Good friends in Turks and Caicos

What did you do on Sunday?

I put the coffee on early morning and my husband watched a little British rugby on television,remarking on all the crowds in the stands dressed up in scarves and coats.

We do not possess any winter attire and living here, we forget about the change of seasons.

Good friends of ours left island in April to return to UK after a two year stay on island.We all missed them a lot.They booked a trip back almost immediately and arrived on Wednesday for a ten day stay.

It's been a perfect excuse to slack off work and join in the fun so today Jules and Tony, who own the Unicorn Bookstore on island,invited us on their boat so we headed down to meet them at the dock in Leeward.It was just like old times.

The water was calm and the sun, hot. Not any boats out there today so guess people are still off island.We spent a good half hour deciding which stretch of empty beach, and on which island, we were going to park ourselves for the day.Tough decision!

We ended up on Fort George, well known for sand dollars and pretty shells. It was only a few minutes from launch site and yet there we were as if on a deserted island, miles from civilisation.

An opportunity to catch up on news and views, and as we sat thinking how lucky we are to live here, whilst Pat and Paul tried to work out how they could return here fulltime.

It really does make you feel alive and appreciate every day where the woes of the world pass you by. We may have high utility bills and food costs but we have very few other expenses and when we get out on that clear turquoise water, with good friends, there's nothing to compare.

Visit my website http://www.caribbeanhomefinder.net/ to see the life style here .

Better still come and experience it first hand.

Just a thought for you British ladies out there

A very good girlfriend of mine from UK asked to come and stay for a second time in the year. She had enjoyed herself so much in the summer that instead of going to Europe skiing in the New year, she opted for the sun in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

She is a very successful business woman who owns her own recruitment company and recently went through a divorce after twenty years of marriage...anyhow, I was thinking about her and several other women of independent means, who I know well, who have found themselves on their own not knowing where to go or what they really want.
Some are suffering from empty nest syndrome, others alone without partners. - a little lost.

I have often thought that if I was alone, where would I go if I needed a break?
I would want to be in a safe place, in control ( wouldn't want to feel "on the market") and not surrounded by families enjoying their annual playtime together.
This is the place! Little nightlife but lots of sun and sand and beautiful beaches.

So now my friend comes to Turks and Caicos and returns as often as she can to recharge her batteries and get out of the rat race.
She plucked up courage to travel alone and experienced the relaxed friendly life style we have here. She is very envious of us when we stay all year round.

Before going into real estate, I wondered if ladies alone for whatever reason, knew about this island and if they felt confident to travel here,they would realise what a friendly, fun place it is;somewhere where they could be themselves for a while or even find themselves!

When my friend returned here for a second time, she was greeted by all our friends like a long lost family member and soon slotted straight back into our social life (which was hectic being holiday time).She forgot to feel sorry for herself and I forgot she had to go home and earn a living!

I think she is a great advertisement for the place and an inspiration for other women in similar circumstances.

She called me last night and said she was coming back again in the summer and bringing her sons to learn to dive. I think it's about time she bit the bullet and bought her own place!

So the conclusion is that being alone and coming here for a break is a good idea. Even better is buying your own little place to escape to, but for the time being, why not come over and check it out?

We have beautiful hotels and villas to rent, restaurants to suit every palate, safe beaches with no beach vendors, lots of people who will give you a warm welcome and it's English speaking so forget the phrase book. We drive on the left, have the American dollar (great exchange rate) and life is laid back, with ooddles of sunshine.

Call me when you are arriving just to say Hi and that you got this brilliant idea from my blog!!

Could I tempt you to buy that brand new apartment on the beach ?
Have seen a beauty this morning and it's at a great price.
You won't regret it...see you soon

Turks and Caicos sucks you in

Yesterday, I was showing prospective buyers around the island. Even though it isn't where I was born and I am on a work permit, I am always excited to show the place off!

They had come from the US and were surprised to see that our house prices had not been affected by the US slump in the housing market.

Many of our buyers tend to be people looking for their second or third home from home and are spoiled for choice when they view the many individual styles of the properties, whether condos on the beach or houses.

There's something to suit all tastes which makes this job so interesting. I get to see these hidden away beautiful villas, architecturally designed, specifically for the owner or the newly built condominiums on the Grace Bay Beach boasting every modern day convenience and luxury you could ask for.
This is not an island of bulk 'samey' buildings, I am pleased to say..

It was hot yesterday that my husband and I decided to head for the beach for the afternoon.

Several people we know walked past and stopped to chat. One couple from Atlanta have been here a year with their three young children. They are disappointed that their time here has come to an end and are having to go back to the States when school is out.

The family have already decided that they are coming back for their fall break and the children have asked their mom if they can go to school here for their two weeks vacation. They have loved Provo Primary School and have their cousin going to school for this week as they want to share it with her!

Life here is relaxing, social and fun. You make good friends quickly whatever your age and make fun whilst you are all sharing this beautiful place, usually outdoors because the sun shines a lot.

Other friends were there with their two little girls. The girls were so excited as they had been snorkelling and seen an " iggle ray" and a "tortoise". I think she meant an eagle ray and a turtle! Sealife is in abundance and close to the beach around the coral heads where the tourists go to experience these fabulous sea creatures in their natural habitat.

The children have such an outdoor healthy life here exuding such enthusiasm for all their natural surroundings. It's a great place for young children when all they need is clear clean water, sand and sun.

Snuba Jodi was there for those of you who know her. She' had just finished one of her dives with a group of adults, who were all raving about the underwater scenery. She's a friend and I know people return to her each year for their snuba experience..she gets good write ups on Trip Advisor I see.

Friends who recently had to go back to their lives in UK, sent an e mail saying they have booked to come back here in October. They miss island life very much even though they have their new BMW's to play with ( there is no point in having one of those here as there are no long drives to do).

So whilst some are on their first visit looking to buy here, others live here and don't want to leave, others had to go and are already thinking of coming back...!

It holds a magic that you have to experience first hand in order to appreciate why people want to be here.













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Advertising

FROM: Jan Hull - Caribbean Home Finder, Anchor Realty Ltd
SUBJECT: New advertising campaign - Leeward Highway Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands
DATE: April 17 2008

ANCHOR REALTY agent Jan Hull scooped the island Real Estate Industry with the first advertisement sign on the new hoardings erected on the Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Jan, promoting her website http://www.caribbeanhomefinder.net/ , invested in the 6ft x 12 ft display after learning about this new initiative.
“It’s a thrill to be in the air” said Jan, when looking at her advert. The placement coincided with her birthday by pure coincidence. “The best birthday present I could have had” said Jan.
CaribbeanHomeFinder is an innovative selling platform within Terrance Adam’s newly opened real estate company Anchor Realty Ltd. The office is located on Princess Drive, just opposite the Veranda and Alexandra developments.
“I offer a high quality, client orientated service, where communications between the client and myself are of the utmost importance” says Jan. “In today’s market, where there is so much competition, it is essential that my clients know that they can rely on me to see to their real estate needs in a personal and professional manner.”
Jan is photographed pointing at her new sign.
“The professional approach of Island Displays made the whole process so easy. They are a joy to work with” said Jan.
Jan and her husband moved to Turks and Caicos Islands in 2004 and still retain property in Maidstone. Rowland was an Ofsted Inspector, and Jan worked for Kent County Council , UK, within the Education Sector.
“The response so far has been really positive, and I look forward to successfully marketing a whole range of properties across the Islands, bringing in investors who want only the best.”
“I feel privileged to be able to live, work and invest in these beautiful islands and I wish to share this wonderful experience.” said Jan.
Jan can be contacted at 649 242 1714 or through her website http://www.caribbeanhomefinder.net/