HAUTE TRAVEL
BEAUTIFUL BY NATURE Don’t pinch me, lest I wake up from the dream that is the Turks and Caicos Islands eeing is believing, except in the case of the Turks and Caicos Islands. As we make our descent into Providenciales, sunlight streams into the plane from the open windows and all eyes are glued to the extraordinary view. As far as one can see, blue skies flow seamlessly into striking turquoise waters. Providenciales (known locally as “Provo”) welcomes me after exactly 17 months—to the day—that shelterin-place orders were first announced in the Bay Area. It’s one of those “the universe provides” types of things, I like to think. I’m keen to start exploring, as one does after an extended period of being housebound. My driver Boise (“Like Idaho,” he says) expertly navigates the small island, which covers just 38 square miles. Picturesque images of island life flash by: goats roaming on the edges of the roundabouts (there isn’t a single traffic light on Provo), a road sign that points the way to “DA BEACH” (neatly graffitied using a stencil), and license plates proclaiming the country’s motto (“Beautiful by Nature”). Despite its rising reputation as a luxury destination, Providenciales holds onto its rustic charm. It’s a place where locals (known as “belongers”) often refer to restaurants by the owner’s name rather than the actual business—but these days, you might bump into the Kardashians at the island’s weekly fish fry. It’s a community where 5-star restaurants live in harmony with beloved mainstays such as Sweet T’s, a fried chicken joint that ran KFC out of town with its simple business model (customers can walk up with any dollar amount and receive a meal equivalent to the value). Rife with culture, the island celebrates its heritage with annual fêtes such as the Conch Festival and Maskanoo, a street festival held on Boxing Day.
54 The stunning white sand beaches and crystalline waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands
The lounge at Grace Bay Club, next to Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar—a great place to catch the nighttime entertainment
PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF TURKS AND CAICOS TOURIST BOARD
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BY STEPH KEAY