Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

KiteProvo
(Turks and Caicos - Sights & Activities)

The Only Way to Learn to Kite!

I had the good pleasure of taking Kite Boarding lessons from Kite Provo’s Mike Haas this past June. For a long time I was hesitant to try this extreme sport due to previous injuries and fear that being a woman would mean I didn’t have the upper body strength to excel at this sport. Was I ever wrong! When taught properly this sport is for all ranges of athletic ability. Combined with the pristine, empty, shallows of Long Bay, this is and adventure for all!!

Mike is not only an experienced boarder but is also an excellent teacher. These lessons don’t come cheap, but when you get out there and have his stellar advice and expertise, it’s well worth it. Lessons start with the basics, controlling the kite on the beach etc…. Then, you move on to more complex skills like launching and getting up on the board. It takes a handful of lessons and even more practice to become really comfortable, but what a rush when you finally get it!! Some advice- bring great sport sunglasses that can be affixed to your face with some sort of strap, wear board shorts, and don’t forget lip protector with sun block.

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Da Conch Shack
(Turks and Caicos - Nightlife)

Island Dining at its Purest

Island life is good…. And with a setting like Da Conch Shack you would think a great dining experience would ensue, unfortunately this restaurant falls short. It took forever for our waitress to acknowledge us and by the time she did the catch of the day was already eighty-sixed. There was a big party of people close to the bar and it seemed that they were getting the only good service in the restaurant.

I found the rum punch to be overly sweet and suspect they use sub-par rum for this mix. Although service wasn’t great, the food was. The menu is limited but full of tasty options. I highly recommend the cracked conch, it’s probably one of my favourite island snacks and here it’s delicious and tender, not tough as a lot of conch can be. There is also a surprisingly plentiful wine list for those who don’t drink hard alcohol. All in all I would return to Da Conch Shack. The setting and the food compare to none other!

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Nikki Beach Club
(Turks and Caicos - Nightlife)

A Must for the Jet Set

Nikki Beach Club didn’t disappoint with their one year anniversary party! Hundreds of people came out to celebrate the resort and club’s first birthday with live music by British reggae Legend Maxi Priest and local food set up at different stations around the beach. I loved the big rustic furniture everywhere with soft, white, fabrics hanging and flowing all around you! It was nice just to lounge about and people watch.

Drinks were pricier than other places but the first one was free and with the ambiance and entertainment, it was well worth it. There were oversized beds and sofas all over the place- along with lots of places for people to steal away for some privacy which I found nice. This is definitely a hot spot and would recommend this club to anyone who wants to be where the action is- especially when there is a special event going on. Provo has very little nightlife and Nikki Beach Club fills the need for sure.

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Hemingway's
(Turks and Caicos - Restaurants)

An Unpretentious and Relaxed Dining Experience

I was hesitant to dine at Hemingway’s initially as it is located in uber posh The Sands at Grace Bay. I was very pleasantly surprised to see, however, that the restaurant was very laid-back and there were many affordable menu options. The meal came out a little slow- but I found the waiter’s personalities made up for it. When we needed something there was always someone from the staff there to help us.

The food was also good. There were lots of options for feed the group of us that went there for lunch. The seafood is great- I recommend the mango shrimp salad and the Soft Fish Tacos. There is also lots of stuff for the carnivores as well, including Black Angus Beef Skewers and a Rack of Lamb. All in all this is a fun place to watch the sun set with a group of people. We didn’t spot Jojo the dolphin- but we’ll be back to gaze from this seaside deck again!

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Tiki Hut Cabana Bar & Grill
(Turks and Caicos - Restaurants)

Easy Choice for Casual, Dockside, Dining

This is a good restaurant for a diverse group of people. I found a large selection of salads and vegetarian options as well as high quality meats at this Turtle Cove eatery. While recently dining at the Tiki hut I had The Garlic Shrimp Salad and enjoyed a huge portion of mixed veggies and shrimp grilled to perfection. I had asked for the Creamy Mango Dressing on the side and much to my dismay it was poured over the salad before hand. I didn’t say anything at the time and I’m glad I didn’t-the dressing was light and delicious and perfect with the salad.

I thought the staff was very welcoming and overall service was good. Our waiter, Miguel, was very attentive and plates were brought out hot off the grill! Desserts are also in an abundant supply and I treated myself to the Oreo Cookie Sunday. Let me say I was not disappointed- any chocoholic will enjoy this mix of the classic cookie, ice cream, and Godiva Chocolate Sauce. Heaven!

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Amanyara
(Turks and Caicos - Accommodations)

Just Go With the Flow

I have been to the Amanyara on a few occasions and am always amazed at how gracious the staff is. I really enjoyed the personal chef coming down to our villa to prepare meals for us. The amount of beautiful seafood and other delicacies was beyond words. I can say without a doubt all parties agreed it was a culinary safari to remember. Not to be outdone, the service team was also outstanding. From breakfast until the wee hours of the night our butler was there, perched and ready to assist us. Lounging by our private infinite pool just made the weekend even more rejuvenating.

I would definitely recommend the Amanyara to anyone who wants to recharge their batteries in a secluded Caribbean hideaway- away from it all. Every detail is taken care of for you so you can relax and soak it all in. Snorkel enthusiast will love the National Park at their doorsteps. Enjoy complementary yoga each morning or venture out later at the Beach Club’s regular BBQ dinner, no need to make plans, just go with the flow.

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Club Med Turquoise
(Turks and Caicos - Accommodations)

Pure Unadulterated Fun

I visited this Club Med in the spring of 2009. I was attracted to the affordable price and activity options. The all inclusive aspect was a little suspicious to me but I was eager to check it out. As I suspected many things were not included, like coronas, and top shelf liquors. Lucky for me I was perfectly happy with the local rum. Everything I needed was included. I heard other guests complaining about not having Coca Cola or Pepsi products, but again, that made no difference to me.

The rooms were nice and clean. I learned that the Deluxe and Club rooms are the same size but differ only in amenities. We had a Club (standard) room and it was more than enough. It could use an updating, but we weren’t there for the décor. The whole point for us was to be outside enjoying the grounds and ocean. I will definitely return to this Club for its sense of pure unadulterated FUN!

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Nikki Beach Resort and Beach Club
(Turks and Caicos - Accommodations)

The Place To Be

I was at Nikki Beach in the spring and was quite surprised by how empty it seemed. The whole island seemed desolate which was actually quite nice. There were some people, but nothing like I imagined! I loved the giant white beds and the billowy linens hanging everywhere. I don’t know where they find their entertainers but they are gorgeous- there seemed to be beautiful people everywhere my eyes fell. The swim-up bar is a favourite of mine so I spent a lot of time in that region on Saturday and Sunday when they opened. I was disappointed it wasn’t open during the week but at least there were attendants walking around taking orders.

I would definitely rent a car to go exploring. The resort is about 5 minutes drive from town where there are a ton of amazing restaurants and shops. A lift can be arranged for you but I think it’s just easier to have a car for the day- it’s worth it. I would recommend Nikki Beach to the trendy jet-setter type and absolutely go back myself!

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Provo Ponies
(Turks and Caicos - Sights & Activities)

A Dream Experience

I recently went on an 80 minute horseback riding adventure with Provo Ponies in Long Bay. My beginner husband humored me and accompanied me for the morning ride. It was always my dream to canter down the beach with the wind in my hair. I hoped this experience would deliver, but I was very apprehensive, being an experienced rider and having done “nose-to-tail” rides in other locations before.

Lucky for me, the dream became a reality. The location, experience of the guides, amazing horses, and unparalleled environment made it truly a dream- cheesy but true. And my husband felt super comfortable on his horse. It’s a great activity for all experience levels! I would recommend that total beginners do the 60 minute ride instead of the 80 as those 20 minutes can make a big difference on your tush! I was very disappointed our hotel didn’t tell us to bring spare cash though (in fact they advised against it). There were great T-shirts, hats, and cold water for sale.

Shayna Bigazzi

Adventure Traveller,

Rank: 120

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Age: 24-35

Silver Deep
(Turks and Caicos - Sights & Activities)

Tame Half Day

I escaped on a half day snorkel/iguana island/beach comb excursion with Silver Deep in March of 2009. Silver Deep has a storefront where we were told to check in since we were driving our own car. Otherwise they will pick you up in front of your resort. Initially I was quite put off by their attitude when we called and checked in. However, once we got to the boat, the crew of 3 quickly made up for it. All locals to the Caribbean the captain and crew were gracious to answer all questions and fill us in on conch extracting techniques and local lore. The sea was quite rough on the day that we went but the crew had lots of options for alternate snorkel spots and other beach ideas. They all seemed to genuinely want to make it a great trip.

My only real complaint was the children who were let to run around the boat seemingly unsupervised. More than once I was shoved or stepped on by a stampede of little ones-mind you, it was spring break. I do wish they had asked parents to control their unruly children!

Definitely call ahead as these trips book up fast during busier times. This excursion is ideal for those who want a bit of everything~ snorkel, beach combing, iguana watching etc. I would recommend a dedicated snorkel trip for those who really want to check out the reef as this trip only gives you about 30-45 minutes for adventuring below the surface.