Famous for diving, diving and diving, this very low lying group of islands is surrounded by coral reefs and beautiful blue coloured water. Our marina is very basic, attached to a boat yard, however the laundry very close, clean hot showers and FREE INTERNET. What more could you want!
We decided to hire a car for a couple of days to check out the island, re-provision, and pick up more boats. Providenciale is the most populated of the Caicos and Turks islands, and we were surprised to see much more upmarket development – resorts, expensive shops, curbing and bitumen on the roads. It was quite a contrast to the Bahamas.
Day one was spent cleaning the boat and washing clothes and bedding that seemed very damp and salty after all the wind and rain at George Town, before heading out for dinner at the local Fish Fry. A band was setting up when we arrived, and despite looming thunder clouds in the distance, we were looking forward to a great night. Pete predicted the weather was miles away, so we kicked of our meal with entrees of Mild Jerk Chicken (for the boys) and coconut coated Fried Shrimps for Pete and myself, with a plan to try several different stalls over the course of a couple of hours, listening to the music. Well, not more than 10 minutes after Pete’s weather prediction, the skies opened and the rain came tumbling down! Within minutes, all the stalls shut, despite our attempts to grab some more food, so we headed to a nearby tourist strip for donuts, followed by Pizza at an Irish pub (in that order!).
Day two was spent shopping, then lunch at a beach side restaurant overlooking the reef. After lunch all the boys went snorkelling, whilst I enjoyed my first latte in about 6 weeks!
Tomorrow we will leave the marina (this time definitely at high tide), and then anchor up ready for an early start the following day as we head across the banks to West Caicos for some snorkelling. A short trip across to Salt Cay the next day will then see us “staged” as they call it, for an overnight sail to Luperon in the Dominica Republic which will most likely be our next internet connection. Hopefully weather will treat us nicely again!
Mahia 