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Turks Caicos Information

New PLS Terminal On Schedule For Winter 2014 Completion

The Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority recently issued a press release with details on the $10 million dollar Providenciales International Airport (PLS) expansion project that is currently underway. With construction teams working around the clock, the new terminal project is nearly 75% completed and is still on schedule for a winter 2014 completion date. The enhanced PLS airport will be nearly double the size of the old terminal. Travelers will be able to enjoy expanded check-in counter areas and self check in facilities, additional bathrooms, larger space for shops and restaurants, and a larger departure lounge.

N. domestic checkin entrance (2)

Check-in Kiosk have already arrived and have been installed for passenger usage. Passengers with no luggage can now check in at the kiosk, print their boarding pass and continue through the security check point with ease. Passengers with baggage can still use the check in kiosk, then continue to the counter to drop off their baggage before going through the security check point.

TCIAA Check-in Kiosk

 

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Sands Employee Profiles

Introducing Mona Beeson, Sands May Superstar

Mona Beeson, Sands Manager

We were excited when so many Sands employees were nominated to receive Star Awards earlier this year.

So, to give our friends and guests with an inside look at how “locals” spend their free time our island in the Caribbean, we’re profiling our “superstar” staff and learn what they love about life on Provo.

This month we introduce Star Awards winner Mona Beeson, General Manager at The Sands on Grace Bay.

Mona is originally from California, and has lived on Provo for seven years.

How do you like to spend your free time in Provo?

I like to explore beaches around Providenciales.  Grace Bay Beach is truly wonderful and so vast, nice snorkeling sights all up and down the beach.   I also enjoy the exquisite Taylor Beach for its privacy and calm bay, Northwest Point beaches for a lot of little hideaways, and Long Bay Beach for its breezes and great views.

In Provo, I also enjoy hitting my favorite restaurant spots for drinks and dinner or a nice afternoon brunch with friends and family.

What is one “must-do” or “must-see” attraction for tourists to experience in Provo?

Explore Middle Caicos! A big must, and so close by.  It’s a great day trip.

To get there, take a short trip on the ferry to North Caicos.

Next, rent a car at North Caicos to drive to Middle Caicos and take in the sights along the way (and be sure to ask at the Ferry Office for a map beforehand).

On the drive from North to Middle Caicos, there is a lot to see including the Flamingo Pond view point. It’s a great place to take a rest and watch the gorgeous birds.

At Middle Caicos, explore the caves and cliffs at Blue Horizon Resort. But don’t forget to drive further down to the Indian Caves.

After that, Bambarra Beach is a great stretch of white sand beach, and is the perfect place to take a nice picnic basket and spend the day swimming in that lovely turquoise water.

Take a picnic lunch – it is perfect for this kind of trip.  Or stop by one of the restaurants for local flavor, drinks and fantastic service and incredible ocean views.

Are there any favorite places you can recommend for families?

Bugaloo’s in Five Cays is one of my favorite places, great fun for families, and offers delicious local foods, good service and plenty of music to dance to.  The restaurant is right on the beach, and is very kid friendly, so you can relax in the restaurant itself or, if the kids get bored and restless they can play on the beach while you sit and relax since seating is also right on the beach.

Sundays are busy from lunch to dinner – it is a local favorite.

What kind of local Turks & Caicos food or drinks would you recommend that Provo visitors try?

Anyone who ever visits the Turks and Caicos has to try conch salad and conch fritters at least once – these local “comfort foods” are very delicious.  Fried snapper is also one of my favorites.  Snapper is caught fresh here in TCI and used in most restaurants.  And, try the Jerk Chicken and Pork, served at most local restaurants, though my favorite spot for jerk is at Chinson’s up on the hill off Leeward Highway.

A cold Turks Head beer hits the spot, and Bambarra reserve rum is smooth and delicious.

The FOTTAC (Flavors Of The Turks And Caicos) store is at the Regent Village, and has all the Bambarra products available to take home. From rum, to wines, gifts and souvenirs, rum cakes, and hot sauces to hand made soaps and baskets from the Islands.

Besides Hemingway’s, are there any other island restaurants that you like?

Las Brisas, which overlooks Chalk Sound National Park has a very nice menu, with a romantic atmosphere and cool breezes.  It’s a bit of a drive from Grace Bay, but it’s worth it.

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Turks Caicos Information

South Caicos Airport Due for Expansion

snorkeling just off south caicos

It’s getting even easier to travel around the beautiful cays and islets strung across the azure seas of the Turks  and Caicos.

The Turks and Caicos airport authority will get started with plans to dramatically enhance South Caicos airport when expansion of the Providenciales International Airport is completed in late 2014.

The airport expansion here on Providenciales is expected to double the size of the PLS terminal.

The best part? An larger check-in counter area, and quicker self check in facilities. If you’re in the mind to buy souvenirs or grab some local cuisine, the new and improved Provo airport is going to feature larger retail space for shops and restaurants.

There will also be a larger departure lounge, but we don’t want to talk about that. We hate seeing you go!

As for South Caicos, the small cay is trip through time to a fascinating and unspoiled part of the Caribbean. The settlement is long overdue for an upgraded airport that will allow larger aircraft to deliver supplies for residents and visitors alike.

The island hosts the annual South Caicos Regatta, a large celebration that features parties, boat races, and other games.

The Caicos Regatta dates back to February 1966, when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip visited South Caicos on board the beautiful (and now sadly retired) royal yacht HMS Britannia.

It was the first royal visit to TCI (still a British Overseas Territory even today), and of the people attending thought the “SAIL PAST – SALUTE” of the local sloops were the highlights of the day.

Learn more about the fascinating history of the South Caicos Regatta here.

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Turks Caicos Information

Paradise Photography Helps Plan A Surprise Proposal at The Sands at Grace Bay

Paradise Photography is a boutique photography company in the Turks & Caicos that offers guests of the Sands on Grace Bay a variety of photography services including engagements, marriage proposals, and babymoon photo sessions.  In particular, our proposal sessions include a private consultation with the groom to help develop and plan an overall strategy for his surprise proposal.  We recently conducted one of these surprise proposal sessions for a guest of The Sands at Grace Bay – Mark Milner.  Mark wanted to do the proposal and engagement photo shoot over two days at two separate locations, including sites around The Sands property.

On day one, Mark pre-arranged for a “fake” taxi pickup by one of our photographers who took Mark and his fiancé’-to-be, Anna, to a remote location under the guise that Mark wanted to simply enjoy a sunset with Anna on an unnamed remote beach in Leeward.  James Roy of Paradise Photography picked Mark and Anna up in a white SUV, which looked like most island taxis.  When we arrived to our secluded beach, Mark asked if I would take a quick photo of him and Anna with his cell phone.  I said that I was also a part time photographer and that I happened to have my camera with me, and that the photo would be better if I used my equipment.  Mark and I had agreed to this arrangement one month before during my phone consultation with him.  We felt that it would be easier for me to get the best angle if I did not have to sneak around in the bushes trying to get the proposal from a hidden position.  Our plan was a complete success, because Anna said “yes,” the sunset was magnificent, the photos were amazing; but more importantly, Anna did not suspect that all of this was set up beforehand.  After Anna said yes, Mark told her that I was really a professional photographer and that the entire trip had been prearranged.

mark 1

We spent day two on the beautiful grounds of The Sands.  We shot around some of the more interesting areas including the open air front lobby with its white Barbadian coral limestone pillars and gorgeous soft lighting.  Another picturesque spot was the intimate hammock lounge tucked inside a grove of coconuts just outside the front lobby on the property grounds.  The beautifully manicured pools were a great backdrop for additional romantic images of the newly engaged couple.  Even around the outside of Hemingway’s Restaurant and bar proved to be an intriguing backdrop.  To top off the shoot, I took Mark and Anna to The Sand’s pristine stretch of Grace Bay Beach.  We usually conduct day two of a multi-day shoot during the late morning and early afternoon, in order to capture the vibrant blue colors of the water and sky that contrast against the bright white soft sand of Grace Bay Beach.  Needless to say, Mark and Anna were not disappointed.  The surprise was well worth the effort to create a magnificent proposal photo shoot that will provide Mark and Anna with lasting memories of their engagement in tropical paradise.

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