Provo? Eh, not so much.

Tiki Hut at Turtle Cove, Provo

Sea Glass at her slip in Turtle Cove Marina

So, here we are tied up at Turtle Cove Marina on the north coast of the island of Providenciales (Provo), Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies. I have always heard what a phenomenally beautiful place this is – a real “don’t miss”. And I guess if we had not just toured some of the most beautiful islands of the Bahamas, I might feel that way too. But quite frankly, so far it plays a distinct second fiddle to places like Staniel or Highbourne Cays in the Exumas or even Little Harbour and Hope Town in the Abacos.

At some point in the recent past (maybe before the American economy collapsed?) there was a bunch of money pumped into construction here, with upscale shopping “town centers”, incredible condos and luxury hotels.  Pretty much looks like an offshore version of Boca Raton, if you ask me. Of course, most of those beautiful storefronts and condos are sitting empty with “for sale or rent” signs on them. We walked around a very upscale shopping area today – and there were probably only 8 other tourists doing the same. Sad.

Then there are the dive boats. I guess there must be some incredible diving here, because there are about 10 dive boats in just this one marina! From a 110’ liveaboard gonzo dive boat – the “Turks & Caicos Aggressor” to a fleet of 35-footers, and even one “semi-submarine” - whatever that is - glass bottom maybe?

Still, the ocean waters are beautiful (when you can see them through the forest of condos) and the people seem friendly enough. The Tiki Hut and Sharkbites Bar are hoppin’ and the temperature is perfect. So, I am definitely not complaining here!

Unfortunately, my ”summer camp” ticket is about punched out and I have to fly back to reality tomorrow. Michael and Fred will be here in Provo for at least a few more days waiting for a weather window to allow them to cross to the Dominican Republic – next stop on the agenda. Hopefully, Great Harbour’s I.T. guy (and Ken’s son) Travis will be flying in to take my place as excess baggage aboard Sea Glass. One of his primary responsibilities will be to get the brand-new and very expensive Single Sideband HF radio to work properly and receive e-mails, weatherfaxes, etc. I have certainly failed miserably in my attempts to figure it out thus far.

Michael will be taking over blogging duties. So, from now on, I will just have to experience the trip vicariously like all of you reading this. Oh well. It has been a fantastic trip and I am sure it will only get better as Michael and Fred travel along the coasts of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Spanish Virgin Islands and on to Tortola. Thanks for everything Michael.

Island Eric