The Turks and Caicos Islands are Nature's way of
saying – come on down for a warm swim in crystal blue waters along pure white
sand. An invitation like that is not one to turn down and most people don’t.
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| Ah - a warm beautiful beach - seems enticing! |
Who would?
Besides the beaches, there are other places just a
short distance from Provo (that’s what the locals call Providenciales) that are worth a visit.
Something totally different than what most tourists would imagine. And that
would be the islands of North and Middle Caicos.
First stop - North Caicos.
Welcome to the jungle, baby!
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| One of numerous ponds surrounded by lush jungle on North Caicos |
This island, which is about the same size as Provo, is a
must for those who want to venture off the regular traveled path and see what a
nearly deserted island is all about. Yes, there are plenty of long stretches of
bright soft sand to tread upon barefoot while sticking ones toes into the aqua
colored water but there is also the intoxicating draw of the green and lush jungle.
North Caicos can only be reached by boat or small plane.
And there are not a lot of amenities for the person who likes to travel in comfort and style.
There are a few hotels but nothing like the luxury resorts located in Provo –
the jumping off point for travel to the other islands.
J and L were excited as they arrived at the TCI ferry service marina departure point in Provo near Big Blue and across from Mangrove Cay at six a.m. for the thirty minute boat ride to North Caicos.
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| Step in an buy a ticket for island hopping |
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| Now Sit back and enjoy the trip |
When visiting North Caicos one should rent a four wheel drive Jeep. There are plenty of rental vehicles available but the chance to go off road onto the sandy beaches or the thick jungle is too much of a temptation. The explorer needs a machine which will take him or her where their adventurous heart desires.
That’s what J and L chose on their last visit to the British West Indies. A Jeep with the torque and ability to go where they wanted without complaint.
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| A Jeep is the only way to go! |
A different day was planned while visiting this small piece of paradise in the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. Though it is thought the Turks and Caicos are in the Caribbean they are not, exactly. The forty islands and cays are actually located in the Atlantic Ocean, 550 miles southeast of Miami. But with the long history of early explorers and legendary pirates the Caribbean seems to fit the geographical term for this locale. It isn’t but does a precise location always matter?
For pirate treasure, yes – but for the rest, not so
much.
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| Today - not so much |
After getting our jeep – rather hinky at first when a
gentleman named Roger strolled up to us as we disembarked and said our Jeep was
waiting. J had never spoken to Roger but instead had made an inquiry with a woman named Maria the night before
about renting the Jeep for the day. How did Roger know we were the ones he was
looking for? Perhaps, as J likes to believe he has that certain look of a well-seasoned
traveler and EXPLORER is etched across his ‘manly’ forehead.
Turns out Roger
does this regularly with people coming over from Provo. He smiled, we smiled
and within a few minutes we were off bumping down the road toward unknown adventure
– of course we had a map given to us by Roger.
By the way – Roger didn’t know anyone by the name of
Maria from Provo. Hmm. But he was the only man with jeeps -- so the deal was struck.
North Caicos has a population of around 1,400 compared to Provo which boasts nearly 24,000 residents - not counting the extra thousands of tourists who visit weekly.
But who is counting? It's the emptiness of the place which demanded the adventure begin.
Not far from the docks is an abandoned resort - stopped in the middle of the real estate disaster in 2009. What was started was not finished and only the ocean breezes and buzzing insects occupy what would have been a first class destination. Very sad.
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| Very sad indeed for the developer |
After leaving the would-be resort, we were off for breakfast at My Dees Restaurant on the
Kings Road near the town of Whitby and marveled at the detail of preparation
for our fare. Delicious and filling and a good start for a day of traveling.
Driving through the lush landscape emphasized the
difference between North Caicos and Provo. Most times being able to see a yard
or two off the roadway was impossible due to the growth of the vegetation.
Stopping here or there to snap some photos showed us the countryside was alive
with sounds of insects and the myriad of bird species was nearly uncountable as
they winged here and there in the air near us.
It was the bats during the early morning that was
really entertaining especially as we exited the Jeep for photo-ops and they
seemed to be as curious about us as we were about them.
The Wade's Green Plantation was a must see since it was
a Loyalist’s home after leaving the newly formed United States in the late 18th
century. Long roads led the way through thick and thicker undergrowth – the
place was alive with sound and the humidity was only making it more exciting.
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| Moved from the Colonies to TCI during the Revolution |
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| Thick jungle background instead of barren rocky like Provo |
After leaving the historic site of Wade Green
Plantation a side trip was taken to Flamingo Pond – it is boasted in the
guidebooks that this pond has the largest collection of flamingoes of any of
the islands.
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| This is what Flamingo Pond is supposed to look like - but not when J and L visited |
Thirty minutes later combing the pond and skies J and
L ended up with a large goose egg – not one flamingo was seen. So much for
guidebooks but the mosquitos were biting – back to the idea of complaints and
not about the Jeep. Dozens of bites later – some probably sand fleas left J and
L feeling like pin cushions.
Forgot to bring the DEET! Silly travelers.
After spending the better part of the morning
exploring we found ourselves crossing the causeway into Middle Caicos (again
about the same size of North Caicos with a population of nearly 280) and then
to Bombara Beach. (As L points out -- the one the rum is named after -- ah, perhaps that's the reason the rum's always gone.) A nearly deserted three mile long pearl white sandy beach begging to be laid upon. Only four other people were there in the hours we spent soaking up the late morning sunshine and enjoying a dip in the warm and
shallow waters.
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| Forested jungle to water's edge |
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| An island 1/4 mile away - water is only thigh deep |
Sandy, wet and rested we headed back toward North Caicos.
Nourishment was needed after the activity of the day
and so it was taken at the Mudjin Bar and Grill located at the Blue Horizon
Resort. Another wonderful meal and views of the Mudjin Harbour just added to
the delight of a late lunch.
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| Great food and terrific view from the Mudjin Bar and Grill |
After a quick detour to view the Indian Cave dating
back to pre-Columbus times which was awe-inspiring we were back on the road to
the ferry on North Caicos.
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| Indian Cave - near Mudjin Bar and Grill |
We made it with barely any time left before missing
the last boat off the island for the return trip to Provo wondering where the
time had gone.
So, on this last visit to the British West Indies J
and L explored the wonders of two other islands in the world of Turks and
Caicos.
It is always well worth it to do some island hopping
when the chance offers itself – the sights and solitude was well worth it.
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| Lots of exploring to do while Island Hopping in TCI |
