Off the Beaten Path – Kimcha Village

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

KIMCHA VILLAGE

By David Newlands Photographs courtesy of David Newlands Turks and Caicos Islands are one of the many destinations serviced by Bahamasair. Visit Bahamasair.com to book your next flight.

Wetlands

Kimcha Village Birds I magine this: You find yourself on a trail—to your left, the vibrant blues and greens of the wetlands stretch as far as your eye can see; to your right, dunes of white sand and clusters of trees offer their shade. Just beyond the trees, you can see an undisturbed beach, and the view of beautiful turquoise sea. Welcome to Kimcha Village, where nature is calling. Will you answer?

Located on Providenciales, you would be forgiven for not realizing that you were on the most developed island in the Turks and Caicos. Sheltered in the farthest western reaches of the North Shore, it is unspoiled by the chaos of most of the island, as it is miles from the bustle of Grace Bay. Where the main road ends, visitors will venture onto a coastal dirt road that guides you towards your final destination.

After a few minutes of driving, you realize that the Providenciales you knew ended where the tarmac stopped. The homes and storefronts have been replaced by Casuarina and Sea Grape trees, and where you would have seen people, you instead see birds of every shape and colour. The sound of traffic and car horns has been replaced with the sound of crashing waves on the shore. You are greeted by a gate with a hand-painted sign, which reads “Welcome to Kimcha Village”. You finally made it. Built in the wetlands of Wheeland, Kimcha Village is dotted with several large ponds, and offers winding trails, a beautiful shoreline, and privacy and seclusion unlike anything that can be found elsewhere on the island.

Kimcha Village was not always a beautiful nature preserve. Originally, the site was an undeveloped plot of Crown land that was used for dumping and a quarry for sand. But as fate would have it, the owners of Kimcha Village, Charmaine and Kimmit, stumbled across the site when looking for a place to picnic. They

were horrified by the state of the location, and, yet, at the same time, enamoured by the potential it offered. While the site was riddled with garbage, including burned out cars and appliances, it was clear that, if they took the time to clean the property, they would be able to restore the wetlands and coastline to their former glory—and that was what they did.

Charmaine and Kimmit cleared the cars and debris, which were polluting the wetlands, and, over time, the original wildlife started to return. Kimcha Village was soon home to ospreys, flamingos, ducks, herons, pelicans and many other birds. Along with the birds, the property had several brackish ponds that were formed by the tides filling in the old quarry pits. These ponds became their own ecosystems, and, with the help of Charmaine and Kimmit’s stewardship, it is now home to a variety of marine life.

A major focus of Kimcha Village is to be not only a wildlife sanctuary, but also a place of education, where its visitors can learn more about the natural elements of Turks and Caicos, including the indigenous plants that grow in the country, such as the sisal. Along with this, there is a salina on the property, which has an intrinsic link to the history of Turks and Caicos. The hope is to teach people the value of the natural resources that can be found within the country, as well as educate them on the heritage of the islands.

Today, Kimcha Village is an ideal paradise for those who want to escape society—given its seclusion and off-grid lifestyle; it is easy to forget where you are. Simply book a time to visit the park, and you will be given access to the amenities which include private tents, a beachside lounge with sunbathing chairs and various park benches. There is no scheduled tour, or agenda—you choose how you want to spend your time; be it bird watching, exploring the trails, or simply lying on the beach. Guests are also treated to a healthy meal, where simplicity is key, giving visitors a taste of the simple, yet delicious offerings of Turks and Caicos.

If you find yourself in Turks and Caicos and feel the fatigue of conventional tourism weighing upon you, be sure to visit Kimcha Village, where you can witness the island’s natural beauty with privacy and independence. You can book a reservation by contacting Charmaine at kimchavillage@gmail.com. Lunch On A Shaded Beach Unspoiled Beach Area