Times of the Islands Fall 2015

TIMES
OF THE
SAMPLING THE SOUL OF THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS FALL 2015 NO. 112
ISLANDS
A CULINARY CALLING
TCI Student-Intern Mark Connolly
PRECIOUS TREASURE
Cherishing TCI’s Environment
WOMEN OF VALOR
Constance Hall &
Elizabeth Forbes

Turks And Caicos
TurksAndCaicosProperty.com
Real Estate
Mandalay Villa
Completed in 2012 this one-of-a-kind estate on sought
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If you are searching for the ultimate 2 bedroom
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US$1,545,000
Bernadette is an Irish qualified attorney who
began practicing law in the Turks & Caicos in
1997. Working in a general practice she dealt with
conveyancing, immigration, licensing, company
and trust formation and estate planning. In 2000
she co-founded Turks & Caicos Property, Ltd.
(“TCP”) taking the lead on sales and dividing
her time between law and real estate.
Bernadette retired from law in 2007 to focus
exclusively on what was already a successful
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independent MLS data, she is the only TCI
agent with active sales (i.e. introducing the
buyer) exceeding US$100 million. Her gross
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experience and up-to-the-minute information
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TCP is the leading independent real estate
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Alexandra Resort. TCP’s reputation and success
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Bernadette and the Turks & Caicos Property
team. Bernadette works 6 days a week from her
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Grace Bay Development Site
Beachfront site between The Mansions and Villa
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an incredible setting. There is a two storey residential
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US$6,000,000
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3 storey, 5 BR / 4.5 BTH villa with pool on an acre
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floor wrap around balcony. Operated as a short-term
vacation rental - enquire for info on earnings.
US$2,950,000
Call Bernadette if you would like to find out a
little more about owning real estate in the Turks
& Caicos Islands.
TCP
TURKS & CAICOS PROPERTY
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contents
Departments
10 From the Editor
15 Getting to Know
A Calling in the Kitchen: Mark Connolly
By Jody Rathgeb
Photos By Sean Brady, Kaieri Photography
59 Faces & Places
Windvibes 2015
Photos By Agile LeVin
60 Business
Buying Property in Paradise
By Neil Molyneux, Graham Thompson
Photos By Steve Passmore, Provo Pictures
66 Shape Up
Suspension Trainers
By Nancy Mizinski, GLOW Fitness
Smooth . . . and Healthy
By Josh Williams, Okeanos Fitness
68 About the Islands/TCI Map
73 Where to Stay
75 Dining Out
78 Classified Ads/Subscription Form
Features
32 A Precious Treasure
Story & Photos By Katheen Wood
42 Women of Valor
Constance Hall & Elizabeth Forbes
By Dr. Charlene Kozy
TIMES
OF THE
ISLANDS
SAMPLING THE SOUL OF THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS SUMMER 2015 NO. 111
On the Cover
Mark Connolly is somewhat of a culinary phenom, and
he hopes to take his skills to the next level via education
and on-the-job training, currently taking place on
the lush grounds of Parrot Cay COMO resort.
Sean Brady of Kaieri Photography (www.kaieri.com)
spent the day on Parrot Cay to capture this photo and
others seen in the feature on page 15.
Green Pages
22 Birds in Paradise
Story & Photos By Liam M. Carr
27 Teaching for Tomorrow
Story & Photos By Amy Avenant
29 Q & A: Dr. John Claydon
30 Conservationists in Training
By Eric Wilderman ~ Photos By Katharine Hart
32
Astrolabe
50 No Small Change
By Roberto G. Muñoz-Pando
52 If You Didn’t Write It Down
By Pat Saxton
58 Finding Louis Williams
By Pat Saxton
KIM MORTIMER PHOTOGRAPHY
6 www.timespub.tc

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from the editor
MARTA MORTON–WWW.HARBOURCLUBVILLAS.COM
Marta Morton, longtime TCI resident, proprietoress of Harbour Club Villas, and amateur photographer extraordinaire, captured this image of
a perfect pair of pelicans one afternoon in August at Babalua Beach on Providenciales.
Education & Conservation Go Hand in Hand
Conservation of natural resources has long been a theme of many articles in Times of the Islands. This issue is no
exception, featuring Kathleen Wood’s empassioned feature on protecting East Caicos, one of the TCI’s few remaining
untouched islands, from the ravages of development.
This August, the TCI Government held a town hall meeting to hear views on the already-approved increase in
maximum building height from seven to twelve (some say fourteen) stories to accommodate the plans of an international
resort chain. Arguments against the decision parallel much of the reasoning against developing East Caicos.
TCI’s primary appeal as a tourist destination is its “Beautiful by Nature” aura. Visitors savor the sparkling turquoise
seas, pristine white sand beaches, and colorful coral reefs, along with the relatively low-density development.
Yet this issue’s opening piece on Mark Connolly’s journey to become a gourmet chef focuses on an important
part of the maturing of a country so dependent on tourism. Unless and until more Turks & Caicos Islanders are educated
and trained to take up key positions in the resorts, restaurants, and ancilliary businesses proposed, any new
development will require importing labor. The immigrant labor force then ends up reaping benefits from the sacrifice
of land and other resources. The fruits of development rightfully belong to the citizens of the Turks & Caicos Islands.
10 www.timespub.tc
Kathy Borsuk, Editor
timespub@tciway.tc • (649) 946-4788

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TIMES
MANAGING EDITOR
Kathy Borsuk
OF THE
ISLANDS
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Claire Parrish
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Amy Avenant, Kathy Borsuk, Liam M. Carr,
Dr. Donald H. Keith, Dr. Charlene Kozy, Nancy Mizinski,
Neil Molyneux, Roberto G. Muñoz-Pando, Claire Parrish,
Jody Rathgeb, Pat Saxton, Eric Wilderman,
Candianne Williams, Josh Williams, Kathleen Wood.
Love your home
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Amy Avenant, Sean Brady–Kaieri Photography,
Colleen Bryant, Liam M. Carr, Katharine Hart,
Beverly LaPorte, Agile LeVin, Kim Mortimer, Marta Morton,
Paradise Photography, Steve Passmore–Provo Pictures,
Pat Saxton, Siri White, Candianne Williams, Kathleen Wood.
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Wavey Line Publishing
PRINTING
Franklin-Dodd Communications, Hialeah, FL
AWARD-WINNING CUSTOM HOME DESIGN
Award-winning architecture firm RA Shaw Designs
has created some of the most sophisticated and
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Times of the Islands ISSN 1017-6853 is
published quarterly by Times Publications Ltd.
Copyright © 2015 by Times Publications Ltd. All rights reserved
under Universal and Pan American Copyright Conventions.
No part of this publication may be
reproduced without written permission.
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Submissions We welcome submission of articles or photography, but
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To learn more, visit us online or call 1.649.941.4394
14 www.timespub.tc

getting to know
Chef trainee Mark Connolly puts the finishing touches on a dish at the restaurant
on Parrot Cay by COMO.
A Calling in the Kitchen
Student/intern Mark Connolly
By Jody Rathgeb ~ Photos By Sean Brady, Kaieri Photography
Among students seeking summer internships, it’s usually a given that you want a job that lets you do more
than make coffee. For Mark Connolly, however, making coffee was the point of his summer stint. Coffee . .
. and lunches, and dinners . . . You see, Connolly has been a chef trainee at the Parrot Cay by COMO resort,
learning on the job under the supervision of Executive Chef Stefano Cavallini. As a student at the Culinary
Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, this has been a valuable internship in paradise.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 15

As a native of the Turks & Caicos, Connolly is following
a unique career path. But then, he has had some
unusual life experiences in his 19 years. Mark is the
son of Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon.
Josephine Connolly and Joseph Connolly, senior partner
of PricewaterhouseCoopers Turks & Caicos. His twin sister,
Anne-Marie, is a journalism student at the University
of Central Lancashire in the UK.
Mark spent his first six years on Provo before going
to boarding school in England, yet it was back in the
Turks & Caicos that he found his calling in the kitchen.
“When I was growing up, being taken to dinner parties or
events, I was drawn to what was going on in the kitchen,”
he says. So when he returned to the Islands for a visit,
he decided to give the idea a try. He got a job in the
kitchen at Amanyara, the exclusive resort tucked away on
Provo’s northwest shore, “just as a trial,” but enjoyed the
experience so much he stayed for more than a year, working
under the tutelage of Executive Chef Fritz Zwahlen.
Seeing how Connolly took to the job, Zwahlen suggested
he attend a six-week restaurant program in Spain at
Ramon Freixa Madrid.
Connolly says the program at the famous restaurant
was both eye-opening and encouraging. “There were 12
trainees from all over the world,” he explains, and he was
given an international perspective about the culinary arts.
While there he learned about the rigorous and top-rated
program at the Culinary Institute of America, known in
the culinary world as simply the “CIA.” After returning to
Amanyara for a few more months, Connolly applied to
and was accepted there.
The world-reknowned CIA was established in 1946 as
a vocational school for returning American World War II
veterans; over time the nonprofit college became known
for its high standards. Now it offers both bachelor’s
and associate’s degrees as well as shorter enrichment
programs. The school’s most popular course involves a
six- to seven-month academic program and three to four
months of hands-on training, with an option for another,
more advanced, year of training. Students can also extend
the program to receive a bachelor’s degree. “Everything
is solely focused on food,” Connolly says, adding that he
intends to go on for the bachelor’s.
Perhaps because of his early days on Provo (“My
mother was my first chef, and they say that as a baby,
I enjoyed watching her cook and asking questions,” he
recalls), Connolly has been drawn to Caribbean and Asian
foods. So for his break at the CIA he sought an internship
at Parrot Cay by COMO. “This is one of the top restaurants
Above: Working at Parrot Cay by COMO resort has given Mark
Connolly valuable experience to take back to the Culinary Institute of
America, where he will return to finish his degree in January.
At right: Parrot Cay by COMO is one of the most exclusive resort
islands in the northern Caribbean, lush in tropical splendor and noted
for its world-class gourmet cuisine. What better place to learn?
16 www.timespub.tc

in the Turks & Caicos,” he says, and its combination
of the cuisines he likes best makes the place a perfect
match for him. “I keep getting blown away by everything
I’m learning,” he says.
As a trainee, he started with the poolside food
service and has been working his way up the steps of
the kitchen hierarchy. When he is not in the kitchen
he is studying on his own. He admits that it’s a lot of
work, but adds, “If you love what you’re doing, it’s like
nothing.”
Connolly notes that he still has far to go, but he
has his eye on a future with Asian-style foods. After
he returns to New York in January for another year at
the CIA, his next step could be another internship in
Singapore, perhaps. Eventually, like most chefs, he
would like to open his own restaurant.
Despite the fact that he is only 19 and still a student,
Connolly is already influencing others. He is
encouraging a cousin to stick with work at Amanyara
kia ad_kia ad 8/17/15 1:15 PM Page 1
“because he might fall in love with it, like me,” and
a colleague at Parrot Cay is headed toward culinary
school in the United Kingdom this fall (see sidebar).
Even as a student, Connolly is becoming a culinary
leader. a
Sharing the Passion
Mark Connolly isn’t alone in his passion for food in
the Turks & Caicos Islands. When he goes off to the
CIA this winter, another Islander, Cydacio Morgan of
Providenciales, will be heading to Manchester College
in England to continue his culinary training.
Morgan, who goes by the nickname Daci, started
cooking classes when he was in high school and took
a post-graduate chef program because he was so interested
in the field. He then went to work at Parrot Cay by
COMO for two years. The work and the passion made
him decide to continue his education. Daci was born
in the United Kingdom, so turning there for a program
seemed natural. Eventually, he says, he would like a
position as an executive chef.
The work on Parrot Cay, he says, cinched his ambitions.
“To see the look on a guest’s face when they have
enjoyed something I made is so satisfying,” he says. “I
love that I have been able to make someone else happy
with my cooking.”
So shake open those napkins and pick up those
forks, Turks & Caicos! A new generation of island-bred
chefs is on its way. a
Jody Rathbeb
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18 www.timespub.tc

Mark takes a break in Parrot Cay by COMO’s beautiful Terrace Restaurant dining room.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 19

20 www.timespub.tc

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Times of the Islands Fall 2015 21

green pages
newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
head office: church folly, grand turk, tel 649 946 2801 • fax 649 946 1895
• astwood street, south caicos, tel 649 946 3306 • fax 946 3710
• national environmental centre, lower bight road, providenciales
parks division, tel 649 941 5122 • fax 649 946 4793
fisheries division, tel 649 946 4017 • fax 649 946 4793
email environment@gov.tc or dema.tci@gmail.com • web www.environment.tc
This lesser yellowlegs is wading in the shallow waters of one of South Caicos’ abandoned salt ponds.
Birds in Paradise
South Caicos’ salt ponds attract an amazing bird community.
Story & Photos By Liam M. Carr, PhD,
School for Field Studies, Center for Marine Resource Studies, South Caicos
The island of South Caicos provides important habitat for over 200 species of birds, some year-round
residents and others only appearing briefly as they move across the region. Mourning doves and sparrows
nest along rock walls and in the scrubby brush growing across the island. Cattle egrets, introduced
to the region from western Africa, diligently feed on a variety of insects as they move across grassy
fields. And waterbirds like the American flamingo, tricolored heron, and the endangered West Indian
whistling-duck, have found South Caicos to be an incredibly welcoming site, providing food and shelter
from its offshore cays to its mangrove-fringed coast to inland fresh and salt water ponds. It is these salt
water ponds, constructed nearly 300 years ago, that have helped turn South Caicos into a bird paradise.
22 www.timespub.tc

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
South Caicos’ salt ponds once utilized an extensive canal system to direct water from one area to the next.
The island’s network of salt ponds, once a major salt
producer, now sit mostly derelict, unused by humans
since the early 1960s. Recognized through the Boiling
Hole Area of Historical Interest as important economic
and cultural artifacts of the island’s rich history, South
Caicos’ salt ponds have in recent years drawn dozens of
species of waterbirds to feed on dense clouds of Artemia
shrimp, juvenile crabs, worms, fishes, and plant life. As a
result of the emergence of the salt ponds as habitat for
birds, the School for Field Studies (SFS) has begun a multiyear
study on the ecology of the salt ponds and the bird
community it supports.
Interest in South Caicos’ salt ponds stems from the
current condition of the ponds themselves, the bird community
found there, and the potential for considering the
ponds Important Bird Areas (IBAs). Maintained throughout
the salt production period of South Caicos, relative lack
of human activity on the ponds has allowed the island to
slowly reclaim many of the ponds. While a dependable
source of salt water can be found arriving from the Boiling
Hole, every pond is slowly silting in, becoming shallower
and increasingly saline. Canals and dykes once opened
and closed to channel water to various ponds have long
been forgotten, with some ponds now entirely closed off
to the Boiling Hole’s waters, and others permanently open.
Seasonal rains flood the ponds then evaporate through
the dry spring and summer months, giving the impression
that the ponds are still being maintained.
In truth, what at first glance looks like a cohesive,
interconnected salinas system is in fact a number of
microhabitats, ranging from relatively deep, cool waters
near the Boiling Hole that maintain similar salinity to
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 23

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
This Tricolored heron takes off in flight from its perch on a branch
in the salt pond.
the ocean, to extremely shallow, hot, hypersaline ponds
toward the north end of the system, near the island’s airport
(Figure 1). These microhabitats, in turn, affect bird
community dynamics and behaviors. As they continue
to change away from human disturbances or efforts to
maintain them, their potential capabilities as IBAs will
also change, potentially impacting the birds currently
found there. Will continued reclamation back to a “wilder”
state improve the salt ponds as waterbird habitat, or will
changing conditions diminish the rich supply of food and
shelter, forcing these birds to other islands to survive?
To begin answering these questions, SFS has been
studying bird dynamics and behaviors at several scales
within the salt ponds and other neighboring habitats,
from the individual bird moving about at fine temporal
and spatial scales, up to the level of the entire island. The
question of scale is central to understanding the ecological
goods and services provided by the salt ponds, and
answering that question will help determine the uniqueness
and potential of these ponds as an IBA.
During Spring 2015, SFS built on the success of previous
research by quantifying changes in micro-habitat
preferences between seasons, and, for the first time, conducting
a water quality characterization of the ponds. The
spring begins the long dry season in the Turks & Caicos
Islands, and with no rainwater arriving to offset water
losses from evaporation, many of the salt ponds begin to
pull away from the short rock walls that separate individual
ponds, revealing the deep, soft mud that has slowly
amassed over the decades since the end of commercial
salt production. Food, primarily small salt-tolerant invertebrates
like brine shrimp and nematodes, also become
concentrated as their pools shrink, becoming a veritable
feast for birds. By tying in these behaviors and habitat
preferences both for feeding and resting with the underlying
physical water quality characteristics, SFS researchers
have identified conditions that support the island’s bird
community, and how birds shift over space and time.
The dramatic changes between seasons at the salt
ponds directly impacts the bird community present.
Fluctuations in bird biodiversity can be attributed to the
underlying environmental conditions, particularly water
quality and coverage. During the wet fall months, environmental
pressures on birds are reduced, leading to a
more even distribution of birds around South Caicos. In
the dry spring months however, the concentration of food
and suitable water conditions lead to birds aggregating
at productive ponds. Over time, should these ponds lose
productivity through continued siltation and neglect, it
can be expected that birds will be forced to move on to
new waters to eat, rest, and nest.
Researchers have also begun exploring how South
Caicos’ bird community compares to other IBAs in the
Turks & Caicos Islands. Comparing bird counts of birds
seen both around South Caicos’ salt ponds and at the
Figure 1: Descriptive values near zero represent increasingly hot,
hypersaline waters.
24 www.timespub.tc

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
This reddish egret is cautiously wading through the salt pond in search of a meal.
Turks & Caicos National Museum IBA on Grand Turk,
researchers have found that South Caicos’ springtime
bird community is both more diverse and abundant than
at the museum IBA (Figure 2). Of the twenty-nine species
found in both locations, South Caicos had higher abundances
in only fifteen instances. Yet, looking only at the
eighteen species of waterbirds, South Caicos had higher
comparative abundances in thirteen instances. Looking
more broadly across the region (Figure 3), South Caicos
ranks very highly over four species of iconic bird species
Figure 2: South Caicos’ springtime bird community is more diverse
and abundant than at the National Museum’s Important Bird Area on
Grand Turk.
popular for birding and birding-related tourism. Notably,
South Caicos has greater numbers than the internationally
recognized Ramsar wetlands site on East Caicos, and had
the greatest overall weighted rank in both spring (April)
Figure 3: When compared to other areas in the region, South Caicos
ranks highly over four species of iconic birds popular for birders.
and autumn (November) counts for all sites considered.
These four studies, from a baseline assessment on
water quality to micro-scale habitat shifts and growing
awareness of the importance of South Caicos’ salt ponds
regionally, together provide strong incentives for policy
makers to contemplate their conservation through targeted
management tools, including being named an IBA.
This dramatic change in habitat and bird diversity and
behavior between seasons has important implications for
South Caicos. Shifts, too subtle to observe from one day
to the next, are noticeable at longer time scales, reflect-
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 25

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
ing the dynamic nature of these pond communities, and
reveal the difficulty in managing the ponds. Have nearly
fifty years of indifference led to a bird-friendly salt pond
ecosystem? Is South Caicos benefitting from such benign
neglect of its salt ponds, or have researchers caught only
a snapshot of the current conditions, but are unable to
predict what lies ahead?
Bringing the focus on South Caicos and its people,
the island is showing the first tentative signs of economic
diversification, with the arrival of the Sail Rock development
along its eastern ridgeline and the nearly open
East Bay Resort and Condominium development. Known
today as the fishing capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands,
these two developments envision a future where South
Caicos becomes internationally known for community-oriented
tourism and real estate. The salt ponds might seem
prime locations for large earth works projects that might
increase the visibility and attraction of South Caicos for
investment and tourists.
A Shortbilled dowitcher searches for a snack in salina waters.
While the ongoing focus on birds might not fully slow
any such discussions, thanks to these research projects
there is now an understanding of the current ecological
role that these salt ponds play, and how these benefits
might be lost in the coming years from either rash
development projects or continuing the present policy
approach of neglect. A vibrant, diverse bird community
may be a natural asset that supports the island’s vision
for small-scale tourism centered on South Caicos’ natural
beauty and cultural uniqueness. a
The TCI’s iconic Osprey is a frequent visitor to South Caicos’ cays.
The School for Field Studies (SFS) is a US-based academic
institution that provides multidisciplinary, field-based
environmental study abroad opportunities to undergraduate
university students. Each SFS program (nine in total)
highlights a different region of the world, with its own
distinct cultural and ecological characteristics and unique
environmental challenges. Faculty and students at the SFS
CMRS on South Caicos work in close cooperation with local
partners including the TCI’s Department of Environment
and Maritime Affairs (DEMA), TCReef Inc. (www.tcreef.
org), and local fishermen and processing plants to protect
and enhance the management of the island’s coral reefs
and other marine resources. To learn more, go to www.
fieldstudies.org/tci. a
SFS researchers conduct bird counts at the salt ponds behind the
Marjorie Basden High School on South Caicos.
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green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
Junior Park Warden Danelle Gordon points out the bird life seen on a Big Blue guided tour through Mangrove Cay.
Teaching for Tomorrow
Junior Park Warden program celebrates 15 years.
Story & Photos By Amy Avenant
Tomorrow’s leaders need to be equipped for tomorrow’s challenges, and it is our responsibility to
adequately prepare our children for the future they will inherit. That requires a commitment to providing
children with proper environmental education. Today’s generation of children is the first to grow up
indoors. Their plugged-in lives are often without the adventure and exploration of nature. If children are
detached from nature, how will they learn about, understand, and value it? How will the next generation
care about the land and be stewards of its resources, in a time when we can no longer afford to be complacent
about environmental issues faced by our islands and globally?
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 27

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
Raising an environmentally literate generation of
problem solvers will help ensure that tomorrow’s decision-makers
are prepared for the challenges they will
likely face. Studies have shown that environmental education
engages students in practical learning, critical
thinking, and even yields health benefits, while encouraging
them to pursue a career in environmental and natural
resources. With this in mind, for fifteen years the Pine
Cay Project and DEMA have cooperated in the Junior Park
Warden Program (JPW), held during the summer months
for TCI youth.
This year, the JPW Program aimed to bring attention
to the value associated with, and the problems faced by a
vital resource: water. Through a wide variety of water-focused
activities students learned how they can protect,
conserve, and appreciate water. This opportunity to interact
and engage with the aquatic environment added value
and understanding to a conservation need.
The JPW Program makes a difference to TCI’s youth
and future as it teaches about more complex environmental
issues, preparing them to be good stewards of
their natural environment. Concurrently, they gain an
understanding of DEMA’s roles and responsibilities in
the community, an appreciation of TCI’s biodiversity, and
the imminent local and global threats brought about by
unsustainable living practices, development, and a lack of
value added to such issues. As more children are disconnected
from nature, the JPW Program provides an open
door to the TCI’s outdoor natural heritage. a
DEMA would like to thank the Pine Cay Project for their
support, encouragement, and resources.
From top: JPW participants tour the aquaponics facility at Amanyara
resort. TCI Swimming Federation Director Ben Stubenberg teaches the
junior park wardens to swim. With the help of Tina Randall, students
learned about the importance of shark conservation.
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green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
Q&A: Find out what makes DEMA’s new director tick
In July 2015 the Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs (DEMA)
welcomed Dr. John Claydon to the team as the new director. Dr. Claydon
lived in South Caicos for six years working at the School for Field Studies,
first as a lecturer and then as director, so he is no stranger to the Turks &
Caicos’ natural environments and the challenges they face.
Q: How did you get interested in nature and the
environment?
A: I was brought up in the UK countryside, growing up
in a family with a strong conservation ethic, but also
in a village community with farmers and foresters and
all sorts of other people who depend on their natural
surroundings for their livelihoods. However, as soon as
I first put my head underwater with a mask and snorkel,
I knew my real connection was with the sea and the
people making their livings from it.
Q: What brought you to the TCI?
A: In 2005 I started working as a resident lecturer in
Tropical Marine Ecology at the School for Field Studies
Centre for Marine Resource Studies on South Caicos. We
took undergraduate students out on snorkel and SCUBA
almost every day, using the sea as a natural classroom
and collecting data for research. Later, I became centre
director and I stayed for almost six years.
Q: What did you do before working in the TCI?
A: Immediately before coming to Turks & Caicos in
2005, I was in Papua New Guinea where I spent three
years in a remote area collecting data for my PhD on
spawning aggregations of reef fishes. During this time I
learned a lot about coral reefs in the Coral Triangle and
was also based at a university in Australia with access
to the Great Barrier Reef. Prior to starting at DEMA, I
was a visiting scientist at Stanford University’s Hopkins
Marine Research Station, worked as a consultant on a
project on Nassau grouper in the TCI, helped set up and
run a new research, education, and conservation centre
on the Caribbean coast of Panama, and before that I
was working as a lecturer in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean.
Q: What do you hope to achieve as DEMA director?
A: From my background as a marine and fisheries biologist
I would like to help the TCI to be in a better position
to make informed
decisions about
its environment,
so that Turks & Caicos Islanders can benefit from their
natural resources for generations to come. In order to
do this, we need to generate and attract as much expertise
as possible to research the TCI’s wonderful natural
resources. This should not be difficult because the TCI
boasts some of the healthiest reefs, seagrass beds, and
mangroves in the region. If we can tie this together with
greater capacity to enforce the regulations protecting
our environment, then the TCI can be in a very strong
position going forward in the future.
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing TCI’s natural
environment?
A: For years, the TCI has had a relatively low impact on
its natural environments. That does not mean that bad
things have not happened, but the scale of these things
has been relatively small. However, as tourism and
the number of people using the natural environments
continue to grow, the cumulative effect of these activities
becomes less negligible. So, the most immediate
challenge is meeting the needs of tourism while being
able to maintain the natural environments that tourists
come to see, and the stocks of lobster, conch, and
grouper that they come to eat. When you also throw in
the need for development and economic growth, the
pressure really starts to grow. Many other countries
have succumbed to the “paradox of tourism,” where
tourism destroys the very thing that tourists come to
see, but, almost uniquely in the region, the TCI still has
the opportunity to get this right.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: There is nothing I enjoy more than snorkelling and
free-diving. My favourite spots are off the wall from
South Caicos. a
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 29

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
DEMA summer interns monitor birds in North Creek, an area potentially soon to be developed.
Conservationists in Training
DEMA’s 2015 summer interns.
By Eric Wilderman ~ Photos By Katharine Hart
In June, the Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs (DEMA) on Grand Turk gained four new interns
ready to take on the environmental challenges and opportunities the island has to offer. Since the time
of our first group snorkel, when we saw a spotted eagle ray and chased a green turtle for what felt like
miles, we have been getting our hands dirty working in the field. The typical week for our team consists
of a great deal of ecosystem monitoring, which includes the stunning coral reefs, seagrass beds, bird
populations, mangrove forests, and North and South Creek. Of course, all this would be impossible if it
was not for the guidance of DEMA Grand Turk Environmental Officer Katharine Hart.
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green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
A typical monitoring session starts with a bike ride
to our pre-selected location with all of our gear strapped
on our backs. After dismounting our bikes it’s time to get
wet. We slap on our fins, snorkels, and masks, grab our
transect line (a 100m measuring tape) and two quadrats
(1m by 1m squares), and swim out to our monitoring
locations. At every site we lay down a 20m transect and
quadrats every 5 meters. This allows us to assess the
biodiversity and species composition of each area.
DEMA interns monitor the coral reef on the Grand Turk Wall.
This process is known as a rapid ecological assessment
and is used to determine habitat types and the roles
that each different type plays in the overall ecosystem.
For example we have found that much of North Creek’s
various habitats provide ideal shelter and nutrients for
juvenile fish populations. Assessments like the ones we
are conducting are also crucial in determining the impact
that new developments would have on the environment.
In addition to finding out what’s in the water we have
been monitoring the bird populations all around the
island. This is giving us a more comprehensive view of
the species associated with different areas of Grand Turk.
For example, in North Creek you will find a great deal
of tri-coloured, green, and little blue herons as well as
sandpipers and an occasional flock of flamingos. In the
salinas you will discover the presence of countless laughing
gulls, white-cheeked pintail ducks, and my personal
favorite, the black necked stilt.
When we arrived in Grand Turk we were all surprised
at how welcoming everyone was. We befriended local
divermasters who have taken us on the most amazing
dives. As the true ecology nerds that we are, we couldn’t
help but “geek out” over the diverse amount of marine
life we’ve experienced. In one amazing day we encoun-
tered a green sea turtle, a few particularly friendly Nassau
groupers, and even a yellow longsnout seahorse. The
unending beauty of Grand Turk’s reef not only speaks to
the motto of “Beautiful by Nature,” but also the need to
conserve that beauty.
On July 7, our team got the chance to accompany
an Oasis Divers boat to Salt Cay to investigate a lead
about possible turtle nests. As soon as the boat landed
on shore, the DEMA team started scanning the beaches
for nests. They came across a few recently hatched nests
from both green and hawksbill sea turtles and were able
to assess the hatching success of each nest by counting
eggshells and un-hatched eggs. At the next nest they
were surprised to find a hawksbill nest with deceased
hatchlings on the surface.
Naturally, everyone sprang into motion taking the
live hatchlings further along the beach to a location with
less beach debris. They were released at the top of the
beach and the team was able to watch them crawl to the
water to start their lives. Had our team not been there
it’s possible that these newly hatched sea turtles would
have suffered the same fate as the other nests. At the end
of the day we all sat down to our daily family dinner and
smiled at the fact that there are now forty new hawksbill
sea turtles that have the chance to try their hand at life
because of us. Our group came to the same consensus:
we have the best job in the world! a
Intern Kelly Muller cradles a baby hawksbill turtle.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 31

feature
Opposite page: East Caicos is home to this silver palm species that is endemic to TCI and the southern Bahamas (Coccothrinax inaguensis).
Above: The shallow ponds of East Caicos are home to possibly the largest population of West Indian flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) known
in TCI, shown here in flight over the sea.
A Precious Treasure
Recording TCI’s remnants of paradise.
Story & Photos By Kathleen Wood
Few places on Earth persist where nature’s ancient rhythms remain unconstrained by human ambition
and greed. In 1971, visiting scientists described the Turks & Caicos Islands’ natural environment as “ . . .
as close to the natural state as is likely to be the case for any similar islands within the American tropics
due to relatively light utilization by man” (Ray & Sprunt, 1971, p. 6). The authors also forewarned: “Their
[the islands’] value lies in their still retained beauty and relative remoteness. Their ecology and small size
makes mandatory that development not violate ecological integrity or natural beauty. Their remoteness
makes mandatory that they not imitate or compete with the massive developmental schemes in the more
accessible Western Hemisphere tropics. In short, these islands are a special case. They deserve to be
treated in a very special way” (Ray & Sprunt, 1971, p. 20).
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 33

In spite of the above foreboding, development
in the Turks & Caicos Islands has not taken place in a
special way. Investment interests began flocking to TCI
shortly thereafter, seeking to capitalize on the same
natural assets Ray and Sprunt so eloquently described.
The destruction of pristine dry dwarf forests, wetlands,
and coastal habitats, clear-cut for hotel development
and infrastructure, became synonymous with progress.
Living and diverse coral reefs, mangrove estuaries, and
seagrass meadows did not stand a chance against the
allure of mega-yachts and cruise ships, promising dollars
in exchange for pieces of paradise.
Particularly on Providenciales, the development that
has taken place over the past few decades has completely
reconstructed the island’s visual and ecological landscape.
Once-wild Grace Bay is now lined with back-to-back
resorts. Sweeping vistas of silver palms, sea oats, and
sand have been replaced by swimming pools, sun decks,
and broad expanses of sunburnt tourists. Remaining
traces of beautiful by nature on Provo are now desecrated
with not-so-beautiful trash and sprawling development
that ranges from attractive to hideous.
The transition of Providenciales’ landscape, from
one dominated by nature to one dominated by humans,
represents an unfortunate status quo on a global scale.
Although development throughout TCI to date has not
taken place in a “special” way, it is not too late to ensure
that the specialness that endures is protected from future
poor development choices.
East Caicos is a place that has thus far avoided development
carnage. As the northeastern-most island on the
Caicos Banks, it is surrounded along its northern and
eastern shorelines by practically uninterrupted fringing
reefs and shallow bays scattered with coral heads. Along
the southern and western coastlines, shallow flats and
wetlands of international importance stretch as far as the
eye can see. Such conditions foster ecosystem services
of incomparable values, while simultaneously making
access to the island treacherous.
Inaccessibility has been East Caicos’ saving grace
from an ecological standpoint, although its isolation has
not completely impeded habitation and development
interests. Lucayan Indians known as “Taino” probably permanently
occupied the island from approximately 900CE,
until they were extirpated for the slave trade by European
explorers following Columbus’ discovery of the New
Top center: The east shore of East Caicos is a place in TCI that has thus far avoided development carnage. Above: For nearly 100 years, feral
donkeys, imported to East Caicos for transporting guano and sisal, have ranged on the island.
34 www.timespub.tc

World. In the late 19th century, an Irish entrepreneur,
John Ney Reynolds, established a sisal (a textile) plantation
and bat guano (used as fertilizer) mining operation.
Feral donkeys, imported to East Caicos for transporting
guano and sisal, are among the few artifacts of Reynolds’
activities.
Research and scientific values
For close to a century, East Caicos has largely been left
to the donkeys. Although the donkeys have undoubtedly
caused their own environmental impact, much of nature’s
design remains intact here. As the largest uninhabited
island in the Caribbean region, East Caicos is the focus of
significant scientific interest. An original Darwin Initiative
project undertaken by the United Kingdom Overseas
Territories Conservation Forum and Turks & Caicos
National Trust (UKOTCF and TCNT) made the first effort,
since the early 1900s, to conduct ecological surveys of
East Caicos. That research identified many environmental
attributes of high value.
Based on preliminary findings, this author, in association
with Harvard University, has developed a multi-criteria
assessment model that incorporates desktop and field
studies to identify and map ecosystem values and services.
The model is being applied and field tested on East
Caicos. Endemism, conservation status, rarity, range and
biome restriction, critical habitats, biodiversity, provisioning,
regulation and maintenance, and cultural values
are the criteria taken into consideration and then GISmapped
on a gradient to create a graphic illustration
that can be used to inform development decisions. Areas
with the most ecosystem values appear darker on the
resultant map, and areas with fewer ecological attributes
appear lighter. The simplicity and graphic nature of the
final product make it readily understandable and easy to
use for decision-making purposes. The model can also
be applied to any area under threat of development. The
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is generously
sponsoring this research.
A natural history
Early results have revealed the all-but-lost fragments of TCI’s marine, terrestrial, and wetland natural history. In the
coastal zone, coral reefs along the northeastern coastline are dominated by elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), a species
now listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Extremely
vulnerable to climate change, it is estimated that more than 80% of this species has been wiped out globally in the
past 30 years (IUCN, 2011). The remaining numbers are at risk of extinction. The conservation of East Caicos’ elkhorn
coral population is therefore critical if this species is to survive in TCI and on a global scale into the future.
Top right: The conservation of East Caicos’ elkhorn coral population is critical if this species is to survive in TCI and on a global scale into
the future. Above: The turtles that nest on East Caicos’ secluded beaches are genetically distinct, encompassing the few final fragments of
these species that are truly unique to TCI.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 35

From top: Milk tree (Euphorbia gymnonota) is a succulent shrub
known to exist only in TCI and the Bahamas. While rare throughout
the rest of TCI, they are abundant on East Caicos. Silvery silverbush
(Argythamnia argentea) is a plant known only to exist in TCI, and
nowhere else on earth.
The elkhorn reefs along the northern and eastern
coasts also shelter dynamic windward beaches, where
Critically Endangered hawksbill and Endangered green
turtles are known to nest. The nesting turtles on East
Caicos are residual members of once-large populations of
these animals that nested throughout TCI. Their numbers
have been reduced to a few adults that now nest only on
the increasingly rarer secluded beaches that are free from
human development and the resultant light pollution that
interferes with nesting behavior. Turtles are highly migratory
animals, and the nesting turtles of East Caicos are
genetically distinct, encompassing the few final fragments
of these species that are truly unique to TCI.
Upland from windswept beaches, the terrestrial habitats
of East Caicos give refuge to some of the rarest plants
on earth. Eight plants that are known only to exist in TCI,
and nowhere else on earth, have been recorded thus far
as part of the study. These include fine-leaved buttonweed
(Spermacoce capillaris), broom bush (Evolvulus
bahamense), Britton’s buttonweed (Spermacoce brittonii),
silvery silverbush (Argythamnia argentea), Caicos Islands
orchid (Encyclia caicensis), Lucayan prickly pear (Opuntia
lucayana), Turks Islands’ heather (Limonium bahamense)
and TCI peppergrass (Lepidium filicaule).
Of these species, fine-leaved buttonweed is known
only to exist on South and East Caicos, with only an estimated
250–400 individuals still living on earth. The South
Caicos population is under threat from development,
making the East Caicos population a final stronghold of
biodiversity and stalwart against extinction for this Rare
and Endangered species (Barrios & Manco, 2015).
TCI’s endemic orchid (Encyclia caicensis) graces the
north shore coastal habitats of the island, allied with a
silver palm species that is endemic to TCI and the southern
Bahamas (Coccothrinax inaguensis). The range of the
orchid is also restricted to a few of the Caicos Islands,
and it is severely threatened elsewhere in TCI by coastal
development, such as hotels.
Mosaics of other unique and rare floral species color
the tropical dry shrublands, woodlands, and forests of East
Caicos. Milk tree (Euphorbia gymnonota) and monkey fiddle
(Pedillanthus bahamensis) are both succulent shrubs
known to exist only in TCI and the Bahamas. While these
are rare throughout the rest of TCI, they are abundant
on East Caicos, along with several other range-restricted
floral species that thrive in unspoiled expanses of tropical
dry forests, woodlands, and shrublands.
In addition to exemplary marine and terrestrial ecological
values, East Caicos’ wetlands may be the island’s
most outstanding natural features. While wetlands on the
southwest of the island are protected under the Ramsar
convention, the remainder of the islands’ wetlands, which
are of even greater ecological value, remain unprotected.
Tidal mangrove creeks, located within the southeastern
portions of the island, are the finest example of
this ecosystem type found in TCI. These habitats stretch
inland from the coastline for meandering miles. Proximity
to adjacent deep ocean makes them ideal nursery areas
for ocean species. Juvenile nurse sharks and lemon sharks
36 www.timespub.tc

From top: Seasonal ponds stretch
the length of East Caicos, and
during the rainy season, hundreds
of West Indian flamingos can be
counted in each pond.
Many of the species of seabirds
on East Caicos, such as the least
tern (Sternula antillarum), nest on
the ground in nothing but a small
scrape in the earth, making them
extremely vulnerable to any kind of
human development.
Tidal mangrove creeks on East
Caicos are the finest example of
this ecosystem type found in TCI.
Proximity to adjacent deep ocean
makes them ideal nursery areas for
ocean species.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 37

such as the least tern (Sternula antillarum), nest on the
ground in nothing but a small scrape in the earth, making
them extremely vulnerable to any kind of human development.
In its undisturbed state, East Caicos is an oasis
for birds, critical to the survivorship of many species on a
local, regional, and international level.
KIM MORTIMER PHOTOGRAPHY
East Caicos is an oasis for birds, including this nesting red egret,
critical to the survivorship of many species on a local, regional, and
international level.
browse lazily here in shallow warm water that is littered
with queen conch (Strombus gigas) in all life stages. The
intricate underwater tangles of the prop roots of red mangroves
(Rhizophora mangle) provide refuge to juvenile
commercial fish species, such as various species of snapper,
grunt, and grouper. Spawning and juvenile habitat of
this impeccable quality undoubtedly plays a major role
in the long-term productivity and sustainability of nearby
South Caicos’ fishing industry.
Further inland, East Caicos’ high ridges and low valleys
serve to catch runoff from rain, and seasonal ponds
and marshes stretch the length of the island from east
to west. During the rainy season, the shallow ponds are
stained pink with possibly the largest population of West
Indian flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) known in TCI.
Hundreds of these birds can be counted in each pond.
The ponds also serve as a rare source of fresh to brackish
water, thereby providing critical stopover areas for migratory
birds during the winter months. During the summer
months, East Caicos’ broad expanses of diverse wetlands
provide nesting and foraging areas for seabirds, waders,
and shoreline bird populations. Many of these species,
Paradise at risk
East Caicos’ refuge for the country’s last few ecological
pieces of paradise is at risk, and the island’s remoteness
will not protect it from development forever. The TCI
development boom and concurrent land grab that took
place in the early 2000s put most of TCI’s Crown Lands
into private hands. The thousands of unspoiled acres of
East Caicos now represent most of the remaining large
parcels of Crown Land in the country. TCI has thus far
subsisted on a development-based economy; therefore,
for some, these last few fragments of TCI’s intact natural
history represent an economic opportunity that is irresistible.
Development seems inevitable.
At a trade conference in 2014, Premier Rufus Ewing
announced the TCI government’s intention to develop
a trans-shipping and cruise port on East Caicos. Such a
development would not only require the dredging of pristine
wetlands and bulldozing of coral reefs, it would also
open up the island, improving access, and making further
development unavoidable. Without a viable sustainable
development plan in place, there will be nothing to stop
East Caicos from looking like Provo in a very short period
of time.
The earth is filled with high rise-shaded beaches,
pollutant-spewing marinas, and otherwise devastated
landscapes. The remaining wild places in TCI are special
because they do not have these things. East Caicos does
not have to suffer from the same development mistakes
made in the past. It can be treated in a special way.
The island’s ten miles of windswept beaches can persist
wild forever and still generate revenue for the country
through ecotourism activities, such as the development of
nature trails, high-end, safari-type accommodation, and
day excursions by experienced boat captains from nearby
South and Middle Caicos, providing much-needed business
opportunities for those islands.
The finest mangrove tidal creeks in TCI don’t have to
be dredged to support livelihoods. In their current state,
they are supporting the vibrant fisheries industry on South
Caicos, which will likely collapse without them. These
same wetlands have enormous potential for ecotourism
development in the form of catch and release bonefishing,
38 www.timespub.tc

From top: The intricate underwater tangles of the prop roots of red mangroves (at left) provide refuge to juvenile commercial fish species,
such as various species of snapper, grunt, and grouper.
Agave inaguensis is another TCI and Bahamas endemic plant found on East Caicos in abundance.
kayaking tours, and other high-end excursions.
Endangered and rare species can continue to thrive
on unadulterated coral reefs and within unfragmented terrestrial
landscapes. The entire island of East Caicos can be
set aside as a national park, ensuring that TCI’s remaining
fragile fragments and wonders of nature will always be
free for everyone to enjoy and benefit from, rather than
just the elite few with the dollars to pay for them.
Just as humans leave their mark on nature, the
environment in which we grow and develop informs our
culture and identity. For all of the country’s history, TCI’s
children have grown up barefoot and carefree, digging
holes and scavenging flotsam and jetsam from wild, whitesand
beaches that stretch undeveloped as far as the eye
can see. They make friends with wild dolphins and have
faith that a bountiful sea will always provide sustenance.
With innocent religiosity, they believe that the unspoiled
beauty of nature is the status quo of existence.
TCI’s natural environment is part of the people
who live here, and we are in no way separate from it. The
precious pieces of nature that are preserved for future
generations are no less than the heart, soul, and identity of the Turks & Caicos Islands. All humans crave connection to
a natural baseline, and it is this baseline that makes TCI special. Protecting East Caicos will ensure that TCI’s children
will always know the beauty and wonder of this place that makes them who they are. a
References
Barrios, S., & Manco, B. N. (2015). Spermacoce capillaris.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2015.2
(2015.2). Retrieved from IUCN Red List website: http://
www.iucnredlist.org/details/classify/56500592/0
IUCN. (2011). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
2011.1. Retrieved October 8, 2011, from http://www.
iucnredlist.org/
Ray, C., & Sprunt, A. (1971). Parks and Conservation in
the Turks and Caicos Islands (pp. 36). Turks and Caicos
Islands: Administrator of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 39

INNOVATION | CONSERVATION | ADVENTURE
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PARADISE PHOTOGRAPHY

feature
Opposite page: Constance Hall’s home in Bambarra, Middle Caicos, still stands today.
Above: Bambarra Beach is among the most beautiful in the Turks & Caicos. It is the site for the annual Middle Caicos “Valentine’s Day Cup”
model sailboat races.
PARADISE PHOTOGRAPHY
Women of Valor
Integrity, kindness, and character mark the lives of
Constance Hall & Elizabeth Forbes.
By Dr. Charlene Kozy
Since early civilization, great people have been honored with statues or by having buildings, highways,
bridges, and the like named for them. Often they have been elected officials who stood out in their
period; Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are examples in American history. Andrew Carnegie and
Cornelius Vanderbilt were self-made, wealthy Americans who gave generously to people less fortunate —
they are honored through the Carnegie Libraries and Vanderbilt University.
Middle Caicos women Constance Hall and Elizabeth Forbes may not hold the kind of greatness that
gets a building named for them or a statue erected, yet theirs was a constant way of life that included
integrity, kindness, and character that was remarkable in magnitude. Their greatness comes from their
generosity to the less fortunate in their community and is comparable to the aforementioned presidents
and philanthropists.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 43

I met Constance Hall, Elizabeth Forbes, and their
families in the late 1970s and continued to visit them
until their deaths. I was in Middle Caicos studying a
part of their history that was not pleasant for them
to remember. It was when the American Loyalists
received land grants on the Caicos Islands and brought
their slaves to attempt to re-establish plantations that
had been lost in the Revolutionary War in the United
States.
The ladies befriended me even though I was of
another race and unearthing memories of a time that
was difficult for their ancestors. While teaching at
Cumberland University, I brought students to Middle
Caicos to study the Loyalist ruins. Ernest and Elizabeth
Forbes opened their home to us, agreeing to share a
bathroom with dozens of students, and giving them
immeasurable rewards in life lessons.
Constance and Emmanuel Hall owned the “Store,”
an island gathering place in Bambarra where the students
walked for sodas and snacks after a day’s work
in their studies. Constance welcomed them and rarely
let them pay for a soda. Sometimes she prepared an
island dish for them to taste and enjoy. Cultural activities
filled Saturday nights with music and dominoes.
Their son, TCI Speaker of the House Robert Hall came
Elizabeth and Ernest Forbes (at left) opened their home to the author,
Dr. Charlene Kozy (center) and her family (granddaughter Aubree at
right) and students.
and gave a history lesson on the Islands. These were
experiences that cannot be bought.
I have often pondered how these extraordinary
experiences could have happened to me, my college
students, and even my granddaughters. The answer is
obvious. The women I call “great” made it so. If nations
could learn from their example, many problems would
be solved. Who they were is important. Their lives and
personalities are strong examples of the true definition
of “greatness.”
COLLEEN BRYANT
COLLEEN BRYANT
Constance and Emmanuel Hall owned this store, “Ms. Constance’s
Shop,” where the author and her students stopped for snacks after
a day’s work.
Constance Elizabeth Hall nee Green
On February 15, 1923, Margaret and Frank Green
welcomed their third child into the world, Constance
Elizabeth. Born on former Loyalist John Ferguson’s
plantation bounded by the sea on the northerly part
of Middle Caicos, Constance’s childhood was changed
when a hurricane destroyed their family home. Her
father died when she was only five years old.
Constance moved to North Caicos where she
lived with her maternal grandparents, Mary and David
Phillips. Education was not a priority for them, but at
age eleven she moved back to Middle Caicos where
she started school and continued until age fourteen
when she left to help her mother.
She was a lovely young lady with many suitors but
found her Romeo in the dashing Emmanuel Hall! On
June 8, 1943 Emmanuel and Constance married. Six
children were born of this union: Wealthy, Christopher,
Alice, Robert, Branford, and Avon. Constance accepted
both Emmanuel Jr. and Patrice, children of Emmanuel’s,
into her heart and home.
44 www.timespub.tc

SIRI WHITE
Constance Hall was quite modest, and this iconic shot by TCI resident
Siri White is a rare photo of the dignified lady.
Truly the matriarch of the Hall family, Constance
farmed, burnt coal for sale, washed sisal, and operated
the store while Emmanuel was off sailing — either
harvesting conch on the Caicos Bank or attending
legislative council meetings on Grand Turk, as representative
for Middle Caicos. With this responsibility,
she always provided loving care for her children. She
could be heard praying night after night for Emmanuel
and her family. She taught her children to fear God, to
“do unto others as you would have them do to you,”
and was a faithful member of the Bethlehem Baptist
Church in Middle Caicos.
The door of her house was open to all (even to
a stranger and college students!) One of her favorite
Bible verses was Ephesians 4:32: “ . . . and ye be kind
one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another,
even as God, for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
A story I recall her telling concerned Hurricane
Donna’s destruction to Middle Caicos. Constance
stored water and baked bread knowing a storm
was coming. She recalled that many of the citizens
didn’t prepare and she sheltered them all in
her home, putting children under the beds
where the adults slept. During difficult times
for members of the community, she could
be heard saying, “Child, take this lil dust of
sugar to your mother for me.” No one desiring
food ever left her home hungry. Her greatest
heartache was in 1994 when Emmanuel, her
husband of 50 years, died in his sleep. She
was a pillar of strength for her family.
Constance accepted my reason for
being on Middle Caicos and took me to the
ruins of the Ferguson plantation, her family’s
home. She helped me find other plantations
of the era I was studying. Always, when I left,
she gave me a remembrance: a cool drink for
travel or a broom “to sweep the floor or whip
the children!” They are handy today for either
job! I felt that I belonged on Middle Caicos.
With all her generosity, Constance
believed in work. Some refugees were in
Conch Bar begging. Her remark was to “let
them get a job and work and not sit and beg
on the street.” With this drive to know God
and her work ethic, her children describe her
as, “simply the best.” She was more than a
housewife; she was a domestic engineer and “knew
how to make ends meet when there were no ends to
be met.”
Constance left Bambarra on June 25, 2012 to
live with her daughter, Wealthy, on Grand Turk and
died January 5, 2014. Her final years were spent with
Wealthy and near her son Robert Hall listening to her
favorite radio programs: the news every morning and
the special from Reverend Reuben Hall, the Anglican
Church Service, and Rock of Jesus Ministry with Bishop
Brian Cox.
Grethel Elizabeth Forbes nee Hall
Born in Bambarra, Middle Caicos on December 19th,
1934, Grethel (Elizabeth) was the fourth of nine children.
Affectionately known as “Tita” and “Sister
Forbes,” she grew up on the islands of Middle and
South Caicos.
Elizabeth finished her formal education at the age
of sixteen but was a student for life. Her knowledge of
the Bible was extraordinary and never failed to teach
any one that would listen (including college students).
Her early experience at age nineteen, of being “born
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 45

again” was a mystery in her community. Although she
suffered a bit of persecution, she held firm to her convictions.
On January 3, 1960 she married Ernest Forbes
of Bambarra and they were blessed with eight children:
Ianthe George (now deceased), Ulma Walkin,
Ernest Forbes Jr., Heartlyn Forbes, Beverly Laporte,
Cynthia Forbes, Dellarie Forbes, and Darin Bain. With
the exception of Ernest, Jr. who is an evangelist and
property manager on Middle Caicos, all have built
successful careers in finance-related fields off Middle
Caicos. Their welfare and success in life was a prime
objective for Elizabeth.
As an adult and mother, Elizabeth continued her
devotion to God and worship. Formerly a member of
the Bethlehem Baptist Church of Bambarra she served
on various boards and auxiliaries. Later she held membership
in the Middle Caicos Lighthouse Church where
she served as song leader, Sunday School teacher,
church secretary, treasurer, and sometimes preacher.
Always available for advice and counsel — a listening
ear or a shoulder to lean on — Elizabeth became
known widely and respected as a great woman of God.
Elizabeth did not ignore and neglect the need for
leaders in civic affairs. The Turks & Caicos Islands
Government employed her as secretary for the Middle
Caicos District Board in the late 1960s and mid 1970s,
and she later worked in the local work program. She
served as a relief teacher at the Bambarra All Age
Primary School.
Her work outside her home did not interfere with
her homemaking talents. She was known for her culinary
skills and often opened her home to travelers
and missionaries, serving them hot meals. Her bread
was one-of-a-kind! Her patience in her kitchen with
the “cook of the day” during the field schools cannot
be described as anything but motherly understanding
laced with divine intervention!
Notes from my granddaughter Colleen’s diary further
describe Elizabeth’s nature:
“We just arrived on Middle Caicos in a tiny village of
Bambarra. I am sitting in Ernest and Elizabeth’s living
room and Miss Elizabeth is preparing supper . . .
I’ve been told to make myself at home, which is surprisingly
easy to do in a place so foreign. Something
about Elizabeth is so welcoming.”
“The dinner was delicious. I loved every bite. For
entertainment, Elizabeth played The Passion of Christ
for me and my sister Aubree.”
PARADISE PHOTOGRAPHY
Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bambarra was an important place in the life of both Constance Hall and Elizabeth Forbes, serving as a focal point
for their strong faith in God.
46 www.timespub.tc

BEVERLY LAPORTE
Elizabeth Forbes’ homemade bread was one-of-a-kind!
In 2014, Aubree returned to Turks & Caicos for her
honeymoon and treasures her time spent on Middle
Caicos.
Elizabeth, a skilled seamstress, enjoyed designing
and sewing clothes for her family and the children and
ladies of the community. I enjoy and cherish a hat she
made for me when my hat was deemed “too masculine
and dirty to wear!”
Elizabeth always thought of her neighbors. If any
object such as a cooler was no longer needed for fieldwork,
she suggested it be given to someone that did
not have a refrigerator and could surely use it. She
taught college students how to serve others, and they
began looking for objects that could be re-used.
Elizabeth’s family came first. Pride was shown in
all the portraits in her living room and her devotion for
“Ernie” was displayed daily. Every portrait held a story
of who they were, what they had done with their lives,
and where they live now. The dining table accommodated
all their family.
DISTRIBUTOR FOR EVINRUDE & MERCURY
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Marine Hardware & Gear
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Sebago Docksiders
& Sperry Topsiders Shoes
BEVERLY LAPORTE
Elizabeth Forbes enjoyed having fun with her friends from church.
BLUE HILLS ROAD
PROVIDENCIALES
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS, B.W.I.
PHONE: 649-946-4411
FAX: 649-946-4945
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 47

30Years
College students felt privileged to eat with
her and Ernie, pray, share a bathroom (they learned
about conserving water), and visit. Television was not
available in the 1980s but films were. Elizabeth was
careful of the viewing and her favorite was “The Sound
of Music.”
The works of her hands were truly blessed, but
her greatest contribution was her love of God and how
it flowed through everything she did, whether attending
to the sick, counseling college students, or lending
a helping hand. A quote simply sums Elizabeth’s
life: “She had a heart of gold from which many were
enriched.” Elizabeth died February 8, 2011 at the age
of seventy-six.
Among the awards Elizabeth received during
her life were those from the TCI Tourist Board, Church
of God of Prophecy Women’s Ministry, and T & C
Baptist Women’s Missionary Band, as well, she was an
Abundant Life Ministries International Mother’s Day
Honoree.
Assisting domestic and international clients for over 30 years Epilogue
My perspective comes as a stranger from another
Tel + 1 649 946 4602 • Fax + 1 649 946 4848
Email reception@savory-co.com • Website www.savory-co.com country and race seeking knowledge about a new
world. These women gave me, my students, and my
granddaughters much more than “knowledge.” We saw love, compassion, and goodness and gained a sense
of belonging that is rare. To paraphrase the words of John F. Kennedy spoken to the German people, “I am a
Turks & Caicos Islander.” a
COLLEEN BRYANT
The Forbes family cemetery lies in a peaceful spot in Bambarra, Middle Caicos.
48 www.timespub.tc

astrolabe
newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
front street, p.o. box 188, grand turk, turks & caicos islands, bwi
tel 649 946 2160 • fax 649 946 2160 • email info@tcmuseum.org • web www.tcmuseum.org
History is
Not Finished
Preserving yesterday for today . . .
and tomorrow.
This front page from the 1865 Register of Marriages is the only way
we have of knowing what happened 150 years ago.
By Dr. Donald H. Keith, President,
Turks & Caicos National Museum Foundation
History is about the past, and the past is over. Therefore, history is over, right? Wrong! The history of the Turks &
Caicos Islands is not finished. It is still being written—and sometimes rewritten—every day. Today’s writing and
record-keeping is tomorrow’s history.
Creating the initial documents—marriage, birth and death records, photographs, legislative decisions, maps,
budgetary and accounting records, correspondence, real estate ownership, business licenses, etc.—is one thing.
Making sure they continue to exist is quite another. Incredibly, the TCI has no National Archive. Thousands of watersoaked,
ruined, essential government and business documents were shoveled out of various temporary storage
places after Hurricane Ike. They now reside in the tip. Many others were burned by arsonists. Privately held documents
and artifacts of historical importance were similarly destroyed in recent years. If this weren’t bad enough, tons
of documents, some dating back 150 years or more, now lie rotting in an abandoned, hurricane-ravaged building
awaiting their turn to make a one-way trip to the dump.
In this issue of the Astrolabe we see a range of examples of how the National Museum is actively collecting new
material, preserving a cultural icon, conducting numismatic research, and sharing its discoveries with the public. The
Museum is doing its best to collect and preserve not only artifacts, but documents of historical importance. This is a
Herculean task, given that it is a non-profit organization with only one full-time employee and is not a branch of or
funded by the TCI Government. Creating and staffing a National Archive will be costly. Government officials would
rather spend the money elsewhere. This will not change unless the voting public insists on making it a priority.
Neglecting your history is like neglecting the up-keep on your roof. When the roof of your home blows off, you
stand to lose a lot. When your history goes to the dump, it takes your national identity with it. a
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 49

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
The reverse side of the Maravedi Cove coin (left) is compared to a well-preserved
example found on the Web: http://www.coincommunity.com/
forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=113569. The two crowned columns in the center
represent the “pillars of Hercules” (the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean).
On the obverse side both coins’ denominations are clearly seen expressed in Roman numerals (IIII). The names of the reigning monarchs,
CAROLVS ET IOANNA (Carlos and Johanna) appear in the legend around the coins’ perimeter.
No Small Change
Spanish colonial coin found in Maravedí Cove.
By Roberto G. Muñoz-Pando
On my recent visit to the storage area of the Turks & Caicos National Museum, many items caught my
attention. Among them, one really comes to mind because it represents the area I have been studying and
writing about for the past three years. It was a copper coin of a four Maravedí face value. Most probably
minted in Santo Domingo between 1542 and 1558, it is the oldest Spanish Colonial artifact ever found
in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
50 www.timespub.tc

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Grand Turk dive operator Mike Spillar found it quite
by chance in 1980 in a shallow natural pool beside a
tiny cove on the rugged ironshore coast of West Caicos.
Museum personnel named the place Maravedí Cove, in
commemoration of such a rare and historic finding.
This is one of the earliest coins minted in the
Americas. The Santo Domingo mint was the second mint
founded in the New World (it began striking coins in
1542), after the first one was established in Mexico (New
Spain) in 1536. The coins of the four maravedís face value
were common in Spanish Colonial America. One maravedí
is the equivalent of 1/34 of a real (silver coin), and there
are 16 reales in one escudo (gold coin), the main monetary
systems of the Spanish Empire. This makes this coin
one of very little face value, used for small day-to-day
transactions, however it has vast numismatic value. It is
also well known and documented that these coins were
not well received by the public. They were withdrawn
from circulation in 1556.
So what was the buying power of this coin when it was
in circulation? We know from the records of Magellan’s
voyage around the world (1519–1522) that the average
salary of a crewman was about 40 Maravedís per day, so
this coin would have paid for about 10% of a day’s work.
Because it is one of the first coins struck in America
and one of the first coins struck in the Santo Domingo
Mint, it is safe to say that this coin is one of the earliest
examples of Spanish coinage in the Americas. One must
also consider that because it was a low face value coin it
was used extensively before being lost. This means that
it probably changed hands many times from settler to
settler adding to its numismatic and historical value. The
condition of the coin is not very good due to the many
years of circulation and the extended period of corrosion
because of exposure to the elements, but this does not
detract from the historical value of the piece.
A common practice during colonial times was to take
pieces of the rim of coins to use as precious metal. This
practice clearly occurred in this coin as the pieces missing
from its rim are apparent. Later technologies allowed for
a “cordoncillo” (a type of decoration) to be added to the
rim. This implementation made tampering with the rim of
the coin more evident and less likely. But early coins like
this one, sometimes called “cobs” due to their irregular
shapes, did not have “cordoncillo” or decorations at the
rim.
The author investigates the 18th century British cannon on Salt Cay.
This coin has provided evidence of early colonial interaction
in the Turks & Caicos Islands. It is very important
to note that a discovery made by chance can add plenty
of information to the archaeological record especially if
it is reported to the proper authorities and it is handled
professionally. a
I want to thank the Turks & Caicos Museum staff in general
and Dr. Don Keith in specific for allowing me to see
this amazing find, which is not currently on exhibit, and
for the information and pictures they shared in order for
me to write this article. I am sure that further investigations
are warranted for gaining the most information
about this discovery.
Join the Museum
Become a Member and receive a year’s subscription to
Times of the Islands (which includes Astrolabe), free
admission to the Museum, and a Members’ Discount
in the Museum Shop.
Senior (62+) $35 • Individual $50
Family/Friend $100
Sponsor $250• Contributor $500 • Partner $750
To join*, send name, address, email, and type of
membership, along with cheque or money order payable
to “Turks & Caicos National Museum” to:
Friends of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
39 Condesa Road
Santa Fe, NM 87508 USA
Or, visit:
www.tcmuseum.org/membership-support/
*For U.S. residents, support of the Museum is tax-deductible via
Friends of the Turks & Caicos National Museum, Attn: Donald H. Keith,
39 Condesa Road, Santa Fe NM 87508, our affiliated institution and
registered 501 (c) (3).
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 51

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
This is the “National Archive” in 2010, a victim of neglect and mistreatment. Does anyone care?
If You Didn’t Write It Down...
TCI’s desperate need for a National Archive.
By Museum Director Pat Saxton
Sometimes, when I have a bit of “down time” (which is rare), I like to browse through the old magazines
and books we have in the Museum Library. There are times when I have to do this as part of my job, but
I am usually looking for something specific, so I can’t lollygag.
52 www.timespub.tc

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Today, I decided to use my lunch time to see if I could
find anything out about the old UK phone booth we’re
restoring (see Museum Matters). While looking through
various issues, I came across an article entitled “Guinep
tree provides an example on Guarding our Resources”
in the Turks and Caicos Current. This magazine, published
briefly in the late 1970s/early 1980s, is one of my
favorites to browse through, mostly because I recognize
names and even faces on the pages. It is interesting to
see what was going on here three decades ago. All the
talk about new developments. Articles about the Seven
Dwarfs, solar ponds, a medical university to open at
North Base—and even our own Dr. Donald Keith writing
about the Molasses Reef Wreck! Some ideas came to fruition,
some did not.
What really caught my eye was a photo of Guinep
Lodge, now the home of the Turks & Caicos National
Museum. The gist of the story was about how kids were
climbing the big guinep tree in the front yard to grab
some of the sweet rewards. The author was saying that
although she didn’t mind children picking the guineps,
what she didn’t like was the “guinep poachers.” They
picked more than they would ever eat and damaged the
tree while ripping off the branches to reach the fruit.
Today that same enormous, very old, and battered tree
still guards Guinep House, but its larger branches have
been broken from the weight of climbers trying to “poach”
the guineps. (Just like the long-ago author, we don’t mind
giving away the guineps, we just don’t want the tree damaged
in the quest so it can bear fruit for generations to
come.)
The author went on to say that just like the “guinep
poachers,” there are those who over-harvest the fruits of
the sea. She mentioned that the government recognizes
this and has set rules for fishing and sand removal. But
sadly, as we all know, these rules are not always enforced.
Over 30 years have passed since someone thought it
important enough to write about—have things improved?
But I digress. What is really important is the fact that
I am able to research historical documents stored at the
Museum, not just from 30 years ago, but from hundreds
of years ago. The National Museum has a temperature
and humidity controlled room for storing archival material,
most of which was collected independently by the
Museum. Incredibly, the Turks & Caicos Government has
no repository for its old documents. Over the years, boxes
and bundles of thousands of old papers have been stored
in leaky underground basements, in the old prison, and in
a crumbling, hurricane-ravaged building totally exposed
to the elements. Some readers may remember the archivist
we hired to come to Grand Turk and help salvage
government documents that were being destroyed due to
the way they were housed. Unfortunately, little could be
saved.
I recently went to the Bahamas to research the slave
ship Trouvadore. In spite of three trips to the National
Archives in Nassau, reels of microfiche, and headaches
from trying to read hand-written letters from the 1800s,
I am still fascinated with the wealth of information
available under one roof. And they are open to anyone
doing research, whether it be looking for family history,
research for an educational project, or facts for a book.
No such government archive exists in the TCI. One
has only to remember the huge quantity of documents
destroyed in Hurricane Ike to realize this is something
that needs to be done sooner rather than later. How can
a country move forward if it does not have a history?
Historians are fond of the expression, “If you didn’t write
it down, it didn’t happen.” To that I would add, “After it’s
written down, take care not to lose it!”
The Turks & Caicos National Museum in Grand Turk
simply cannot house all of the information, nor do we
have the staff to accommodate researchers. However,
should the Museum be able to grow and build its new
facility on Providenciales, an associated archive would
not be out of the question. But we need government
support both financially and logistically. We could
house not only important government documents, but
have a facility that could allow anyone to gain access to
the thousands of old photos, newspapers, birth and baptism
records and land records, along with being able to
research their family history.
Perhaps I am a dreamer, but once you get the “archival
research bug” you can’t shake it. I am researching the
history of people that are not in any way related to me,
but it is a fascinating journey. I hope someone will want
to jump aboard and make this dream a reality before
more of our written history is lost forever. a
Note: See how the Museum’s photo collection is used by
Fortis for their annual calendar in “Museum Matters.”
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 53

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Mark Parrish Joins the National Museum’s Board of Directors
The Museum is proud to announce that Mr. Mark Parrish
of Providenciales has been elected to its Board of
Directors. Mark is widely known throughout the Turks
& Caicos Islands from his years of exploring its lands
and waters and making them accessible to eco-tourists.
British born and with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ocean
Sciences from the School of Oceanography at the
University College of North Wales, he has a life-long
interest in watersports, travel, history, and education.
Living and working in the TCI, this interest has
developed into a passion for exploring the Islands and
learning about the history, culture, geology, and diverse
habitats that make up the archipelago.
Mark brings to the Board practical experience and
resources in the field for underwater and land-based
projects. He is an expert on the logistics of transport
around the TCI, including access to remote locations and
provisioning for expeditions. He has experience working
with many different people and entities including
residents, visitors, various government departments,
and NGOs. His support and collaboration in and out of
the boardroom will be a major asset when the Museum
is planning and implementing field work throughout the
Islands.
Mark is no stranger to the Museum, having already
been involved in several of its projects. In 2011 he
facilitated a pilot DNA project to assess the origins of
people living in Bambarra on Middle Caicos. In an article
for the Astrolabe in 2012 he highlighted the Taino
Mark Parrish spearheaded the initial effort to preserve the Iron
Giant road locomotive on West Caicos.
“Team Big Blue” on South Caicos includes Tim Hamilton (at left) and
Mark Parrish.
petroglyphs in the East Caicos caves, rediscovered after
being lost for 100 years. And only a few months ago he
spearheaded the initial conservation effort for the Burrell
Steam Traction Engine on West Caicos.
Mark moved to Providenciales in early 1997 to work
on the Caicos Conch Farm. Together with two partners
he founded the diving and eco-tourism outfit “Big
Blue Unlimited” later that year. Its emphasis has always
been on educational, small-group excursions to explore
across the Turks & Caicos Islands both above and below
the water. In addition to its main base in Leeward, Big
Blue has small eco-tourism facilities and staff on North,
Middle, and South Caicos. Activities include kayaking,
snorkelling, cultural tours, bird-watching, whale-watching,
scuba diving, biking, hiking, and kite-boarding.
The Museum’s Board of Directors admires the way
Mark and Big Blue design their excursions to be as
sustainable and impact-free as possible while offering
participants an opportunity to learn about the history
and culture of the Islands. They give back to the country
by supporting local services, NGOs, and conservation
initiatives, working predominantly with locally-owned
transport services, island guides, and in-home meal
hosts, visiting National Trust heritage sites, sponsoring
the Middle Caicos handcraft co-op, and actively supporting
the TC Reef Fund and Marine Conservation Society.
Mark has also worked closely with the Turks & Caicos
National Trust for many years and incorporated different
heritage sites into a variety of Big Blue’s educational eco-
54 www.timespub.tc

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
tours. He sat on the steering committee for the recently
completed EU MPASSE project, and in January 2014 he
became a council member and continues to work very
actively in this role, using his experiences in tourism
and conservation to focus on marketing, heritage site
enhancement and, crucially, on the management of
working relationships with key conservation partners.
Mark works closely with the Department of
Environmental and Maritime Affairs (DEMA), and through
numerous workshops, public environmental awareness
projects, scientific studies, environmental regulation
enforcement, environmental clean-up projects, and cave
research Mark has proven to be a consensus builder and
team player. He co-founded the Caicos Caves Project in
1999 to locate, explore, and map numerous dry and
underwater caves found in the TCI including caves on
West Caicos, Providenciales, North, Middle and East
Caicos, and Salt Cay. It continues to support cave biology
surveys and climate change projects with visiting
cave scientists including an upcoming dry cave mapping
project in December 2015 with Mississippi State
University.
The Museum Board members and staff are looking
forward to working with Mark in the years ahead, and
to attracting other similarly energetic, practical, diplomatic,
and patient members. Welcome aboard, Mark! a
From left: Mark Parrish, HE Governor Peter Beckingham, and wife Jill
explore the East Caicos causeway.
Museum matters
Special visitors; new volunteer
On August 1, 2015 we had a visit from the Philippona
family. You may recognize the name, as Ted
Philippona donated his vast photo collection to the
Museum. Ted’s son, Derk and his family spent time
touring the new exhibits. Our tour guide Fred Glinton
remembered Ted Philippona when he lived on Grand
Turk in the early 1960s, which made the tour even
more special!
This summer
school groups visited
both Museum
campuses. In Grand
Turk the children
are being taught
about the Molasses
Reef Wreck by Nikki
Jennings, who does a real “hands on” tour with our
schoolchildren.
Dr. Jerald Schreiber and Connie Goddard, PhD,
history and nature enthusiasts, paid a visit to the
Museum’s Development Headquarters in the Village
at Grace Bay. They were unable to go to Grand Turk
so they were delighted to learn that the Museum had
a presence in Providenciales. Dr. Schreiber is one of
the visiting veterinarians doing surgeries at the Vet
Clinic, whose service we and our animals are very
grateful for.
The Museum has a
new volunteer! Ms. Lavena
“Angel” Ben has been
helping to reorganize the
reference library in the science
building. Angel is also
our Children’s Club manager
and we look forward to
her enthusiasm and great
ideas for both Summer
Camp and regular monthly meetings. The Children’s
Club is supported by the sale of the book Where is
Simon, Sandy? by Donna Seim.
The Museum is always in need of volunteers.
Interested? Send an email to: info@tcmuseum.org. a
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 55

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Museum matters
Telebox commandos
We received a surprise gift awhile back from Seamus
Day—a cast iron UK telephone box from the 1930s!
With the help of donations we are purchasing all of the
needed parts to return the old box back to its original
splendor.
That is only part of the story. The box has been
here for as long as I can remember, but where did it
come from? How did it get to Grand Turk? Why was it
here? I asked around Grand Turk and no one had any
idea. Lots of folks remember it sitting next to the Turks
Head Inn years ago, but no one really knew its history.
When we took the back board off the telebox I
noticed a series of letters and numbers: “GPO/MF
35/1.” We wrote to a telebox restorer who interpreted
them for us. GPO stands for General Post Office. MF
identifies the foundry where it was cast, MacFarlane in
Glasgow. And the numbers signify the date it was produced,
the first quarter of 1935. Next, I decided to query Embry Rucker, a long-time
Royal Marine commandos assault the telebox.
resident and loyal supporter of the Museum. I sent him
a photo of the phone booth taken years ago with an
unidentified person sitting next to it. Embry identified
the man as John Houseman, publisher of a local newspaper,
the Conch News. He went on to speculate that the
telebox definitely came from the UK in the late 1960s or
early 1970s. He remembered that Major John Wainwright,
Head of Development and brother of Robin Wainwright,
TCI Administrator at the time, got someone to send it on
an English supply boat. The boats came about every eight
weeks bringing everything from Crown agents to general
cargo. But why? It almost certainly never worked as a real
phone booth. Nostalgia? According to Wikipedia, it is “a
British cultural icon.”
We thought it would take an army of volunteers to
refurbish the phone booth. Every inch had to be sanded
down, a base coat applied, followed by a top coat, then
all the new windows and signs set in place. Enter Seamus
again. Instead of an “army” of volunteers he arranged
for the Navy to help! The first weekend in August four
Royal Marine commandos from HMS Lyme Bay showed
up. When they left, after a day of hand-to-hand combat
with the box, it was ready for painting! Neil Saxton and
The ineffable John Houseman demonstrates how to make a call to Charlie Kesnel finished the job a day later. a
the “Outside World” in Grand Turk, many decades ago.
Story & Photos By Pat Saxton
56 www.timespub.tc

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Celebrating our beginnings
When Talisha Simons from Fortis
told me her idea for their 2015
Calendar, “TCI First,” I thought,
“How novel.” She wanted our
help to source photographs of a
historic nature. Well, it was more
challenging than it seemed. As
we pored over the Museum’s
photographic collection, the
excitement and anticipation for
the next picture was palpable
because with each photo came
a new discovery and questions
that were not answered by the
accompanying narrative. Talisha
followed through, researched the
photos, and the 2015 calendar
evolved into: “Turks and Caicos Islands, Did you Know—
Celebrating our Beginnings.”
The pictures were just the tip of the iceberg and I
applaud Fortis for taking their calendar of incredible photographs
a step further in the form of an event called
“Origin Stories: A Retelling of Our Islands’ History.” Over
sixty students and their teachers from schools across
Providenciales were treated to the stories behind the
photos. The guest speakers were in turn gifted with a
framed copy of one of the photos they contributed to the
calendar.
Mr. Bengt Soderqvist, founding member of Provident
Ltd., the company responsible for much of the early
development on Providenciales, spoke about how the
introduction of electricity in late 1960s helped to facilitate
progress and told some very humorous stories about
the early days.
Mr. Albray Butterfield Jr. spoke of his parents’
vision and foresight that led to opening the Island Pride
Variety Store, the first locally owned general store on
Providenciales and the first of many other businesses
that his parents started to meet the growing needs of the
community. He also gave us quite an illuminating history
lesson.
Mr. Amin McCartney spoke of his father, JAGS
McCartney, founder of the PDM Party, first Chief Minister
Guest speakers at the Fortis event “Origin Stories: A Retelling of Our Islands’ History” (from left:
Amin McCartney, Candianne Williams, Bengt Soderqvist, and Albray Butterfield, Jr.)
of the Turks & Caicos Islands, and only National Hero.
He spoke of his accomplishments and vision for the
Islands.
I spoke on the history of the National Museum, the
museum’s plans for expansion on Providenciales, its
role as the collective memory of everyone who ever
lived in these Islands, and its mission to fulfill that
through collecting and preserving the TCI’s history and
culture.
The audience response and interest expressed at
the event was heartening. It underscored the need for a
National Archive able to provide long term preservation
of our documents
and photographs,
which are the
enduring evidence
of our history and
culture, and make
them readily available
to the public.
a
Story & Photos
By Candianne
Williams
Candianne Williams
displays the Museum’s
gift calendar page.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 57

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Finding Louis Williams
In late July, Cecile Wennick called to tell me that the Museum’s mail included a large box. We carefully peeled
away layers of bubble wrap and protective material to discover a 12 x 15-inch frame with a nicely matted photograph
of a young Islander operating a fork lift. On the bottom of the picture a brass plate read “Louis Williams
at the Tracking Station 1964.”
On the back of the photo was the inscription:
“When I arrived at the tracking station in June of 1964
I was assigned to the shipping and receiving section
of the Base Logistics Department. There I found that
the person in charge had gone on leave and left Louis
Williams, 18 years old and fresh out of school, to carry
on alone.
We had scant knowledge of the very complicated
procedures required by the USAF for transport of
goods by air and sea (the marine manifest required 70
copies to be distributed over half the eastern US). But
Louie and I carried the load until the person responsible
returned. Louis remained an employee of Pam Am,
contractor to the Air Force for the operation of the base
until the base closed in 1985, gaining the advancement
to Senior Assistant to the Supervisor, a position responsible
for the entire department in the absence of the
main boss.
Well done Louis Williams. And, well remembered
by me.” — Charlie Wright
And so the mystery began. I say this because there The photo of “Louis Williams at the Tracking Station, 1964.”
was nothing else in the box. No letter of explanation,
not even a return address! I salvaged the only piece of information, the customs declaration attached to the box.
There was a return address: Wright Fastener Co LLC in Sebastian, Florida. I looked up the company and called
the number, only to hear an annoying recorded voice saying the number was disconnected.
Well, I thought, let’s try from this end, so I looked up Louis Williams in the TCI phone book. Eureka! There
was a cell number! Excitedly, I dialed it and that same annoying voice told me this number had also been disconnected.
Back to square one. Williams is not an uncommon family name here, so to narrow the search I started
calling people I knew with the last name Williams. Mr. Cee was my first contact, and he said he would do some
investigation. True to form, he called back later that evening to tell me “Louis Williams” was still in Grand Turk
but not doing so well. He knew someone who knew where he lived, and we soon located Louis and spoke to his
son. (Due to Mr. Williams’s ill health we could not meet with him before the Astrolabe went to press. )
In the meantime I was still trying to contact Mr. Wright. Knowing that he served in the US Air Force on Grand
Turk, I went to the Range Rat site on the Internet to send a “shout out.” (See Times of the Islands, Spring 2013).
Within a day I received an email from Mr. Wright. He was so pleased that we had located Louis Williams. I told him
that we would display the photo in our new exhibit that will include servicemen who served in TCI. a
By Pat Saxton
We are always looking for photographs of life in TCI. If you are abroad, and would like to send old photos, memorabilia,
and/or accounts of your experiences to the Museum, the safest way is to send them to the Friends of
the Turks & Caicos National Museum (see address on page 51). Periodically they will be hand-carried to the TCI.
58 www.timespub.tc

faces and places
Windvibes included events (from left): Stand Up Paddleboarding, Kiteboarding and Windsurfing on Long Bay Beach.
The Ninth Windvibes Watersports Tournament July saw a spectacular TCI annual event,
Windvibes, with a huge emphasis on fun. Races and events are short to cater to all ages of family members and
friends. For many younger children, this year’s youth swim event was their first open water swim.
In all, $10,332. was raised for local charities. The Windvibes Charity Challenge Relay Race was won by Team
Do-It-Center, Kenny Adams Jr., and guests of the event, Kevin Pritchard of Hawaii and Brian “de Action Man” Talma
from Barbados, who battled for their chosen charity the Turks & Caicos National Trust. With prizes in Kiteboarding,
Kayaking, Swimming, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, and Windsurfing, (plus beach games like log throwing), Windvibes
grows each year. Next year will be the event’s tenth anniversary. Always preceded by the renowned Race For the
Conch Eco SeaSwim, put the weekend of July 2, 2016 on your schedule now.
By Claire Parrish ~ Photos by Agile LeVin
From left: Children played on a sea float when they weren’t competing. The fun also included kayak relays and sea swimming races.
From left: Windsurfing legends Brian “De Action Man” Talma and Kevin Pritchard contributed their help throughout the day. Professional kitesurfer Hope
LeVin and Big Blue Unlimited, together organisers of the event, were in great spirits to see the crowds.
Everyone had a reason to participate with tug-of-war games, kids sea swimming, and log throwing events!
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 59

usiness
Opposite page: This ethereal scene is reality at Turtle Tail Estate, a newly completed property combining the personality of a custom home
with the amenities of an ultra-luxury resort, elevated on a private 4.57 acre peninsula.
Above: It’s all about relaxation seaside on the grounds of Castaway Villa, one of the TCI’s most desirable vacation villas.
Both properties are for sale and can be found in TCREA’s Turks & Caicos Real Estate magazine.
Buying Property in Paradise
It’s all in the details.
By Neil Molyneux, Graham Thompson
Photos By Steve Passmore, Provo Pictures
Usage Courtesy Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty and The Source
The months of September and October don’t necessarily display the Turks & Caicos at their finest.
Yes, the gorgeous seas still sparkle in kaledoscopic shades of blue under the sun’s sepia glow. Yes, fine
ivory sand still carpets the quiet beaches. But the steady tradewinds may lag, and the heat, humidity, and
bugs can be trying.
Surprisingly, autumn is a good time for serious real estate investors to scope out the market. With
fewer visitors in town, everyone — from real estate agents to attorneys to property managers — has more
time to conduct business and the slower pace can be to your advantage.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 61

It’s time to secure your own piece of paradise
while property is still available. After years of economic
drought, the Turks & Caicos real estate market is steadily
reporting strong growth in all major segments. According
to the TCI Real Estate Association, the market is up nearly
28% in dollar volume for the first half of 2015 when compared
to the same time period in 2014. Sold listings are
up 15% and average price is up by 10%, as purchasers
continue to seek quality, well priced properties. Principals
at TCI Sotheby’s International Realty predict that 2015
is shaping up to be the best since the bull market of
2005/6.
Having found your dream home in paradise, what
is the procedure for ownership and getting the keys?
Happily, after an offer is agreed upon, the process of
buying a home in the Turks & Caicos Islands is quite
straightforward. If you do not already have an attorney to
guide you, your realtor can assist with suggested Turks
& Caicos attorneys.
No government license is required to purchase property
in the TCI, the currency is US dollars, and there is no
exchange control. There are many international flights
to and from Providenciales, the country’s main hub, and
visitors can now stay up to 90 days automatically.
In addition to price, typical real estate buyer’s costs
are stamp duty (a form of transfer tax of up to 10% of
the price), land registration fees (often less than $100),
and the buyer’s attorney fee of 1%, plus some negligible
costs. Typically, the seller pays the realtor’s commission
and seller’s own legal fees.
The seller’s attorney writes the sale and purchase
agreement. The buyer’s attorney reviews suitability of
the sale and purchase agreement. The sale and purchase
agreement is often in a format acceptable to most TCI
attorneys.
If financing is required, closing can be conditional on
a reasonable bank offer. Similarly, there can be survey or
other conditions. For a popular property however, a seller
may be reluctant to accept a conditional buyer.
Financing may be through a TCI bank, secured by
the Turks & Caicos property or by a bank in, say, your
hometown, secured by your residence or other property.
If financing is through a local Turks & Caicos bank, costs
are typically a 1% bank fee, a 1% tax, and a 1% legal fee,
plus some negligible costs.
A buyer may acquire in his or her name, or that of
a company or trust. Company ownership may be useful
for various purposes, not least to limit personal liability.
Trust ownership may be useful for estate planning purposes.
Consider the buying entity carefully, as transfer
taxes etc. may be repeated for any further transfers. A
Turks & Caicos company or trust can swiftly be established.
Before signing a sale and purchase agreement, review
a statement from your attorney detailing the money
required to close and pay stamp duty, registration, and
attorney fees etc., with a contingency for reimbursing
utility and management fees and the like paid in advance
by a seller.
Typically a 10% deposit is payable on signing a sale
and purchase agreement. Note that funds sent internationally
can take several days to arrive. Delays can occur
with extra procedures required by your bank or intermediate
banks and with weekends and holidays.
62 www.timespub.tc

ERA Katherine AdTimesFall15_Layout 1 8/18/15 1:50 AM Page 1
After signing a sale and purchase agreement, a legally
binding contract exists and so an obligation to close on
the specified date (subject to any specified condition).
Closing is typically 10 to 30 days from signing.
The deposit is released by the buyer’s attorney to
the seller’s attorney, and held by the seller’s attorney as
stakeholder (honest broker between the buyer and seller).
During the interval before closing, the seller’s attorney
provides the buyer’s attorney with title and other appropriate
information for the particular property. Typically,
more information is required for a condominium than for
a villa. The attorneys agree on closing documents and
obtain signatures in advance of closing.
The closing documents are signed before a notary in
either Turks & Caicos or elsewhere. A notary is usually an
attorney, but conveniently, many Federal Express offices
in the United States provide notary services.
A buyer (and seller) need not be physically present in
Turks & Caicos for closing if required closing documents
can be couriered internationally, signed in advance, and
held in escrow. Alternative arrangements can be made for
pre-closing inspection. Such inspection is typically made
by the realtor, on a buyer’s behalf.
If not already covered by a strata corporation (condominium
association) policy, buildings and usual
insurances should be arranged by a buyer, from closing.
At closing, attorneys typically meet for exchange of
money, documents, and keys. After closing, the buyer
becomes the owner and the buyer’s attorney arranges for
stamp duty and registration formalities. A buyer should
have arrangements in place to transfer over utilities
including water, electricity, broadband, etc. Typically, for
an international buyer such arrangements are made in
advance with a property manager.
Buyers planning to rent out their property are advised
to consider local management. Buyers often choose to
continue existing local property management. New to
the market and growing in popularity are “managed villa
properties,” which combine the management operations
of a condominium with the privacy of a villa in a secure,
gated community. An attraction to pre-construction villa
sales is that stamp duty is payable on the land value only
and buyers have some input into custom design options.
New developments in this category include The Shore
Club Villas, Beach Enclave Long Bay, Gansevoort Villas on
Turtle Tail, and The Dunes in Turtle Cove.
Except for a 12% government tax on rentals and for
transfer tax mentioned above, there are presently no
other real estate taxes in Turks & Caicos. Any person
Kathryn
Brown
Kathryn is a founding member of
Turks and Caicos Real Estate
Association formed in 2000. She
was instrumental in writing and
implementing the manual for the
Association as well as Rules and
Regulations for the membership.
In 2007 she was voted the first TCREA Ambassador by her
peers. In 2009/10 she was part of a Team that wrote the first
Training Manual for TCREA; all new members are required to
complete the course and final exam before being accepted as
full members of the Association. She served as President of the
Association for five years (2008-20013), as well as serving on
many TCREA committees, some of which she still serves.
Kathryn started her real estate career in Cayman Islands where
she worked for ERA for a number of years until her move to
TCI ERA Coralie Properties Ltd in 2000; she was brought to
implement the ERA system and manage the operation for the
newly franchised Coralie Properties. Over the years Kathryn
has become an active partner shareholder and Director of ERA
Coralie Properties Ltd., as well as being a successful sales
associate, consistently being in the top ten.
A background in interior design and retail fit well with a real
estate career; working well with people, high standard of
professionalism, integrity and quality service. Kathryn has
many repeat customers as well as a strong referral network.
If you want to learn about real estate in Turks & Caicos give
Kathryn a call, she will be pleased to meet you and help with
your real estate needs, wants, dreams...
Tel: 649 231 2329 Email: krbrown@era.tc
Web: www.eraturksandcaicos.com
3.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 63

The longest established legal practice
in the Turks & Caicos Islands
or corporation operating a business, including property
rental, may be obliged to hold a Business Licence.
Business Licences are renewable annually. The present
cost of a Business Licence for a single rental villa is $400.
The procedure from start to keys can be under one
month, or even sooner if the parties require. Before proceeding
with any real estate transaction, you are advised
to instruct an attorney. a
Real Estate Investments
& Property Development
Immigration, Residency
& Business Licensing
Company & Commercial Law
Trusts & Estate Planning
Banking & Insurance
If you have any queries, Neil Molyneux and the team of
attorneys at Graham Thompson are happy to help. Neil
Molyneux is an associate with Graham Thompson, is called
to the Turks and Caicos Bar, was called to the Bermuda
Bar in 2009 and admitted as a Solicitor in England and
Wales in 1994. Neil has over 20 years legal experience in
all aspects of real estate, and most recently in high end
residential real estate acquisitions, in the second home
market, particularly for private clients from North and
South America. He can be reached at 649 339 4130 or at
nrm@gtclaw.com.
1 Caribbean Place, P.O. Box 97
Leeward Highway, Providenciales
Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI
Ph: 649 946 4344 • Fax: 649 946 4564
E-Mail: dempsey@tciway.tc
Cockburn House, P.O. Box 70
Market Street, Grand Turk
Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI
Ph: 649 946 2245 • Fax: 649 946 2758
E-Mail: ffdlawco@tciway.tc
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• Near to churches, school, shops, etc.
• Excellent opportunity for the businessminded
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INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACT: (649) 241-1083
64 www.timespub.tc

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Times of the Islands Fall 2015 65

shape up
The new fitness buzz: suspension trainers
By Nancy Mizinski ISSA, PN1, BCRPA, TYM2
Fitness Trainer and Thai Yoga Practitioner
Suspension trainers have been knocking around
the mainstream for several years now, and they are
finally available at several facilities in Providenciales.
The suspension trainer is also known as TRX—a total
body resistance exercise tool. It is a type of training that
uses your body weight and gravity to build strength,
balance, coordination, flexibility, core, and joint stability.
TRX has been used for years by the US Military and
was originally designed by a Navy Seal who needed to
stay in shape in limited space. As it became more popular,
personal trainers added it to their toolbox and now
group fitness classes have been developed as well.
TRX is portable. You can set it up anywhere. It is a
system that allows you to do all sorts of exercises using
your body weight. You have to use your core stabilizers
to work out with TRX. Some of the benefits include:
• It is great for all fitness levels. TRX transitions from
basic exercise movements to more advanced levels.
You have control of the intensity just by walking yourself
closer or further away from the unit’s anchor point.
• It is a fast, efficient workout. You can minimize your
training time by working your entire body, switching
from one exercise to another with a simple circuit.
• It can keep your heart rate up because you keep moving.
It keeps you constantly challenging your body.
• It is portable. It can be used anywhere there is a stable
anchor point, indoors or out.
• You stand to train. People sit too much and have sedentary
lifestyles. This allows you to get off your butt.
• Most importantly, it is a core-based workout. TRX
requires you to remain engaged and stable throughout
your entire body.
So what can you do with a TRX? You can work every
major muscle group. You can do squats, lunges, planks,
pushups, and many upper body resistance exercises.
You can make easy adjustments such as single handgrip
or single leg movements to add to the intensity.
There are multiple variations of basic exercises, as well
as ridiculously intense suspension exercises to work
through. You can focus on strength or flexibility, or
put exercises together in a
sequence with short breaks
for more of a cardio workout.
It’s portable. It’s different.
And it works. After the
first month of training with
TRX I saw noticeable changes in myself, and with my
clients. It is fun workout and there are so many ways
to challenge yourself. So whether you attend a group
fitness class or book a private training session, you will
get a great full body workout.
If you want to change your body, you need to challenge
your body and TRX will create the challenge. a
Nancy Mizinski is the owner of Glow Fitness, a one-onone
fitness studio located in Turtle Cove. Her studio
features TRX, and has Surfset surf boards—exclusive to
her studio. She teaches cycle, circuit, and yoga classes
at various locations on Providenciales. Nancy also is a
Thai Yoga Practitioner. For more information, visit the
website at glowtci.com or email glowtci@gmail.com.
Our studio features
TRX and SURFSET
649.442.4852
glowtci@gmail.com
glowtci.com
Glow Fitness located in Turtle Cove.
66 www.timespub.tc

shape up
Smooth . . . and healthy
By Josh Williams, Okeanos Fitness
Okeanos Fitness Juice and Smoothie Bar has been
open now for five months, during which time I have
been perfecting juices and smoothies, which are well
known not only for their great taste, but also their
health benefits.
All smoothies sound equally healthy, but many
restaurants and bars offer a premix, which will probably
taste good, but may be loaded with sugar and/
or preservatives. The key to the success of Okeanos’s
smoothies is their fresh ingredients, which are blended
together to create a tasty and healthy mix. I like to
blend most of our smoothies in order to keep the fiber,
although we do offer some pure juices, such as carrot,
apple, orange and grapefruit.
The key is to experiment and find ingredients
that go well together. You should also take into consideration
what you are trying to achieve, whether it
be weight loss, adding a boost of vitamin C or iron to
your intake, or rehydrating. Maybe you want to replace
a meal during a busy schedule or add more protein
to your diet. Maybe you want to simply increase the
amount of fruits and vegetables that you normally consume,
and enjoy it in a way that tastes good.
The Green Machine is Okeanos’s top selling
smoothie. It contains spinach, kale, pineapple, apple
or banana, coconut water, and lime. Ginger or protein
powder are optional. When the protein powder is
added, it gives it a sweeter taste and a thicker consistency.
It also fills you up for longer and is therefore
a good replacement for breakfast or a boost after a
work-out. If you just want your veggies without added
calories, skip the banana, or if you get enough protein
in your diet, you don’t need the protein powder.
September brings a brand new menu to Okeanos
Fitness, which introduces menu items labeled under
headings, which will allow customers to better understand
the benefits of each of the smoothies. For
instance, we recommend spinach and moringa or callaloo
for people who are anemic and lacking in iron;
orange juice for a boost in Vitamin C; soursop may
help prevent some cancer cell
growth; and chia, yoghurt,
almond milk, and protein
powder to provide good
sources of protein instead of
meat. Parsley, mint, and celery
provide great kidney-cleanse ingredients. Coconut
water is amazing for rehydration and banana contains
lots of potassium, which helps with rehydration also.
We’ve even introduced an original new breakfast
coffee which includes coffee, cacao powder, almonds,
and protein powder, and a new fresh moringa/ginger/
mint and honey tea. Drinking this tea offers many
health benefits such as boosting iron and vitamin C
intake, aiding digestion, and serving as an anti-inflammatory.
Come in and try some soon! a
Josh Williams is a fitness and high performance coach,
and owner of Okeanos Fitness. After spending nine
years playing competitive hockey and learning the
importance of leading a fit and healthy life, he has
returned home to help lead people towards achieving
their personal health and fitness goals.
Visit Okeanos Fitness, located in The Regent Village, to
find out more about small group classes, one on one
training, and injury rehabilitation. While there, experience
firsthand just how great fresh fruit and vegetables
can taste at Okeanos Smoothie and Juice bar and kickstart
your own health and fitness action plan today!
For more information email okeanosfitness@gmail.com
or call 649 431 6328.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 67

about the Islands
Map provided courtesy Wavey Line Publishing. Their navigation charts and decorative and historic maps of the Turks & Caicos Islands, the
Bahamas, and Hispaniola are available in shops throughout the Islands. Visit www.waveylinepublishing.com.
Where we are
The Turks & Caicos Islands lie some 575 miles southeast
of Miami — approximately 1 1/2 hours flying time —
with the Bahamas about 30 miles to the northwest and
the Dominican Republic some 100 miles to the southeast.
The country consists of two island groups separated
by the 22 mile wide Columbus Passage. To the west are
the Caicos Islands: West Caicos, Providenciales, North
Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos, and South Caicos. To
the east are the Turks Islands: Grand Turk and Salt Cay.
The Turks & Caicos total 166 square miles of land
area on eight islands and 40 small cays. The country’s
population is approximately 32,000.
Getting here
There are international airports on Grand Turk, North
Caicos, Providenciales, and South Caicos, with domestic
airports on all of the islands except East Caicos.
At this time, all of the major international carriers
arrive and depart from Providenciales International
Airport. American Airlines flies three times daily from
Miami. U.S. Airways offers daily service from Charlotte
and from Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday. JetBlue
Airways offers daily service from New York/JFK. Delta
Airlines flies from Atlanta daily and New York/JFK on
Saturday. United Airlines travels from Newark on Friday,
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
West Jet travels from Toronto on Saturday and
from Montreal on Sunday. Air Canada offer flights from
Toronto on Saturday and Sunday and from Montreal on
68 www.timespub.tc

Tuesday. British Airways travels on Sunday from London/
Heathrow via Antigua.
Bahamasair flies to Nassau on Thursday and Sunday;
Inter-caribbean Airways travels on Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday. Inter-caribbean Airways and Caicos Express
travels to Haiti daily, while Inter-caribbean Airways flies
to the Dominican Republic daily (except Wednesday);
to Jamaica on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday,
and to Puerto Rico on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
(Schedules are current as of August 2015 and subject to
change.)
Inter-island service is provided by Inter-caribbean
Airways, Caicos Express Airways, and Global Airways. Sea
and air freight services operate from Florida.
Language
English.
Time zone
Eastern Standard Time/Daylight Savings Time observed.
Currency
The United States dollar. The Treasury also issues a Turks
& Caicos crown and quarter. Travellers cheques in U.S.
dollars are widely accepted and other currency can be
changed at local banks. American Express, VISA, and
MasterCard are welcomed at many locations.
Climate
The average year-round temperature is 83ºF (28ºC). The
hottest months are September and October, when the
temperature can reach 90 to 95ºF (33 to 35ºC). However,
the consistent easterly trade winds temper the heat and
keep life comfortable.
Casual resort and leisure wear is accepted attire for
daytime; light sweaters or jackets may be necessary on
some breezy evenings. It’s wise to wear protective clothing
and a sunhat and use waterproof sunscreen when out
in the tropical sun.
Entry requirements
Passport. A valid onward or return ticket is also required.
Customs formalities
Visitors may bring in duty free for their own use one carton
of cigarettes or cigars, one bottle of liquor or wine,
and some perfume. The importation of all firearms including
those charged with compressed air without prior
approval in writing from the Commissioner of Police is
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 69

about the Islands
strictly forbidden. Spear guns, Hawaiian slings, controlled
drugs, and pornography are also illegal.
Returning residents may bring in $400 worth of
merchandise per person duty free. A duty of 10% to
60% is charged on most imported goods along with a
7% customs processing fee and forms a major source of
government revenue.
Transportation
A valid driver’s license from home is suitable when renting
vehicles. A government tax of 12% is levied on all
rental contracts. (Insurance is extra.) Driving is on the
left-hand side of the road, with traffic flow controlled by
round-abouts at major junctions. Please don’t drink and
drive! Taxis are abundant throughout the Islands and
many resorts offer shuttle service between popular visitor
areas. Scooter, ATV, and bicycle rentals are also available.
Telecommunications
LIME Ltd. provides service on a totally digital 4G network,
including pre-paid phone cards, pre-paid cellular phones,
credit card, and calling card options. Broadband Internet
service, with speeds as fast as 8Mbps, connects the
Islands to the world. Most resorts offer wireless Internet
connection and there are several private Internet cafés.
Digicel operates GSM mobile networks, with a full suite of
4G service. LIME is the local carrier for CDMA roaming on
US networks such as Verizon and Sprint. North American
visitors with GSM cellular handsets and wireless accounts
with AT&T or Cingular can arrange international roaming.
Electricity
120/240 volts, 60 Hz, suitable for all U.S. appliances.
Departure tax
US $20 for all persons two years and older, payable in
cash or traveller’s cheques. It is typically built into the
cost of your ticket.
Courier service
Delivery service is provided by FedEx, with offices on
Providenciales and Grand Turk, and DHL. UPS service is
limited to incoming delivery.
Postal service
The Post Office and Philatelic Bureau in Providenciales is
located downtown in Butterfield Square. In Grand Turk,
the Post Office is on Front Street, with the Philatelic
Bureau on Church Folly. The Islands are known for their
varied and colorful stamp issues.
Media
Multi-channel satellite television is received from the U.S.
and Canada and transmitted via cable or over the air.
Local station WIV-TV broadcasts on Channel 4 and Island
EyeTV on Channel 5. People’s Television offers 75 digitally
transmitted television stations, along with local news
and talk shows on Channel 8. There are also a number of
local radio stations, magazines, and newspapers.
Medical services
There are no endemic tropical diseases in TCI. There are
large, modern hospitals on Grand Turk and Providenciales.
Both hospitals offer a full range of services including:
24/7 emergency room, operating theaters, diagnostic
imaging, maternity suites, dialysis suites, blood bank,
physiotherapy, and dentistry.
In addition, several general practitioners operate in
the country, and there is a recompression chamber, along
with a number of private pharmacies.
Immigration
A resident’s permit is required to live in the Islands. A
work permit and business license are also required to
work and/or establish a business. These are generally
granted to those offering skills, experience, and qualifications
not widely available on the Islands. Priority is given
to enterprises that will provide employment and training
for T&C Islanders.
Government/Legal system
TCI is a British Crown colony. There is a Queen-appointed
Governor, HE Peter Beckingham. He presides over an executive
council formed by the elected local government.
PNP Leader Dr. Rufus Ewing is the country’s premier.
The legal system is based upon English Common
Law and administered by a resident Chief Justice, Chief
Magistrate, and Deputy Magistrates. Judges of the Court
of Appeal visit the Islands twice a year and there is a final
Right of Appeal to Her Majesty’s Privy Council in London.
Taxes
There are currently no direct taxes on either income
or capital for individuals or companies. There are no
70 www.timespub.tc

exchange controls. Indirect taxation comprises customs
duties and fees, stamp duty, taxes on accommodations,
restaurants, vehicle rentals, other services and gasoline,
as well as business license fees and departure taxes.
Economy
Historically, TCI’s economy relied on the export of
salt. Currently, tourism, the offshore finance industry,
and fishing generate the most private sector income.
The Islands’ main exports are lobster and conch, with
the world’s first commercial conch farm operating on
Providenciales. Practically all consumer goods and foodstuffs
are imported.
The Turks & Caicos Islands are recognised as an
important offshore financial centre, offering services
such as company formation, offshore insurance, banking,
trusts, limited partnerships, and limited life companies.
The Financial Services Commission regulates the industry
and spearheads the development of offshore legislation.
People
Citizens of the Turks & Caicos Islands are termed
“Belongers” and are primarily descendants of African
slaves who were brought to the Islands to work on the
salt ponds and cotton plantations. The country’s large
expatriate population includes Canadians, Americans,
Brits and Europeans, along with Haitians, Jamaicans,
Dominicans, Bahamians, Indians, and Filipinos.
Churches
Churches are the center of community life and there
are many faiths represented in the Islands, including:
Adventist, Anglican, Assembly of God, Baha’i, Baptist,
Catholic, Church of God of Prophecy, Episcopal, Faith
Tabernacle Church of God, Jehovah’s Witnesses,
Methodist and Pentecostal. Visitors are always welcome.
Pets
Incoming pets must have an import permit, veterinary
health certificate, vaccination certificate, and lab test
results to be submitted at the port of entry to obtain
clearance from the TCI Department of Agriculture, Animal
Health Services.
National symbols
The National Bird is the Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis).
The National Plant is Island heather (Limonium
bahamense) found nowhere else in the world. The
National Tree is the Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea var.
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For Vehicle Rental in
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232 0933 or 946 2042
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 71

ahamensis). The National Costume consists of white cotton
dresses tied at the waist for women and simple shirts
and loose pants for men, with straw hats. Colors representing
the various islands are displayed on the sleeves
and bases. The National Song is “This Land of Ours,” by
Rev. E.C. Howell, PhD. Peas and Hominy (Grits) with Dry
Conch is revered as symbolic island fare.
Going green
TCI Waste Disposal Services currently offers recycling services
through weekly collection of recyclable aluminum,
glass, and plastic. The TCI Environmental Club is spearheading
a campaign to eliminate single-use plastic bags.
Do your part by using a cloth bag whenever possible.
Keep TCI “Beautiful by Nature” by not littering!
Recreation
Sporting activities are centered around the water. Visitors
can choose from deep-sea, reef, or bonefishing, sailing,
glass-bottom boat and semi-sub excursions, windsurfing,
waterskiing, parasailing, sea kayaking, snorkelling,
scuba diving, kiteboarding, stand up paddleboarding,
and beachcombing. Pristine reefs, abundant marine life,
and excellent visibility make TCI a world-class diving
destination. Tennis and golf—there is an eighteen hole
championship course on Providenciales—are also popular.
The Islands are an ecotourist’s paradise. Visitors can
enjoy unspoilt wilderness and native flora and fauna in
thirty-three national parks, nature reserves, sanctuaries,
and areas of historical interest. The National Trust
provides trail guides to several hiking trails, as well as
guided tours of major historical sites. There is an excellent
national museum on Grand Turk, with a future
branch planned for Providenciales. A scheduled ferry and
a selection of tour operators make it easy to take day
trips to the outer islands.
Other land-based activities include bicycling, horseback
riding, and football (soccer). Personal trainers are
available to motivate you, working out of several fitness
centres. You will also find a variety of spa and body treatment
services.
Nightlife includes local bands playing island music
at bars and restaurants and some nightclubs. There are
two casinos on Providenciales, along with many electronic
gaming parlours. Stargazing is extraordinary!
Shoppers will find Caribbean paintings, T-shirts,
sports and beachwear, and locally made handicrafts,
including straw work and conch crafts. Duty free outlets
sell liquor, jewellery, watches, perfume, leather goods,
crystal, china, cameras, electronics, brand-name clothing
and accessories, along with Cuban cigars. a
72 www.timespub.tc

where to stay
Grand Turk
range of daily rates
US$ (subject to change)
number of units
major credit cards
restaurant
bar
air conditioning
phone in unit
television in unit
kitchen in unit
laundry service
pool
on the beach
H
The Arches of Grand Turk – Tel 649 946 2941 190–210 4 • • • • • • •
Bohio Dive Resort – Tel 649 946 2135 • Web www.bohioresort.com 170–230 16 • • • • • • • •
Crabtree Apartments – Tel 978 270 1698 • Web www.GrandTurkVacationRental.com 210–250 3 • • • • • •
Grand Turk Inn – Tel 649 946 2827 • Web www.grandturkinn.com 250–300 5 • • • • • • •
Island House – Tel 649 946 1519/232 5514 • Web www.islandhouse.tc 110–185 8 • • • • • • •
Manta House – Tel 649 946 1111 • Web www.grandturk-mantahouse.com 110–130 5 • • • • • • •
Osprey Beach Hotel – Tel 649 946 2666 • Web www.ospreybeachhotel.com 90–225 37 • • • • • • • • • •
Salt Raker Inn – Tel 649 946 2260 • Web www.saltrakerinn.com 55–140 13 • • • • • • •
Solomon Porches Guesthouse – Tel 649 946 2776/241 2937 • Fax 649 946 1984 75–100 3 • •
White Sands Beach Resort – Tel 649 242 1991 • Web whitesandstci.com 130–150 16 • • • • • • • • •
Middle Caicos
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Blue Horizon Resort – Tel 649 946 6141 • Web bhresort.com 265–400 7 • • • • • • • • •
North Caicos
H
Bottle Creek Lodge – Tel 649 946 7080 • Web www.bottlecreeklodge.com 155–240 3 • •
Caicos Beach Condominiums – Tel 649 241 4778/786 338 9264 • Web www.caicosbeachcondos.com 159–299 8 • • • • • • • •
Cedar Palms Suites – Tel 649 946 7113/649 244 4186 • Web www.oceanbeach.tc 250–300 3 • • • • • • • • •
Flamingo’s Nest – Tel 649 946 7113/649 244 4186 • Web www.oceanbeach.tc 175–340 2 • • • • • • • •
Hollywood Beach Suites - Tel 800 551 2256/649 231 1020 • Web www.hollywoodbeachsuites.com 200–235 4 • • • • • •
JoAnne’s Bed & Breakfast - Tel 649 946 7301 • Web www.turksandcaicos.tc/joannesbnb 80–120 4 • • • •
Palmetto Villa – Tel 649 946 7113/649 244 4186 • Web www.oceanbeach.tc 225–250 1 • • • • • • • •
Pelican Beach Hotel - Tel 649 946 7112/877 774 5486 • Web www.pelicanbeach.tc 125–165 14 • • • • • • • •
Pine Cay
H
The Meridian Club Turks & Caicos - Tel 649 946 7758/866 746 3229 • Web www.meridianclub.com 800–1300 13 • • • • • •
Parrot Cay
H
Parrot Cay COMO Resort & Spa - Tel 877 754 0726/649 946 7788 • Web www.parrotcay.como.bz 450–4370 65 • • • • • • • • • •
Providenciales
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Airport Inn - Tel 649 941 3514 • Web www.airportinntci.com. 140 18 • • • • • • •
The Alexandra Resort & Spa - Tel 800 704 9424/649 946 5807 • Web www.alexandraresort.com 280–420 99 • • • • • • • • •
The Atrium Resort - Tel 888 592 7885/649 333 0101 • Web www.theatriumresorttci.com 159–410 30 • • • • • • • •
Amanyara – Tel 866 941 8133/649 941 8133 • Web www.amanresorts.com 1000–2100 73 • • • • • • • •
Aquamarine Beach Houses - Tel 649 231 4535/905 556 0278 • www.aquamarinebeachhouses.com 200–850 24 • • • • • • • •
Beaches Resort & Spa - Tel 800-BEACHES/649 946 8000 • Web www.beaches.com 325–390AI 453 • • • • • • • • •
Beach House Turks & Caicos – Tel 649 946 5800 • Web www.beachchousetci.com 532–638 21 • • • • • • • • • •
Blue Haven Resort & Marina - Tel 855 832 7667/649 946 9900 • Web www.bluehaventci.com 250–650 51 • • • • • • • • • •
Caribbean Paradise Inn - Tel 649 946 5020 • Web www.paradise.tc 162–225 17 • • • • • • • •
Club Med Turkoise - Tel 800 258 2633/649 946 5500 • Web www.clubmed.com 120–225 290 • • • • • • • • •
Coral Gardens on Grace Bay - Tel 877 746 7800 • Web www.coralgardensongracebay.com 199-449 32 • • • • • • • • • •
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos – Tel 877 774 3253/649 941 7555 • Web www.gansevoorttc.com 315–720 91 • • • • • • • • • •
Grace Bay Club - Tel 800 946 5757/649 946 5757 • Web www.gracebayclub.com 650–1750 59 • • • • • • • • • •
Grace Bay Suites – Tel 649 941 7447 • Web www.GraceBaySuites.com 99–195 24 • • • • • • • •
Harbour Club Villas - Tel 649 941 5748/305 434 8568 • Web www.harbourclubvillas.com 210–240 6 • • • • •
Le Vele - Tel 649 941 8800/888 272 4406 • Web www.levele.tc 303–630 22 • • • • • • • •
La Vista Azul – Tel 649 946 8522/866 519 9618 • Web www.lvaresort.com 215–375 78 • • • • • • •
Neptune Villas – Tel 649 331 4328 • Web www.neptunevillastci.com 150–400 10 • • • • • • • • •
Northwest Point Resort • Tel 649 941 5133 • Web www.northwestpointresort.com 196–550 49 • • • • • • • • • •
Ocean Club Resorts - Tel 800 457 8787/649 946 5461 • Web www.oceanclubresorts.com 180–690 191 • • • • • • • • • •
Pelican Nest Villa – Tel 649 342 5731 • Web www.pelicannest.tc 429–857 2 • • • • • •
Point Grace - Tel 888 682 3705/649 946 5096 • Web www.pointgrace.com 424–1515 27 • • • • • • • • • •
Ports of Call Resort – Tel 888 678 3483/649 946 8888 • Web www.portsofcallresort.com 135–210 99 • • • • • • •
Queen Angel Resort – Tel 649 941 8771 • Web www.queenangelresort.com 150–575 56 • • • • • • • • •
Reef Residences at Grace Bay – Tel 800 532 8536 • Web www.reefresidence.com 275–385 24 • • • • • • •
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 73

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where to stay
range of daily rates US$
(subject to change)
number of units
major credit cards
restaurant
bar
air conditioning
phone in unit
television in unit
kitchen in unit
laundry service
pool
on the beach
Providenciales (continued)
The Regent Grand – Tel 877 537 3314/649 941 7770 • Web www.TheRegentGrand.com 495–1100 50 • • • • • • • • •
Regent Palms – Tel 866 877 PALM • Web www.regentpalmstci.com 595–1700 72 • • • • • • • • • •
Royal West Indies Resort – Tel 649 946 5004 • Web www.royalwestindies.com 180–695 92 • • • • • • • • • •
The Sands at Grace Bay – Tel 877 777 2637/649 946 5199 • Web www.thesandsresort.com 175–675 116 • • • • • • • • • •
Seven Stars Resort – Tel 866 570 7777/649 941 7777 – Web www.SevenStarsResort.com 365–2400 165 • • • • • • • • • •
Sibonné – Tel 800 528 1905/649 946 5547 • Web www.Sibonne.com 110–375 29 • • • • • • • •
The Somerset on Grace Bay – Tel 649 946 5900/877 887 5722 • Web www.TheSomerset.com 350–1300 53 • • • • • • • • • •
Turtle Cove Inn – Tel 800 887 0477/649 946 4203 • Web www.turtlecoveinn.com 85–180 30 • • • • • • • •
The Tuscany – Tel 649 941 4667 • Web www.thetuscanygracebay.com 975–1300 30 • • • • • • • •
The Venetian Grace Bay – Tel 877 277 4793 • Web www.thevenetiangracebay.com 695–1175 27 • • • • • • • •
Venetian Ridge Villas – Tel 649 341 8045 • Web www.VenetianRidgeVillas.com 99–149 16 • • • • •
Villa del Mar – Tel 877 238 4058/649 941 5160 • Web www.yourvilladelmar.com 190–440 42 • • • • • • •
Villa Mani – Tel 649 431 4444 • Web www.villamanitc.com See Web/AE 6 • • • • • • •
Villa Renaissance - Tel 649 941 5300/877 285 8764 • Web www.villarenaissance.com 295–650 36 • • • • • • • • •
The Villas at Blue Mountain – Tel 649 941 4255 • Web www.villasatbluemountain.com 1200–2500 3 • • • • • • • •
West Bay Club – Tel 866 607 4156/649 946 8550 • Web www.TheWestBayClub.com 235–1163 46 • • • • • • • • • •
Windsong – Tel 649 941 7700/800 WINDSONG • Web www.windsongresort.com 275–925 50 • • • • • • • • •
The Yacht Club – Tel 649 946 4656 • Web www.yachtclubtci.com 250–350 52 • • • • • • •
Salt Cay
Castaway – Salt Cay – Tel 772 713 9502 • Web www.castawayonsaltcay.com 175–265 4 • • • • •
Genesis Beach House – Tel 561 502 0901 • Web www.Genesisbeachhouse.com 1000–1200W 4 • • • • •
Pirate’s Hideaway B & B – Tel 800 289 5056/649 946 6909 • Web www.saltcay.tc 165–175 4 • • • • • • •
Salt Cay Beach House – Tel 772 713 9502 • Web www.saltcaybeachhouse.blogspot.com 799W 1 • • • • • •
Trade Winds Lodge – Tel 649 232 1009 • Web www.tradewinds.tc 925–1325W 5 • • • • •
Twilight Zone Cottage – Tel 772 713 9502 • Web www.twilightzonecottage.blogspot.com 499W 1 • • • •
The Villas of Salt Cay – Tel 772 713 9502 • Web www.villasofsaltcay.com 150–475 5 • • • • • • • •
South Caicos
South Caicos Ocean & Beach Resort – Tel 877 774 5486/649 946 3219
Web southcaicos.oceanandbeachresort.com 120–275 24 • • • • •
H
G
Hotel & Tourism Association Member
Green Globe Certified • Rates (listed for doubles) do not include Government Accommodation Tax and Service Charge
Contemporary Style with Bermudian Influences
This centrally located 4 bedroom/3.5 bathroom executive family home and an additional 1 bedroom/1 bathroom nanny suite is
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acres and surrounded by natural trees and vegetation, views of the Island and Ocean beyond can be enjoyed from every room.
Dee Agingu, Sales Executive
t. 649.946.4474 c. 649.231.3534
dee@tcsothebysrealty.com
Offered at $825,000 turksandcaicosSIR.com MLS# 1300629
Anna Richardson, Sales Associate
t. 649.946.4474 c. 649.232.7751
anna@tcsothebysrealty.com
74 www.timespub.tc

dining out – providenciales
Amanyara — Amanyara Resort. Tel: 941-8133. Light gourmet
cuisine for lunch and dinner with menu changing daily.
Anacaona — Grace Bay Club. Tel: 946-5050. Elegant beachfront
dining for lunch and dinner. Gourmet Euro/Caribbean
cuisine; fine wines. Full bar and lounge. Reservations required.
Angela’s Top O’ The Cove Deli — Suzie Turn, by NAPA.
Tel: 946-4694. New York-style delicatessen. Eat-in, carry-out,
catering. Open daily 6:30 AM to 6 PM; Sunday 7 AM to 2 PM.
Baci Ristorante — Harbour Towne, Turtle Cove. Tel: 941-3044.
Waterfront Italian dining. Brick oven pizza. Popular bar. Open
for lunch Monday to Friday 12 to 2 PM and dinner nightly from
6 to 10 PM. Closed Sunday. Carry-out available.
Bay Bistro — Sibonné Beach Hotel. Tel: 946-5396. Oceanfront
dining featuring creative international cuisine. Open daily
7 AM to 10 PM. Weekend brunch. Catering and special events.
Beaches Resort & Spa — The Bight. Tel: 946-8000.
All-inclusive resort. A variety of restaurants and bars on premises.
Non-guests can purchase a pass.
Bella Luna Ristorante — Glass House, Grace Bay Road. Tel:
946-5214. Fine Italian dining. Full bar and wine cellar. Indoor or
covered terrace seating above a tropical garden. Open daily for
dinner from 6 PM. Closed Sunday. Private catering available.
Big Al’s Island Grille — Salt Mills Plaza. Tel: 941-3797. Wide
selection of burgers, steaks, salads, and wraps in a diner-like
setting. Open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.
Blue Iguana Grill — Ports of Call. Tel: 339-8741. Fun, casual,
Caribbean-style restaurant and bar. Serving lunch and dinner
seven days.
Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl — Five Cays. Tel: 941-3863. The
freshest seafood in Provo, conch prepared to order, rum, buckets
of beer, live local bands. Open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.
Bar open late.
Cabana Bar & Grille — Ocean Club. Tel: 946-5880 x 1104.
Casual island fare, pizza, burgers. Open daily from 7 AM to
9 PM. Tropical cocktails with a spectacular view of the sea.
Caicos Bakery — Caicos Café Plaza. Authentic French boulangerie.
Fresh-baked breads, rolls, croissants, muffins, quiche,
pastries, cakes. Open 7 AM to 4:30 PM daily except Sunday.
Caicos Café — Caicos Café Plaza. Tel: 946-5278.
Mediterranean specialties, grilled local seafood. Fine wines, dining
on the deck. Open 6 PM to 10 PM Monday to Saturday.
Carambola Grill & Lounge — Airport Inn Plaza. Tel: 946-
8122. Generous portions of local and international fare at
moderate prices in a casual atmosphere. Catering available.
The Caravel Restaurant — Grace Bay Court. Tel: 941-5330.
Cozy restaurant offering island food with flair; something for
everyone. Daily happy hour. Open daily 11 AM to 10 PM; Sunday
5 to 9 PM.
Chicken Chicken — Times Square, downtown Provo. Fast food,
fried chicken, native fare.
Chinson Jade Garden Pastries & Deli — Leeward Highway.
Tel: 941-3533. Caribbean pastries, fresh bakery and Jamaican
and Chinese cuisine. Lunch buffet/take-out. Open Monday to
Saturday, 7 AM to 8 PM; Sunday, 2 PM to 8 PM.
Chopsticks — Neptune Court. Tel: 333-4040. Fusion of Asian
cuisines–light, healthy and delicious in a beautiful setting. Takeaway,
delivery, on-site dining. Open daily Noon to 3 PM and
5:30 to 10:30 PM. Closed Sunday.
Club Med — Grace Bay Road. Tel: 946-5500. All-inclusive
resort. Buffet-style dining; live show and disco in the evenings.
Non-guests can purchase a daily pass.
Coco Bistro — Grace Bay Road. Tel: 946-5369. Continental
Caribbean cuisine by Chef Stuart Gray under a canopy of palms.
Serving dinner nightly from 6 PM. Closed Monday.
Corner Café — Graceway IGA. Tel: 941-8724. Breakfast sandwiches,
specialty coffees, soups, salads, gourmet sandwiches
and desserts. Open Monday to Saturday, 7 AM to 8:30 PM.
Covered patio dining or take-out. Catering available.
Coyaba Restaurant — Caribbean Paradise Inn. Tel: 946-5186.
Contemporary Caribbean gourmet cuisine in a private tropical
garden setting. Extensive wine list. Dinner nightly from 6 to 10
PM. Closed Tuesday. Reservations recommended. Catering, special
events, private chef visits.
Crackpot Kitchen — The Village at Grace Bay. Tel: 941-3330.
Experience the Island feel, culture and the best of authentic
Turks & Caicos and Caribbean cuisines with an International
twist. Open daily 11 AM to 10 PM. Closed Monday.
Da Conch Shack & RumBar — Blue Hills. Tel: 946-8877.
Island-fresh seafood from the ocean to your plate. Covered
beachfront dining for lunch and dinner daily from 11 AM.
Danny Buoy’s Irish Pub — Grace Bay Road. Tel: 946-5921.
Traditional Irish cuisine, standard American pub fare; imported
draught beers. Open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 AM.
Happy Hour specials. Large screen TVs for sporting events.
The Deck — Seven Stars Resort. Tel: 941-7777. All day dining
and cocktails by the water’s edge. Open daily from Noon to 9:30
PM. Bonfire buffet on Sunday evenings. Live music nightly.
Fairways Bar & Grill — Provo Golf Club. Tel: 946-5833.
Dine overlooking the “greens.” Open to all for lunch Monday
to Thursday and breakfast from 9 AM on Sunday. Friday Pub
Nights, Saturday BBQ.
Fire & Ice — Blue Haven Resort & Marina. Tel: 946-9900. Start
with easy sipping drinks at the Ice Bar and end with dessert
by the fire pits in the Fire Lounge. South American-meets-
Caribbean flavors and spices. Open daily.
Fresh Bakery & Bistro — Atrium Resort. Tel: 345-4745.
Healthy European salads, soups, sandwiches, bakery, pies and
cakes. Gelato. Open daily 7 AM to 6 PM, closed Sunday.
Fresh Catch — Salt Mills Plaza. Tel: 243-3167. Authentic native
cuisine, from seafood to soup. Open daily 8 AM to 10 PM.
Garam Masala — Regent Village. Tel: 941-3292. Authentic
Indian cuisine, including tandoori charcoal-oven specialties.
Open daily Noon to 3 PM, 5:30 PM to Midnight. Closed Tuesday.
Giggles Ice Cream & Candy Parlour — Ports of Call &
Williams Storage. Tel: 941-7370. Cones, sundaes, shakes,
smoothies, “Gigglers,” ice cream pies and cakes. Pick ‘n’ mix
candies. Open daily 11 AM to 10 PM.
Gilley’s Cafe — At the airport. Tel: 946-4472. Burgers, sandwiches,
local food. Full bar. Open daily 6 AM to 9 PM.
Grace’s Cottage — Point Grace Resort. Tel: 946-5096.
Elegant, gourmet Caribbean cuisine showcasing regional foods.
Extensive wine list. Gazebo seating under the stars or indoor
dining in a romantic gingerbread cottage. Serving dinner from 6
PM nightly. Reservations required. Weddings and receptions.
Greenbean — Harbour Town at Turtle Cove. Tel: 941-2233.
“Purveyors of fine java and greens.” Internet café, Starbucks®
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 75

coffee, salads, wraps, pizza, sandwiches, fresh bakery. Open
daily 6 AM to 4 PM.
The Grill Rouge — Grace Bay Club. Tel: 946-5050. Casual
oceanfront poolside bistro, serving international bistro fare.
Cool cocktails at the swim-up bar. Open 7 AM to 9:30 PM daily.
Havana Club — Windsong Resort. Tel: 941-7700. Fine wine,
specialty coffees, decadent desserts, with comedy/magic shows
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and music and sports nights.
Healthy Treats Restaurant & Deli — Touch of Class Plaza,
Airport Road. Tel: 241-3318. Native Caribbean dishes, fresh
juices, smoothies. Call to order.
Hemingways on the Beach — The Sands at Grace Bay. Tel:
941-8408. Casual beachfront bar and restaurant. Fresh fish,
pasta, sandwiches, salads and tropical drinks by the pool.
Oceanfront deck for great sunsets! Open 8 AM to 10 PM daily.
Hole in the Wall Restaurant & Bar — Williams Plaza, Old
Airport Road. Tel: 941-4136. Authentic Jamaican/Island cuisine
where the locals go for jerk chicken. Full bar. Indoor A/C dining
or outdoors on the deck. Open 7 days from 8 AM. Cash only.
Island Scoop — Grace Bay Plaza. Tel: 242-8511/243-5051.
21 flavors of ice cream made locally. Cones, smoothies, blizzards
and shakes. Open daily, 11 AM to 10 PM.
The Java Bar — Graceway Gourmet. Tel: 941-5000. Gourmet
café serving fresh baked desserts, sandwiches and coffee
delights. Open 7 AM to 8 PM daily.
Jimmy’s Dive Bar — Ports of Call. Tel: 946-5282. The place for
steaks, BBQ, booze and breakfast. Open daily, 7 AM to 11 PM,
(Thursday to Saturday to Midnight); open Sunday at 8 AM.
Kalooki’s Beach Restaurant & Bar — Blue Hills. Tel:
332-3388. Caribbean-infused dishes in an oasis-like setting
overlooking the sea. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 10 PM;
Sunday 11 AM to 7 PM. Live music every Friday!
KItchen 218 — Beach House, Lower Bight Road. Tel: 946-5800.
Caribbean cuisine with hints of French and Asian fusion and the
chef’s passion for fresh ingredients. Open 8 AM to 10 PM daily.
The Landing Bar & Kitchen — Grace Bay Road across from
Regent Village. Tel: 341-5856. Unique nautical setting for dinner
under the stars. Cocktails, fire pit. Open daily 5:30 PM to . . .
Las Brisas — Neptune Villas, Chalk Sound. Tel: 946-5306.
Mediterranean/Caribbean cuisine with tapas, wine and full bar.
Terrace, gazebo and inside dining overlooking Chalk Sound.
Open daily 11 AM to 10 PM. Closed Tuesday.
Le Bouchon du Village — Regent Village. Tel: 946-5234. A
taste of Paris in TCI. Sidewalk café with sandwiches, salads, tartines,
tapas, nightly dinner specials. Open daily 7 AM to 10 PM.
Closed Sunday.
Lemon 2 Go Coffee — Ventura House, Grace Bay Road. Tel:
941-4487. Gourmet coffeehouse. Sandwiches, muffins, cookies,
croissants, yogurt, salads. Open Monday to Saturday 7:30 AM to
7 PM, Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM.
The Lounge — Grace Bay Club. Tel: 946-5050. Decidedly hip
lounge. Caribbean-infused tapas, martinis, tropical cocktails,
world music and the finest sunset location in Providenciales.
Lupo — Regent Village. Tel: 431-5876. Authentic Italian “comfort
food.” Regional wine list. Dine in or take out ready-made
gourmet meals. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Magnolia Restaurant & Wine Bar — Miramar Resort. Tel:
941-5108. International cuisine with island flavors, north shore
views. Open for dinner from 6 to 9:30 PM except Monday. Wine
bar opens at 4 PM.
Mango Reef — Alexandra Resort. Tel: 946-8200. Beachfront
dining with International and Caribbean fare. Breakfast, lunch,
dinner daily from 8 AM to 10 PM. Sunset cocktails, live music.
Melt Ice Cream Parlour — Regent Village. Tel: 432-1234.
Carefully crafted selection of sumptous and inspired sundaes,
with coffee, champagne and cocktails for the grown-ups! Open
Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 10 PM.
Mother’s Pizza — Downtown Times Square. Tel: 941-4142.
Best pizza in the Turks & Caicos, available by the slice or the
island’s biggest “large.” Open daily 11 AM to 9 PM; to 10 PM on
Friday and Saturday; Noon to 8 PM on Sunday.
Mr. Groupers — Lower Bight and Airport Road. Tel: 242-6780.
Serving fresh local seafood straight from the sea. Open daily 10
AM to 11 PM.
Noodle Bar + Kitchen — West Bay Club. Tel: 946-8550.
Delicious rice and noodle dishes and hearty staples with
uniquely Caribbean flavors and spices. Open for lunch and dinner
daily to 9:30 PM.
Opus — Ocean Club Plaza. Tel: 946-5885. Wine • Bar • Grill
International menu with Caribbean flair. Wine tastings. Serving
dinner nightly 6 to 10:30 PM. Closed Monday. Indoor/outdoor
dining. Conference facility, events, catering.
Parallel23 — The Palms. Tel: 946-8666. Pan-tropical cuisine in
a setting of casual elegance. Boutique wine list. Al fresco or private
dining room available. Open for breakfast and dinner daily.
The Patty Place — Behind Shining Stars; Le Petit Place, Blue
Hills. Tel: 246-9000. Authentic Jamaican patties and loaves. 18
flavors of Devon House ice cream. Open daily 9:30 AM to 10 PM.
Pavilion — The Somerset. Tel: 339-5900. Chef Eric Wood offers
a global palate, interpreted locally. Lobster tank. Seafood raw
bar. Open daily for breakfast and dinner; Sunday Brunch.
Pelican Bay — Royal West Indies Resort. Tel: 941-2365.
Poolside restaurant and bar with French, Caribbean and Asian
fare. Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily from 7:30 AM to 10 PM.
Pizza Pizza — Grace Bay Plaza/Cinema Plaza. Tel: 941-
8010/941-3577. New York style specialty pizzas. Open daily
11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, weekends until 10 PM. Free delivery.
Rickie’s Flamingo Café — Between Ocean Club and Club Med.
Tel: 244-3231. Local fare and atmosphere right on the beach.
Best grouper sandwich and rum punch! Don’t miss Curry Fridays
and Beach BBQ Saturdays.
Sailing Paradise — Blue Hills. Tel: 344-1914. Casual beachfront
restaurant and bar. Caribbean fare. Open daily 7 AM to 11
PM. Sunday brunch and beach party, daily happy hour.
Salt Bar & Grill — Blue Haven Resort & Marina. Tel: 946-9900.
Casual dining with outdoor seating overlooking the marina.
Sandwiches, burgers and salads, classic bar favorites with local
flair. Open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM.
Seaside Café — Ocean Club West. Tel: 946-5254. Casual fare,
burgers, salads, tropical drinks, served with panoramic views of
the ocean. Open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM. Kid-friendly.
Seven — Seven Stars Resort. Tel: 339-7777. Elevated contemporary
cuisine fused with TCI tradition. Open Wednesday to
Saturday, 5:30 to 9:30 PM.
Sharkbite Bar & Grill — Admiral’s Club at Turtle Cove. Tel:
941-5090. Varied menu. Sports bar/game room with slots. Open
daily from 11 AM to 2 AM.
Shay Café — Le Vele Plaza. Tel: 331-6349. Offering organic
coffees and teas, sandwiches, salads and soup, pastries, as well
as gelato, sorbetto, smoothies, beer and wine. Open daily 7 AM
to 7 PM.
Somewhere Café & Lounge — Coral Gardens Resort. Tel:
76 www.timespub.tc

941-8260. Casual dining with Tex-Mex flair right on the beach.
Cocktails, beers, specialty drinks. Open early to late daily.
Stelle — Gansevoort Turks + Caicos. Tel: 946-5746. Modern
Mediterranean cuisine featuring fresh fish and seafood. Open 6
to 10 PM daily, until 2 AM on Friday with DJ. Beach bar and grill
open for lunch 11:30 AM to 5 PM daily.
Thai Orchid — The Regent Village. Tel: 946-4491. Authentic
Thai cuisine; over 60 choices! Dine in or carry out. Open for
lunch and dinner daily.
Three Brothers Restaurant — Town Center Mall, Downtown.
Tel: 232-4736. Seafood and native cuisine. Tuesday night buffet
dinner. Catering services. Open daily, 7 AM to 10 PM.
Three Queens Bar & Restaurant — Wheeland. Tel: 243-
5343. Oldest bar on Provo, serving Jamaican and Native dishes.
Serving lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday.
Tiki Hut Island Eatery — New location dockside at Turtle
Cove Inn. Tel: 941-5341. Imaginative sandwiches, salads, seafood,
Black Angus beef, pasta, pizzas and fresh fish. Wednesday
chicken or rib special. Open daily 11 AM to 10 PM. Breakfast on
weekends.
Turks Kebab — At Craft Market on Sand Castle Drive. Tel: 431-
9964. Turkish and Mediterranean fare. Salads, falafel, gyros,
kebabs, hummus. Open for lunch and dinner.
Via Veneto — Ports of Call. Tel: 941-2372. Authentic Italian
dining in a stylish indoor/outdoor venue. Serving lunch from
11:30 AM to 2 PM; snacks with wine and drinks from 5:30 PM
and dinner from 7:30 PM daily. Closed on Tuesday.
The Vix Bar & Grill — Regent Village. Tel: 941-4144. High-end
cuisine and the finest wines in an inviting ambiance. Open daily
for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7:30 AM to 10 PM.
Yoshi’s Japanese Restaurant — The Saltmills. Tel: 941-3374.
Sushi bar menu plus Wagyu beef, Japanese curries. Open daily
Noon to 3 PM; 6 to 10 PM. Closed Sunday.
Zanzi Bar & Tapas Restaurant — Leeward Highway. Tel: 342-
2472. Sophistication meets class at the new tapas eatery and
entertainment venue overlooking Grace Bay.
dining out – north caicos
Club Titters — Bottle Creek. Tel: 946-7316. Local dishes for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live music weekends.
Higgs’ Café — Sandy Point Marina. Tel: 242-9426 or 341-9084.
Local cuisine served daily from 7 AM.
Last Chance Bar & Grill Club — Bottle Creek. Tel: 232-4141.
Waterfront dining. American and Caribbean dishes. Open 10:30
AM for breakfast and lunch; dinner by reservation.
Pappa Grunt’s Seafood Restaurant — Whitby Plaza. Tel/fax:
946-7301. Native & American cuisine daily.
Pelican Beach Hotel — Tel: 946-7112. Well known for native
conch, lobster, grouper and snapper dishes.
Silver Palm Restaurant — Whitby. Tel: 946-7113/244-4186.
Local seafood and international cuisine. Home-baked breads
and desserts. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Screened patio.
Super D Café — At airport. Tel: 946-7258. Local dishes.
dining out – middle caicos
Daniel’s Restaurant — Conch Bar. Tel: 245-2298/232-6132.
Local seafood, homemade breads. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Call
ahead for groups and dinner reservations.
dining out – grand turk
Bird Cage Restaurant — Osprey Beach Hotel. Tel: 946-1453.
Full bar & restaurant. Lunch and dinner daily.
Guanahani — Bohio Resort. Tel: 946-2135. Gourmet menu of
French, Italian and Asian influence with a Caribbean twist. Open
daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Inn Restaurant & Bar — Grand Turk Inn. Tel: 431-0466.
A taste of Asian fusions. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Closed on Tuesday.
Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville — Grand Turk Cruise Center.
High energy bar and restaurant. Swim-up pool bar and signature
menu of grilled favorites.
Sand Bar Restaurant — Manta House Beach. Tel: 946-1111.
Quinessential beach bar serving local seafood specialties. Open
for lunch and dinner, Sunday to Friday.
Secret Garden — Salt Raker Inn. Tel: 946-2260. Local &
American dishes in a garden courtyard. English breakfast.
Weekly BBQ and sing-alongs.
dining out –salt cay
Coral Reef Bar & Grill — Tel: 232-1009. Breakfast, lunch and
dinner daily on the beach. Full service bar.
Pat’s Place — Island-style garden restaurant in historic district.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Porter’s Island Thyme — Tel: 242-0325. Gourmet island dining
in open air dining room. Full bar. a
Tradewinds Radio FM 104.5
Music you’ll enjoy all day long.
U.S.A. world news
and local marine weather.
Stream at www.tradewinds1045.com
Thanks to some of our supporters,
not to be missed during your vacation:
Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl,
Caicos Adventures, Dive Provo, Mama’s and
Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe.
dining out – south caicos
Eastern Inn Restaurant — Stamers Street. Tel: 946-3301.
Ocean & Beach Resort — Cockburn Harbour. Tel: 946 3219.
Native cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Pond View Restaurant — Tel: 946-3276. Native cuisine.
Times of the Islands Fall 2015 77

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