Get this on your Bucket List: Turks & Caicos

So its been a while since I last posted... this blogging business is harder than I thought. Sure, you would think its easy to just write about things you love. But the reality of living in a place like London is finding the time to sit down, focus, and get typing. So here I am. It's a cloudy, chilly Saturday morning and there is crap TV on. So I thought I'd stick on some tunes, and reminisce on my latest trip: Turks & Caicos.

Ah... Turks & Caicos. A set of magical islands and keys in the Caribbean (Atlantic, if you're being pedantic) of which only 8 out of about 40 are inhabited. Though you may not have heard of them before, the Spanish stumbled upon them back in the early 1500s, followed by the French and British - and the islands became a popular pirate hangout. But in present day times, they are better known as a tax haven, but more importantly a lesser know holiday destination. When people say that a picture says more than 1,000 words, I think they must have been talking about this place. So I will let the images below do all the talking. But if you really need reasons to visit this place, then here are my Top 5 Reasons to Visit Turks and Caicos:

50 Shades of Blue & Green - though I've never been to Maldives, you cannot help but stare out into the beautiful ocean surrounding you. Though some refer to it as the Atlantic, if you are in the Northern Coast of TCI you are actually looking out into the Atlantic Ocean. With water that looks like glass, even the most adverse to salt water will not wait to dive in.
Sea Life - You are spoilt for choice here. Whether you want to snorkel or dive, the visibility here is pretty much next to none. Even just off the shore of Grace Bay beach you can spot sting rays, but if what you're looking for is more variety, then head out to the 6,000 sq ft wall reef and you'll be able to spot, lobsters, crabs, turtles, a myriad of fish, and the odd shark here and there. And if you're there between January and March you won't even need to dive in to watch the humpback whales as they pass by - more info here http://bit.ly/1OOcvd3
Friendliest people on the Caribbean - you'll find so many people telling you that Belongers (Turks and Caicos Islanders) are some of the friendliest people in the Caribbean. They just have a very warm and welcoming attitude. Though Providenciales has a large influx of expats, if you wonder off to North and Middle Caicos you'll be able to spend an afternoon playing dominos, or shooting the breeze over a beer out in Mudjin Beach Harbour.
The food - well of course this had to be a reason to travel somewhere. And of course seafood takes centre stage. Though most ingredients have to be imported, as the islands aren't self sufficient, you'll find they know how to treat the produce with respect. From a tiny little café to the fine dining restaurants you can sample fresh seafood like the humble conch - either ceviche style or deep fried - to beautifully cooked lobster. And one of the best places to sample some of the best food on Provo is to go check out the Thursday Night Fish Fry, and sample some local cocktails and try and keep up wile dancing Junkanoo.
Everything and Nothing to do - whether you are the type of person who just wants to "Fly and Flop" you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your hotel. It somehow feels like when they were building hotels here, they all got together and decided that each would cater to a different type of guest and what they would want to get out of their experience. And once you are settled, if you decide that just laying on a powder white sand beach isn't for you then you can head out conch diving, horseback riding, explore the many outstanding spas, go out fishing, do a bit of SUP, kayaking, island hoping and learning more about the history of the islands by visiting Wade Plantation or the caves in Middle Caicos.

All in all, this place needs to be on your bucket list. As I mentioned before, most things need to be imported onto the islands, so y no means is this a "cheap" destination. So you need to be prepared to spend a little while you are here. But what you can be certain of is that when you do choose to discover these beautiful islands you will not regret it and you will be very welcome.