<strong>Rent Provo: My First Visit to Provo</strong>

My First Visit to Provo - Tuesday, August 21, 2007

I had heard of TCI many years ago when I lived in Canada. It was talked about as being one of the best places to go diving and having just gotten my Open Water certification I was eager to head to the Caribbean to go diving in WARM water and be able to actually see some colorful fish and coral reef. Well like most of us travellers I started reading the Dive Magazines and of course checking out hotels etc. at the different destinations. Alas, shame on me, I decided there really wasn't very much on Provo in the way of accommodations or other things to do. so I headed to many other destinations over the years. Cozumel, Dominican Republic, Columbia, Venezuela, Grand Cayman, Bonaire to mention a few. Little did I know then that I was missing the best of the best but no going to TCI.
After moving to Florida nearly 15 years ago I thought I was in paradise with the Keys right on my doorstep. Needless to say I did a lot of diving here but still also went on trips to the Caribbean every year. What I find interesting is that I never really heard TCI mentioned here in Florida. Surprising as there are many Dive Clubs that organize trips to the various other places not once did I come across any heading for TCI. Finally in September 2004 while Hurricane Jeanne was heading to Florida we got our chance and booked a 4 day getaway to Provo.
When we arrived the island was still mopping up from the effects of Jeanne as it had passed by. Of course there was no diving as not only was the weather not cooperating but most of the businesses are closed during September. We were not surprised as it is the also slowest month for tourists here in Southwest Florida. After getting settled in at the Turtle

Cove Inn we looked around the Marina and found The Tiki Hut. We were greeted at the entrance by Joan Bennett the Assistant Manager and a more friendly, helpful person you couldn't meet. She not only served us a great meal but also helped us arrange a private taxi tour of the island with one of her taxi driver friends.The next morning it was raining and dull but we didn't mind as we were going on our tour. We headed out down Lower Bight Road and at that time it was still a dirt road. They were just finishing paving the main road and hadn't started on the other roads yet. It was bumperty bump all the way with plenty of pot holes full of water. We drove through Leeward and was truly amazed to see the number of lovely homes that had been built. We had no idea the island was on a building boom and that it had been "discovered". We stopped at Leeward Marina and had breakfast at Gilley's. The rain stopped and the sun started to sun and then we could see the true color of the water. Suddenly the activity started up with small boats heading in to the Marina and the crews getting the few boats ready for the odd sightseeing or fishing trip that had been scheduled by the visitors that were on the island at that time. Our driver headed out to the Conch Farm but alas it was closed so we didn't get to see it that day. We continued around the unfinished section of Leeward Highway and then back down to Lower Bight Road.

We stopped at Ports of Call and checked out the shops and picked up some soft drinks. Heading back along Lower B

ight we could see the beginning construction of Seven Stars, The Pinnacle was half built and there were fenced off areas for a number of other projects. We stopped at one of the Beach access points and walked out to the beach and there it was - Grace Bay it all its beauty. In all my travels I had never seen a more pristine and beautiful beach that stretched for miles. Not only that but it was practically deserted! White sand, turquoise blue water, puffy white clouds and glorious sunshine. Right then and there I knew this was the place I had been looking for. I always dreamt of living on an island in the sun and this was the one from my dreams. When we got back the hotel we went back over to the Tiki Hut for lunch and sat down with the TCI Real Estate guide and started reading everything about buying and owning property in TCI. After lunch we went back to the hotel and as the sun was now shining brightly and it was getting quite hot we decided it was time to go laze by the pool. We were here for a vacation after all so we made a couple of cocktails to drink while sunning and swimming. After a couple of hours it was time to go take a nap and then head out again for dinner.
The next day we decided to go to the beach. From the Turtle Cove Inn you can walk to the beach so we packed up our snorkel gear and stopped in the Liquor Store to get some cold drinks to take with us and then headed down the road. This took us past the construction of the new Yacht Club condominiums overlooking the Marina and on to the Public Access to the beach at

Smith’s Reef. The beach is not as wide here and is more rocky in places but just off shore there are patches of coral reef that are great for snorkeling. We spent a few hours in and out of the water snorkeling up and down and then lying in the sun and watching the boats come and go through the channel from the ocean to the Marina. We spotted the sightseeing Submarine going out and it cruised up and down over the larger of the reefs. By mid afternoon we were getting hungry so headed back and stopped in at The Shark Bite for lunch. There are a number of different restaurants around Turtle Cove to fit all budgets and tastes. In September though it is hit and miss whether they will be open. After lunch we meandered back to the hotel and headed for the pool again. A couple of beers later it was time to go shower and change for the evening. We took a leisurely stroll round the Marina, looking at the boats and then headed back to the Tiki Hut for dinner.
We had planned to be there another day but what with the Hurricane and other things we had to leave the next day. We were sorry to leave but had already determined that we would be back and not just for a vacation but to buy our own piece of Paradise.

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