Christmas on the Beach

I know that it is all over but the photos that friends are sending round are fun so thought I would share them.Now, before you get envious of us all on the beach on Christmas Day, I have to confess some of them were saying " It's not Christmas without snow and sitting in front of a log fire!"

I know they are mad but as they say "the grass is always greener".

Our children usually arrive for the holidays from USA and UK and we revert to being like house sparrows,flying around feeding them every couple of hours, trying to please them all knowing their trip is short. Our friends invite us to go and play out and we politely decline and say we have to be Ma and Pa to offspring who expect it.

Well this year they did not come over and I was a lost soul.; no gifts to hurriedly buy and wrap ensuring everyone has same value and same number, no baking,no freezer filled with goodies that I could miraculously and effortlessly pull out after a day out on the boat.

I felt disorientated but friends in a similar position said they would have breakfast with us and then hit the beach with champagne.

I felt better!

The day was fun with so many good friends turning up on Grace bay Beach, to share the sun, sand and fun ( and champers)

The evening was a great success with good friends, inviting us to a wonderful dinner with great company followed by Secret Silly Santa.

Now those who know Turks and Caicos, appreciate how difficult it is to get gifts. I foolishly picked the biggest out of the sack and found myself with a beige,embroidered padded toilet seat!!

I can see readers trying to picture this one...

Anyhow,we had a lot of laughs and at least it's practical!I am not one to be ungrateful!

New Years Eve was a hit, again on the beach with champagne and mince pies., turning up after 10 p.m after we had all been to different eateries. Year after year we do this as a tradition and I am always impressed with hundreds of people, all ages,different nationalities, in all stages of merriment but there is never any bad behaviour, language or drunkeness ( we hide that last bit well).

So now we are back to the grindstone.

As Anchor Realty opened a new satellite office on the beach, you'll appreciate it wasn't difficult coming to work.

Surrounded by people on vacation, relaxing and soaking up the sun, snorkelling around the reef , or sipping a cold drink in the new beach cafe, makes me appreciate my surroundings.

Although I missed my children a lot, there is always next year and in the meantime, sun, sand,warm seas and smiley,happy people will just have to do!

If you are booked to come over, come and say hi at Coral Gardens.

A warm welcome awaits you.

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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New exciting development launches

THE SHORE CLUB on LONG BAY BEACH is now Launching!

Stan Hartling, Chief Executive Officer of The Hartling Group and successful developer of The Sands and The Regent Palms, is now launching his third property on the island of Providenciales, The Shore Club on Long Bay Beach.

I asked to meet with Stan to ask him about The Shore Club and he readily found time to answer my questions and provide me with information for prospective buyers.

The Shore Club will be an exclusive, secluded enclave of just 85 suites built in traditional Barbadian style.

“The development has been designed in an S shape to take full advantage of the shoreline and therefore provide stunning ocean views from every angle you turn”, said Stan.

All this, away from the hustle and bustle of the Grace Bay tourist area, will provide the owners with a full service luxury resort with 820 feet of prime beach front while being conveniently located just over two miles from all major amenities located throughout Grace Bay.

As the Turks and Caicos Government recently announced a decrease in stamp duty fees until June 30th 2008 , Stan is offering those investing in The Shore Club, the opportunity to prepay their stamp duty to take full advantage of this decrease now.

Stan went on to say, “ In order to further assist purchasers in taking advantage of this substantial saving, The Hartling Group is willing to amend the existing payment schedule by offsetting half of the required upfront cash flow.
Please note that the 6% will need to be funded and then 3% will be reduced later on the initial deposit.”

“When we build a development it should be something we want to live with for the next fifty years.”

Stan remains one of the most successful and highly respected developers in the Turks and Caicos Islands. When he says he is going to build a luxurious, exclusive resort, he means just that, and delivers.

Having talked to owners at The Regent Palms and The Sands, I can see why they hold onto their units and repeatedly come back to stay and enjoy the enviable environments that Stan and his team have created for them.

The Shore Club will undoubtedly be another such desirable development.

Prices start at $1.33 million

To be part of The Shore Club click on “Contact me” as soon as you can because they are selling fast.
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