Hermit Crab

Posted on January 19, 2009 by marta

Hermit crabs are called "soldier crabs" by the locals

We found this little hermit crab on our walkway. It is known as the Caribbean hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus) and also known locally as the soldier crab. Some call it the purple pincher because of its distinctive purple claw. Caribbean hermit crabs often wander through our property and I went looking for my most unusual photo of one.

Hermit Crab with the latest in PVC pipe homes!

I’ve never seen anything like this! He made quite an impression on us as he rattled across the concrete path with his unusual PVC pipe home. We decided to help him out and coaxed him into a more updated home.

Ah.......that feels much better!

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Small cay

Posted on January 18, 2009 by marta

What a view! Over looking our anchored boat with Five Cays in the background.

Today we pulled up and anchored off this little uninhabited cay………….just us and the local iguana population. They were really skittish but we saw quite a few which scuttled away as soon as they saw us. Over the years, iguanas have been introduced to some of the offshore cays as a protective measure. What a great view from the island with the settlement of Five Cays off in the distance. Weather was perfect and as you can see from the photo, the water was different shades of turquoise.

Come see for yourselves……….plan a vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Hope to see you soon!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Spectacular sunset

Posted on January 17, 2009 by marta

Spectacular colours at sunset

Sunset was a glorious sight with such great colours…….. pinks, reds and golds. Even more spectacular was Kathleen’s barbecued ribs. We were invited by our guests to enjoy a barbecue prepared by Chef Kathleen. I can’t describe how good those ribs were…….the best we’ve ever tasted. Luckily we have been given Kath’s recipe and so long as I follow it to a T, we’re hopefull the ribs will taste as good. Many can attest to the fact that I am not too good at following recipes as I tend to add bits and pieces and take out stuff I don’t like.

www.harbourclubvillas.com

Blue Crabs

Posted on January 16, 2009 by marta

catching blue crabs between the two lakes by Harbour Club Villas

Over the last three days there’s been all sorts of activity just down the road from our villas where the waters from Turtle Lake flow through a culvert and into Flamingo Lake. I went down there today with my camera as I had heard from guests that there were all kinds of crabs in the water and on the bank and that some locals were catching them.

Good job you have thick gloves Stanley!!

When I arrived on the bank, Stanley who does a little fishing and is from North Caicos, was there with his net and a bucket. He told me that he would be eating real good tonight. I guess they love these little crabs and throw them in a pot and cook them up.

This one was looking quite fierce and didn't want to be caught

Stanley said that there were “hundreds” of them the other day when he was out.

It's not easy to throw that net.

I’m not sure just how much crab meat you would get out of some of the crabs. He was throwing back some of the smaller ones and was looking forward to a good feast this evening.

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch

Posted on January 15, 2009 by marta

The beautiful pink shell of a Queen conch is often crafted into decorative pieces

The Queen conch live on sandy bottoms and feed on numerous species of algae and seagrasses.

Did you know that Providenciales , the Turks and Caicos Islands has the only viable commercial conch farm in the world?

The queen conch or Strombus gigas, has been a staple of these islands for at least a thousand years and it’s meat provides a major source of protein. Conch is found throughout the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

: A young Turks Island miss holds a baby conch

The pretty pink conch shell is used for decorative items such as bowls, jewellery, lamps and vases. Our guests often find shells to take home with them as well as for gift giving. You too can find your own conch shell to take home when you vacation here on our beautiful islands.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Haitien sloop

Posted on January 14, 2009 by marta

Haitien sloops are often run aground in the Turks and Caicos

This Haitien sloop recently grounded on a south side beach just up Turtle Tail on Providenciales. It probably had some 100 illegals that came ashore. Some were caught by our island’s special police called SPICE and others would have tried to disappear. I guess life here is a thousand times better than in Haiti and these sloops are becoming all too frequent.

Encyclia orchid

Posted on January 13, 2009 by marta

Orchids peaking through the Palmettos

I thought these orchids deserved another photo just on their own. They are so beautiful. As you travel along Provo’s roads, have a look along the roadside and in the bush. You’ll see these orchids stretching up to the skies.

Cheers,

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Orchid and Praying Mantis

Posted on January 12, 2009 by marta

What a find.......a praying mantis on one of our wild orchids

I was trying to get some good photos of one of our island’s orchids and came across a praying mantis that was hiding in the petals. This orchid is found almost everywhere at this time of year and is known as Encyclia altissima (formerly known as Encyclia hodgeana). When in bloom, the flower sepals are greenish-yellow with brownish-red striping and the petals are yellowish-red with accents of purple. We have at least four different species that are found here and there’s pretty much one of them flowering for every season of the year.

Great camouflage..........It looked like a green twig until it moved!

The praying mantis is named for its front legs which are bent and held together at an angle that looks like it is praying. These insects are quite the predator. They have triangular heads which can turn 180 degrees to search their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them. Anyway, I was fascinated and spent a while taking photos.

Marta

www.harbourclubvillas.com

Beach Wedding

Posted on January 11, 2009 by marta

The bride and groom pose for photos on Grace Bay beach

The Turks and Caicos Islands with incredible white sand beaches and crystal clear waters have become a favourite for romantic beach weddings. Consider our islands for that very special wedding surrounded by family and friends.

Time for the bridesmaids to have a little fun

If your planning to get married soon, think about a beach wedding on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Marta

www.cloudnine.tc

Bonefish

Posted on January 10, 2009 by marta

Can you see the two fishermen?

I took this photo from the boat out at SW Bluff by Osprey Rock looking towards the flats and beaches edged by the shoreline.

This is a favourite area for bonefishing with a vast expanse of flats to wade and fish.

Chrissie and Thane from Florida spent their honeymoon at Harbour Club Villas and here’s their photo of Thane and his bonefish caught right by Osprey Rock.

Nice catch.......bonefish on the line!

Thane and Chrissie were out most of the day enjoying the water, snorkeling, fishing and visiting all our favourite spots and for honeymooners…….this area is just perfect .

Love is in the air at this secluded and picturesque beach.

If you are thinking of a great honeymoon, tropical island paradise, come to Provo in the Turks and Caicos.

Cheers,

Marta

MyTurksAndCaicosBlog.com

Turks and Caicos Vacation, Travel, Fishing, and Diving

Hermit Crab

Small cay

Spectacular sunset

Blue Crabs

Conch

Haitien sloop

Encyclia orchid

Orchid and Praying Mantis

Beach Wedding

Bonefish