Turks and Caicos with Sammy and Dean

  The sea state was short and choppy on the way over to the T& C's ( I had to take some Gravol) but we had a good sail and arrived at the Blue Haven Marina just after breakfast. No sooner had we tied up than the Immigration Officer was on board checking us in to the country and the Customs officer was waiting up at the Marina office, so a quick and easy check in here in the T&C's.

This is the view from our "front porch"

The pool we get to lounge by each afternoon! 

Sammy is happy to be here.

 

A short dingy ride gets us to the beautiful beach of Grace Bay

Grace Bay on a windy day

Lots of good conch at Da Conch Shack

A beautiful setting for lunch 

Calm and shallow Sapodilla Bay. We had anchored here on our way north last year.

Another beach lunch, this time at Bugaloos

   Conch ( pronounced conk) shells are a dime a dozen down here, conch is always on the menu. After our lunch at Bugaloos we wondered out onto the beach where a local man was de-shelling (?) the conk and preparing it for the restaurant. Once the conk is removed from the shell- which they do by hammering off one of the horns and then inserting a sharp knife- they pound the crap out of the conch meat to tenderize it before eating. Below are pictures of the conch meat being removed from the shell. It is quite  amazing what comes out of those lovely shells!

    Looking at these pictures now, I believe the white splattered "bits" on the mans blue shirt are pieces of pounded conch. The two black and white marbled stalk like appendages are apparently the eyes.

   Our week with Sammy and Dean has come to an end. We had a lovely, fun time showing them some of the Island and beaches.  The marina is more like a resort, with it's own beach, pool and gym where Sammy tried to whip me back into shape each morning! ( Thanks Sammy).

   We are anxious to continue our trip south  and it finally looks like we can make a move in that direction. Unfortunately for us we need to go east ( and south) and east is the direction the winds blow from. For the next three or so days the winds look to be light so we will head out this afternoon even though it appears we will be motoring more than sailing.  Fingers crossed our destination is the BVI's but if we can't make it there - due to high winds from the east - then the USVI's or even Puerto Rico will do.

Hanging out at Blue Haven Marina, T&C's