Posted on January - 01 - 2012

Flamingos, friends, and home, sweet home

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Living in paradise, one would imagine that we wake up every morning, thrilling to eternal sunshine, glorious sugar-fine white sand and azure blue waters lapping at our shores.  Alas no.  Just like folks who live next to a train station (not that this is a great comparison!), we eventually become inured to our environment.  Too often, we forget to ‘smell the roses’.  When surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature on a daily basis, one can start taking ‘Her’ for granted.

Flamingos on Flamingo Lake

Yesterday, my best friend of some 40 years, arrived on Provo for the first time.  And Amber, being a flamingo enthusiast (well, that’s somewhat of an understand because she loves flamingos in any shape or size, whether real, stuffed or plastic sitting on your lawn) wanted to know about the famed flamingos of the Turks & Caicos Islands.  Sadly, I had to advise her that this was not the season to see them. (And just so you’ll know, I live on Flamingo Lake, where flamingos flock in the winter season, right in front of my home, to partake of their favorite repast…those teeny tiny shrimp that provide them with their outstanding and outlandish pink/orange hues!)

This morning, however, barely awake, I received a text from a wonderful island friend, Caren, advising me that the flamingos were in front of my house.  What?  Flamingos?  I rushed outside, camera in hand, determined to get pictures for my BFF Amber and her beautiful partner Lisette.

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So, now that my morning flurry of photographic activity has ceased and I have settled in to my chair to blog, I am captivated by this series of coincidences.  Amber, who asks for flamingos.  Caren, who texts me about them unknowingly, today of all days.  And our incredibly flamboyant flamingos – some 50 of them this time – who have returned ‘home’  to the lake at this rather odd time.  And now that they’re here, hopefully, they’ll stay awhile.  So Amber, a NY film producer and director, will be able to memorialise her beloved flamingos. Oh, how the fates have conspired!

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But did the fates indeed conspire? Perhaps it was Amber, throwing together some magic to make events coalesce, while mentally nudging Caren to let me know the famed Turks & Caicos flamingos were back. Or was it simply that they have been here regularly and I have  become inured to their sight?  Be that as it may, whether magic or the fates aligning, I am reminded that I do indeed live in paradise, surrounded by beauty.  But more importantly, time must be taken to not only enjoy, but honor its magnificence!

And so, Turks & Caicos, I salute you; my home, my beloved, beautiful, home, sweet home…

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Posted on November - 28 - 2011

Guests report Provo Ponies as one of most fun and romantic things to do in TCI!

Provo Ponies is a small riding stable owned and operated by horse woman extraordinaire, Camille Slattery.

The stables are located on the southeast end of the island of Providenciales in the Long Bay area, offering two guided rides per day; the morning ride at 9:30 am and the afternoon ride at 3:30pm during the winter season, 4:30 during the summer.

Camille accepts all experience levels from 6 years old and up; if younger, however, they must be experienced riders. There is, however, an extra charge if someone must be led.

Everyone rides their own horse or pony, with no double riding allowed as there is a 200 pound weight limit. The groups are never more than 12 riders.

And for those of you looking for a more personal experience, private rides are available for an additional fee.

Helmets are available and are required for all children and young adults, aged 17 and under.

The guided rides (not the nose-to-tail variety of ride commonly experienced!!) are wonderful, tracking along quiet dirt roads and trails to the 4 mile stretch of the secluded Long Bay Beach.  Depending upon the tides, more experienced riders are given the chance to trot or canter along the beach. The shallow waters of the Caicos Banks off Long Bay make it an ideal place to experience the joy of riding your horse into the ocean.

To book either a one hour or 90 minute ride, you must make a reservation, securing it with a Visa or Mastercard. At the time of reserving, you will be asked to provide the accurate weight of each member of the group and provide a realistic assessment of the experience levels of all riders so that horses can be properly assigned

And finally, vacation villa renters will be provided directions to the stables and transportation to and from hotels can be provided by this fully insured, licensed, and long-established TCI business.

TO RESERVE: (1-649) – 946-5252 or 241-6350

Posted on May - 17 - 2011

Mango Reef at Alexandra Resort and Candy Barrotti, song bird extraordinaire!

Last week, my family and I – including 2 grandchildren ages 4 and 3 and their best friend who’s also 3 –  went to Mango Reef at Alexandra Resort for dinner.  What a stunning setting!

As we enjoyed an amazing sunset, the kids had fun playing on the beach and we enjoyed refreshing libations. :)

The service was terrific and the food – tons of it!! – as great! The ribs, in particular, were mouth-watering!

To add to our pleasure, Candy Barrotti, one of our favorite songbirds, was crooning her fabulous tunes!

So when you’re here visiting our extraordinary island and have a yearning for scrumptious local cuisine and superb entertainment, don’t forget to add Mango Reef and Candy to your to-do list!

Posted on March - 30 - 2011

Hot New Entertainment Club in Turks and Caicos

Providenciales has a new venue for comedy, magic and jazz musicians! The Havana Club is located at the Windsong Resort and features comedians from the States as well as Canada along with magicians and musicians.

What’s on right now? Well, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday…March 31st, April 1st and April 2nd…you have a special g-rated family show starting at 7pm for the kiddies! If you have children 8 years and older this would be a fun night for both them and you. The show features Naughty and the BahaMagician!

Don’t have little ones or just want an adult night out? Then sign up for the “laugh until you cry” 9:30 p.m. show for mature audiences, featuring headliner Barry Friedman, along with the BahaMagician and funnyman Naughty.

Remember there’s only 50 seats available for each show so buy your tickets now at: Havana Club Tickets.

Posted on September - 16 - 2010

Boatin’, fishin’, snorkelin’, day trippin’ in Turks & Caicos Islands

For all those clients who ask me to make recommendations for boat charters for deep sea fishing, bone fishing, day excursions and snorkeling adventures, having now compiled information from hundreds of guests over the past four years,the popular favorite is  Silver Deep with Captain Arthur Dean and his son AJ.

Captain Arthur Dean, aka Shadow, comes from a long line of men of the sea, with a rich history, coupled with a mystical knowledge, of the waters of the Turks & Caicos Islands.  And this family also has a deep historical tradition of building their own sloops. The following pictures are of Captain Dean, his son AJ (with a monster bone fish), and the latest sloop they have built, called “Tradition”.

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But as the following pictures will show, Shadow and AJ don’t just have the sea in their blood, they provide guests with lots of yum, fun, incredible ocean experiences and adventure too.

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Whether you’re looking for an island exploring adventure, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, or catching yourself a fightin’ bonefish, Arthur and the crew of Silver Deep will ensure the experience of a lifetime.

And when you get hungry, as these pictures attest, you’ll get lots of good eats too, as he cooks the catch on one of our many secluded and incredibly beautiful beaches!!

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So, whether short or tall, big or small, it’s never too early – or too late for that matter – to experience a Turks & Caicos Islands water experience of a lifetime on one of Captain Arthur’s multiple boats.

And as per our usual concierge service, when you book one of Tranquility’s fabulous vacation rentals, we will be thrilled to organize your dream boating water adventure, whatever that might be, with Silver Deep!

Posted on June - 28 - 2010

Turks and Caicos – the Best Undiscovered Caribbean Destination – says Caribbean Travel & Life

Everyone says it, so it’s no wonder Caribbean Travel & Life called Turks and Caicos the “Best Undiscovered Caribbean Destination .”  And Conde Nast Traveler readers voted Grace Bay on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos the “best beach of all tropical islands in the world.”

Turks & Caicos has become one of the hottest destinations in the Caribbean, with direct flights from major cities. The Turks and Caicos Islands are only an hour and a half flight from Miami. Part of the British Crown, the Turks and Caicos Islands are comprised of a number of islands, including Providenciales, North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, West Caicos, and Grand Turk.

Providenciales, also known as “Provo”, is the most developed of the Turks & Caicos Islands, and has become a top tourist destination for vacations and holidays because of its gorgeous turquoise waters, powder white sand, excellent restaurants, and tropical breezes.

For more info on Turks & Caicos,  and amazing villa and townhouse rental on Providenciales, visit our website and blog.

The Tranquility team looks forward to welcoming you ‘home’!

Posted on June - 27 - 2010

The Tranquility Promise: One-on-one Villa Vacation Planning

At Tranquility, our goal is to find a Turks and Caicos villa rental that’s perfect for you. And once you’ve found it, we will take care of all the arrangements – from Pre-Stocking, In-Home Dining, In-Home Poolside Massages, Fishing Trips, Boating Excursions, planning a Whale Watching Excursion,  or assisting you in planing the Perfect Party or Perfect Beach Wedding.

Put your plans in our experienced hands!

Renting a villa in Providenciales is the epitome of relaxed elegance; simple and sleek, with a tranquil atmosphere that all travelers can enjoy. Turks and Caicos remains a destination that has yet to be discovered in many ways; with our swaths of coral reef and the sweep of our white fine sand beaches that are essentially untouched.

Ideal for romance, family holidays and adventure seekers, Turks and Caicos entices guests to discover the ultimate luxury villa experience.

The experienced vacation guides at Tranquility look forward to assisting you in planning the Perfect Caribbean Vacation of a Lifetime!

Posted on May - 20 - 2009

Turks & Caicos video

Please click on this video link to see an overview of the TCI!!