Times of the Islands Winter 2023/24

dow were typically raucous garblers.
The coast is adorned with retired fishing boats, sections
of sloops, and mature Casuarina equisetifolia
(Australian pine). Cemeteries with white, chalky head
tombs along the beach remain the final resting place
for many locals, but between them, wild sea grapes, sea
oats, and beach vines live triumphantly. The Blue Hills
pier comes alive on weekends and summers with fisher-folk,
children, and those reporting news from the
coconut grapevine. A basketball court in Wheeland provides
youngsters with a place to dream of fame. It’s a
nostalgic spot, as I was one of those boys.
On full moon nights, the sea sparkles like diamonds.
As a child, I never knew sargassum was invasive; I simply
enjoyed popping its green berries. The beach, filled
with treasures deposited by the ocean, held a mysterious
allure. Collecting crab carcasses, washed-out sea fans,
broken shells, and old boat ropes formed cherished childhood
memories, creating a sense of closeness to the sea.
This is for everyone who shares a similar upbringing.
It’s okay to have had a humble beginning in Blue Hills and
Wheeland, for it is truly a piece of paradise that deserves
more celebration. a
Rachel Wolchin once said, “If we were meant to stay in
one place, we would have had roots instead of feet.”
On this quest to self-discovery, Turks & Caicos Islander
Davidson Louis vowed to travel, write, paint, laugh, and
forgive. Subsequently, he hopes to find himself and or,
leave behind a few pieces of himself. Follow his weekly
columns in the Turks & Caicos Weekly News and his art
on Instagram @daviid.l2.
The approximately 4.5 mile-long rugged coastline
and beautiful rustic beach make for a unique beachfront
with a deep history. Blue Hills, with its extended neighborhood
of Wheeland, remains the most authentic and
truest “Caribbean” part of Providenciales. A diamond in
the rough, a hidden treasure, Blue Hills and Wheeland are
one of my favorite places to be.
Lined with humble homes and churches on one side
and dotted with coconut trees on the coast side, the drive
from Front Road to the end of Wheeland always brings
back memories. Old shacks and huts of small businesses
fill the area with a sense of commerce and hope after the
onslaught of major hurricanes. Pockets of shaded areas
on the beach serve as a refuge for potcake dogs and the
occasional local who can’t resist the cool ocean breeze
for a nap.
Forgive the cliché, but a picture can truly be worth a
thousand words. Kennon Higgs, a Turks & Caicos Islander
and a self-taught drone pilot, photographer, and videographer,
began his photography journey in late 2021.
That’s when he, without any prior photography experience,
bought his first drone and embarked on a mission
of mastery. With the goal of showcasing the Turks &
Caicos Islands’ beauty and culture through the most
organic lens, Kennon aims to hone in on his craft and
continue to capture and share moments that even a thousand
words could not do justice. You can see more of his
work on Instagram @tcidronestudios.
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