Half Moon Bay

Posted on March 3, 2020 by marta

What a treat……..I’m thinking this had to be JoJo wanting to play with the boat.

What an amazingly beautiful day as guests headed out on an afternoon excursion on the turquoise waters …… look at the colours! We were just off Leeward Going Through when look who joined us? I’m pretty sure that it was JoJo the dolphin come to play. He stayed with us for a bit and then we were off headed for some snorkeling at the reef, iguanas, conch salad, Half Moon Bay and followed by some fun tubing and water slide. Provo has many excellent boating, cruising and water fun excursions to offer as the one we were on. For more information, just contact us and we can make some suggestions.

Our sensational waters………a turquoise like you’ve never seen before. WOW!

Turks and Caicos rum punch coming up.

Waves breaking on the reef as we prepare to do some snorkeling.

Beautiful corals and a variety of fish as we snorkel beyond the cut.

Love those silver palms precariously perched at the far end of Half Moon Bay

The far end of the beach at Half Moon Bay is so beautiful to photograph….an idyllic spot.

Found an Oyster Catcher sunning himself on the rocks. Not at all disturbed by the camera!

A walk along the beach and such glorious colours

Such an impressive looking iguana. The Rock Iguana Cyclura Carinata has had to be re introduced to less populated cays

Conch shell on the beach. A delicious “fresh from the sea” conch salad was made and enjoyed by all.

Book your excursions and enjoy being on the water in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our beaches are spectacular and you can enjoy a cruise, diving for conch, taste some “as fresh as you can get it”conch salad, stop for some snorkeling on the reef, see iguanas and simply let the world float by as you finally relax on “island time”.

You too may be lucky and have JoJo the dolphin join in the fun.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sandbar at Bonefish Point

Posted on January 29, 2020 by marta

A beautiful walk from the little beach by Osprey Rock all the way to Bonefish Point

A high light of any trip out to South West Bluff is the beautiful walk from the beach at Osprey Rock down to Bonefish Point.

Osprey Rock in the distance as we wade through the shallows

A mangrove is salt tolerant and look at the roots.

Miles of beach with only us walking along the shoreline.

Bone fisherman stalking the flats for the elusive bonefish

A Haitien sloop washed up along the shore

Sad to say, we often see these wrecked Haitien sloops carrying probably 100 or more people to what they think will be a better life. Many are caught and repatriated.

Pin cushion sea stars love the sandbar. We found many of them.

That’s an amazing flat but make sure you have your fishing license with you if you plan to fish

Turquoise waters and brilliant white powdery sand

Mr Crabby shows his fighting form.

In search of starfish at the sandbar

A picturesque, dream of a day at Bonefish Point

A perfect afternoon to wade into the water at Bonefish Point

On another rather cloudy day, a storm changed the colours to a soft pastel combination of hues.

These great kids hammed it up for the camera in the shallows of the sandbar.

Some local kids were fishing with one fishing rod and a hand line but I’m not sure that they caught anything other than disturbing a blue crab, a cushion starfish and a conch.

A blue crab wasn’t too impressed with facing the camera but he was let go after his modeling debut.

The boys were having fun finding starfish and a conch.

Life is always interesting around the sandbar and on this day I lucked out, smiling kids, someone fishing, finding a small blue crab, a bright orange cushion starfish, a conch and of course, the muted colours of the ocean at low tide and passing storm clouds. Wow! What a spectacular and lovely day.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Taylor Bay….perfect for kids, weddings and sunsets

Posted on January 13, 2020 by marta

Lazing in the shallows of stunning Taylor Bay

Taylor Bay is a shallow bay that ripples and sparkles as the out going tide forms sand bars. It’s a perfect setting for a late afternoon wedding with a few dark clouds looming as our bride and groom pose for wedding photos.

The bride and groom had eyes only for each other. Lori looked stunning in a beautiful lace, tea length dress as her handsome groom Dan looked lovingly into her eyes.

Lori and Dan throw petals into the water just as the sun sets over Turtle Rock.

Gentle waves lapping the shoreline at Taylor Bay

Kids love to play in the shallow waters of the bay.

Splashing is part of the fun for this little guy

Playtime at the edge of the water in the late afternoon.

Just sitting and enjoying the soft sand and clear shallow waters.

Tides out leaving behind an upside down jelly.

Walking out for a long ways before it gets deeper.

The tide comes rippling in as the sun shines on the water creating patterns of light.

You can see how far out the people are and still in less than waist deep water.

Dreaming on a sand bar in Taylor Bay

Taylor Bay sunsets are simply the best

New Year 2020

Posted on January 1, 2020 by marta

Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands — It’s New Year’s Day and what a way to start the new year.
Heading to Grace Bay beach. Come join us.

Fish Fry on Provo

Posted on December 12, 2019 by marta

Excitement builds as the Junkanoo band dances through and with the crowds

A great evening was had at the Island Fish Fry held every Thursday night at the Children’s Park in the Bight. Local restaurants served up the most delicious fry and grilled fish, peas and rice, macaroni, lobster and conch and fresh corn. It was my first taste of “gullywash”…….. I took a small sample and just had to fill the glass up to the brim it was that good. Oh yes…..for those of you like me that don’t know what gullywash is, it’s a drink usually served in a coconut not a glass so rum and coconut milk are the main ingredients. Visitors and locals were all treated to some of the best island entertainment.

Island entertainment and Fish Fry on Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

Colourful costumes, noise makers and shakers as everyone gets dancing.

Uncle Dough’s has the best #1 conch salad and the most delicious “gullywash”!!!

David Bowen often will emcee, sing, dance and play harmonica with local Rake and Scrape Bands.

The lively island sounds of V6 Rake and Scrape Band

Dancers getting ready to perform.

Henry the Conch was dancing and greeting people at the Fish Fry.

Henry the Conch was a real hit with everyone as he stopped for many photo opportunities with visitors and local kids. We were treated to some folk story telling and skits, the maypole plaiting and a junkanoo rush by “We Funk.”

The young dancers braided the Maypole as the crowds watched and cheered.

Everyone joined in and danced to We Funk Junkanoo band.

These drummers were sensational.

How low can you go?

This youngster was wearing several hats as he blew his whistle.

Ripsaw player in the Rake and Scrape band.

A drummer from the We Funk Junkanoo band.

Here’s the young lady who had be up dancing with everyone and to the Junkanoo band.

Please remember that the Fish Fry is being held every Thursday down at the Children’s Park in the Bight. Bring the kids and head down for a few hours of fun, entertainment and the most delicious fry fish! See you there.

Marta.

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Salt Cay As Beautiful As Ever

Posted on April 19, 2018 by marta

Blackbeard’s our favourite home away from home

Two trips to Salt Cay recently, one in January for birthday celebrations with my sisters and the second, just to get away and enjoy a slower pace. The hurricanes greatly impacted this little island and the destruction caused was beyond belief.

I don’t want to dwell on the many issues the island is facing or the negatives. My aim in this blog is to show you the charm and beauty of Salt Cay today. In a later blog, I will show you and cover the historical side.

The donkeys were wandering in small groups and posed picturesquely in front of this house.

The White House, a beautiful Bermudian house with stone roof that sustained damages from Hurricane Irma.

The White House, built in the Bermudian style has a limestone roof and overlooks the salt ponds. Salt storage was at ground level and the family lived on the top level. The owner – a 4th generation Harriott, is repairing the building; mostly water damage from leaking roof. He said that experts from Bermuda were coming to help repair the roof.

The Coral Reef Bar and Grill is a real meeting spot for everyone.

We used to be able to walk along the side sea wall but no longer as it collapsed during the strong seas and pounding of the waves. The sand is now filling in the harbour so that where there once used to be water, it’s now all silted in. Debbie had to watch the front of Coral Reef Bar and Grill be washed away from the horrific storm. She has lost part of her restaurant …. the deck is gone and the erosion has been very extensive.

Salt Cay Divers boat ready to take us out whale watching and YES, we saw a mother and her calf.

Pristine North Beach with view towards Grand Turk and cruise ship.

Footprints in the sand and not another soul in sight.

Love the sea glass and so many shells.

Early morning coming up over the salt pans as I walk with my camera. A donkey walks past me along Victoria Street.

North Creek in the early morning

Bermudian kitchen at Government House

Walking along the Folly as the sun rises creating reflections of the White House in the salt ponds

I spotted a lone flamingo in the salt pond

View from the Folly across the salt ponds towards Victoria Street

Here’s the White House from Dunscombe Point and what used to be the island’s swimming hole

An endangered iguana suns himself on the walls of the old cemetary

Field of ancient Turks Head cactus on Cotton Cay just off Salt Cay Turks and Caicos Islands

A great way to get around by bicycle.

So tough to get up on those gangly legs!

What a beautiful morning on Salt Cay

The church is gone, crumbled by the hurricanes but the view still takes my breath away

Can’t get enough of those donkeys!

Some wonderful snorkeling just off the beach.

My trips to Salt Cay have been many over the years. These two trips will stand out in my memory. The first trip in January was filled with nostalgia as I remembered the way Salt Cay was pre Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The second trip in April was all and more than I expected…….the resilience of the people as they picked up the pieces and got on with what life had dealt them.

Still a long ways to go but I’LL BE BACK for your special brand of sunshine.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Turks and Caicos Islands….Open for Business

Posted on March 30, 2018 by marta

Harbour Club Villas and Marina has a new look with new, white metal roofs…….Yes we are open for business after Hurricane Irma.

Yes, we can now say that we survived a Category 5 Hurricane!

It has been a chaotic and traumatic time for all of us here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We were hit hard with damages especially to all the roofs. Our red tiled roofs are no longer, ripped off by the horrific force of the winds and left in piles after Hurricane Irma.

Now some 50 days after, we have new white metal roofs and clean up is almost complete. The Turks and Caicos Islands are open for business and better than ever…….restaurants are opening, dive boats are back in the water, snorkeling is great and we’ve seen so many turtles and our bonefishermen are back in the lake and on the flats, excursions and more.

Red tiles are no longer but fresh looking, white roofs

Grace Bay Beach at the Bight Reef is as beautiful as ever so book your vacations now. This was taken a few days ago

Our beaches are all as stunning as ever with the prettiest sparkling water you’ll ever see. All my photos have been taken recently and quite honestly, if you want beaches that have few people on them, now’s the time to come. We are waiting for you so head down for some fun in the sun and on the beach.

Our first flower appears after the wrath and devastation of Irma and it was so beautiful to see.

A rippling effect as the sunlight plays on the waters of Grace Bay

Young flamingos were sighted in Flamingo Lake close by the villas at Harbour Club

A spectacular sunset over Flamingo Lake

Stark silhouette of leafless trees that were stripped by Hurricane Irma

Footprints in the sand along the edge of the water on Grace Bay

A little hummingbird sits on a rope left over from tying our trees together for strength against the hurricane……..so where do they go during hurricanes?

Not ready for scuba diving……call Jodi at Snuba TCI.

Peaceful and serene on the south side of Provo where our villas are located.

Dive operators are ready to take you out for some scuba diving.

There’s some great diving waiting for you…….four of the island’s dive operators leave from the marina at Harbour Club or close by: AquaTCI, Flamingo Divers, Provo Turtle Divers and Caicos Adventures. Give them and us a call for all your diving needs………grab your buddy and come on down.

Snorkeling Smith’s Reef after the hurricane…..so many juvenile hawksbill and green turtles were sighted.

The Bight Reef on a clear day recently…still debris lying on the bottom but thankfully the reef looks really good.

Sailing along Grace Bay with the Atabeyra just this past week

There’s many water based excursions you can choose and one of the best is sailing on the Atabeyra……….so relaxing, do a snorkel or a sunset cruise and watch that rum punch!!!

Here’s my version of “Fall” colours on Provo !

Bonefishing in Flamingo Lake and yes, we saw fishermen last week.

Provo Ponies is ready to take you for a leisurely ride on Long Bay beach

This could be you in one of these lounge chairs?

Those adorable potcakes…….so many of them waiting for good forever homes.

Forever shades of blue and turquoise.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are open for business after the hurricanes and we invite you to join us. We want to show you our special “beautiful by nature” islands and friendly welcoming people.

Hope to see you all very soon.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

A Trip Down Turtle Tail

Posted on July 5, 2017 by marta

A lone flamingo feeds in the Juba salina just a short ways from Harbour Club Villas

I decided on taking one of our fishing guests down Turtle Tail to see for myself where he could access some flats in order to do some bonefishing. Must say, this area is still as beautiful as ever but with many newly constructed houses going up.

I haven’t seen the flamingos for quite an age and was excited to see this, lone beauty.

I couldn’t get him to stop feeding and to lift his head up……….too busy “vacuuming” through the silty bottom.

My beach also known locally as Dog Beach was just awesome with all those turquoise colours

Looking towards Jim Hill and the new villas being built beside Bajacu

Bonefishing flat with some of the Five Little Cays in the distance

Old conch shells piled up on shore

Now this has some potential for some DIY bonefishing

Jet skiers were out on this beautiful day

Rocky southern shoreline with secret pathway down to the water’s edge

Private gazebos overlooking stunning turquoise waters

Mangroves down Turtle Tail with some sweet bonefishing spots

Harbour Club Villas and Marina on a bonefishing lake in Providenciales

Looking across Flamingo Lake towards the villas at Harbour Club and a lone fisherman

Flamingo Lake and a perfect afternoon for some bonefishing

Perfect Day in the Turks and Caicos

Posted on April 1, 2017 by marta

Cruising the waters of Providenciales with Island Vibes has to be one of the “must do’s” on your next trip to the Turks and Caicos.

We had a glorious, picture perfect day with calm seas as we boarded the boat…..and YES, I’ve lived here for almost 20 years and still am in awe of all the beauty around me.

Two dolfin came out to play with us today….a mother and her young one.

Just love to see dolphins swimming wild and free in the seas around the Turks and Caicos Islands

Half Moon Bay and one spectacular stretch of beach

Island Vibes Tours are a great outfit with whom to head out onto the water for an afternoon of fun

Trying to GoPro a lemon shark in the shallows

Shows you just how clear the waters are!

Swimming back to the boat after some amazing snorkeling out at the reef

Breakers on the reef at Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

A little bit of refreshment………great Turk’s Head rum punch all round

A piece of heaven on a large sandbar out by Dellis Cay

Many sand dollars partially hidden in the sand and the sparkling waters

Such scenery can only be found in the Turks and Caicos

Even a little sea star was taken back out a little further so it wouldn’t get stranded on the sand bar

It was a pretty rough ride for the kids on the way back………..time for some tubing and WOW did they go flying. Such fun as they hung on tight and still managed to fall off.

Screams of fun as the kids went tubing on the way back

The hectic ending to a perfect day

What a fun day it was out on Island Vibes. A fantastic time was had by everyone.

Join us won’t you?

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Nesting Mourning Dove Part 2

Posted on June 19, 2016 by marta

This little Mourning Dove set up her nest in the rafters of the Tiki Hut at Harbour Club Villas and Marina. I’ve been photographing the nest and the parent doves for several weeks now. Here are the photos taken up until today, June 19, when I caught all the action of the little birds spreading and fluttering their wings and leaving the nest for the big wide world.