clouds create a picturesque view of the south side shallow flats of Providenciales

Late afternoon, low tide and a few dark rain clouds create a picturesque view of the south side shallow flats of Providenciales

Come and see us at Harbour Club Villas ……. the south side of Provo where we are is tranquil and beautiful. Shallow flats and a favourite for our bone fishermen.

Marta

http://www.bonefishing.tc

Hawksbill Turtle

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The beautiful richly brown and mottled shell of the Hawksbill turtle's shell was prized for tortoiseshell used for decorative purposes

In years gone by, the beautiful richly brown and mottled shell of the Hawksbill turtle’s shell was prized for tortoiseshell used for decorative purposes.

The Hawksbill turtle is easy to identify as it has a very distinctive sharp curving beak much like a hawk. The boney plates of the shell are streaked with amber, yellow and brown.

To the Taino Indians in the Turks and Caicos Islands, turtles were an important food item. Nowadays turtles are more often promoted as a tourist attraction.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has adopted new conservation plans for  sea turtles that will protect mature adults so they can breed, and reverse population declines.

Restrictions have been put into place and it is illegal for fishermen to kill turtles with shells over 60 cm or under 45 cm.

 

The distinctive "hawk" like beak of the Hawksbill turtle

The distinctive “hawk” like beak of the Hawksbill turtle

In some countries the shell is still used to make hair ornaments, jewelry, and other decorative items and therefore they are on the critically endangered list.

Look at the wonderful colours in the shell of the Hawksbill turtle

Look at the wonderful colours in the shell of the Hawksbill turtle

Look for the Hawksbill turtle as you snorkel the coral reefs and waters of the Turks and Caicos on your next island vacation.

Marta

http://www.diving.tc

Green Turtle

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Green turtles are often seen at the Bight Reef on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Green turtles are often seen at the Bight Reef on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Here’s one of Mike’s great turtle photos taken while snorkeling at the Bight Reef. There are probably three species of marine turtles in the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands……green turtles, hawksbill and the loggerhead. Divers and snorkelers alike can be assured to see a few turtles during their stay in the islands.

A close up view of a Green Turtle

A close up view of a Green Turtle

Unfortunately, these beautiful creatures are often caught for eating and are now on the endangered list.
A local fisherman with comes in with his catch of lobster and this turtle

A local fisherman comes in with his catch of lobster and this turtle

Turtles are thought to mature between 30 and 50 years of age and apparently only one in a thousand turtle eggs survives to become a mature and reproductively active adult. We are hopeful that protective measures are being implemented to save our local Turks and Caicos turtles.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc