Turks & Caicos Islands : Updates
May 2009, Amendments to the First Edition
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
pages 2, 61 & inside cover: Electricity
Should read ’110-120 volts 60Hz’
page 16: Government and politics
Following a Commission of Inquiry into alleged TCI internal government irregularities, in order to introduce necessary reforms the Governor is predicted to declare a temporary partial suspension of the Constitution with effect from 31 May 2009. The action is anticipated to have no direct bearing on tourism.
PLANNING & PREPARATION, & SALT CAY
page 49: Getting Around, and page 175: Getting there, Salt Cay
Air Turks and Caicos has taken over Sky King. Flights from Providenciales to and from Salt Cay are normally routed through Grand Turk. Operating subject to sea conditions the thrice-weekly ferry service linking Salt Cay with Grand Turk, journey time approx 1hr, is currently rather quaintly priced -- $10 male, $6 female, one-way, under-12s free. Alternatively the dive companies can arrange passage (contact them direct).
PROVIDENCIALES
page 86: Getting around
On Provo the Gecko bus has ceased operation.
page 88: Where to stay
In Providenciales during the last six months several new accommodation options have opened. These include two adjacent oceanfront condo-resorts in the western section of Grace Bay:
Wymara Resort and Spa (91rooms) Lower Bight Rd; tel: (649) 941 7555; US toll-free tel: 877 774 3253; www.gansevoortturksandcaicos.com. Resort managed by Gansevoort (flagship hotel in the Meatpacking district of Manhattan); über-cool; dining New York style in Bagatelle Bistro; Exhaleindoor-outdoor spa; fitness centre. $$$$
West Bay Club (46 suites) Lower Bight Rd; tel (649) 946 8550, US toll-free tel: 866 607 4156; www.thewestbayclub.com. Atlantic Bar & Grill featuring outdoor cooking station; twist her arm & chef Liz Tracey will gut & prepare a guest-caught fish; Spa Tropique; fitness centre; wedding specials. $$$$
And in central Grace Bay:
Regent Grand (23 suites) tel: (649) 941 7770, US toll-free tel: 877 537 3314; www.theregentgrand.com. Both this resort & the nearby golf club are managed by the same company, who offer discount green fees & complimentary transportation to & from club for guests. No restaurant yet at this resort; pool bar; on-site Teona Spa; fitness centre; tennis; bicycles $$$$
A new mid-range option is:
Grace Bay Suites (18 studios, 6 1-bedroom suites) Grace Bay Rd, adjacent to Salt Mills Plaza; tel: (649) 941 7447, US toll-free tel: 877 320 5559 (office hrs 8am—8pm only); email: info@gracebaysuites.com; www.gracebaysuites.com.; $$$; budget deals sometimes available; No sea view but 5-min walk from beach; lift; small pool; well-equipped rooms, each with either balcony or patio; small pool; TV; free wireless internet; kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave & coffeemaker. Budget deals sometimes available. No restaurant but cafés nearby, inc Danny Buoy`s, who will deliver drinks & meals.
The current economic climate notwithstanding, hotel occupancy remains remarkably healthy in TCI, but special offers are sometimes available. In (high season) winter 2009 the pretty Caribbean Paradise Inn (page 93); tel: (649) 946 5020; email: inn@paradise.tc; www.caribbean-paradise-inn.com; a French-owned boutique hotel only steps away from Grace Bay, was offering spacious doubles, each with leafy balcony or patio, fridge & coffee-maker, for $135 B& (plentiful) continental b/fast. Recommended..
For general information regarding discounted hotel rooms It`s always worth checking, either with the chosen establishment or through the Tourism office, now relocated at: Regent Grand Village, Grace Bay (across the street from Salt Mills Plaza, upper floor, enter via stairs at rear.) www.turksandcaicostourism.com; tel: (649) 946 4970
Beaches all-inclusive resort (page 94) has expanded its Pirates’ Island Waterpark, adding a lazy river; surf simulator; new waterslides (now totalling 9); water cannons; pop-up jets; ‘tiny tots’ pool.
page 96: Where to eat
In Provo new restaurants include:
Lemon Café Grace Bay Village; tel: (649) 942 4059; www.lemoncafe.tc; open:11am—3pm Mon-- & 6pm –10pm Mon—Sat. Moroccan cuisine: tagines, merguez sausage etc. $$$
Opus (formerly Gecko Grill at Ocean Club East) tel: (649) 946 5885; www.ocean-club.com; open till11pm daily. International/Caribbean cuisine; extensive wine bar. $$
Chez Wou (previously Hey José) Unit R—11, Central Sq, Leeward Hwy; tel: (649) 941 7203; open11.30am—3pm & 5—11pm daily; mc & visa;. Wide selection of Chinese dishes: stir fry; noodles; rice; with seafood, pork, chicken or tofu. M/card & Visa. $$
JoJo’s Café Windsong Resort, Stubbs Rd; tel: (649) 941 7700. Salads; toasted sandwiches; pizza.
Carambola Airport Hotel; tel: (649) 946 8122. Shrimp tempura; grouper; pork chops. $$
(The two below are not new but were previously not mentioned:)
Seaside Café at Ocean Club West tel: (649) 946 5886 is open to non-residents; access from the beach; great breakfast; lunch & early dinner; open7am—9pm daily (happy hour 4—6pm). $$
Caribbean Delight a small take-away in Neptune Court, Dolphin Road (adjacent to Grace Bay Pharmacy) serves b/fast, lunch (lobster salad; chicken sandwich; shrimp pasta) & early dinner 8am—9pm daily; some tables & seating available in the courtyard.$
page 99
Gilley’s at Leeward marina has closed. (Gilley’s at Providenciales airport remains open; info.unchanged)
page 103: Shopping, Food and drink
In March 2009 a branch of IGA supermarket, Graceway Gourmet, opened in the central area of Grace Bay (adjacent to Neptune Court, on Dolphin Rd; open 9am—9pm). Conveniently located for self-caterers in the beach resorts it carries a wide selection of fresh produce and prepared foods, ‘Fresh Bakery & Bistro’ recently opened at Prestige Place, on Grace Bay Road, opposite the Casablanca Casino; tel: (649) 345 4745; email: info@freshprovo.com; open 7am—7pm Mon--Fri; 7am—6pm Sat; closed Sun. Cakes, breads, soups, sandwiches, hot lunch; eat-in/take-out; catering; deliveries. 15% discount on bakery goods 4—6pm
page 106: Communications
An internet facility close to Provo airport:
JSD Internet Café Walkin Marine Building #1; Old Airport Rd; email: jsdproducts@tciway.tc; open 9am—9pm Mon—Sat, 10am—4pm Sun.; $5 first hr & $2 per subsequent hr.
page 106: Medical facilities
In addition to Grace Bay Medical Centre (GP & nurse normally available 8am—5pm Mon—Fri; 8am—1pm Sat; closed Sun), Neptune Court complex also includes a veterinary surgery; and LENS medicaleye clinic (Unit 101; tel: (649) 941 5983; cell: (649) 244 2340; email: lensdoctors@yahoo.com; open 8.30am—5.30pm Mon—Sat; Amex, Visa, M/cd; optometrist in attendance.
page 119: National Environmental Centre
Opposite the National Environmental Centre, a spacious beachfront recreational space, The Bight Park, is now operational, featuring a botanical garden, children’s playground, public lavatories, picnic area and car park, giving open access to Princess Alexandra Marine Park and its great snorkeing.
MIDDLE CAICOS
page 135: Where to eat & drink
Daniel’s Café New hours: closed Mon—Wed; 11am—8pm Thurs (fish fry); 11am—8pm Fri (lunch & dinner-with-music; lobster tails); 7am—10pm Sat, all day ’full-works’; 10am—3pm Sun (brunch/lunch incl. in season, lobster many ways). Freshly baked bread.
page 135: Shopping & other practicalities
Middle Caicos Co-op New hours: 10am—4pm Thurs -- Sat (or by appt; group visits; handicraft demonstrations)
page 135: Activities
Middle Caicos Sailing Association: First Saturday each month: demonstration and instruction with model boats on beautiful Bambarra Beach; 1—4pm.
GRAND TURK
page 162: Getting around
Non-cruise visitors to Grand Turk should note that it`s difficult to find a taxi for hire when a ship is in port. Advance booking is therefore recommended but unfortunately not foolproof.
page 162: Where to stay
Grand Turk Inn As a result of severe damage from Hurricane Ike in autumn 2008, the Grand Turk Inn sadly has closed.
SALT CAY
Rumoured development plans for lonely Salt Cay should become clearer later in 2009; meanwhile the adventurous in search of a time-locked experience should not leave it too long.
page 176: Where to stay
Windmills Plantation too is now unlikely to be re-opened.
page 178: Where to eat & drink
The Green Flash Café was destroyed by Hurricane Ike and there is so far no indication it will be rebuilt.
Delicious home-baked bread is available to order from both Netty’s, across from Island Thyme restaurant, and Pat Simmons’s Island Store on Victoria Street.
page 180: Activities
It should be noted that the shallow South Creek is an excellent spot for wading and picnicking, and especially good for very small children. There`s very little shade, so go prepared. Don`t miss the lovely old Government House nearby. A small swimming hole is hidden in the rocks beyond the casuarina trees just north of the White House.