| Just north of the Caribbean there is a dreamy place | | | | will likely see dolphins or sharks feeding on the smaller |
| made up of 8 islands and numerous cays. The Turks | | | | forms of marine life that live there. We visited in the |
| and Caicos islands are located just south of the | | | | heat of the summer and were able to view all sizes |
| Bahamas and about 500 miles south of Miami, FL. The | | | | of stingrays in their natural habitat from our safe |
| three most visited islands here are Grand Turk, North | | | | perch inside our semi-sub. We also saw many kinds |
| Caicos and Providenciales or Provo as it is commonly | | | | of coral and gained a new appreciation forpreserving |
| known. The entire island of Grand Turk is only 6 miles | | | | these beautiful natural habitats. |
| long and 1 mile wide. Recently a visitor center and | | | | So what is there to do here if you only in for a day |
| cruise ship dock built by Carnival Cruise Lines has | | | | on a cruise ship? For those of you who prefer a |
| increased tourism exponentially. | | | | party there is a gigantic restaurant called Jimmy |
| The sand on the beach of Grand Turk is so soft that | | | | Buffett's Margaritaville. It is the biggest one in the |
| it feels like icing sugar on your feet. It passes | | | | Caribbean. It boasts a swim up bar and enormous |
| between your toes like a feathery massage. It is | | | | pool area that can all be accessed by the whole |
| pure white and glints like snow. Few things look so | | | | family until the evening hours when it becomes off |
| beautiful and delight the sense of touch as does this | | | | limits to children as the bar scene heats up. You can |
| sand. Whilevisiting Grand Turk as a port on a sailing of | | | | use a beach chair and the beach free as well. Many |
| the Carnival Elation my family and I took an excursion | | | | excursions are offered through the cruise lines and |
| on a semi-submersible craft. Our guides were asked | | | | privately too. |
| how come the sands surrounding Grand Turk were | | | | For adventurous types you can learn to scuba dive |
| so soft. We were all dismayed to learn that the sand | | | | and test out your new skills. For those already |
| is the waste product of the Parrot fish. The fish feed | | | | certified to scuba you are in for the treat of your life |
| on algae that grow on the coral reef that encircle the | | | | in the views you will take it. If you are like me and |
| island. Much coral is untouched because of the limited | | | | prefer to minimize your interaction with sea life but |
| number of tourists that have been allowed to visit | | | | still want to see it up close and personal you can |
| Grand Turk. The Parrot fish have teeth that extend | | | | take a trip on a semi submersible that goes about 12 |
| down their throats that they use to masticate the | | | | feet under the surface of the water. This excursion |
| coral into a fine mush in order to extract the algae. | | | | is often packaged along with a snorkeling trip. Blue |
| The part that is remains after digestion is powdery | | | | water fishing is also popular pastime. Your line is |
| fine coral bits that become the beach sand we enjoy. | | | | rigged with bait to reel in Tuna, Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi |
| There is a spectacular area adjacent to Grand Turk | | | | or Sharks. What could be more exciting than that? |
| Island known as the 7,000 ft drop. In fact the name | | | | So take a trip and enjoy all that Turks and Caicos |
| of this area is the Columbus Passage. It divides the | | | | has to offer and do it soon before the masses |
| Turks and Caicos Islands from the Bahamas. This is a | | | | discover it and it becomes overcrowded like many |
| natural coral reef in the sea that is 0ver 180 miles | | | | other Caribbean locations that were once pristine. |
| long. Many varieties of sea creatures make this reef | | | | Just remember to take only pictures and leave only |
| their home. If you visit Grand Turk in the spring you | | | | memories. |