Turks and Caicos and Orlando Trip
Well we are back from our deferred and what a trip. We were treated so well and had so much fun. American Airlines lost Jessica's luggage and it is still lost after 2.5 weeks. But we still made the best of it. We hit Club Med, some local hot spots and of course the beach. Pat's place super close to a beach and the snorkeling was amazing. So much fun and we can't wait to go back.
Sarah joined our trip and here is something she wrote that describes one of the best vacation days that I and we ever had:
Having been in the Caribbean for a week, I can honestly say that I haven't had a bad day. But I can say that I have had a FABULOUS one (the rest of the week has been great too).
Sunday started like every other day here. Wake up, have breakfast (Chocolate Chip pancakes) head to one of the World's best beaches (Grace Bay) then to the pool here at Pat's house; see some geichos, lay under a palm tree, enjoy the sun. But today there was a special plan for our Sunday. Pat's friends and co-workers spend their Sundays the same way and invited us to come along for it. As guests who want to see as much as possible, we could't decline (even though I knew we were heading to a boat, I went along).
Off to Turtle Cove (which actually has a lot of Turtles) to meet Pat's boss, Rhinny. Rhinny has a very nice boat to say the least. This boat had two motors the size of a compact car. Off we sped like the opening credits of Miami Vice were playing. First we stopped at Iguana Island. Here, a species of Iguana have migrated from the islands where humans have started to build resorts, houses, etc. It is the only place in the world to find them. I saw three. I'm sure there were more (or at least I hope so). What was cooler than that was the way we brought the boat right on to the shore, so that I had to jump from the front onto the sand.
From there we headed to a deserted island. While no human actually inhabits the island, on a bright, sunny Sunday, the beach looked like a parking lot for extravegant boats. We docked and everyone jumped into the clear blue water. Even though we were 10-12 feet from the bottom of the ocean, you could see all the way down. I watched as everyone froliced in the water and on a deserted island. I felt that when in Rome, you have to see Rome, so I lept into the ocean. And by that I mean, I was coaxed by Jessica and Phil each step. I then swam to the island to explore. It was like something out of the Pirates of the Caribbean. Some greenery, lots of rock, all in the perimeter of white sand. Before long, it was time to get back in the boat to keep on travelling.
Next we took a tour of North Caicos, where we saw the homes of Bruce Willis, Keith Richards, Donna Karan, and if she got it in the divorce, Christie Brinkley. This was also the beach where Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were married. The only way to get to this part of the country is by boat. To say that it is secluded would be redundant, its exclusivity is only overshadowed by the beauty of the scenery.
So far, the day had been good. But Rhinny was about to kick it up a notch. He said he was taking us to Nikki Beach. Because I had read the magazine from the holder infront of me on the plane, I knew that Nikki Beach was an exclusive resort chain. They have places in Miami, Panama, Ibiza and Turks and Caicos. I really wanted to see it in person. Off we sped again but instead of just passing the resort, we docked. Instead of just looking around, we sat. Instead of a drink, we had several. Instead of one appetizer, Rhinny orders three servings of everything on the appetizer list. This included mini Kobe Beef burgers, trays of sushi (swordfish included), pizza's, tuna tartare, etc. We had the owner of the Nikki Beach brand stop by the table, intermixed with mojito's and rum punch.
After we had polished off the table of food (thanks to J and I) we headed to the infinity pool. One of those pools that look like it just drops off into the ocean. It had a swim up bar and pretty people dancing on it. Oh and it had those pretty people giving everyone in the pool a Dom Perigon shower. With six magnums. Oh my god, I thought and said to everyone, this is paradise. I thought the Turks and Caicos was paradise, but I found it in T&C.
As we loaded into the car to head home (Rhinny decided to stay at the swim bar for the rest of the day) we thought, this was a great day. JMadd even said to Pat "Unless the car blows up right now, this was the best day ever." But Pat had even more in store for us.
We headed through another part of Provodinciales to Chalk Sound where there was a restaurant. They had a sunset cruise ready for us with Rum punch, conch fritters and fresh fruit. Back into the ocean we went on a pontoon boat where we watched the sun meet the caribbean waters.
Beautiful. Simply relaxing and luxuarious. I need to live here and have this be my average, lazy Sunday.
Sarah joined our trip and here is something she wrote that describes one of the best vacation days that I and we ever had:
Having been in the Caribbean for a week, I can honestly say that I haven't had a bad day. But I can say that I have had a FABULOUS one (the rest of the week has been great too).
Sunday started like every other day here. Wake up, have breakfast (Chocolate Chip pancakes) head to one of the World's best beaches (Grace Bay) then to the pool here at Pat's house; see some geichos, lay under a palm tree, enjoy the sun. But today there was a special plan for our Sunday. Pat's friends and co-workers spend their Sundays the same way and invited us to come along for it. As guests who want to see as much as possible, we could't decline (even though I knew we were heading to a boat, I went along).
Off to Turtle Cove (which actually has a lot of Turtles) to meet Pat's boss, Rhinny. Rhinny has a very nice boat to say the least. This boat had two motors the size of a compact car. Off we sped like the opening credits of Miami Vice were playing. First we stopped at Iguana Island. Here, a species of Iguana have migrated from the islands where humans have started to build resorts, houses, etc. It is the only place in the world to find them. I saw three. I'm sure there were more (or at least I hope so). What was cooler than that was the way we brought the boat right on to the shore, so that I had to jump from the front onto the sand.
From there we headed to a deserted island. While no human actually inhabits the island, on a bright, sunny Sunday, the beach looked like a parking lot for extravegant boats. We docked and everyone jumped into the clear blue water. Even though we were 10-12 feet from the bottom of the ocean, you could see all the way down. I watched as everyone froliced in the water and on a deserted island. I felt that when in Rome, you have to see Rome, so I lept into the ocean. And by that I mean, I was coaxed by Jessica and Phil each step. I then swam to the island to explore. It was like something out of the Pirates of the Caribbean. Some greenery, lots of rock, all in the perimeter of white sand. Before long, it was time to get back in the boat to keep on travelling.
Next we took a tour of North Caicos, where we saw the homes of Bruce Willis, Keith Richards, Donna Karan, and if she got it in the divorce, Christie Brinkley. This was also the beach where Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were married. The only way to get to this part of the country is by boat. To say that it is secluded would be redundant, its exclusivity is only overshadowed by the beauty of the scenery.
So far, the day had been good. But Rhinny was about to kick it up a notch. He said he was taking us to Nikki Beach. Because I had read the magazine from the holder infront of me on the plane, I knew that Nikki Beach was an exclusive resort chain. They have places in Miami, Panama, Ibiza and Turks and Caicos. I really wanted to see it in person. Off we sped again but instead of just passing the resort, we docked. Instead of just looking around, we sat. Instead of a drink, we had several. Instead of one appetizer, Rhinny orders three servings of everything on the appetizer list. This included mini Kobe Beef burgers, trays of sushi (swordfish included), pizza's, tuna tartare, etc. We had the owner of the Nikki Beach brand stop by the table, intermixed with mojito's and rum punch.
After we had polished off the table of food (thanks to J and I) we headed to the infinity pool. One of those pools that look like it just drops off into the ocean. It had a swim up bar and pretty people dancing on it. Oh and it had those pretty people giving everyone in the pool a Dom Perigon shower. With six magnums. Oh my god, I thought and said to everyone, this is paradise. I thought the Turks and Caicos was paradise, but I found it in T&C.
As we loaded into the car to head home (Rhinny decided to stay at the swim bar for the rest of the day) we thought, this was a great day. JMadd even said to Pat "Unless the car blows up right now, this was the best day ever." But Pat had even more in store for us.
We headed through another part of Provodinciales to Chalk Sound where there was a restaurant. They had a sunset cruise ready for us with Rum punch, conch fritters and fresh fruit. Back into the ocean we went on a pontoon boat where we watched the sun meet the caribbean waters.
Beautiful. Simply relaxing and luxuarious. I need to live here and have this be my average, lazy Sunday.
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