What is Conch?

Basically large sea snails. The Turks and Caicos conch farm produces 1.5m conch per year. It is a major food here. Today's lunch was at "da Conch Shack.". All things conch. Ian had the sampler (fritters and cracked conch). Lisa had grouper. Lindsay had chicken and so did alex. I had conch chowder. It was awesome. Coconut conch chowder.

Hemingways

Dinner at hemingways tonight. Watched he sunset. Listened to jazz And ate outside until the rain came. Roof closed. And we were all set. The kids had a good time. I was truly happy.

Today was a day of shopping, snorkeling, tennis, swimming and eating.

SNUBA

Today Ian Lindsay and Lisa got a peek at SCUBA diving. It's SCUBA diving modified so the tank is always floating on top of the water. You dive about 20 ft. Ian took to it like a fish. Lisa enjoyed it as well. Lindsay preferred to stay on the surface. She stayed in the whole time though! It was really fun. Ian came out of the water wondering when he could be a certified diver.

Lindsay was much happier to have her hair braided.

Homemade ice cream at Island Scoop. Tennis at the hotel in the evening. Dinner in the condo. Then a Late night swim in the pool.

Off to bed.

Water

Diving today. 20 miles off shore and it's still just 45 feet deep. Anchor the boat, put on the gear, jump in with a giant stride and swim down to the bottom. Swim another 30 yards south and the ocean floor falls away from you straight down 6000 feet. Fantastic reef lion fish. Barracudas. Reef sharks. Trumpet fish. All sorts of good stuff. 2 dives today. Both good. The color of the water is not a color easily described.

Back at the pool and the beach. Kids are having fun. Came away from the day with a pocket full of seashells. Actually a couple of pockets. Actually s whole bucket. Ian found a sand dollar. Very cool.

Taking the two oldest kids SNUBA diving tomorrow.

What's different?

Besides the fantastic island living. The Turks and Caicos has some other things to offer.

Driving on the left.


Expensive groceries ($8 captain crunch and $9 blue corn chips. We brought our own pb&j for the beach days. )


And the chocolate on our pillows had a familiar vibe to them.

The condo

Here's a tour.

Two bed. Two and half bath. Kitchen dining living rooms. Foyer. Big balcony. Bigger view.

Best part of the tour was Ian's reaction to the "little sink" next to the toilet.

Sun sun sun.

Day 2 in the Turks and Caicos was all about sun and water. Started out in the pool. I camped out on a "Sun pad" while the kids swam. Finished rereading a college book "Refuge" Brief dunk in the pool and then to the beach. Glass bottom kayaking (we saw a lot of sand. And finally found some coral) paddle boarding and more paddle boarding. Then back to the pool for lunch. Pizza and conch fritters while we ate at the swim up bar/restaurant while lisa had her massage. Then more swimmin. Finally back in the room relaxing on the balcony as the sun goes down and a pot of spaghetti is on the boil. Spaghetti and frozen peas! A staple! Kids did their homework on the balcony in the lounge chair. We'll catch a quick DVD and then off to bed.

Airport

"please arrive at the airport 2 hours early". Now I never follow this rule, but since we are traveling internationally with the family, I thought ok. Actually t said 3 hrs but there is is no way I was going to get here at 2:45am.

Flight is at 5:45am. Here's the sign we were welcomed by...

Lame...