National Colony Realty

Clear your minds, I am not talking criminals here, I am talking food! There are some dishes that are in high demand and has become on the most wanted list among the local population. Just recently, I was on facebook and a friend’s wall post was “I feel like some fry cakes”.

Yes its, dishes like “fry cakes” “Cocoa Lump/dough” “Slam to the reef” “Slam bam” and ”Flour pap” that makes the most wanted lists. Some call them ‘poor people food’ because it is a combination of what ever you had like the basic ingredients of flour and sugar mixed together to form different dishes. This was before all of the development within the islands. 

Today the locals consider these dishes as delicacies and no longer poor people food. Now that we are in a position to choose what we eat, we think of Fry Cakes and the likes as a food of culture with historical meaning. To me, it reminds us of where we came from to where we are now. And every now and again we find ourselves having those cravings . . .  so do not be surprise if you drop in and find that the main course for the day’s table is Coco lumps; especially on a cold day. They are in want by everyone. You cannot find them in the restaurants you have to ‘go local’ for such delicacies.

Fry cake

We have the luxury of having one of the owners of our company that has been living here since 1967 (and I have a hard time remembering what it was like 14 years ago) and can only imagine the changes he has seen!  We often hear stories of the “good old days” from him and I thought it was about time to share some of them…especially this one. 

He had recently finished surveying a large section of land known as Blue Mountain and ended up with an odd shaped parcel that he thought might be difficult to sell.  Since there was very little commerce (or people for that matter) back then, he decided why not try and barter with the land for something that he really, really, really wanted and was hard to come by.  After some very quick deliberation, he came up with ice cream…yes…ice cream.  Can you imagine?  Well he did indeed make a deal with the owner of the ice cream shop (now long gone) for a year’s worth of free ice cream anytime he wanted in exchange for that parcel of land.  He even had a framed deed of the transaction in his old office (that was unfortunately destroyed by a fire) that no longer exists but his memory of that ice cream sure does!

Just a quick note in closing…property in Blue Mountain today is worth anywhere from $200K to $500K.  I wish I had an ice cream shop back then!        

Karen Shaw

At National Colony Realty we are always pleased to get feedback from our clients. Let us know what topics that you are interesting in knowing about and we will post them on our blog. The topic can range from real estate questions to just plain information about the Turks and Caicos Islands. i.e Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, Grand Turk, Salt Cay etc. Put our knowledge to the test and let us learn together.

Vernica

After months of training and other preparations, the 911 emergency system is finally up and ready to serve the general public of the Turks and Caicos Islands. There was a swearing in ceremony of eight telecommunicators, on 5 February 2010 who have now taken over the responsibility of receiving calls through the 911 emergency line. This is a great mile stone within the islands, as the goal of the new 911 Call Center is to “enhance coordination and dissemination of information, in order to respond more quickly to the emergency situations that arise each and every day”, and this is something that we needed for a long time in the islands.

We are a tourism driven destination and a functional and efficient 911 system is a necessity.

Vernica

Meridian Financial group is holding a tax planning and investment seminar conference here in Turks and Caicos Islands next week.  This event is to introduce legitimate tax planning stategies for North Americans by qualified Canadain and US professionals willing to provide tax opinions. 

I am going to attend to further understand how investing in real estate with tax savings and finding the right type of ownership can benefit my clients who might wish to take advantage of what our tax free islands have to offer.  

The goal of course it to make sure they and I have the right tools to make sound investment decisions with the help of the folks at Meridian Trust.  

Check back next week so I can share the highlights of what I learn with you.

Karen Shaw

Cottage pond (courtesy of Caicos Caves project)

Cottage pond is yet another one of Turks and Caicos amazing natural wonders that you would want to visit on the island of North Caicos, measuring 165 feet in diameter.  It was believed for years that the pond had no end. However, a team of divers with the Caicos Cave project in 2001 put an end to that theory by performing a few days of strategic dive operations and concluding a dept of 225 ft, with many tiny fissures connecting the system to the ocean. They also discovered that the pond has an underwater cave system and believes that it was once above water.

Another major discovery made by the team was “a brand new species of the primitive crustacean class Remipedia … Kaloketos pilosus:” which is referred to as “the Beautiful Sea Monster”. I guess they are now only to rule out the legend of the mermaid who has been spotted in the pond.

Detailed information of the Caicos Cave findings and adventure of cottage pond can be found at the below links: http://www.caicoscaves.com/cottage_pond.htm , http://caicoscaves.com/sea_monster.htm.

The first time I really paid attention to the sport of kiteboarding was about 4 years ago, while working in a law firm on island. My employer was very active in the sport and always found time to fit it in his busy working schedule. Because of this, I began paying more attention to the sport and now have a better understanding and enjoyment of it.

Compared to four years ago, I have realized that kite boarding has become a popular sporting activity among the people of the islands, and visitors have been attracted to the islands because of the kiteboarding opportunities. That is to say that we have excellent wind and water conditons for the sport, almost all year round. Some of the popular spots that you will find kite-boarders are Long Bay beach and Grace Bay beach in Providenciales and the Mudjin Harbour area of Middle Caicos is also on the top of the list.

Most recently, the TCI can brag of Kiteboarding magazine presence in the Turks and Caicos to take photos for their upcoming March 2010 magazine cover. See some of the magnificent shots for yourself by clicking here.

Mudjin Harbour, Middle Caicos

Vernica

While most of the world will be celebrating valentines day this weekend and officially on Sunday, those in China will be celebrating their new year 2010, sometimes called the Lunar New Year. This year 2010 will be called the year of the Tiger which is also know by its formal name Geng Yin. . . I do not know that much about it, I only know what I have read and been told by my cousin who stays in China. . . . Nevertheless, Happy New year to our clients in China and NCR wish you a year full of prosperity and longevity.

And to our clients who are in the rest of the world, Happy Valentines Day.

Well really it’s not, but an entertaining evening was had by all when the TCREA Social Committee hosted the premier of the movie “It’s Complicated” with Meryl Streep last night to raise funds for the Gartland Youth Center of Providenciales.

Thanks to all who attended and enjoyed a mojito or two for a good cause.

Check back with us to see what’s on tap for the next fundraiser.

Karen Shaw

What started out as a boat cruise around the banks of Providenciales, ended up as a deep sea fishing adventure for my family on Saturday with Provo Sand and Sea tours.

As soon as we reached on the open waters we decided to change course and go fishing. The captain asked, “In or out?” of course our response was “out”. We wanted to be on the out side of the reef hoping to get a better catch and also the full experience of deep sea fishing. It was a marvelous experience, can you imagine the laughter among us. There was my mom and aunt who are experts at fishing then there were the rest of us who only knew how to eat the catch of the day, but we were throwing out our lines and fishing. And guess what? the non-professionals caught the most fish. I can’t wait to do it again. We vowed to plan a full day trip the next time just for the fishing. I guess once you start fishing you get hook!

Vernica