Off the Beaten Path Get Away to North Caicos: Ecological, Historical, Agricultural

By Deandrea Hamilton

Photographs Courtesy Of TCI Tourist Board, Turks & Caicos National Trust

There is a new experience taking shape in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), and while the path for this amazing trail which slices through a turquoise ocean is drawing hundreds of city slickers to an entrancing twin island escape, the way never wears thin. North Caicos and Middle Caicos have just gotten a modern cruise port. Islanders are boastfully proud of this maritime advancement which now enhances the arrival appeal to their communities.

You won’t see the mega liners which bring massive numbers of tourists to explore and experience cultures; what you will find is a more boutique centre which rolls out an impressive welcome mat to TCI’s two largest islands.

Ferries make as many as eight 25-minute trips a day. Choose TCI Ferry or My Girl – both casting off from the Walkin Marina – for the best way to journey to the twin islands from Providenciales.

For around $65 per adult and $40 per child (under nine years old), round trip, it is an exhilarating ride which gives uninterrupted views of other small islands, quiet sandy beach coves and unspoiled wetland habitats.

You will need a hat, shades, sunscreen, reusables like bags and bottles for storing your eats, souvenirs, water, and bug spray, maybe even a couple of cans of it. The mosquitoes can pack a punch, so you will need to armour-up to keep them at bay.

Also bring those lost smiles and giggles, an empty tummy – because the food is fantastic – and an insatiable curiosity to fill up on the myriad of experiences the two “greenest” islands roll out over 32 miles; said to be the longest drive in the country.

Once you’re into the new port at Bellfield Landing, you will need to meet the natives. According to Jas Walkin, the new district commissioner of North Caicos, who acquiesced to take us on the tour, this goes beyond the cordial islanders to a famous fella known simply as “The Big Dude”.

Fully loaded, maybe even overloaded, The Big Dude, is a rum cocktail concoction where parental discretion is advised.

Breakfast at Hog Road Restaurant at the port at Bellfield Landing may also be an essential start; it helps you to fuel up on island delicacies prepared using fresh North Caicos produce, before hitting the road in your cool, rental vehicle.

There are at least six car rental options on North Caicos. You can find these online prior to taking off from Provo. Rentals vary in size and prices start at $75 per day. Make sure you collect your map as it uncorks the opportunities for sightseeing with directions on how to get to the very best spots.

The DC or district commissioner, who is the equivalent of being the mayor of the island, recommends that you get started in the past at Wade’s Green Slave Plantation.

It is one of the best preserved and largest slave ruins in the Caribbean. Hid beneath a canopy, it offers a foot tour, guided by the Turks and Caicos National Trust officers who are the guardians of this and other heritage sites.

You will need about an hour here and it’s a mere five-minute drive from the dock.

North Caicos is an anomaly; a far cry from the arid islands more south in the chain, it is considered the farming capital. The greenest of this breadbasket island is the community of Kew, which claims the most rainfall per year. There, you will find the government farm.

Walkin says you must drop by for a visit and stock up on your fruits and vegetables, especially if you plan to do some cooking in a longer-than-a-day stay. A half-hour at the farm will certainly put you in the mood to wet your whistle and minutes away is Barracuda Bar at Pelican Beach Resort; and better than the drinks is the native food with a cracked conch special that rivals even the best anywhere!

We keep on going and it means a departure from Whitby in North Caicos for a journey to Sandy Point where a natural wonder sits shrouded. Cottage Pond is one of the most photographed spots in North, perfect for a selfie, but be careful when turning your back on the intriguing pond. Legend has it, there are mermaids staring out at you from just beneath the surface and it is bottomless with no one able to tell what happens if you go or fall in.

Flamingo Pond is another natural wonder. There, you can find 60-80 regal Caribbean flamingos fraternizing, especially during the rainy season between May and June.

Photographers, this is where you slip on your zoom lens in order to get a good shot of our pink-feathered natives who prefer to keep their distance.

Flamingo Restaurant nearby opens on weekends and according to Walkin, there is no place better for island cakes and breads and the souses are impeccably delicious. Don’t forget to ask about the peas soup and dough or island crab ‘n’ rice.

Time for shopping and souvenirs and you can find this at Horse Stable Beach Community Centre. You will come across market vendors on site. And new to the area is the romantic botanical park, Casuarina Gardens.

According to the DC, we are going to keep travelling west where Ms. B’s Restaurant offers a more expansive native food menu and specializes in fried and steamed fish, peas ‘n’ grits and boiled fish. It’s a popular dine-in or takeout eatery which also caters functions.

There are chances along the way to make pit stops; Texaco gas station, Auto Box mechanic shop; and at My Dee’s Plaza, there is a Nique’s Mart, grocery, and novelty store; a well-stocked liquor store and even fishing supplies for the anglers making the twin island journey. Need a charger or battery for your electronic devices? An IT store will get you reconnected.

My Dee’s Restaurant is another palate pleaser, and, on Fridays, the BBQ Night fête draws residents and guests to a terrific mixer in droves; it has now become an anticipated tradition.

In Major Hill is where you find a quaint accommodation, Bed of Roses. Nightly rates are affordable and just beyond the guest residence is the dock. Often, kayaking excursions launch from the area and Walkin says the fishing is unbeatable.

Club Titters, established in the 1980s, is one of the oldest businesses in North Caicos and it sits still in Major Hill. Reopened in 2022, it is famous for dynamite finger foods and is a treasured hangout for the colourful and comical characters of the island.

Gardiner Service Station is there for the refuel and for the curious foodie; and Princess Take Out is there for the juicy burgers and its famous Barbeque Shark.

Cool off at Parrot Ice, a fun photo stop where you get tasty ice cream and hot dogs and enter Bottle Creek or “the creek” where you find Tee’s Grocery, My Dee’s Grocery or the largest market for the twins, Dard’s Grocery, which also has a money transfer service, thanks to NCS and MoneyGram.

You’re again all clear for take-off! Windsor east, still in Bottle Creek, North Caicos is home to the brand-new promenade. Clinging to the picturesque creek, the fabulous stroll unravels along a spread of stalls featuring cultural fare, including authentic island souvenirs and native cuisine.

The best Pastelitos in the country can also be found at the new promenade; a tasty, flaky dough blanketing beef or chicken or cheese and when in season, lobster, are ideal for the road from Jan’s Take Out as you wave goodbye to the impressive island of North Caicos.

The green isle is but one half of an unforgettable breakaway and for those who have an insatiable appetite for the mystical, continue west to Toby Rock. There, you will find a stunningly striking free-to-cross causeway; it’s the gateway to the country’s largest island of Middle Caicos, a quiet beauty with layers of experiences still being unearthed and it’s only a few minutes away. UA

UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS: UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS: THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IMPERATIVE THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IMPERATIVE

University of The Bahamas (UB), today, stands as a beacon for national transformation, but from its inception as the College of The Bahamas (COB) almost 50 years ago, the institution has been a tool for the sustainable development of The Bahamas and increasing this nation’s prosperity and competitiveness.

In a bold testament of exactly how connected the institution is to economic and social vitality, UB’s mission has the direct aim of supporting and driving national development. Over the years, UB has been embracing this paradigm in evolving academic affairs, deliberate strategies to enhance access to tertiary education, and an increased focus on internationalization. Students and university system have benefitted in the process.

In May 2023, almost 600 graduates joined the UB alumni community of more than 22,000, adding to the number of persons with a solid university education who are equipped to fill roles in areas of national need, drive innovation in traditional and emerging sectors, advance the country on the global stage, and give birth to their own businesses. This new era is marked by an intentional pursuit of continual improvement to increase UB’s capacity to deliver on a vital mission that is enshrined in the UB Act, 2016.

When she recently addressed the institution’s role in national development and preparing for a global future, Chair of the Board of Trustees Allyson Maynard-Gibson KC stated that the nation’s forefathers believed that education was essential to achieve individual aspirations and fulfill dynamic national needs and priorities. Higher education is unquestionably a tool for transformation, she asserted, warning that the institution could not afford to rest on its laurels.

“The Bahamas has the highest number of Rhodes Scholars per capita in the world. We have Academy Award and Grammy Award recipients. We have seen achievements in the highest levels in athletics,” she told and audience at UB’s Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre.

“We have made enormous strides in performance in myriad other areas, causing the world to mark the manner of our bearing. Our nation must continue raising our bar so that each of our citizens can achieve her or his full potential.”

The road to progress has incorporated UB expanding in key academic areas. For instance, new graduate degree programmes have been initiated in a wide range of business concentrations and in education. New masters degrees are also being rolled out in nursing, public administration, law, and counselling. The university offers well over 60 academic programmes in both New Providence and Grand Bahama. The vast majority of them are baccalaureate degree offerings including those with a specific focus on small island sustainability, a necessity considering the extraordinary threat of climate change and other crises.

In recent years, the university has had to pivot like the rest of the world, leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and extend access to those who were eager for a university education. UB officials have said that they will continue to increase digitalization. In another key area, many partnerships with higher education institutions around the world have been forged to pave the way for student exchanges, faculty and staff engagements and research collaborations.

UB announced in May that it signed its first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a partner institution in Africa – the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The MoU allows for the development of academic and cultural exchanges, research activities, training, workshops, and staff development collaborations.

Increasing impact in the northern Bahamas, and Grand Bahama in particular, is still a priority. The recently acquired Kipling Complex in downtown Freeport will be transformed into the new UB-North campus, envisioned as the nucleus for STEM-based academic programmes and to catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation. The existing UB-North facility in East Grand Bahama, severely damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, is tapped to be a hub for marine and environmental science a focus that is well-placed considering the devastation that severe hurricane have wrought on the island.

Resilience remains the watchword even as reinvention continues to occur. In an editorial that UB President Dr. Erik Rolland wrote, he noted that the demands for upskilling and higher education in general have shifted, mirroring the new expectations of those who are seeking new skills and degrees. He expressed optimism in a message that was future-focused.

“At this juncture, as UB embraces being a progressive academic community, we are building for further excellence through a stringent system of quality assurance and improvements. Developing our human resources and gaining national and international accreditation is a key part of that journey,” Dr. Rolland said.

Such a journey for UB is one that remains inextricably linked with the broader national trek. It is a connection forged at the very inception of the institution when legislation gave birth to the former COB in 1976 and amalgamated the Bahamas Teachers’ College, San Salvador Teachers’ College, C. R. Walker Technical College and the Sixth Form Programme of The Government High School.

By 1978, 30 per cent of college graduates earned associate degrees while 70 per cent received diplomas and certificates. Back then, COB had almost 2,000 students and 130 faculty members. Baccalaureate programmes were offered to students for the first time in 1991.

By the time the 2007-2012 Strategic Plan, From College to University: Building the Nation through Education, was drafted, it reflected a large shift in how the College Council and leaders of the institution viewed the design and importance of the institution. The document articulated strategic goals and a mission aligned with the development of The Bahamas. It also outlined a broad framework to bring about the university which was eventually chartered on 10th November 2016.

The growth that has occurred since then is undeniably. In 2022, bachelor degree awardees comprised 82% of the total 2022 Commencement Class. In 2023, bachelor degree awardees comprised 83% of total graduates. Student enrolment is approximately 4,000, representing 21 nationalities and 36% are first-generation university students. Today, the institution continues to build on a legacy of impact and rich heritage as it stands on the cusp of its golden anniversary in 2024.

Perhaps nowhere is that impact more discernible than in the diversity of distinguished alumni who are serving in national and international roles of influence. A UB alumna is the first woman to serve as the Director General of tourism; the nation’s Deputy Prime Minister is a graduate of UB; a UB graduate is a professor at Yale University. Further, in the legislative branch of government, 44% of the members of the upper and lower chambers call UB their alma mater.

With each deliberate step, UB is not only fulfilling the dream of a hopeful nation, but cultivating the excellence that will respond to pressing challenges and create new opportunities for growth.

“UB is not an annex to the Bahamian story; it is at the heart of it and always will be. Visionary trailblazers paved the way for us to take the baton and position UB to be a catalyst for Bahamians to achieve the limitless potential that will carry us forward, nationally and internationally, to the next 50 years and beyond,” said Maynard-Gibson.

As a yoga teacher of almost 10 years, a trip to India is expected. A chance to immerse myself in the practice and philosophy that encompasses my life, work, and joy. An opportunity to dig deeper into the history of this ancient union of mind, body, and breath. And it definitely lived in the back of my brain from the inception of my practice. However, after practicing and teaching for almost a decade, it drifted farther and farther away as I focused on building my career. While this time served me well for growing a successful platform, I found myself taking up residence in the doomed comfort zone – mindlessly doing the same thing every day, taking no risks, and basking in all that was already thought to be known and understood, and, all the while, unfortunately, slowly losing my fire and passion. So, something had to be done.

I started this year intending to show up for myself as authentically as possible. My goals were to work on giving myself more grace and learning how to hold space for my growth. One of the most significant elements of this, aside from setting boundaries and learning to say “no”, was to willingly immerse myself in new, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable situations. This journey was undoubtedly rooted in my desire to reawaken my vulnerability, passion and zeal and ultimately resulted in booking a three-week trip to Goa, India. Now, this was more than just any three-week trip. I booked an Ashtanga Yoga-intensive retreat hosted by two of the best Ashtanga teachers in the industry. While Ashtanga wasn’t new to me, it had always been a style of yoga that intrigued me. I practiced it from time to time but would always fall back into my more available styles to seek refuge from the trials and tribulations that came with trying something new – i.e., completely sucking, being confused, and just wanting to give up. This year, though, I was committed to making this my personal style of yoga – something I could work on for myself, not as a teacher but as a student.

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Ashtanga is a dynamic and athletic form of Hatha yoga, comprising six series or levels with a fixed order of postures. It is rooted in vinyasa, the flowing movements between poses, focusing on energy and breath. While it is a highly physical practice, it promotes mental clarity and inner peace. Commonly noted as one of the