Richard Turen
This is the first destination I've ever been to where delayed landing is the preferred method of arrival.
We spent four nights diving into the Turks and Caicos Islands, which didn't leave us with much time to try to get a real sense of the place that might be worth talking to you about, beyond the PR quandary.
Indeed, I heard that not only Drake but also Jay-Z and Beyoncé are part-time residents. However, a gated mansion with security can be built almost anywhere. What was this place really like?
I took a break because I heard an apologetic message from an American Airlines pilot saying, “We have received a message from the tower that 5 or 6 planes are preparing to take off, and landing will be delayed by about 20 minutes.'' It was an unlikely announcement.
The plane began a slow, sweeping turn, and we, sitting in our window seats, marveled at the swirls of blue, the changing shades of deep blue, and suddenly we were struck by the beauty of sparkling light blue splashes. It has been replaced. This body of water was so green that it looked like the most perfect blue forest in the world, with a house sitting like a diamond in the center of it. It shimmered, and as the plane slowly turned, it became clear that there was no home in the space below. We were flying over a beautiful deserted area surrounded by perfect beaches with no piers or boats.
Then — hmm! — more sparkling shades of gorgeous, velvety blue, then green, and “home” which I understood to be a coral reef. This is some of the best diving and snorkeling areas in the world, and for us watching, it was an incredibly beautiful kaleidoscope of color. To be honest, it was the most enjoyable travel memory of this short trip. For a while, I was an eagle soaring over the stunningly beautiful Caribbean landscape.
Then I could see the main island of Providenciales, and in the blink of an eye, a single runway approached.
There was a line at the airport, but customs was pleasant and serious enough. We then waited for one small carousel to bring our luggage into view.
The taxi van was full and we didn't know when we would be dropped off. We were able to see part of the island but were not impressed. Given the island's current connection to the British Royal Family, the roads were full of potholes, some bad drivers, and we were all on the wrong side of the road. We paid him $50 for a simple taxi transfer. The island is expensive, with taxes and fees of nearly 30% added on.
We had to keep a close eye on the road. Then suddenly we veered onto a dirt road lined with small houses and came across a guarded gate. By then, after a few short stops, visitors quickly discover that some of the most stunning beachfront in North America lies behind each property.
Our stay at Palms Turks and Caicos was a memorable one. He could write three columns about some of the dishes he enjoyed at the resort's Parallel 23 restaurant. That includes a Caesar salad carved like a work of art. We loved the curving pool facing Seven Mile Beach.
This is my conclusion about Turks and Caicos Islands. As reported, it is truly gorgeous and amazing. But first you have to enter through a large, manned security gate along a dusty road.
