Turks and Caicos!!

We decided to do a beach vacation this year.  Our honeymoon was fun, but was not what either of us expected it to be.   We wanted a 1 year anniversary re-do!  So, we chose the Turks and Caicos Islands.  We went with another couple, Hampton and Kristin.  Hampton and Robbie graduated high school together and have been friends for quite some time and we enjoy a lot of the same things so we planned the vacation together.  We flew out of Mobile at 6 AM on July the 4th!  We stopped in Atlanta and flew direct (2.5 hrs) to Providencials, Turks and Caicos.  We arrived around 1:30 PM, took a cab to the resort and the fun began!!  We stayed at the Royal West Indies Resort.  It was nice and clean and perfect for what we needed. 

Royal West Indies Resort

The view from our balcony - Nice!

The Jeep we rented for the week.  The islands are very safe, and there are only a few (not so good, from what we heard) all-inclusive places.  We were very glad we did not do all-inclusive.  We were able to explore the islands and eat at a few of the yummy restaurants around.  You could get any where on the island within 15 minutes.  There were no red lights, only round abouts at every intersection.  Also, they drive on the left side of the road, but sit on the left side as well.  Very different driving here, with constant "back seat driving" to remind each other often!

Robbie, attempting an anchoive.  YUK!  But so good in homemade ceasar dressing!

After dinner at Opus Restaurant

On the beach during an excursion on which we stopped to look for shells.

Robbie and Kristin getting ready to retrieve their own conch shells

Robbie snorkeling - looking for his conch shell.

A conch shell that Captain Pringle retrieved.

Robbie found one!!

Captain Pringle and his son, the deckhand.

Captain Pringle gave Robbie the Conch claw.   He says it makes a good guitar pic. 

Captain Pringle is making us fresh conch salad using his grandmother's recipe!

Robbie and Kristin with their conch shells.  Hampton and I were not interested in this adventure!  I was happy to be the photographer! :) This was Kristin's mission for the whole trip!  Mission accomplished!

The first bite of fresh conch salad, made with the conch they retrieved!

Kristin, Hampton, Captain Pringle and his son, me and Robbie after our snorkeling adventure!  What a great trip!  Captain Pringle's conch salad was the BEST on the island!  DE-LICIOUS!!

After dinner at Yoshi's

Snorkeling at Coral Reef, right off the beach!  Amazingly beautiful!

The Fair Play - the boat we took deep sea fishing with Captain Arthur Dean.  We didn't catch anything (quite an expensive boat ride if you ask me :), but my husband says "that's the chance you take!) We had a great time anyway, and my husband was on cloud 9 in that boat!  Boy does he miss fishing the deep water!!!!

After dinner at Las Brisas

That's our favorite bartender of the week. Jamcye!  He was awesome!

Goodbye Turks and Caicos!  The view from the plane as we were taking off!

Robbie - Happy to be home as we got off the plane in Mobile!

Look who picked us up!  Taylor enjoyed a suitcase ride to the car!

Taylor's picture of us leaving the airport!  Home sweet home!! 

An amazing vacation!  Beautiful place!  We will definitely return someday!!