Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos

Providenciales

North and Middle Caicos

Miami

May 28-June 4, 2011

Day 1

We had an early flight out of IAH  (Houston) so we drove down the night before and stayed near the airport (we live 1.5 hours from the airport).  We still had to get up early 4 a.m. for our 6 a.m. flight.  We flew American airlines.  I think a first for us. Flight to Miami, then onto Providenciales. 

We rented a car from Avis.  A tiny red car.  The gas is more expensive there than in the states (I think about $5.60 a gallon).  We used one tank of gas during the trip.  We did do a lot of driving.

It was raining when we landed, just a drizzle.  I am used to outside airports where you walk down the metal stairs they roll up, what I wasn’t aware of is that when you land in Providenciales how far away the plane is from the actual airport.(lol).  Also, they aren’t too keen on you taking any photos of the airport.  I knew this on the inside, but I wasn’t aware on the outside.  Glad I had my camera put away before I was told to put it away.  Customs really wasn’t bad.  We were in line maybe 20 minutes and this included a bathroom break.  They had a live band playing to welcome us to the island!

 We stayed at Silver Palms Cottage on Long Bay Beach.

 http://www.vrbo.com/337680

The house was in a great location.  Ocean front and was in a quiet neighborhood.  Tatum and her husband, Wesley met us at the airport to take us to the house.  She stopped at both grocery stores to show us where they were.  The house was perfect for us.  It had everything we needed and more.   The house is also really close to Grace Bay and most of the restaurants.  So after settling in we went to check out the beach.  So beautiful!!!  From the porch you could see the different colors of the water against the dark clouds.  I really have never seen water so pretty!  I had already planned for us to go get supplies at the grocery store then eat dinner at sunset on Grace Bay.  The food there is more expensive there than at home.  I did my research (Tripadvisor) and knew to take some food etc.  This was a good plan.  After we dropped of the food at the house we went to Somewhere for dinner.  We really liked the restaurant.  Very causal.  A good place to watch the sunset. 

Day 2

Day 2 started with breakfast on the beach…  this happened every morningJ

This morning we went to Taylor Bay and Chalk Sound.  We did a lot of driving around looking at the houses.  Chalk Sound was very pretty.  We had planned on kayaking Chalk Sound but never got to it.  Taylor Bay was very pretty.  No one was at the beach when we were there.  We went to Smith Reef to try and snorkel but a storm came up.  So back to the house for lunch.  Nap and long walk on the beach after the rain passed.  Then onto Pelican Beach.  I really thought this beach was very pretty.  One of my favorites.  A few more people here like 10 people.LOL .  Tonight we ate dinner in.

Day 3

Breakfast on the beach again.  We went back to Smith’s reef to snorkel without rain.  Very good snorkeling here.  Not as bright coral as at Grace Bay, but easy access and no people.  Went back to house for lunch.  This afternoon we drove to Da Conch Shack (we didn’t eat here) did buy two conch shells.  We drove up the Millennium Highway, just sightseeing.  We came back to the house to regroup and then to Grace Bay for the sunset which was so pretty!

Day 4

This morning we were up early to catch the 6:30 a.m. ferry to North and Middle Caicos.  The ferry takes about 30 minutes, we were met by Susan with our rental (http://www.pelicanbeach.tc/) did a little paper work and we were on our way.  Our first stop was to see the Flamingos at Flamingo Pond.  I could not wait to see them.  However…..  You really need binoculars to really get a good look.  You can see some closer up if you drive the back roads to Three Mary Cays, which we did.  We even saw a few flying…seemed odd to see big pink birds in the air..:)   The roads are pretty rough in some areas (the dirt roads) Three May Cays is very beautiful.  We were the only people on the beach.  We decided to drive to Middle from here.  There is a road connecting Middle and North.  It has a lot of damage from hurricanes but is drivable.  We stopped next at the Indian Cave.  It looked like a set from a movie.  We took a few pictures then moved onto Bambarra Beach.  We only saw 4 people here.  There is a Cay, Pelican Cay that you can walk out to.  The water is only thigh high. It takes maybe 30 minutes to walk to it.  Saw two starfish and found sand dollars.  This is a must-do if you go to Middle.

Next on the itinerary was Mudjin Harbour.  THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!  If we ever go to T & C again we will stay here. http://bhresort.com/

Here you find Dragon Cay which you can walk to.  We found a lot of shells on this beach.

The secret beach is SO NEAT and beautiful.  We spent the most of our time here.  On the way back to the ferry we stopped at Horsetable Beach for one last glimpse.  We decided to take the 4:30 ferry back.  I think 5:30 is the last ferry.  I do want to add that they have a store and restrooms at the ferry dock.  They will make you lunches for the day also.  We decided to bring an ice chest and lunch for the day.

Arrived back in Provo then went to Grace Bay for sunset.  It was AMAZING tonight!!!

Day 5

Breakfast on the beach.  This morning we went to Grace Bay to snorkel Coral Gardens.  We loved snorkeling here.  A few more people are always here, like 20 total on the whole beach.LOL I really would have wanted to get pictures of the coral and fish but out brand new underwater camera broke on the second day. Nice huh?  We have done a little snorkeling in other islands and I think so far this was the best snorkeling.  Lunch today was at Pizza Pizza.  They have great pizza very laid back.  After eating we walked around Salt mills and Port of Call for shopping.  Raining this afternoon.  Good weather for a nap!  Drove to Juba Sound and looked at the houses. Stopped at Cooper Jack beach which I assume is a local hang out?  I wouldn’t suggest taking the time to go here.  The rain lasted through sunset, so we stayed in for the evening.

Day 6

Breakfast on the beach… I sense a patternJ  We drove back to Pelican Beach and walked to the Leeward side.  Loved this beach..only 2 or 3 people and 2 doggiesJ. Stayed here for most of the morning.  A lot of good shells here.

Went to Salt mills Diner for lunch.  We really liked this place for lunch.  Looks like a malt shop. Did a little more shopping.  Back to the room to pack or sort of before our last day.  Spent time on our beach (Long Bay Beach) then went to the Ocean Club to eat at Cabana Bar and Grill.   If you tell them you are eating at one of the restaurant s they will open the gate for you to drive to the back of the resort. Good place to watch sunset on Grace Bay.  Causal outdoor eating.

Day 7

Breakfast on the beach.  This morning we went back to Smith’s reef for more snorkeling.  Weather was perfect and had a great time.  Lunch again at Salt mills diner.  Back to the room for the afternoon/finish packing etc.  Rain this afternoon.  Finally cleared up in time for sunset.  We tried to find outdoor restaurants on Grace Bay open but due to the rain they were not open, or at least the ones we tried to go to.  So we decided to get Pizza and go to the room!

Day 8 –Going home

Breakfast on the beach for our last time…  walked on the beach one last time then finished up the packing and left for the airport a little early.  We returned our car to Avis and went through security.  This was all really easy and there were only about 10 people in the airport.  I knew from researching to arrive early to get seats and go through security.  We arrived around 11 p.m. and our flight wasn’t until 1.  You do need to arrive early.  By the time we were boarding it was  VERY crowded with many people sitting on the floor.  Our flight to Miami was smooth.  We normally don’t check our luggage but with a long layover in Miami we decided to.  You do have to recheck your luggage once in Miami.  After doing that we stored our backpack in the storage area in the airport and took the airport flyer (I think it’s called that) to South Beach.  We ate at Oh Mexico, did a little sightseeing and shopping.  Then back to the airport for our 10 p.m. flight. 

We loved T & C!  We would go back in the future.  I think Middle was our favorite overall.

Tips: Take a back up camera (we had one break and one went swimming)

Take less clothes and more money

Take snacks

Take your own snorkel gear if resort doesn’t offer it.  Less expensive than renting.

Go to North and Middle for a day trip

Play/feed a Potcake

Eat the local made ice cream

San Antiono, Texas

We decided to take a mini holiday last weekend  (while Gary had a break in school) to celebrate our 20th anniversary coming up on the 23rd. We visited the hotel we honeymooned in..Memories...  We stayed at the  Omni La Mansion del Rio.  Really liked the hotel. Longer vacation coming in May...  so ready

Kauai/Ohau

Kauai

November 13-27, 2004

November 13-Saturday

Left Brenham at 4:30 a.m. for  an early flight out. We made it to the airport in good time.  Short flight to LAX, only had about 15 minutes for a bathroom break and snack break...I  bought a Snowman ornament. (My 2004 ornament)

Good flight from LAX to HNL.  We had to wait a hour or so for our connecting flight to Kauai.  Started raining when we landed in Oahu..  We made it to Kauai…picked up the rental car. Then onto the beach house.  The roads were steep and curvy.  Drove in the pitch black...no street lights.  A little disappointed with the beach house.  It's in a great location but had too many insects inside and a lizard or two.

November 14-Sunday

This morning up around 7:30 had our coffee on the back porch.  Raining a little.  Walked across the street to the beach.  It is overcast and is suppose to rain most of the day.  Today we drove around mostly.  Went to Kapaa..  Looked around and did a little shopping.  Next we went to the Kilauea Lighthouse.  Very neat with great views.  We stopped at the Secret Beach to get a view of Bali Hai (Where South Pacific was filmed).  Next on the itinerary was Princeville.  Princeville is very pretty.  I would love to stay here on our next visit.  Enjoyed Lappert’s ice cream.  So delicious.  We went to Ha'ena State Park next to check out the Kalalau Trail .  It will be pretty tough, but I think we can do it.  Hope for clear skies. (I now know is considered one of America’s Most Dangerous Hikes –Backpacker Magazine) We had dinner at the Beach house tonight.  We went to walk on the beach before sunset.  Saw a few surfers.   Pretty neat.  It is very pretty here.

November 15-Monday

Up around 7:30 No rain this morning but it is overcast.  Went to Queen’s Bath (Princeville) shopped in Hanalei had lunch at Bubba’s Burgers. Lumahai Beach was next on the itinerary. Did a little shelling, spent the afternoon here.  Stopped at Coconut Market for some shopping before headed back to the beach house for the evening.  Dinner in.  Cool this evening on the beach.

Cloudy/rain showers

November 16-Tuesday

Up at sunrise, a little too cloudy to really see it.  Went to Kappa to kayak on the Waimea River.  You kayak the river, and then hike (about 40 minutes) to a secret waterfall.  So pretty had lunch here.   One of the highlights of the trip.

After most of the day kayaking, we drove to Opaekaa Falls.  Drove by Coco Palms Resort, where Blue Hawaii was filmed.  Back to the room for a little rest.  Went to Hanalei for dinner.  Had Mexican food (best of the trip, but I  failed to write the name of restaurant down) we had a table outside.  In bed around 10 pm. 

Pretty all day/sunny- only rained during dinner.

November 17- Wednesday

Up around 6am, suppose to rain for most of the day so deciding what to do.  Maybe a drive to the South shore?  Hope the weather clears before our hiking trip.

Ate at Tropical Tacos at Po’ipu.  Decided to drive to the East side of the island.  Stopped at Coco palms so I could have my photo opt.  Then to Wailua Falls (Fantasy island Falls)  Drove by Lyngate Park.  In Po’ipu saw spouting horn and tree tunnel.  Drove through old down Koloa, Hiked in Waimea Canyon (called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  Then drove to Polihale Beach where some of South Pacific was filmed.  Stayed for sunset.  Stopped at Safeway on our way back to house. 

Rained off and on all day

November 18-Thursday

Up at 5:30 am.  Tried to make it to the Botanical Garden tour, missed it went onto Guava Plantation.  Went to Anini Beach Park (Honeymoon in Vegas was filmed here)  Decided to go to Moloaa Beach.  Stayed for a while.. saw a Monk seal swimming here (6 days and 7 nights was filmed here)

Drove through the Radisson to look at the resort we would be staying at for the second half of the trip.  Next was Ananhola Beach Park stayed here until it started raining?  Decided to tour the Marriott hotel, very pretty.  Ate at The Shack and then shopping at Gaylord’s.  Walked around Old Town Koloa then back to Kapaa to do some laundry

No rain today- Yeah… (3 more nights in the lizard house.)

November 19- Friday

Up early again, ate breakfast on the beach. Walked a bit, watched the surfers. Went to Donkey Beach (suppose to be a nude beach, no, we didn’t see anyone nude..LOL)  Went to Old Town Koloa for lunch had Italian.

Toured the Coffee Plantation then to The Kukuiolono Golf Course & Park in Kalaheo. It is very pretty. 

Went back to Waimea Canyon ..Hiked the 4 miles trail to Waipoo water fall.  A little scary at times but a nice hike.  Came back to the beach to watch the sun set.  Stopped by Wal-Mart in Lihue to get a few things before going back to the house.  We saw Bethany Hamilton; she is the surfer that had her arm bitten off by a shark.

No rain

November 20-Saturday

Slept in…   went to eat again at The Shack.  Walked around and shopped a little at an open market.  Back to the house, sat out at the beach.  Made a quick trip to the store for last minute items for our hiking trip the next day.  Back to the room to pack.

No rain

November 21-Sunday

Up at 5:30 am to hike the NaPali Coast.  We left the luggage in the car for overnight (or so we thought)

The hiking was very hard and scary (for me at least) We were basically hiking the side of a mountain.  The trail was very narrow and slippery.  At one point you cross over the top of a waterfall that meets the ocean.  Pretty long drop if you slip.  We hiked in only about 6 miles.  It is an 11 mile trail, The Kalalau trail.  It took us around 7 hours just to do this.  We were very tired.

After we returned to the car we went to Kee Beach then onto Kong Lung Center for pizza.  Since we didn’t have a place to stay for the night (suppose to be camping overnight) we decided to see if we could check in the Radisson early.  Got a room. The resort is very nice.  Hula dancers and a torch lighting ceremony every night at sundown.  Our room was upgraded to ocean view: :)

Looking through my travel diary and rewriting this trip review I wanted to mention the hike a little more.  We had planned this hike for months.  Tried to get the backpacks as light as possible and tried to get in exercise to be able to make the hike.  I really thought we would make it all the way with no issues.  In the end I have always said I wanted to try it again but after research and really looking at different videos and websites, I’m not sure this is a hike I NEED to finish.  I felt very bad in the end because it was something Gary wanted to do and I felt like I had let him down.  I was scared.  So..  we may or may not try it again..  Maybe we can go next time in the summer time and kayak over.  We went in the winter and the water was too rough to kayak.

Rain in the afternoon

November 22-Monday

Up much later today.  A good night’s sleep, tired from the hike.  We looked around the resort today and beach area.  Went into town, Coconut Market Place, ate at Tropical Burger. Came back to the room, booked a luau for tonight and South Pacific Dinner/show for Wednesday night.  I went to the beach for the afternoon and Gary stayed in the room.    Luau was fun ( I say a onetime deal)  we didn’t pay to eat just to watch the show. Relaxing day

November 23-Tuesday

This morning we were up to see the sunrise on the beach.  Then to Eggberts for breakfast.  Not much happening today, lying around enjoying doing nothing.  Mexican food for lunch did a little shopping.  Watched the torch lighting ceremony at the resort.  So funny, Gary got picked to dance with the hula dancers…LOL

Rained a little in the morning

November 24-Wednesday

Lazy day today…stayed around the resort most of the day except for lunch in town at The Shack.  Went to South Pacific Dinner Theater tonight.  The food wasn’t that good but the show was (well, I enjoyed it)  Happy..happy…happy.. Happy Talk…talk about things you like to do…….

November 25-Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving

Slept in…  Another lazy day.  Enjoying Kauai ..  went into town to eat lunch at Eggberts.  Dinner was in the hotel lounge.

November 26-Friday

Raining this morning, we went to the South Shore to have lunch and do some shopping.  Went to the beach at the resort for a few hours.  Watched the torch lighting ceremony for the last time.  Packed up for flight the next morning at 4:30 to Oahu

November 27- Saturday

Full day in Oahu

Flew in from Kauai to Honolulu, rented a car for a bit of sightseeing.

Went to Waikiki Beach (a lot smaller than I imagined)  looked at a few of the resorts on the beach.  Ate at Hard Rock.  Hiked up Diamond Head (best part) great views from the top.  Went to Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona.  Ate at Spaghetti factory before our flight out. 

Had a great time.  A really good trip!!!   Kauai is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!  My favorite Hawaiian island so far!

The Texas Half- Dallas, Texas

The Texas Half

February 11, 2006

We drove up Friday…had to drive 4 hours through HORRIBLE rain…but it cleared up when we got to Dallas..

We did a test drive to the lake to see how far…took a few pictures and decided how early to get there for parking (they had limited parking…

Then we ate…went to the room to relax for the evening… (WHICH I TOTALLY DIDN’T)

I slept maybe 5 hours…kept dreaming about the marathon…

Got up at 5:30 the next morning… drove to the place and waiting….got there at a good time…time we got our chips and stood in the bathroom line it was time to start…  It was about 35 and the wind was about 15MPH…pretty fierce…my lips pretty much felt numb the whole time….

I think the part I like best is when we were all standing there waiting for the gun to go off…everyone all jittery…nervous….all the fast talking…  the energy was amazing…

So…miles 1-5 went by like a blur..my left leg felt asleep but finally got better on mile 2ish…

Miles 6-7 were good…a lot of twist and turns…more hills than Gary and I expected…

Mile 8 went on FOREVER…this is where Gary’s knee started to act up…

Miles 9-11 we ran/walked trying to give Gary’s knee a break…I was feeling it buy then,,,more tired than anything.

When I saw mile 12 marker and could hear the announcer I was ready to GET-AFTER IT…but Gary was already limping and in pain…so we walked most of mile 12… then Gary PUSHED through and we ran the last little bit…

The time read 2:38 (I can’t remember the seconds)

We the walked SLOWLY up the hill…yes we had to go up a hill and the end to get to the clubhouse…  Gary ate a bit and rested..then he limped to the car…

So glad we accomplished a goal we worked together on!!!