Monthly Archives: November 2010

Conch Festival Part 2

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Some beautiful conch pieces, bowls, lamps and shells were for sale under the tent at the Conch Festival in Blue Hills yesterday.

Some beautiful conch pieces, bowls, lamps and shells were for sale under the tent at the Conch Festival in Blue Hills yesterday.

These young ladies were eager to get their photo taken on the beach during the festivities.

These young ladies were eager to get their photo taken on the beach during the festivities.

Several bands played on the stage at the festival. Here's a gentleman playing the ripsaw.

Several bands played on the stage at the festival. Here's a gentleman playing the ripsaw.

Pop the balloon relay as one little boy upturns the chair in his eagerness to sit on the balloon and pop it.

Pop the balloon relay as one little boy upturns the chair in his eagerness to sit on the balloon and pop it.

Aspiring young models show off their moves!

Aspiring young models show off their moves!

The sun sets and a wonderful day of fun at the Conch Festival 2010 comes to a close.

The sun sets and a wonderful day of fun at the Conch Festival 2010 comes to a close.

See you next year………..I’ll be there!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Festival 2010

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Samples of delicious conch salad were on offer at the Conch Festival this afternoon in Blue Hills.

Samples of delicious conch salad were on offer at the Conch Festival this afternoon in Blue Hills.

We had such a great afternoon of fun, laughter, meeting friends, music, singing and dancing and  watching the numerous competitions from tug o’ war to conch blowing.

The multi talented David Bowen was MC for the event and he showed everyone how to produce sound from a conch shell.

The multi talented David Bowen was MC for the event and he showed everyone how to produce sound from a conch shell.

A competitor in the conch blowing contest dressed in traditional Turks and Caicos Island national costume.

A competitor in the conch blowing contest dressed in traditional Turks and Caicos Island national costume.

The happy winner of the conch blowing competition

The happy winner of the conch blowing competition

The kids were all having such a fun time in the tug o' war.

The kids were all having such a fun time in the tug o' war.

Mother nature treated us to a wondrous rainbow sunset..the sky was a blaze of orange and pink with a beautiful rainbow to top it all off.

Mother nature treated us to a wondrous rainbow sunset..the sky was a blaze of orange and pink with a beautiful rainbow to top it all off.

More photos to come tomorrow.

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Reef Sharks

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Reef shark checks out the camera on a dive with Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers

Reef shark checks out the camera on a dive with Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers

I’m at a real disadvantage with underwater photos but thanks to Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers, I get to “borrow” theirs. We had guests diving with them all week and they were excited to see lots of sharks.

Reef sharks were sighted all week on the many dives led by Flamingo Divers

Reef sharks were sighted all week on the many dives led by Flamingo Divers

Such spectacular photos by Mickey and Jayne. Thanks guys!!!!

If you are looking for a great diving experience with wonderfully service oriented dive masters, check out Flamingo Divers at their website www.flamingodivers.com. Grab your dive buddy, give us a call and we can arrange both diving with Flamingo Divers and accommodations at Harbour Club Villas.

We’ll do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy the amazing diving to be had here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Happy Diving.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.diving.tc

The Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

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The colourful wings of the Monarch butterfly........wings have white spots on the outer margins, and have orange patches.

The colourful wings of the Gulf Fritillary........wings are a brilliant orange and the undersides have large silvery spots.

I was wandering along the road side by Harbour Club Villas and spotted this pretty Gulf Fritillary Butterfly also called a Passion butterfly. It wasn’t the least bit concerned that I was there and seemed almost to pose for the camera. I had never before noticed that butterflies have a coiled proboscis by which they sip liquid food. This tube-like proboscis is a long, flexible “tongue.” It uncoils to sip food, and coils up again into a spiral when not in use. Gulf Fritillaries’ favourite nectar is provided by the passion flowers and the vine’s leaves are the caterpillar’s preferred food.

Here's a close up shot of the Monarch Butterflies' coiled proboscis.

Here's a close up shot of the Gulf Fritillary's coiled proboscis.

The Monarch butterfly stayed still for quite a long time and I was able to get up very close without it flying away.

This magnificent butterfly stayed still for quite a long time and I was able to get up very close without it flying away.

The Gulf Fritillary is the most common large butterfly in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Gulf Fritillary is the most common large butterfly in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands have some 35 species of butterfly.

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Wild flowers

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On our way back home from the gym, I spotted a brilliant flash of red in the bush. I told Barry to stop and back up. Sure enough it was my first sighting of the Wild Potato that starts blooming before Christmas.

On our way back home from the gym, I spotted a brilliant flash of red in the bush. I told Barry to stop and back up. Sure enough it was my first sighting of the Wild Potato that starts blooming before Christmas.

 

Stunning red flowers on the Wild Potato also known as Ipomoea Microdactyla.

Also, the other day I spotted my first flowering wild orchid at Harbour Club Villas. Beautiful tall Encyclia Altissima with its yellowish brown petals and purple and white striped labellum. The labellum is the lip like part of the orchid which attracts those insects that pollinate the flower, and acts as a landing platform for those insects.

The tall, slender Encyclia Altissima orchid in bloom and such a heavenly scent too!

The tall, slender Encyclia Altissima orchid in bloom and such a heavenly scent too!

The Turks and Caicos Islands have so many different wild flowers that visitors can watch for as they enjoy their island  holidays.

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Taylor Bay Sunday

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Barry enjoying a beer.........look at how clear the water was on Sunday.

Barry enjoying a beer.........look at how clear the water was on Sunday.

On clear and calm days, it’s hard to get any work done around the villas. One look at the ocean from the hill and you just have to put everything aside, pack a lunch and lots of drinks and soak in the beauty of the day. The boat skims over the shallow waters of the ocean on the south side of Provo and sometimes it’s so clear that you can see right to the bottom.
Malaika is quite independant now as she strolls along the water's edge at Taylor Bay wearing her water wings.

Malaika is quite independant now as she strolls along the water's edge at Taylor Bay wearing her water wings.

I spent ages trying to capture a starfish with the foamy edge of a wave coming to shore. Tough to do as my little camera has a slow shutter and I missed many shots!

I spent ages trying to capture a starfish with the foamy edge of a wave coming to shore. Tough to do as my little camera has a slow shutter and I missed many shots!

Wading back to the boat and time to head home.

Wading back to the boat and time to head home.

A sunset beach wedding was about to take place as we slowly motored out of Taylor Bay

A sunset beach wedding was about to take place as we slowly motored out of Taylor Bay

A beautiful archway of flowers was set up on the beach for a sunset island wedding. We met the groom as he slowly made his way down the beach to greet his guests. The bride wasn’t seen until we started pulling out of the bay to head for home.
Providenciales and the Turks and Caicos Islands have the most wonderful beaches for those wanting an exotic island beach wedding.
Contact me if you are planning a wedding or family occasion.
Marta
For weddings, check out our website at
http://www.cloudnine.tc   

Leave Only Footprints

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A little piece of heaven out on the beach by Osprey Rock

A little piece of heaven out on the beach by Osprey Rock

Two calm days in a row and we just had to take advantage of the great weather we’ve been having………..two boating and beaching days in a row.  Today we went off to Osprey Rock at South West Bluff. A few locals were line fishing out at Bonefish Point so we selected to moor off the pirate’s cave.

I wandered inland from the beach and WOW! the surf was high breaking on the reef line. You can just make out the white line of breakers in the photo.

I wandered inland from the beach and WOW! the surf was high breaking on the reef line. You can just make out the white line of breakers in the photo.

The views were spectacular as I wandered over the rocks and it looks like lots of roads have been bulldozed there now.  We haven’t been out here for a while and I was disturbed by the amount of garbage strewn around. Please bring garbage bags with you and let’s all do our part to keep these fabulous areas clean for everyone to enjoy. I know I will next time!  

A beach playground all to herself as Malaika plays with her sand toys.

A beach playground all to herself as Malaika plays with her sand toys.

 

Malaika was entranced by making prints in the sand with her toys.

Malaika was entranced by making prints in the sand with her toys.

A great day today! We ended up as usual at Taylor Bay and my next post will be of photos from Saturday and today.

Please help by taking all your trash or garbage with you and LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS.

LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS in the sand!

LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS in the sand!

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Beautiful Bush Part 2

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White starlike flowers of the Jacquemontia Havanensis growing all over some small shrubs and trees.

White starlike flowers of the Jacquemontia Havanensis growing all over some small shrubs and trees.

Chains of white stars covered the bush, bright yellow Necklace Pod with pea flowers hanging off the end of the branches, a lone Marsh Gentian in hues of purple and clusters of pink with yellow Sea Sage and orange coloured Black Sage also known as Lantana. There were so many different wild flowers in bloom!

The Necklace Pod had long sprays of brightly coloured yellow flowers and apparently flowers throughout the year here.

The Necklace Pod had long sprays of brightly coloured yellow flowers and apparently flowers throughout the year here.

I think this is a Marsh Gentian....there was only the one and it had four petals in a beautiful lilac shade with dark purple centre.

I think this is a Marsh Gentian....there was only the one and it had four petals in a beautiful lilac shade with dark purple centre.

Pretty pink with yellow clusters of the Sea Sage or Lantana. It was used as a tonic for chicken pox and skin irritations.

Pretty pink with yellow clusters of the Sea Sage or Lantana. It was used as a tonic for chicken pox and skin irritations.

Black Sage or Lantana with its' bright orange flowers on a small bush was in full bloom. Often used as a sore throat remedy in bush medicine.

Black Sage or Lantana with its' bright orange flowers on a small bush was in full bloom. Often used as a sore throat remedy in bush medicine.

There were numerous other flowers but I’ll leave those for another time.

 

Our beautiful island bush is filled with all kinds of interesting and colourful plants and wild flowers. Have a look for yourself!

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Beautiful Bush

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The Devil's Potato winds and twists its way up trees and utility poles and has showy pinwheel shaped white flowers

The Devil's Potato winds and twists its way up trees and utility poles and has showy pinwheel shaped white flowers

On the way back from the sports centre behind the Graceway IGA, I spotted a flash of white. I told Barry I was going to run down the road and grab a picture or two. Well an hour and a half later I had a whole bunch of photos of some of the wild flowers blooming along Turtle Tail Drive (Venetian Road) by our villas. I had neighbours stopping to see what I was photographing too. The beautiful island bush is alive right now with a wonderful selection of vines and flowers.

Passionflowers are blooming and you can spot them easily while driving along the roads.
Passionflowers are blooming and you can spot them easily while driving along the roads.

Another white flowering vine is the Cynanchum and there are at least three endemic species. These are so pretty with clusters of tiny white, star shaped flowers. You have to look closely but once you spot them, they are found all over.

Clusters of tiny stars..........the Cynanchum has a sweet fragrance.

Clusters of tiny stars..........the Cynanchum has a sweet fragrance.

Here's another Cynanchum and this one has furry flowers also star shaped.

Here's another Cynanchum and this one has furry flowers also star shaped.

The lavender blue pea flowers of the Butterfly Pea were blooming in profusion.

The lavender blue pea flowers of the Butterfly Pea were blooming in profusion.

The wild alamanda stands out with its' brilliant yellow showy flowers.
The wild alamanda stands out with its’ brilliant yellow showy flowers.

There’s more to come and I’ll leave them for my next post. Keep an eye out for these beautiful wild flowers and vines.

Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Colours in Blue Hills

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A sunburst of colour .......... pink, yellow, orange, turquoise and green adorn these charming beach huts where Sailing Paradise Restaurant is to be found out in Blue Hills.

A sunburst of colour .......... pink, yellow, orange, turquoise and green adorn these charming beach huts where Sailing Paradise Restaurant is to be found out in Blue Hills.

I love wandering through Blue Hills as there is so much there to photograph and usually that fantastic backdrop of the turquoise ocean.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com