Monday, July 27, 2020

Turks & Caico Islands (KAY-kos)

Turks & Caico Islands Flag



Why visit Turks & Caicos?
For their bird sanctuaries, conch, coral reefs, crystal blue waters, deep-sea fishing, golf, scuba diving, sea kayaking, relaxation, shopping, snorkeling, solitude, whale watching, and white-sand beaches.


At a Glance
  • Souvenirs to Buy: Camera, conch pearls, electronics, fine porcelain, grass goods, jewelry, local handicrafts, native straw goods, sculptures, shells, and silk paintings.

History
  • In 1492, sighted by Christopher Columbus but not recorded until 1512 by Ponce de Leon.
  • In 1962, astronaut John Glenn's Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft landed along the shorelines of Grand Turk.
  • In 1673, Balfour Town was established as a salt trade.
  • In 1964, the Salt Production industry ceased.
  • In 1992, the government set aside protected areas, land and sea areas for: turtle breeding, seabird sanctuaries and wetlands.


Photo Credit: Derek Oyen/Pixabay



Fun Facts
  • The name derives from early Settlers who thought the islands' flowering cactus resembled the red fez worn by Turkish men and string of islands, cayos in Spanish.
  • Consist of 40 islands, islets and cays. Although, only eight of the islands are inhabitable: Grand Turk, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Parrot Cay, Pine Cay, Providenciales (aka: Provo), Salt Cay and South Caicos.
  • Caicos is the larger and Turks smaller island.
  • Geographically, contiguous of The Bahamas however politically separated.
  • Hosts the world's third largest coral reef.
  • Evaporated of seawater Salt Cay is known for their natural salt resource.
  • The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) has ranked the islands among the Top 5 Most Popular Scuba Destinations.
  • Features the world's only conch farm.
  • Locals refer to themselves as "Belongers".
  • Their music is often referred as "Rake 'n' Scrape" (aka: Ripsaw). Which requires a metal scraper or nail being raked over a handsaw's teeth as the blade is bent. 

Special Holidays/Occasions
  • Annual Events: (February) Valentine’s Day Cup, (March) Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament, (April) Kite Flying Competition, (May) Big South Regatta, Caicos Classic Annual Release Tournament, Conch Festival, (July) Caribbean House Evolution Music Festival, (November) Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, Conch Festival, and (December) Maskanoo.
  • Holidays: New Year's Day, Commonwealth Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, National Heroes' Day, Monarchs Official Birthday, Emancipation Day, National Youth Day, National Heritage Day, National Day of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Boxing Day.

Good to Know
  • Salt Cay between January - March is ideal for diving and whale watching.
  • Parrot Cay & Pine Cay, features an 800 acre private resort.
  • You may enjoy reading, The Turks & Caicos Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Islands by Stephen Pavlidis, World Atlas of Coral Reefs or Reef Fish Identification written by Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach.
  • You could be inspired after watching, Extraordinary People (Documentary) or Bahama Passage (1941).
  • The climate is hot and dry.
  • "Blue Holes" are briny pools and pocked by sinkholes on the island.
  • Do not leave valuables unattended in public areas.
  • Avoid evening exploration.
  • Does not always have a Pathologist available for autopsies, which tends to cause delays. 
  • Traffic drives on the left.
  • Seatbelts are mandatory.
  • Has no public transportation.
  • Do not purchase black coral or sea turtle goods.

  Hurricane Season is  from June - November, their encounter usually occurs towards the end of August - September.

  • Coolest Season: December - February
  • Hottest: July - September 
  • Peak Season: Mid December - April
  • Shoulder Season: April - May

Your Must-See & Do
  • Museums: Turks & Caicos National Museum (Grand Turk) and National Environmental Centre (Providenciales).
  • Popular Attractions: Caicos Conch Farm ((Providenciales), Cheshire Hall Plantation (Providenciales), Cockburn Town (Grand Turk), Conch Bar Cave System (Middle Caicos), Governor's House (Grand Turk), Grace Bay Beach (Providenciales), St Thomas Church (Grand Turk) and Wades Green (North Caicos). 


Photo Credit: kbmars/Pixabay 



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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.  

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