Palm Trees and Ocean Breeze: A Trip to Turks and Caicos

I am still getting used to cooking for myself and having to do laundry again. Reacclimating to the real world, after spending five wonderful days in the paradise known as Turks and Caicos last week has been a real adjustment. Why, Sunday afternoon, I sat out by our pool and I had to carry my own towels and fetch my own drinks—can you imagine the horror?! As I told a friend yesterday, we did not really even take a vacation last year, so you could have taken me to Daytona Beach and I would have thought it was an exotic getaway, but our escape to Turks and Caicos was a real slice of heaven. Let me show you our pictures and whisk you away to the islands for just a moment, shall we?

Turks and Caicos is actually a group of 40 islands, southeast of the Bahamas. We flew into Providenciales, or “Provo,” which is about a two and a half hour direct flight from Charlotte and headed to the Ritz Carlton Grace Bay, our home away from home for the next several days. We have been debating about whether or not the fact that TCI (the airport abbreviation for Turks and Caicos) is a British territory is responsible for the amazing politeness and hospitality we received while there, because it was far above anything else we have experienced in the Caribbean. Everyone was determined to make sure we were having the best possible time.

We walked into our oceanfront room and were greeted with this, our balcony view. I felt better and more relaxed already.

We explored around the resort for the afternoon and then headed to Da Conch Shack, a cute dive restaurant and rum bar right on the beach. It’s also on the very windy side of the island, as you can see from the way I am clutching my dress in an attempt to avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment.

As you can see, we had dinner and a swinging good time (he absolutely hates when I make him do things like this, but what a good sport)!

The next morning, we feasted like royalty out by the ocean at the hotel on banana oatmeal pancakes and avocado toast. Let’s just say it was a step up from my usual vegan protein shake.

This picture doesn’t even begin to do it justice: of all the places we have been, from Hawaii to Tahiti and through the Caribbean, I have never seen water as clear and blue as Turks and Caicos. It is truly spectacular, and why the islands are so popular for diving and snorkeling.

Sadly, we did not scuba or snorkel during our time there. We booked an early bird snorkel session so we could avoid the rum-punch-fueled picnic that always accompanies the half day snorkel tours we typically endure in an effort to get up, get our snorkeling on, and get back to sunning ourselves at the hotel. The “Rise and Reef” snorkeling adventure was, admittedly earlier than we would have liked at 8;30 a.m. on the first official day of our vacation, but we wanted to maximize our time in TCI (okay, to be honest, Clint did. I wanted to sleep late and read by the pool). As fate would have it, we were the only folks interested in rising at that hour, and so our “adventure” was canceled due to lack of interest. We were forced to sleep in and read by the pool. Oh, well. We met a cute couple from upstate New York who were honeymooning who said they tried to book the same early bird outing for another day that week and were also turned away for the same reason, so clearly not many takers on sunrise snorkeling down in the islands. Who would have thunk it?

It’s not vacation without a pina colada (for Clint) and a Miami Vice (for me). Cheers to Turks and Caicos! This is way better than snorkeling.

The resort pool had one of our favorite amenities: the chaise lounges had flags that you raise any time you need service, and a waiter would come over on this pretty cool Segway/Hoverboard hybrid and take your order: usually a mojito or margarita for Clint, water infused with mint or club soda for me (you all know my tummy gets jittery…old age is ridiculous). We were able to order delicious lunches and eat them right from our chairs, not leaving the sunshine for a single second unless we wanted. I wish daily life came with those little flags.

Believe me when I say: I highly recommend!

We came to realize the chairs down on that amazing stretch of beach also had waiter service and flags, so we spent a fun day down on the sand enjoying the ocean as well. You cannot come all the way to an island as beautiful as Providenciales and not enjoy a day (or three) on the beach.

There was a man on the beach selling drinks in coconuts, so of course I had to have one.

And I am not the only one in the family who cannot resist a gimmick. Once Clint saw that other people had floats, he had to walk over the local grocery store and procure one for himself. Look at that smile!

One of the absolute highlights of our trip was our dinners; the food was some of the best we have ever experienced (we ate lobster on numerous occasions and did not feel the least bit guilty about the decadence). The ambience was every bit as lovely as the meals, and we were so impressed with the uniqueness and charm of it all. We would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite place, and we left with restaurants we wanted to try that we did not have time to visit…which just means we will need another trip back. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it….

This is Coco Bistro, where you dine in the largest palm grove on the island of Providenciales. It was so tranquil and our food was fabulous: lobster spring rolls, blackened Mahi, and grilled lobster with smashed potatoes and broccolini.

Most evenings, we would find ourselves a table for two at the outdoor lobby bar at the Ritz. Our bartender made some of the best old-fashioned cocktails in existence and it was a nice place to end our spectacular days.

It was hard to choose a favorite, but we adored Grace’s Cottage and our meal was truly out of this world. We dined outside this adorable gingerbread trim house and devoured a pacific crab salad, bouillabaisse with mussels, snapper, shrimp, lobster, and potatoes, and…

More grilled lobster for Clint! Caicos lobster is some of the most delicious we have ever tasted. Our waitress was proud to say it is because their ocean is so pristine (and honestly, so is the rest of their islands).

We stayed after dinner to enjoy the beautiful bar (the mural behind us is entirely made of tile) and have a nightcap.

Our last meal was at Indigo at the Wymara resort. We started with a seafood tasting plate with a crab cake, shrimp tempura, and scallop crudo and we both ordered the same entree. You guessed it: lobster! This time it was char-grilled with garlic, ginger, rum, and chipotle chilies and served over a pineapple fried rice. It was a perfect last meal on this wonderful island. Oh, and in case you could not tell from our big grins, we were also thrilled with our tiki mugs. Be still our hearts, Indigo.

All in all, it was a superb trip. We felt rested and relaxed and pampered, and I can honestly say the service and people we encountered could not have been better. We left wishing for just one more day, which I always feel is the hallmark of a great vacation. You have to leave still wanting more, before you’ve worn out your welcome. We were already planning our next trip back while waiting in the security line at the airport, and that, friends, is a very good sign.

I also wanted to share this little story with you: on our last night in Turks and Caicos, on our way home from that most delightful lobster meal, an older man drove our taxi back to our hotel. He was (very) talkative and filled us in that over his years, he has traveled extensively all over the world, from Cuba to the Middle East, Dubai, to America and all over the Caribbean to name a few. “Wow,” I replied. “You have seen so much of the world. Where is your favorite place that you have been?” And without having to ponder it for a second, he instantaneously told me, “America! I love it there.” We were honestly touched, and over our old fashioned cocktails that night, we remarked how significant that is: of all the places, America. We long for travel and to get away, we complain about its problems and we focus on its flaws, and yet somehow, it still manages to be the greatest place on earth, even to a cabbie from Turks and Caicos.

No matter how amazing your travels, it’s a blessing to able to call this place home.

Thank you, Turks and Caicos for an amazing time! See you “soon!”