Tag: Caribbean

Eco Adventures in Turks and Caicos

A big blue escape into heaven, the Turks and Caicos archipelago holds many wonders for you to explore. The islands are recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots due to the conditions created by the oldest established salt-pan development in the Caribbean. So if you’re heading out to the islands of wonder, eco tours should be at the top of the list of things to do in Turks and Caicos.

While you hop from island to island exploring its rich biodiversity, it’s essential that you are comfortably based, and Parrot Cay by COMO, Turks & Caicos is just the perfect getaway for you as this premier among luxury resorts in the Caribbean arranges eco tours in affiliation with Big Blue Unlimited, the most comprehensive watersports and eco-tour outfit in the islands. With these tours you will get to visit an 18th Century cotton plantation and get to know about the early agricultural history of the islands; the Kew village where you will be treated to an exotic Turks and Caicos lunch, and then travel to the Flamingo Pond Nature Reserve to see the beloved national bird. The tour also includes visits to Middle Caicos that consists of extensive limestone caves, Mudjin Harbour with its beautiful beaches and cliffs; and go shopping for local handicrafts.

Turks and Caicos boast a wide variety of endemic species and others of international importance such as lizards, snakes, insects and plants. It is also recognized as an important breeding ground. But the real adventure and magic lies underneath its crystal, clear waters. Take a dive and explore Columbus Landfall Marine National Park which has a 1,280 acre area that consists of a barrier reef system with coral walls dropping more than 7,000 feet. Other than the colourful corals, schools of vibrant fish of many species and colours are there to delight you.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world. Google+

A Tropical Adventure

Beach lovers will simply enjoy every moment they spend in the Caribbean. The tropical weather conditions are perfect for a day of adventure and fun activities. The blue seas, sandy beaches and the rows of coconut trees invite you to make the most of this exotic location. The Caribbean is a cluster of more than seven hundred islands, cays, reefs and islets. The main groups of islands are; Lucayan Archipelago, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, Windward Islands and Leeward Antilles. The Caribbean is extremely diverse in terms of language, culture and religion. Although Christianity is the predominant religion in this part of the world, there are those who follow Hinduism, Rastafari, Islam and Voodoo. Languages include English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento, French, Haitian Creole and various other creole languages and dialects.

Apart from the cultural makeup of the country what really attracts tourists to these countries are the outdoor recreational activities available. Scuba Diving and snorkelling is a popular pastime amongst locals and foreigners alike. The beautiful reefs and the clear waters hold a treasure full of diverse marine life and coral species. You can get at the equipment you will need for an underwater excursion, diving schools and rental outlets are abundant and the rental charges are very affordable. Sailing and boating is also possible in the Caribbean, it’s a great way to explore the surrounding islands. The geographical variation in these islands are fascinating, there are mangroves, rivers, rainforests and even volcanoes. St. Kitts, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, Grenada and Guadeloupe are home to some of the most beautiful volcano mountains.

Hiking and kayaking in the Caribbean is a popular activity. The mangroves, rivers and rainforests are home to a range of tropical animals and birds. If you are considering what places to stay in when in the Caribbean look at places like Turks and Caicos Islands in the Lucayan Archipelago. There are several Turks and Caicos luxury resorts to reside in during your vacation. A Turks and Caicos beach resort offers an experience unlike any other; overlooking the beautiful beach the resorts offer a truly relaxing beach vacation. Check out Parrot Cay Turks and Caicos which has villas, suites and is set in their own private island.

 

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

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Extraordinary Experiences

The Caribbean comprises of over 700 islands, islets, reefs and cays. The region is renowned for its diversity of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna amongst which is eight percent of the world’s coral reefs. With all these natural resources at its disposal, the region offers unparalleled sightseeing opportunities. Additionally many historic landmarks going back several centuries add to the sightseeing experience.

One of the most enduring pictures of the Caribbean is its gorgeous beachfront scenery from pristine white sand dotted with palm trees to the pink sands of the Bahamas, the black sand of St Lucia lapped at by clear warm blue water. Although some Caribbean beaches are a little rougher than others, they all provide sightseers with stunning views, idyllic places to laze in the sun and valuable opportunities to indulge in some water sports.

Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, forests and natural landmarks of the Caribbean isles are the other much lauded attractions. Among them are active and dormant volcanoes in the Lesser Anitilles group of islands. The most visited is probably La Soufriere the ‘drive in’ active volcano in St Lucia. The regions’ different forest types with flowering plants and tree species are also a joy to explore. Many have hiking trails. St John’s National Park in US Virgin Islands and El Yunque the 28,000 acre rainforest in Puerto Rico are some of these. Limestone caves are also among the popular natural attractions here while Harrison’s Cave in Barbados is one of the most visited. The largest of its kind, visitors board an electric tram to explore the vast cave system that has spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, a 40 foot waterfall and clear pools and streams.

Among the waterfalls is Diamond Mineral Falls in St Lucia. The result of underground sulphur springs, the waterfall is famous for changing colours throughout the day. Dunn’s River Falls Jamaica, a series of waterfalls dropping from 600 feet is a very popular natural attraction.

The Caribbean’s coastal and underwater scenery as well as marine life is probably its biggest attraction. The caverns and tidal pools among the huge boulders by the sea in the British Virgin Islands referred to as The Baths is a favourite with snorkelers and explorers. Sting Ray City in the Grand Caymans where divers encounter hundreds of tame stingrays at 12 feet has been an extremely popular sightseeing destination for a long time. Non divers get to ride out to a sand bar to snorkel or just stand in the shallow water among the sting rays. Bio Bay a shallow bay surrounded by mangrove forests in Vieques is famous for its micro organisms that emit a blue green light reportedly stronger than a flashlight. Sightseers can swim, kayak or take a trip on an electric boat to see this astounding sight. Buck Island Reef in St Croix has been called ‘the finest marine garden in the Caribbean Sea’. This extraordinary coral reef system is made up of several species of hard coral supports more than 250 species of fish and other marine creatures including leatherback, green and hawks bill turtles. One of the most prominent underwater sights however is the Belize Great Barrier Reef, the longest in the Americas.

The abundance of colonial historic sites means that the Caribbean offers some of the most interesting historic sightseeing. The colonial cities of Havana, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the fortifications of St Juan Puerto Rico, the city of Willemstad in Curacao, St Kitts Brimstone Hill Fortress and the town of St George in Bermuda are the most prominent Caribbean historic destinations. The sites date from end of the 15th century to the 17th and 18th centuries.

Accessed only by boat, Parrot Cay Turks & Caicos provides much sought after privacy and seclusion and offers a thousand ha area and a mile long beach to explore and enjoy the sun and sea. As the only Turks & Caicos beach resort guests can enjoy spacious modern accommodation and a relaxed lifestyle. This Turks & Caicos Luxury resorts offers exceptional services and facilities and Asian inspired therapies to sooth, restore and nourish and guests leave knowing they have had a one of a kind holiday experience.

 

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Bird watching in Turks & Caicos

Renowned as one of the Caribbean’s favorite bird gazing holiday hubs, Turks and Caicos truly packs a punch when it comes to the sheer number of winged inhabitants sheltered within its tropical confines. Regarded as a location where birders can observe the stunning creatures that call this wondrous island home in their natural habitat, there is no finer venue for bird watching in all of the British West Indies than the verdant landscapes of this picturesque island.

Salt Cay is the self-proclaimed bird watching heartland of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and is deemed so due to its meager human population and vast reserves full of salt flats and forests of mangroves. These environmental factors make Salt Cay ideal for bird watching activities and nature excursions as the peace and quiet required for the popular pastime are a given in this idyllic corner of the islands. Visitors can spot migrating birds on their way towards the Bahamas as well as native bird life in the salt flats of the Cay. Highlights include the Yellow Throated Warbler, Mangrove Cuckoos, Bahama Mockingbirds, Bahama Woodstars, Blue Grey Gnatcatchers, and the Belted Kingfisher. Mourning Doves, Great Blue Herons, Smooth Billed Anis and Pink Flamingos are also crowd favorites at the venue in addition to White Cheeked Pintails, American Coots, Black Necked Stilts, Western Sandpipers and American Oystercatchers.

Other bird watching locales in Turks and Caicos include the Northwest Point National Park in Providenciales. Blessed with picture-perfect shores and coastline pelicans, varied seaside bird varieties are also commonly found here while other highlight birds occupying the marshes and mangroves surrounding the park’s two saline ponds include Greater Yellowlegs, Ospreys, Sanderlings, Bank Swallows, Tricolored Herons and Reddish Egrets. Roseate spoonbills, West Indian Whistling Ducks and Yellow Crowned Night Herons are also among the species that call this sanctuary home.

West Harbour Bluff’s covered beaches and hilly terrains on the other hand serve as a lush home to White Tailed Tropic Birds, King Fishers, Brown Pelicans, gulls and Yellow Crowned Night Herons while the Frenchman’s Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve’s mud flats boast Bananaquits, Great Egrets, Antillean Nighthawks, Green Herons and Thick-billed Vireo as well as American Kestrels, Ruddy Turnstones and terns. The 3-mile-long coastline of Frenchman’s Creek National Park is another treasure trove for birders as the area is infested with Willets, Antillean Nighthawks, Reddish Egrets and Yellow Crowned Night Herons.

Travellers in search of the best health and wellness Retreats in Shambhala should look into the COMO Shambhala as an option for all their accommodation needs. Regarded as a premier wellness retreat for holidaymakers and corporate visitors, this stylish rest pulls out all the stops when it comes to a relaxing vacation.

Snorkelling in the Caribbean

Snorkelling in the Caribbean is one of the best ways to pass time during a holiday in this beautiful tourist destination. It is also the easiest way to get a better look at the rich underwater world in the Caribbean islands. If you are looking for Turks and Caicos luxury resorts, there are many options available which also provide facilities to engage in exciting snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea. Parrot Cay Turks & Caicos is a luxury Turks and Caicos beach resort which would let you make the most of your holiday to the Caribbean. Most of the resorts will rent out all the snorkelling equipments to their guests and sometime provide trained snorkelling guides to take you to the best snorkelling sites in the area. Apart from exploring the rich underwater world in the Caribbean, you can also discover some of the exciting remnants, ship wrecks during your snorkelling expedition which would give you unforgettable memories of a perfect beach holiday.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+

Kayak Adventure In Turks & Caicos

The Turks and Caicos Islands actually consists of two separate groups of islands- the Caicos Islands, which is the larger of the two, and the Turks Islands. They are a British Overseas Territory (although the currency used in the islands is the US dollar) and are situated near the Bahamas. The islands are a famous tourist destination and enjoy pleasant weather almost throughout the year making it a nice place to visit in all seasons. This is the ideal place to try out a variety of water sports.

Kayaking is an activity that is popular throughout the world. It requires a little skill and exertion but can be loads of fun. One popular activity in the Turks & Caicos Islands is exploring the mangroves by kayak. The mangrove regions are bustling with all sorts of marine life just waiting to be discovered. Here one can encounter a variety of fish such as the Checkered Pufferfish, Lemon Sharks, Needlefish, Bonefish and Sergeant Majors, as well as a variety of birds including the Brown Pelican (the country’s national bird), the American Oystercatcher, Egrets and Herons.

A trip can last anywhere between a few hours to a day or two- interested tourists can get packages that include kayaking and camping. Scuba diving is another ‘must do’ activity. The waters in the region are filled with strange and wonderful aquatic life and scuba diving gives one a close up view of this exotic marine world. Those who would rather not go scuba diving can instead try snorkelling, which takes place at shallower depths. While it does not give the same exposure to the marine world, it can still be a fun and rewarding experience.

Tourists looking for good Turks and Caicos luxury resorts can try a place like the Parrot Cay Turks & Caicos. Rank amongst the finest luxury resorts in the Caribbean, it is an excellent place to stay. The hotel is located by the sea, offering guests easy access to the gorgeous, silvery ocean. Providing friendly service and a plethora of top notch services, guests are sure to enjoy their stay here.

 

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Discovering the Fascinating Array of Plants and Animals of the Caribbean

While the Caribbean may be known for its stunning beaches, its islands and the surrounding waters are also home to rich flora and fauna. One of the best ways to experience this natural treasure is by staying at luxury resorts in the Caribbean such as Parrot Cay Turks & Caicos which also give you the chance to enjoy the very best the region has to offer. Amongst the leading Turks and Caicos luxury resorts, it makes an ideal base from which to set out on your excursions to the islands. Named as a biodiversity hotspot by Conservation International, the Caribbean islands have diverse ecosystems both blow and above the water. Costus speciosus which is a type of marsh plant, calabash fruit and bromeliads that can be found in Dominica’s rainforest are a few of the many plant species here. On your travels around the islands you will also come across such wildlife species as iguanas, crabs, tropical geckos and not forgetting the endangered leatherback, loggerhead, hawksbill and green turtles.

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Water Sports in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is the perfect place for an exquisite and lavishing holiday where you could glide along the turquoise blue waters and making the best out of the breathtaking ambiance. The clear waters of the Caribbean have smartly attracted thousands of tourists who love a beautiful tan under the exotic Caribbean sun. While you are on vacation to this miraculously breathtaking destination there are plenty of things to keep you busy. The water sports are one of the main things that would certainly entertain you and keep you very busy throughout your Caribbean holiday.

The beaches are equipped with most modern water sport equipment and staff to guide you and train you at all times. Snorkeling in the crystal clear ocean is a great way you can spend your days. You will get to swim along with the colorful and vibrant fish gliding beside the multihued corals and other forms of life that will give you a unique and unforgettable experience. The islands have special places with vivid form of underwater life that is sure to give the adventures much knowledge. Board sports like, windsurfing, kite boarding are some of the very popular excursions that tourists love to do. The travelers have fallen in love with surfing along the warm and calm waters that suits perfectly for water sports. Kite boarding has become the latest addition to the fun activities in the beach.

Waterskiing and jet skiing are also very thrilling sports that are sure to give you some of the best times of your life. In this truly beautiful island flocked with absolutely beautiful people there’s everything that will keep you excited and smiling. Among the many water activities, parasailing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving are the top on the list of tourists and indeed is worth a try if you are visiting the spectacular islands of Caribbean. To make your vacation even more fantastic you should try a luxury resorts in the Caribbean. Parrot Cay Turks & Caicos remains the best Turks and Caicos luxury resorts in the Caribbean and would surely keep you comfortable and spoilt treating you at its best while you are to stay.