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.

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.

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!

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…

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

Want lobster?

Try out Bay Bistro and their great selection of lobster dishes starting on Thursday, September 1st! You can have Caicos bank lobster diced with sweet peppers, red onions and citrus mayo over mixed greens for $13 or how about a fresh grilled 10 oz. lobster tail served with garlic lemon butter for $36. Maybe blackened lobster served with mango chutney and West Indian curry sauce is more to your liking?

For more info or reservations call: 946-5396

Still craving more lobster?

Then head on out to Party City for Froggies On The Beach Saturday, September 3rd starting at 12:00pm! It’s the second annual “Craving Lobster Festival” and you’ll get to taste such treats as lobster fritters, lobster mac ‘n cheese, lobster salad and many more tasty lobster dishes!

What? You want more lobster?

How about a lobster buffet? Yum! Head on over to Horse-Eye Jack’s for an all you eaat lobster buffet on Wednesday, September 7th. You’ll be able to eat grilled lobster tails, minced lobster, curried lobster and lobster kabobs. Don’t want lobster? Then you can have some jerk chicken or pork along with a bunch of side dishes.

Along with some great food you’ll get some great live Caribbean music to dine by! Head on out to Blue Hills and stop by between 5pm and 7pm for their Happy Hour drink specials!

Sun, fun, and lobsters in the Turks and Caicos!

The Turks and Caicos National Museum is pleased to announce that the week of July 11-15 is “Bird Week”. The Bird Walking and Driving Tours will officially open  that week.

These tours were made possible by a grant from the Carnival/TCInvest/TCIG/Infrastructure Fund.

Both tours can be self guided, with the help of the Bird Guide Cards that are available for sale at the Museum. Once officially open, these cards will also be available at other outlets.

Many activities are planned for this week, including a Bird Driving Tour with Leading Ornithologist Dr. Mike Pienkowski, a student Bird Walking Tour with Dr. Mike Pienkowski, a movie night at the Museum, and the grand opening of the tours on Friday July 15, 2011.

The Museum will also be working with DECR’s Junior Warden Programme to show the importance of the Salt Ponds/Wetlands and how they attribute to the many species of birds found in TCI.

The birds of the Turks and Caicos are an intimate part of the wetlands ecosystem.  Birding here is exceptionally good, as one can see many species of birds very close up. This is a very rare occurrence and makes TCI one of the world’s best places to bird watch.

For information on the times of these activities, please contact the Museum at info@tcmuseum.org

It will be easier now to get a connecting flight from Providenciales Airport to Salt Cay…just a short 25 minute flight to take you to one of the most beautiful places in the world…”The Island that Time Forgot.”

This will be great too for those vacationing in Provo but who want to visit Salt Cay just for the day. You’ll be able to hop on over to Salt Cay and experience another aspect of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Check out Salt Cay Divers to discover all the activities that are available to you on this incredible Island.

There are so many things you can do in the Turks and Caicos Islands that you’ll have trouble fitting them all in!

One of the more popular activities is birdwatching. The inland marshes and salt ponds that populate TCI make for great feeding grounds for migratory and resident birds alike.

There are about 201 species of birds including pelicans, ospreys, frigatebirds, flamingos, hawks, kites and too many to mention here. For a complete list of bird species check out this page.

If you’re really into birdwatching, consider renting a Turks and Caicos Villa when you visit the Islands! There’s nothing quite like standing outside in the morning and seeing a hummingbird, flamingo, osprey or one of the many bird species that inhabit these Islands glide by you while sipping a cup of coffee!

The Ashcroft School is holding a Farmer’s Market and Yard Sale on Saturday, June 18th from 8am to 10am.

Might be a little early for some but if you can get yourself up…you’ll be able to score some great locally grown fruits and vegetables! Yum!

There’ll be coffee and refreshments available and lots of tables with clothing, household items, toys and other stuff that you can grab for a bargain!

This is a great way to support our local farmers…can’t beat fresh fruit and veggies!

Love swimming? Then join in this year’s Race for the Conch taking place Saturday, July 9th! 2010 saw the inauguration of this fun event and a great time was had by all!

Marcus Diaz, an international open water racing star took home the conch trophy last year and he’ll be back to defend his title this year.

The races are not just open to elite swimmers though, they are open to anyone who wants to challenge themselves swimming in the beautiful waters of Grace Bay.

There are one-mile and 2.4 mile eco-seaswim events that you can participate in and the top swimmers will receive “Race for the Conch” trophies. There will be a special trophy awared to the winners of the  “Resorts Cup,” which recognizes the top hotel/restaurant team…so get your workmates involved!

Whether your a competitive or recreational swimmer, you’ll have a blast at this special Turks and Caicos event.

Only 39 days to the Race for the Conch 2011 event! Still plenty of time to plan your vacation around this exciting event. Check out some incredible Turks and Caicos Villas you can rent while you’re here.

Every swimmer will be eligible for prizes that will be drawn at the Flamingo Cafe awards ceremony between 7pm and 8pm! A beach party will follow the ceremony so everyone can get their groove on!

Contact Chloe Zimmermann at Marco Travel at 649-946-4393 for more info or visit www.ecoseaswim.com to register online and learn more about 2011′s Race for the Conch.

Travelocity’s travel experts have done their research when it comes to summer family travel!

After digging into the website’s summer booking data, the team has discovered where most families will be vacationing for their 2011 summer getaway.

Not surprisingly the United States and Caribbean top the list, with Turks & Caicos  coming up as #9 in the world!!

“Talk about an island that just keeps getting more and more popular – Turks & Caicos climbs up the list of top-booked destinations each year.

Caribbean vacations are always popular for families and this island is proving to be a top pick.”     Travelocity, May 14th, 2011

From the Airport

Taxis are available at the airport.  When you exit Customs, there will be airport staff on hand to call one for you or you can pre-arrange prior to your arrival. Expect to pay around $15 (plus tip) per person for a taxi ride from the airport to the Grace Bay area.  Rates do, however, vary.

Rental Cars

Because the island is long and some villas, restaurants and activities far-flung,  a rental car is very useful on Providenciales. If you’re coming in high season (Nov through May), please make sure you book your rental at the same time you book your flight or you may find all the agencies fully booked.

A distinct advantage in renting a car is that you can easily tour the island, go to shops, eat out and not have to walk long distances to get places or worry about relying on taxis (especially in the evenings).You can pick up supplies and food (especially if you have self-catering capabilities) from the Graceway IGA and other food suppliers with ease.

In the British tradition,

cars on all the islands drive on the left

. You only need a valid driver’s license from your home country to rent a vehicle.

There are multiple international agencies working on island, such as Hertz, Avis, and Budget.

We also have excellent local companies, such as Grace Bay Car Rentals and Sales (tel. 649/941-8500; www.gracebaycarrentals.com),  Scooter Bob’s, Turtle Cove Marina (tel. 649/946-4684; www.provo.net/scooter), which rents jeeps, vans, and SUVs; and Turks & Caicos National Car Rental (tel. 649/946-4701).

As per our client polls, the particular favorite to date is Grace Bay Car Rentals, with your rental awaiting your arrival at the airport and the convenience of drop off there as well.

Taxis

If you decide to forgo a rental car, you may find yourself needing a taxi. Please note that there are no designated taxi stands. If you need a taxi, you’ll have to call one. We recommend Virgil  or Velma (tel. 649/231-0199 or email hughlou@tciway.tc) or Sonny (tel. 649/242-5287).

If you find another taxi driver you like, ask for his or her card or jot down the number on the side of the van, and avail yourself of his or her services throughout your trip (taxi drivers are also happy to show you around the island — for a fee negotiated upfront, of course). Otherwise, most places are happy to call a taxi for you.

On Foot

The 12 miles of Grace Bay Beach make for lovely strolls, and the paved roads along Grace Bay have sidewalks so getting around on foot is much easier than before. But once you get started, particularly with the tropical sun beating down, keep in mind that the distances are longer than they appear on a map, so please remember to hydrate before walking and carry fluids with you while walking, such as Gatorade or water mixed with Diuralyte (available at Flamingo Pharmacy in the Graceway IGA Plaza on Leeward Highway).

Traveling on to the Other Islands

If your final destination is any of the other islands in the Turks & Caicos chain, or you’re interested in planning a day trip to another cay during your stay on Providenciales,  you will be taking either a domestic flight on a small plane from the Provo airport or traveling by boat.

Caicos Cays

North Caicos

You can fly to the North Caicos airstrip on Air Turks & Caicos (www.airturksandcaicos.com) or call Ritchie at the charter company Caicos Express (tel. 649/232-1982 ; caicosexpressairways@tciway.tc).

Caribbean Cruisin’ Ltd. (tel. 649/946-5406, cellphone 649/231-4191; www.caicosproperties.tc/TCIFerryService.html; round-trips, cash only) offers a new ferry service that travels between Provo and North Caicos five times a day from Monday to Saturday and makes three trips on Sunday.

Otherwise, you can get to North Caicos by chartering a water-taxi from one of the many tour-boat operators in the area, such as Silver Deep (tel. 649/946-5612) or Big Blue Unlimited (tel. 649/946-5034. Their boats can accommodate up to eight people); the trip takes around 35 minutes.

For ground transportation, call Gardiner’s Taxi (tel. 649/946-7141).

Middle Caicos

You can fly to the minuscule Middle Caicos airstrip on Air Turks & Caicos (www.airturksandcaicos.com) or call Ritchie at the charter company Caicos Express (tel. 649/232-1982 ; caicosexpressairways@tciway.tc). The flight is about 15 minutes.

You can take the ferry from North Caicos. For ground transportation, island and cave tours, boat excursions, and fishing expeditions, call Middle Caicos native guide Cardinal Arthur (tel. 649/946-6107.

South Caicos

You can fly with Air Turks & Caicos (www.airturksandcaicos.com) or call Ritchie at the charter company Caicos Express (tel. 649/232-1982 ; caicosexpressairways@tciway.tc). The flight is approximately 15 minutes.

Taxis are available at the airport.

Grand Turk

Most people fly into Providenciales and then take a short flight on a domestic airline into Grand Turk International Airport (also known as J.A.G.S. McCartney International Airport).

Several daily flights between Provo and Grand Turk are offered by Air Turks & Caicos (www.airturksandcaicos.com) or call Ritchie at the charter company Caicos Express (tel. 649/232-1982 ; caicosexpressairways@tciway.tc).  The flight from Provo to Grand Turk takes 20 minutes.

On Grand Turk you can rent cars (as well as scooters, bicycles, and snorkeling gear) at Tony’s Car Rental (Grand Turk International Airport; tel. 649/964-1979; www.tonyscarrental.com).  Tony’s also offers scooter tours of the island.

Taxis are always available at the Grand Turk airport, and drivers are more than happy to give visitors a tour of the island. Remember to negotiate your price first.

Salt Cay

To get to Salt Cay, there are Monday, Wednesday. Friday flights with  Caicos Express (tel. 649/232-1982 ; caicosexpressairways@tciway.tc). You can also charter their planes to get there with your own group.

A government-subsidized ferry runs between Grand Turk and Salt Cay, weather permitting, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (leaving from South Dock — the island’s only dock, in the morning and returning in the afternoon). The trip takes an hour.

You can also hire a private boat operator to take you between Salt Cay and Grand Turk (as long as the seas aren’t too rough). Contact Debbie Been to organize a boat charter with Salt Cay Divers (tel. 649/241-1009; www.saltcaytours.com).

Cruise-ship passengers who arrive in Grand Turk can continue to contact Salt Cay Divers to arrange their snorkeling or diving day trips to Salt Cay, same as always.

No one needs a car to get around Salt Cay, which has more donkeys than cars to begin with; it’s the perfect place for getting around on foot, by bike, or by golf cart.

For everyone coming to vacation in Providenciales, there are incredible day trips to Salt Cay, such as scuba diving, boat trips,  snorkeling or whale watching. Don’t hesitate to contact Debbie of Salt Cay Divers dive shop (cellphone 649/241-1009 or email scdivers@tciway.tc). Debbie can organize your flights, charter or even an overnight stay!!

WELCOME TO OUR BEAUTIFUL BY NATURE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS!