We get loads of questions on the phones all the time about locations, proximity, distance, approx. driving time, which restaurants are within walking distance, where the good dive spots are, and much more.  So we’ve put this handy dandy map together to make it a touch easier for you to see just how nice and close everything is.  Of course, we’re always available on the phone to walk you through the details.  View a full blow version of the map here.

Near the center of the Grace Bay strip, at the luxurious Somerset Resort sits the enchanting and elegant O’Soleil restaurant. Newly reopened, O’Soleil has not only met but exceeding its reputation for providing a fine dining experience with a local flair.

Team TCR was certainly impressed as we met for dinner one Friday evening to try out the

new, yet familiar, spot. We were warmly greeted by our waitress Ingrid and shown to a candle lit table on the patio. The atmosphere was solemn but not too stuffy and we quickly got comfortable in preparation of a full course meal.

 

O’Soleil offers a few different dining areas including the main floor (adorned with Egyptian silk sheers from ceiling to floor and featuring high vaulted cathedral ceiling and crystal chandeliers augmented by white leather chairs), the outdoor Zen garden (a one-of-a-kind, heavenly dining experience showcasing nature at its best – enclosed by bamboo trees and assisted by the relaxing sounds of colorful waterfalls, guests can view the open skies and almost touch the moon), patio (overlooking the beautiful crochet lawn while being entertained to the sound of local breezes whistling through the royal palms), and upstairs in a private room (ideal for dinner meetings or families who just want to be to themselves. This room features its own wine cellar).

Appetizers around the table got the thumbs up! We had smoked conch, crab ravioli, smoked Caicos conch and tuna rolls to start and fell in love. I had THE best conch chowder (ingredients included Bambarra Rum) and I haven’t stopped talking about it since. We eagerly awaited our entrees while enjoying the live music of a one man band playing in the Zen garden.

After a short-enough-but-long-enough wait and some yummy cranberry sorbets, our mains were brought over and we were treated to lovely presentation. We feasted on roasted lamb, sweet chili tuna and delicious grilled steak. The menu also included pan seared red snapper, wild mushroom risotto, and fire seared salmon.

Our waitress was very friendly and did a splendid job accommodating us as we hung out until closing. By the end of the night we all agreed that O’Soleil is not only back but it’s better than ever!

Look out for us, we’ll be back soon for the Tuesdays beach party!

Turks And Caicos Winter 2012 Promotions for the best pricing and deals to take the chill away this winter.  Many choices for accommodations in Turks And Caicos.  Get all the information from Turks And Caicos Islanders here at Turks And Caicos Reservations.  Check out some of the best deals, discounts and rewards for Turks and Caicos Resorts.

GANSEVOORT TURKS AND CAICOS RESORT

Why you should stay at this Turks And Caicos Resort this winter: This resort attracts a hip crowd looking to enjoy an active bar scene on a Friday night, vibes by the pool, bar service on the beach, and luxury style accommodations. The spa, beach bar and restaurant rounds out the experience, and you’re 8 minutes walk from a reef that you can snorkel right off the beach.

Enjoy each 5th Night Free

Travel dates: Jan 3 to Dec 20, 2012

Booking notes: Full Buffet breakfast included in rates, Payment is non-cancelable and non-refundable booking, require a full payment at booking.

 

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VERANDA RESORT TURKS AND CAICOS ALL INCLUSIVE

Why you should stay at this All Inclusive Resort Turks And Caicos this winter: The perfect choice for a truly luxury all inclusive experience offering loads of amenities, but without the large amounts of people that Beaches All Inclusive attracts. Have dinner at the ‘topless’ restaurant (watch the stars while dining) and enjoy beach side entertainment.

Best Beach Escape 20% Savings, 4th Night Free or Stay 7, Pay 5
Travel dates: Jan 4 to Dec 18, 2012

Booking notes: Kids Stay FREE (available on two bedroom or higher; combinable with other promos)

Travel dates: Apr 15 to Dec 18, 2012

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POINT GRACE TURKS AND CAICOS

Why you should stay at this Luxury Turks And Caicos Hotel this winter: Absolutely LOVE booking guests at this truly classic Caribbean boutique resort, it stands out amongst the other Grace Bay resorts for its British Colonial architecture and furnishings, to-die-for spa, very romantic Grace’s Cottage Restaurant, and superb location in the heart of Grace Bay, two thumbs up.

15% Discount

Travel dates: Jan 9 to Dec 18, 2012

Booking notes: Continental breakfast and return airport transfers included in rates

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REGENT PALMS

Why you should stay at The Regent Palms Turks And Caicos Resort this winter: The perfect choice if you’re looking for full service beachfront luxury and pampering, this classy resort offers everything andmore for a most memorable stay in Provo. With a truly heavenly spa and spectacular restaurant and bar in a garden setting, you’d want to keep coming back for more

Every 3rd Night Free

Travel dates until Dec 18, 2012

Booking notes: Continental breakfast included in rates

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SEVEN STARS RESORT

Why you should stay here this winter: Pure luxury and all the amenities you can dream of exists at this stunning Turks And Caicos Resort that sits at the heart of the Grace Baytourist area. You’ll enjoy sipping on a cocktail from the beachfront bar, the spa, large pool, amazing beachfront views from your suite and being walking distance toeverything.

5th Night Free

Travel dates: Jan 2 to Apr 15, 2012

Booking notes: Continental breakfast included in rates

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TURKS AND CAICOS CLUB

Why you should stay here this winter: You’d really love the relaxing and laid back feel of this casual but luxury Turks and Caicos resort. It’s like staying in a B&B but in a resort setting. The resort team is super friendly (say ‘hi’ to Chef Goat!) and you can’t beat being just a minute walk away from great snorkeling OFF the beach. Highly recommended!

Pay Summer Rates in January

Booking notes: Full American breakfast included in rates

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WINDSONG ON THE REEF

Why you should stay here this winter: You’re literally directly on the Coral Gardens snorkel reef and therefore you have a built in attraction right at your doorstep. This Turks And Caicos Luxury Resort is complete with a trendy cafe, pool with underwater stereo, evening entertainment at ‘Havana Club’, and a snuba shop right on property too.

30% OFF Island View Room and Island View Studio, 33% OFF Island View Suite, 37% OFF 1 Bedroom Ocean Front Suites, 33% OFF 2 Bedroom Ocean Front Suite and Villa, Penthouses – ALL (1, 2, 3, 4)

Travel dates: Jan 1 to Feb 17, 2012

Booking notes: Continental breakfast included in rates

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LEEWARD RESORT

Why you should stay at this Luxury Resort this winter: If you don’t mind being literally a 5 minute drive from the Grace Bay beach/area, you can’t beat this resort for price, luxury and value. Guest rooms are absolutely gorgeous and the free car that you get allows you to really get out and explore the island’s many restaurants, other beaches & attractions.

7th Night Free

Travel dates: Jan 3 to 24, 2012

Booking notes: Free Car Rental included in rates

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ALEXANDRA RESORT AND SPA

Why you should stay at this Luxury Turks And Caicos Resort winter: There’s lot of reasons to choose this beachfront resort directly on Grace Bay including stylish and spacious guestrooms, sprawling gardens and lounge areas, an on-site concierge desk, spa, a short walk to the snorkeling reef, and arguably the most popular restaurant on the island, Mango Reef.

20% OFF deluxe and luxury studios and deluxe one bedroom suites. Or, get 15% OFF deluxe and luxury two bedroom suites; luxury one bedrooms suites; and the four bedroom penthouse.

Travel dates: Jan 3 to Feb 3, 2012

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CORAL GARDENS ON GRACE BAY

Why you should stay at Coral Gardens Turks And Caicos this winter: This beachfront condo resort has been a favorite for many years. Offering a chill style Tex/Mex restaurant with weekly entertainment and a dive shop right on site, it’s a great place to hang your hat for a week and do some snorkeling right at your doorstep. Looking for Aaron Neville, it’s his fav spot to stay.

7th Night Free

Travel dates: Jan 1 to Dec 19, 2012

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SANDS ON GRACE BAY

Why you should stay at this Caribbean Resort this winter: Being at the ‘middle point’ of the 12 mile stretch of Grace Bay beach, the awesome beachfront Hemmingway’s Restaurant, two pools, beautiful gardens, large sized guestrooms with oversized balconies are just some of the reasons that guests from the world over has been enjoying this resort for many years.

5th Night Free

Travel dates: Jan 3 to Feb 12, 2012

Booking notes: available for all room categories excluding Oceanfront Suites and Oceanfront Deluxe Suites

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OCEAN CLUB RESORT

Why you should stay at Ocean Club Resort on Grace Bay this winter: Couples and families have been enjoying this beachfront resort for many years. Guestrooms are comfy and spacious, and OPUS Restaurant is hugely popular (tasty conch fritters!). You also get access to all amenities at sister property Ocean Club West just down the street.

7th Night Free

Travel dates: Jan 3 to Feb 4, 2012

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OCEAN CLUB WEST

Why you should stay at Ocean Club West this winter: Couples and families have been enjoying this beachfront resort for many years. Located in Grace Bay’s hub, and with lovely guestrooms with screened in porches and reasonable rates, it’s a great choice. You also get access to all amenities at sister property Ocean Club Resort just down the street.

7th Night Free

Travel dates: Jan 3 to Feb 4, 2012

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ROYAL WEST INDIES

Why you should stay at this Caribbean Resort this winter: Guests have been enjoying this beachfront resort for many years. Spacious rooms, lovely gardens and the poolside restaurant keep ‘em coming back. Located in the heart of the Grace Bay area, you can walk to many other restaurants and shopping, or jump on a resort bike and explore Grace Bay.

Best Available Rates

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VILLA DEL MAR

Why you should stay at Villa Del Mar Turks And Caicos this winter: Stunning guestrooms, a great pool and poolside bar, friendly staff, and truly in the heart of Grace Bay. Less than a minute walk away from the beach, and beach service is free (bottled water, towels, loungers, umbrellas and a beach dude there to help with whatever you need including taking drink orders).

Get each 5th Night Free

Travel Dates:  January 7 to February 7, 2012

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NORTHWEST POINT RESORT

Why you should stay at Northwest Point Resort this winter: It’s like staying in a beach house but in a condo/resort setting. The scenic 20 minute drive from the Grace Bay tourist area is easy if you have a rental car. Large pool, seasonal restaurant and beachfront setting adds to the experience. Overall a good choice if you want seclusion, quiet and privacy.

25% OFF plus free car rental if you stay at least 4 nights

Travel dates: Jan 3 to Apr 8, 2012

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HARBOUR CLUB VILLAS

Why you should stay at Harbour Club Villas this winter: It’s hard to beat the Canadian/Caribbean style island hospitality from hosts Marta and Barry. Their ‘home style’ lake front villas offers pure comfort in a casual, laid back & natural island-style setting 15 mins from Grace Bay. If you’re into bone fishing, there’s no better place to rest your head.

$1715.00/week plus tax/service for a villa for two

Travel dates: Jan 4 to Apr 30, 2012

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LE VELE

Why you should stay at this amazing Turks And Caicos Resort this winter: Located right next to the charming Point Grace Resort, this beachfront gem offers all beachfront suites. Guestrooms are truly luxury oriented, and the resort tends to attract guests that want quiet ambiance, but be in the heart of Grace Bay. Next door’s Grace’s Cottage Restaurant is a short stroll away.

Pay for three consecutive nights, get one free, plus return airport transfers, breakfast & champagne

Travel dates: Jan 8 to Mar 31, 2012

Booking notes: Continental breakfast, return airport transfers and bottle of champagne included in rates

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VILLA RENAISSANCE

Why you should stay at this Luxury Turks And Caicos Resort this winter: With stylish and European designed fittings and furnishings, this beachfront resort offers a lovely pool area with bar and a quiet ambiance to enjoy your Providenciales experience. The Vix Restaurant serves up delicious fare, and the resort is within the trendy Regent Village shopping center.

 

30% OFF, 4th Night Free or pay 5, stay 7 (includes free golf with Ocean front suites)

Travel dates: Jan 9 to Apr 15, 2012

Please view our complete listing of all available specials and promotions

It’s a bold new world at the newly opened Veranda Resort & Residences — a celebratory mix of luxury with genuine experience, laced with a heady dose of social consciousness.

The Veranda is a Grace Bay beachfront condominium turks and caicos resort that operates as a five-star, fully inclusive hotel, yet also offers private beachfront residences, the only hotel in the region to do so. Its hallmark is genuine, “handmade” guest experiences that focus on personal attention and local culture. Behind the scenes, there is more of the same, with a strong emphasis on hiring and training Belongers, ensuring a positive work experience and reaching out with care and concern to the TCI community.

The beautiful Veranda property sprawls over 10 acres, with more than 800 feet of frontage along award-winning Grace Bay Beach. The turks and caicos resort offers an intriguing mix of condominium units and beachfront cottages, welcoming couples and families alike. Architecture is coordinated in an attractive modern British Caribbean style, with a fresh, inviting atmosphere throughout, as sky, sun and sea breeze are major elements of design. Walkways hedged with verdant landscaping lead guests through The Veranda House and around The Villages (East and West) — three buildings housing the 126 studio, one, two and three bedroom guest suites, many with lovely verandas for enjoying the ocean view. Each surround broad central courtyards, beyond which are the beachfront cottages, ranging in size from 3,000 to 4,120 sq. ft. and boasting oceanside decks and private plunge pools. Front and center is the signature Marin Restaurant & Bar, where guests enjoy all-inclusive, gourmet meals and premium beverages, served with a stunning backdrop of the sparkling turquoise sea and vast, open sky. For more casual dining, the breezy beachfront Grill Bleu is steps away, serving a breakfast buffet, a la carte lunch and nightly themed dinners, complete with all the props. (A second level lounge — the only on Grace Bay — is in the making.)

Strategically nestled throughout Veranda’s lovely grounds are three pools (including a children’s pool), the Asian-inspired Sabai Spa and Wellness Center and fitness facility, a tennis court, a library and business center, a dedicated kid’s club and a 6,300 sq. ft. conference center. Veranda guests and residents can also partake in all the activities for which the Turks & Caicos are best known: world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, fishing, sailing and golfing.

Interiors bring together chic allure with Caribbean charm, custom designed by Leslie Williams of local architectural firm Lee & Astwood (who also re-designed the property). A light, breezy blend of colors and fabrics lays the backdrop for local arts and crafts, which manage to blend just perfectly with all the modern “necessities,” including A/C and ceiling fans, LCD TVs with PlayStation 3, WiFi throughout and in-room safes.

The Veranda is managed by Grace Bay Resorts (GBR), under a separate division of the same company behind TCI’s celebrated Grace Bay Club and The Estate. And enveloping like a warm embrace the resort’s natural beauty and luxurious accommodations is the caring, genuine, personal service for which GBR properties are known.

Taking a step back

The Veranda property has an interesting past. It was originally purchased and designed in the early 2000s as a large, multi-use turks and caicos resort. When its original backers went bust, the partially completed buildings languished for several years, until the property was acquired by Faez Limited, a local company controlled by UK entrepreneur Andre Serruys.

Development manager Ronald Sutherland, president of The Hemisphere Group, early on approached Mark Durliat and Nikheel Advani, the well-respected developers and hoteliers behind Grace Bay Club. They had recently created a new division providing development, branding and management under the Grace Bay Resorts brand for über-luxe, low density, oceanfront properties and it seemed like a match made in heaven. Mark Durliat recalls feeling “totally flattered” to have GBR chosen to bring The Veranda to a whole new level. He and partner Nikheel Advani jumped in with both feet and helped the fledgling resort move through the hurdles of going from construction to opening, using every bit of their own hard-won experience. Mark was especially excited because the hotel would debut during a tough economic time. He says, “Every high quality hotel that successfully opens adds more firepower to the TCI’s reputation, in effect helping the entire destination succeed in the long-term.” The response of the hundreds of guests at The Veranda’s grand opening party on January 22, 2010 was huge, positive and appreciative.

Mark gives Nikheel credit for putting in motion Veranda’s luxury turks and caicos resort, fully-inclusive concept, an idea not common in the marketplace. Nikheel explains, “I noticed that more of our upscale guests at Grace Bay Club and The Estate were choosing our meal plan options as a way of setting a price tag on their trip. It seemed the logical next step to offer a fully inclusive vacation where our guests could order Grey Goose at the bar and enjoy meals that rival those served at the best eateries in New York or Paris.” Wolfgang Von Wieser is Veranda’s lead chef, bringing extensive experience as executive chef at The Bellagio and Four Seasons hotels in Las Vegas. He’s created a modern Italian menu with a Caribbean twist, supplemented by seven different themed menus. In the café, guests can enjoy Italian coffees, gelato, wraps and fresh pastries.

Service comes first

Both Nikheel and Mark will tell you that a key to their GBR success, is service . . . and their special approach to ensuring that it is genuine, personal and caring. Mark explains, “Each resort must feel like a handmade place, and personalizing the guest experience is crucial. We believe in making our staff feel like owners of their workplace; this is ultimately translated into how they treat the guests.” Nikheel adds, “We’ve always strived to redefine service in the Caribbean. We encourage our staff to act and speak from the heart.”

At The Veranda, this took shape by bringing on board local educator, editor and government advisor Dr. Carlton Mills in the unique position of manager of talent, growth and local affairs. His primary responsibility? “To motivate, inspire and encourage locals in particular and the staff as a whole,” he explains. “My goal is to cultivate a local interest in and appreciation of the tourism industry and foster dedication and commitment. I’m also here to help staff members work through potential problems before they become major issues.”

The Veranda’s May 2009 job fair was literally inundated with eager applicants, and with the resort committed to priority hiring of qualified Belongers, they were able to offer employment to over 100 locals, “the cream of the crop,” says Mark Durliat. This includes more management positions than any other TCI resort, for instance Resident Manager Ramon Andrews, a graduate of Clement Howell High School, the TCI Community College and Johnson & Wales University, Human Resource Manager Deleria Simms and Stephanie Smith.

Dr. Mills explains that the majority of expatriate managers were hired for their high level of expertise, “which they are not reluctant to share, knowing ahead of time that they are here to train and facilitate the growth of local individuals in the tourism industry.” With this in mind, each of seven senior leaders has designed a formal training program and monthly seminars to move their staff up in knowledge and remain on the cutting edge of service expected by a high-end destination. Nikheel explains, “We see it as our role to facilitate people to perform to their best potential.”

General Manager Christopher Eastmond echoes these sentiments. A native of Barbados who grew up in England, Christopher brings extensive experience in the opening of upscale Caribbean resorts. He believes that the TCI is a country in the “first generation” of  the hospitality industry, with a big learning curve in front of it. However, he believes a positive and genuine attitude is half the battle — everything else is simply a matter of training. He sees his role, as well as that of the other managers, as laying the groundwork for the future, and offering guidance, answers and role models to Turks And Caicos Islands future leaders.

This in-house plan is supplemented by the innovative TCI Belonger Intern course, where three graduates from the TCI Community College Hospitality Program were brought to The Veranda for 12 weeks, rotating for two weeks each through the various departments for true hands-on experience. At the end, each could join the department they enjoyed most.

GBR also operates an exchange program with La Roche University in Switzerland, where 20 students (10 at Grace Bay Club and 10 at Veranda) come to TCI for six weeks of training. Nikheel adds that he will often take local managers with him to visit other resorts around the world and expand their horizons towards a “global view of hoteling.” This helps move forward GBR’s goal of “symbolizing how local and international talent can work together in harmony.”

An authentic experience

The Social Outreach Club, part of the GBR Foundation, is  another program to help employees feel like family — and will ultimately broaden the vacation experience for guests. The brainchild of CEO Mark Durliat, the foundation (among other initiatives) has adopted four TCI schools — Charles Hubert James Primary and Adlaide Omler Primary in North Caicos and Iris Stubbs Primary School and Marjorie Basden High School in South Caicos. Targeted as among the most neglected schools in the country, GBR management and staff pay monthly visits, providing furniture, refrigerators, trailer classrooms and other supplies as needed, along with support and encouragement to teachers and students.

Mark Durliat explains the importance of this social connection to the community, “You have to remember that, due to the small population and close family ties, in many cases we are directly helping staff family members and friends. As well, these kinds of person-to-person relationships are easy to embrace — all it takes is a big heart — and are actually good practice in hospitality-oriented skills. I have to commend the Veranda developers for their support of the GBR Foundation. From the beginning, they’ve operated under an entrepreneurial, rather than corporate-minded spirit — the end results go well beyond simply making a profit.”

Concurrently, Nikheel says that The Veranda’s upscale guests are looking for an “authentic experience” to go along with their triple-digit thread count sheets and Jacuzzi tubs. In a way, he says, they want to go “back to basics, in terms of space and time.” This means that besides desiring to interact with a staff primarily made up of T&C Islanders and being entertained with local music and dance, he believes guests would enjoy visiting the out islands, where the peaceful Caribbean of yesteryear is more accessible. As such, plans are to develop a program of eco- and culture-friendly day trips, along with visits to the places and people in the social outreach programs. The end result is to help guests “take away a piece of the TCI in their hearts.”

Expanding their base

With plenty of space available for large groups, The Veranda aims to be a major attraction for conferences, meetings, weddings, reunions and other group gatherings, both local and international.

Real estate sales are another important component of their marketing mix. In fact, Mark Durliat says purchasing a vacation residence or second home at The Veranda can be quite a wise investment. “Prices at The Veranda are offered at levels not seen in Provo since 2003/04. What’s more, buyers have virtually zero risk — the branded resort is in operation by a proven management company, it enjoys a location on one of the world’s finest beaches, and benefits from all the amenities luxury travelers have come to expect — yet is priced at pre-construction levels.  When you consider that the property has the potential to generate healthy rental revenues for its condominium owners, the benefits can be particularly attractive. And that’s not even taking into account anticipated price appreciation in the future.”

The Grace Bay Resorts brand is sure to appreciate, as well. Besides expecting to employ 300 to 400 employees and with a target of $50 million in annual revenue in the Turks & Caicos in the coming few years, Durliat reveals that GBR are “taking baby steps” towards soon managing independent luxury resorts in the Dominican Republic, Grenada, St. Lucia, Argentina and, hopefully, the US.

In the few weeks since the soft opening, reports from guests and visiting travel agents are overwhelmingly positive, with agents praising The Veranda’s “good value” for a five-star, luxury vacation experience.

Yet I laud the “behind-the-scenes” value generated here as even more significant. For not only is The Veranda building the TCI’s reputation as a vacation destination, but it is also laying the framework for generations of trained, experienced T & C Islanders who can proudly take up a leading role in the future of their country’s vital hospitality industry.

By Kathy Borsuk ~ Photos By Steve Passmore, Provo Pictures

It’s 2 PM on Friday, December 10, and I’m sweating bullets. Not just because it’s hot but because with only 18 hours to go before we’re scheduled to remove 40 fragile boulders covered with ancient inscriptions from the top of Sapodilla Hill on Providenciales Island, I’ve got nothing: no people, no equipment, no vehicles and only one option left—call the whole thing off. Instead, I go to see Mr. Ken Adams, owner and president of Building Materials Do It Center, to ask if he could loan the project a wheelbarrow and maybe some old timbers. He’s in his office, busily poring over some paperwork. This is not going to work, I think, but make my pitch anyway: the National Museum, the DECR, and some volunteers are trying to rescue a ton of boulders covered with names and dates because they are being destroyed. We need some way to carry them from the top of Sapodilla Hill down a rocky trail to the nearest road and then transport them to the other side of Provo, and it all has to be done tomorrow because we already asked the press to be there and we don’t want to look like idiots. He takes it all in, picks up his cell phone and says “Follow me.” He leads me through the Do It Center and into the cavernous building materials warehouse, calling people on his cell and querying various employees simultaneously. We step outside just as Mr. Chris Haggie, manager of AND Construction drives up. Ken introduces us. Far from being irritated by a request on Friday afternoon for help on Saturday morning, Chris says “Glad to help. We were kind of surprised we hadn’t heard from you after that last job.” I realize he’s referring to the time last year when AND Construction moved an ancient cannon and anchor donated to the Museum to our facility at Grace Bay. They have a brief chat then Ken turns to me and says, “OK, It’s all set.” I gape at him, incredulously. Fifteen minutes earlier I had been ready to throw in the towel, now it’s all set: people, vehicles, and equipment will meet me at Sapodilla Hill Saturday morning at 8 AM. As he turns to leave, Ken says “Next time, call us first!” It’s demonstrations of community support like this that keep the Museum—and me!—going in the mission to preserve the history of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

 

Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century inscriptions on bedrock outcrops occur in several locations in the Turks & Caicos Islands, but are most prolific at Sapodilla Hill on Providenciales. The inscriptions there include scores of names of people and ships, dates, and symbols, as well as depictions of houses and boats. Centuries ago ships followed Sand Bore Channel across the Caicos Bank to anchor in Sapodilla Bay, just as they do today. The sandy bottom of the bay meant that ships could come very close to shore to discharge or take on cargo and passengers in the lee of Sapodilla Hill. Old maps show that there were wells near Five Cays where fresh water could be obtained. From the top of the hill, ships’ officers, passengers and on-lookers could oversee activities in the anchorage in relative comfort—and wile away the hours by etching names, dates, images and other information into the soft rocks.
More than a decade ago, the Turks & Caicos National Museum initiated a series of projects to photograph, map, mold and cast some two dozen of the oldest, most significant, and most dramatic inscriptions. The casts of some of these may be seen on a wall in the ticketing area of the Providenciales International Airport. These tasks required a great deal of effort but ultimately achieved the goal of making a permanent record of this important historical resource. Meanwhile, ongoing archival research into the names and dates of the people who left their mark continues to reveal who these early settlers were and what attracted them to Sapodilla Hill.
Fast forward to August 2010. During a meeting at the Environmental Center, I gave a slide presentation to representatives of the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR), the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund, the STAR Foundation and concerned individuals during which I demonstrated that although Sapodilla Hill has largely been ignored for the past 250 years, the incidence of vandalism, graffiti and even theft of some of the “portable” stones has reached alarming proportions. Afterward, we agreed to join forces to devise a plan to save what is left.

 

 

This was easier said than done. In the first place, although the site is officially designated as an Area of Historical Interest, the stones lie on private property. So the first order of business would be to precisely delineate where the inscribed stones are and pass an ordinance effectively “nationalizing” their location.
The second challenge was how to protect the site without destroying its visitor appeal. A good first step would be to place signs at the head of the trail leading to the top of the hill advising visitors of the importance of the site and proper etiquette to observe while visiting it. If clearly marked trails were laid out, visitors would not have to walk on the inscriptions as they explored the site. These steps would protect the bedrock inscriptions that cannot be moved.
But fully half the inscriptions are on portable rocks in danger of being stolen—what would happen to them? In the past, I resisted the suggestion that portable stones should be removed and stored in a safe place, because to do so would separate them from their geographical context—their connection with Sapodilla Hill and the sea. But it was now clear that leaving them in place would be irresponsible and virtually guarantee their destruction. The portable stones would have to be removed. Once in a safe location, the inscriptions could be moulded and cast under laboratory conditions. Mr. Wesley Clerveaux, director of the DECR, suggested that three-dimensional replicas of the portable stones could be made and returned to Sapodilla Hill while the originals could become part of an exhibit in the Museum’s planned Provo facility. A workable plan was starting to emerge.
The only problem was that there was no money in anyone’s budget to pay for it! Undeterred, we soldiered on. The first step was for DECR Officer Rodriguez Ewing and me to guide a government surveyor up to Sapodilla Hill with the proper DGPS equipment to delineate the borders of the site precisely. This would be necessary in order to protect it legally. Armed with this information, the DECR could start the process of affording the site official protection and advise the property owners of our intentions. Meanwhile, back at DECR headquarters, Dr. Eric Salamanca assumed responsibility for designing the visitor welcome and etiquette signs.
Clearly, the hard part was going to be figuring out how to get the 40 portable stones—some of which weighed in the neighborhood of 200 pounds—off the top of the hill and into safe storage without damaging them or killing ourselves in the process! With fingers crossed, Saturday, December 11 was selected as D-day, but in the week leading up to it the plan began to fall apart. In order to do the entire job in one day we needed vehicles, wooden beams, slings or nets, and most of all, people. A call went out over the news services for volunteers, but it just wasn’t coming together.

By Friday afternoon, I had permission to borrow a truck, a trailer, and a wheelbarrow, but still no labor. On the verge of calling the whole thing off, the project was saved in the eleventh hour when Ken Adams of the Do It Center and Chris Haggie of AND Construction cheerfully volunteered to provide everything we needed. At 8 AM the next morning, the AND Construction team and Ken Adams himself arrived with vehicles, equipment and 14 strong workers and immediately began the heavy lifting. Because the path from the top of the hill is steep, rocky, narrow and impassable for any type of motorized vehicle, the largest stones were carried in “stretchers” cleverly made of heavy fabric slung between 2 X 4 beams. In just four hours the team carried all 40 of the movable stones more than 100 meters to the nearest road. There, the largest stones were thickly padded with heavy insulation material and loaded onto AND Construction’s flatbed truck. The remaining stones were placed in the trunks and back seats of four private vehicles for the slow, cautious trip to the Museum’s facility in Grace Bay where they were off-loaded for storage until the next phase of the project begins. Amazingly, there was no damage to the stones or injuries among the work crew.
The portable stones are now safely stored, but there is still work to be done on Sapodilla Hill to protect the inscriptions that cannot be moved. We have yet to place signs at the top and bottom of the hill informing visitors that the site is protected by law and proper etiquette requires that visitors may “look but do not touch.” Gravel trails need to be laid out around the inscriptions so that visitors will be able to see them without walking on them. Small signs need to be installed adjacent to certain inscriptions to draw attention to them and to provide more information. Although we moulded some of the bedrock inscriptions in 1998, we ran out of time and materials before we could finish the job. The Museum has applied for grants to fund the completion of this Phase Two aspect of the project.
In order to carry out Phase Three, the most difficult, time-consuming, and expensive part of the Sapodilla Hill Project, the Museum again will have to seek outside financial support from individuals, foundations, companies, and granting agencies. This part of the project will entail making three-dimensional moulds of all the portable stones so that we can produce replica casts of them. The materials list involved in moulding and casting is quite extensive and includes cleaning agents, releasing agents, modeling clay, several different polymer resins, chopped fiberglass, accelerators, hardeners, ammonium chloride, pigments and gypsum, to name but a few. Fortunately, the procedures and materials for moulding the original stones without damaging them and making casts stronger and more durable than the original limestone are something I worked out many years ago. Following casting, replicas of the portable stones will be returned to Sapodilla Hill and securely installed in their original positions along with interpretive plaques providing additional information identifying the people and symbols appearing in the inscriptions.
But is this site really worth so much effort? Yes, because it is a unique, absolutely authentic historical document in clear and present danger. Unlike the modern, inane graffiti hurriedly slashed into the rocks, many of the old inscriptions are artistically and carefully made. Sometimes additional information is provided in the form of a Mason’s symbol, the British Broad Arrow, a date, the rendering of a flag, a ship’s name, or the image of a ship or a building. These are helpful clues that make it possible to identify the scribe.
The earliest date appearing anywhere in the TCI is found on Sapodilla Hill: May 10, 1767. Furthermore, the inscriptions read like a “Who’s Who” in the Turks & Caicos during the 19th century. Most are common local names found in today’s telephone directory: Robinson, Butterfield, Taylor, Selver, Forbes and Smith. But there are other names that were once prominent but no longer common: Harriott, Frith, Coverley, Baker, Whynns, Aubry, and Balfour. Curiously, many names are more closely connected to the Turks Islands than to the Caicos Islands, at least historically. Several inscriptions can be attributed to specific 19th century officials: W.R. Inglis was the second president of the Turks & Caicos serving between 1854 and 1862. Oliver Mungen was the United States consul to the Turks & Caicos from 1868 to 1869. He inscribed his name next to that of Thomas Whynns, who held the same office decades earlier.
Today, if you stand on top of Sapodilla Hill and look to the east you see South Dock, Provo’s bustling commercial port. Looking to the west you see a coastline studded with new houses and roads. Were it not for the inscribed stones at your feet you would have no way of knowing that Sapodilla Bay was an important nexus for trade, communication and commerce in the Islands for at least a century and a half during a period for which virtually no records of what was happening in the Caicos Islands exist. All over the Islands, modern development is transforming the landscape and occasionally erasing important connections with the past. For the native population it is not an impersonal past—it is their history.
And so it is fitting that the enthusiastic involvement of Mr. Ken Adams of the Do It Center made it possible to save the remaining portable inscriptions. Ironically, one of the inscriptions that disappeared since I recorded it 15 years ago was the most poignant. Inside an elaborate border it contained the name of John Forbes together with the only woman’s name to appear among the inscriptions, “ISABEL ADAMS.” Sweethearts? Lovers? Someone’s ancestors? a
The National Museum wishes to thank Chris Haggie and the entire AND Construction crew, photographer David Stone, architect Jeff Lee, National Trust volunteers Duncan, Fraser and Sally Hutt, and innocent bystanders Tom and Jill Linette, two tourists from Allentown, Pennsylvania who stopped by to see the inscriptions but pitched in immediately when they saw we needed help.

POSTSCRIPT: Now that there is a clear plan to protect the Sapodilla Hill site and preserve the stones and inscriptions, the National Museum and the DECR encourages anyone who may have removed inscriptions in the past to return them so that we may include them in the moulding, casting, and recording process.
Please contact Pat Saxton, director of development at the National Museum, at 946-2160 to arrange the transfer. No questions will be asked and donors may remain anonymous, if they so desire. Similarly, if anyone knows of other places in the Islands where ancient rock inscriptions exist, please contact the Museum so that we can add them to our database of TCI sites of historical importance.

By Dr. Donald H. Keith, Chairman, TCI National Museum