Monthly Archives: January 2010

Provo Ponies… Riding on the beach

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What a treat to see Provo Ponies' Camille and her group out at Long Bay beach.

What a treat to see Provo Ponies' Camille and her group out at Long Bay beach.

We went out to Long Bay beach and started walking from the future site of another hotel. The kite boarders were out in full force and it was fun watching them jumping and twirling and racing across the shallow waters out there. We were fortunate to see Camille from Provo Ponies who had her group out for a leisurely ride along the beach. I caught this great photo as Camille’s horse pranced out of the water and her dog seemed to want to play along.

Meet Cowboy as he heads to cool off in the water

Meet Cowboy as he heads to cool off in the water

Cowboy is a Paso Fino……these horses were originally shipped to Provo from the Dominican Republic and when Camille rescued them, they were showing signs of abuse. Camille and friends nursed them back to health and eventually became Provo Ponies.

Enjoy a horseback ride along an amazingly beautiful stretch of beach when you are next here on Providenciales. The warm sun, the turquoise ocean, true blue skies and miles of deserted beach will make for a horseback ride to remember.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com 

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Malcolm Roads Beach

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Indescribable...........today was simply the most amazing day out at Malcolm Roads beach

Indescribable...........today was simply the most amazing day out at Malcolm Roads beach

Stunning colours today at Malcolm Roads beach where I took my sister Anna and friend Mike…………but really, it is always a photographer’s dream to take photos of the beach and water out here.  Every time I head out to Malcolm Roads, I know the colours are going to be fantastic and today was no exception!

Small beach where once every few years, there's a natural bridge. It was all sanded in today.

Small beach where once every few years, there's a natural bridge. It was all sanded in today.

I can’t emphasize enough that you do need a car to travel to these breathtaking beaches. You will be missing some of the most scenic areas of Provo if you don’t explore this area along with others. There are so many more out of the way beaches and Malcolm Roads is one of my ultimate favourites……….but then I do have many of them!

There's great snorkeling here too so don't forget to bring your snorkel equipment

There's great snorkeling here too so don't forget to bring your snorkel equipment

The dive boats were all out there today as it was calm and perfect for diving.

The dive boats were all out there today as it was calm and perfect for diving.

So, all I can say is make a point of heading out to this spectacular and picturesque stretch of beach………..pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the snorkeling as well as a beach with very few people.  

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Long Bay Beach

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Long Bay beach today was a simply spectacular sight with such clear calm water

Long Bay beach today was a simply spectacular sight with such clear calm water

I decided to head to Long Bay this morning for a nice long walk on the beach. The day was picture perfect as the ocean was so calm and clear and you could see all the sand ripples in the water.

Long Bay is one of the areas that is loaded with old, discarded conch shells

Long Bay is one of the areas that is loaded with old, discarded conch shells

We walked down to the end of the beach passing by the remnants of several Haitien Sloops that ended up on the shores of the beach. I have some photos of the sloops on this blog. You have to be a little careful when walking as the prongs from old conch shells can do some damage if stepped on.

I saw a school of small fish in the water and was able to get some photos of them since the water was crystal clear

I saw a school of small fish in the water and was able to get some photos of them since the water was crystal clear

See the school of small fish in the foreground?

See the school of small fish in the foreground?

I spotted a nice piece of bamboo which we can use at Harbour Club Villas to drape a bouganvillea over. We’ll place it between the villas and tie bouganvillea  branches to it to form an archway of sorts.

Mike carries home the bamboo I found on the beach

Mike carries home the bamboo I found on the beach

Check out Long Bay as it truly is a wonderful beach for walking and just enjoying a little bit of quiet heaven on our island. Perhaps we’ll see you there.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sandcastle at Taylor Bay

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A huge sandcastle was created on the beach at Taylor Bay

A huge sandcastle was created on the beach at Taylor Bay

I headed down to Taylor Bay this afternoon with my sister Anna and Mike. About half way down on the beach infront of one of the rental villas, Stephan and his family had built a huge sandcastle with surrounding moat.

Stefan chats about building the sandcastle and the fun he has had doing it

Stephan chats about building the sandcastle and the fun he has had doing it

The sandcastle has to be at least four feet tall if not more!

The sandcastle has to be at least four feet tall if not more!

Taylor Bay was beautiful today with several families enjoying the shallow waters. It really is a perfect place for those with small children. We hope to see you here building your own sandcastle on the beach during your visit to Provo.

See you soon,

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Haiti

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Here's the terminal at Cap Haitien Haiti when we were there 6 years ago

Here's the terminal at Cap Haitien Haiti when we were there 6 years ago

  Locally here on Provo there are centres for collection of water and clothing for our friends suffering in Haiti. We heard from our Turtle Tail Neighbourhood watch folks that the Provo Air Centre was needing volunteers and help. The Provo Air Center is now a central staging point for relief workers and pilots and anyone wanting to contribute aid in a direct and personal way was being asked to help by feeding the pilots and aid workers. Many of these wonderful folk are volunteers and all of them are on tight budgets. We were also asked to help by driving them between the Air Center and their hotels.

A unique looking dwelling in Cap Haitien........I can imagine how grand it might have looked in it's hey day.

A unique looking dwelling in Cap Haitien........I can imagine how grand it might have looked in it's hey day.

The lobby of the centre is packed with tired people for a good part of each day and the staff are too busy with assisting pilots to really look after them. Two local ladies have been donating sandwiches and bottled water which is quite costly for 2 people alone to bear. Anyone wanting to help was asked to make and deliver sandwiches.
In many cases these people are unable to get into Haiti for up to several days due to airport crowding and slot restrictions. They need transport to a hotel. The PAC drivers are hard pressed to keep up with demand.
I loved this small stretch of coastline in Cap Haitien....note the clothes laid out to dry on the rooftop.

I loved this small stretch of coastline in Cap Haitien....note the clothes laid out to dry on the rooftop.

Our neighbour was helping out at the Provo Air Center yesterday afternoon and the stories were amazing. Aid workers were enroute in to Haiti and expat survivors coming out. Some hadn’t eaten in 5 days. Our many neighbours on Turtle Tail were helping out down there as well as donating food and services. Barb wants everyone to know that there was overwhelming expressions of gratitude and appreciation from those being helped. Our folks are really making a difference. Thankyou to all! Please contact your local Red Cross , Salvation Army and donate all that you can.

 

Haiti…….you are all in our prayers,

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Haiti

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Barry on the ramparts of the Citadel just outside Cap Haitien in Feb 2003

Barry in better days on the ramparts of the Citadel just outside Cap Haitien in Feb 2003

A sad and tragic few days……..Here we are on Provo surrounded by a large population of Haitiens….. they are our friends, aquaintances and employees and everyone here knows of someone who has lost a son, a daughter, a father, a mother, uncles and aunts, cousins basically everyone in their families.  A horrific tragedy of massive proportions that effects every single one of us.

A colourful street in Cap Hatien 7 years ago when we visited this island.

A colourful street in Cap Hatien 7 years ago when we visited this island.

The chaos and devastation in Haiti is being brought into our livingrooms via TV every day and our hearts go out to everyone with family and relatives missing. The anguish and turmoil in Haiti is being felt all over the world. Here on Provo, we have a team of Fire Service Volunteers that are making ready to leave and assist. The Salvation Army is working closely with them and a Community Communications Centre has been set up so that our local Haitiens can access the internet to try and communicate with the devasted area of Port au Prince. Barry and I fondly remember the great time we had years ago on our visit to Cap Hatien on the North coast.

We hope everyone can find a way to help the people of Haiti. Look to your local Red Cross, the Salvation Army and donate what you can. Our prayers are with you all.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Leeward Beach Wedding

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Faith wore a beautiful elegant gown as she posed in the gardens by the pool at Harbour Club Villas

Faith wore a beautiful elegant gown as she posed in the gardens by the pool at Harbour Club Villas.

 Yesterday was an anxious day as we all prayed for NO RAIN …….. one minute the wind was blowing strongly, dark clouds and thankfully just a sprinkling of rain. Faith and I even drove out to the beach at Leeward to see what it was like.  As soon as we saw that brilliant turquoise coloured ocean which was made all the more intense by the cloudy skies, Faith knew the ceremony was going to be at the right beach.

Dan, the groom didn't seem too nervous........I don't know what Barry was pouring into his drink!!

Dan, the groom didn't seem too nervous........I don't know what Barry was pouring into his drink!!

 

Dan and Faith are all smiles as they exchanged vows on Leeward beach.

Dan and Faith are all smiles as they exchanged vows on Leeward beach.

The beach was deserted, the clouds threatened rain and made those turquoise ocean colours much more intense. The waves crashed onto the beach with white foaming fury. I don’t think it gets any better than this for an ideal wedding location.

Yeah.........We did it and here we are married at long last!

Yeah.........We did it and here we are married at long last!

Just married!

Just married!

 Faith’s beautiful bouquet of yellow calla lilies added a splash of sunshine. As soon as we saw the fresh flowers that Louise had brought in to the flower shop at the IGA, those yellow lilies stood out. Put together with a white orchid spray, it made for a simple but lovely bridal bouquet.

The bride and groom stand surrounded by the foaming waves at Leeward beach

The bride and groom stand surrounded by the foaming waves at Leeward beach

Congratulations to Faith and Dan.
Marta
http://www.cloudnine.tc  

Times of the Island

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

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

Orchids

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Orchids blooming with the marina entrance in the background.

Orchids blooming with the marina entrance in the background.

This Tall Encyclia orchid was growing on the rock ridge overlooking the entrance to our marina. The days have been so gloomy and so I decided to see if the rain had made our local plants bloom. The Encyclia Altissima orchids are growing all over and flowering at this time of year. This one was quite showy with vivid purple striped lines on its petals.

The Marina channel and Cooper Jack Bight were perfectly calm creating a pastel backdrop of colours as the sun tried to break through the clouds.

The Marina channel and Cooper Jack Bight were perfectly calm creating a pastel backdrop of colours as the sun tried to break through the clouds.

We have been waiting for days to see the sunshine and today was the day……….and it lasted all day!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Leeward Beach on a cloudy day

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Sea oats and weathered deck chairs with a backdrop of soft pastel shades on a cloudy day out at Leeward beach.

Sea oats and weathered deck chairs with a backdrop of soft pastel shades on a cloudy day out at Leeward beach.

We haven’t seen much sunshine here in the Turks and Caicos Islands this week but photos such as this one will show you that no matter what the weather, the water and the beaches are always spectacular.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com