Built by salt merchant Alexander Harriott around 1825, its sunken main floor, with very high ceilings, housed the piles of salt before they were shipped to the United States and Canada. The spacious covered porch faces west, and looks out over the cobalt blue of the Turks Island Passage.Īn old English canon poised to protect the dramatic coast of Salt Cayįrom Half Way House we moved on to the Brown House, another lovingly restored home. The tradewinds provide natural air conditioning. The antique furnishings are complemented by coral sculpture and art. It was easy to understand why they return again and again. The house is regularly rented to repeat guests. Holton Dickinson kindly led us to this home and invited us to tour it at our leisure. Our first stop was Half Way House, a beautifully and painstakingly restored Caribbean Great House built between 1820-1840, for a sea captain or merchant. Debbie Manos led us to our chariot, a sporty little golf cart, and provided driving instructions. Haidee Williams gave us welcome packages that included a map of the island, a coupon for 10% off a bottle of Spirits of Salt Cay rum, and an invitation to visit the Salt Cay ladies working at the Salt Cay Salt Works. It’s a four minute flight from Grand Turk or twenty minutes from Providenciales, not difficult to take at all, and the colours beneath you are mesmerising. But there are several delightful guest cottages for vacation rental, which guarantee that when you dine out, you’ll meet new friends. There are just three restaurants: Debbie Manos’ Coral Reef Bar & Grill, Porter’s Island Thyme, and Pat’s Place. The White House viewed from Dunscomb Point Watching them unpack can be quite the eye-opener… Repeat visitors and residents arrive on the island with large bags packed with whatever items are essential to them. It’s relatively expensive to get things to Salt Cay, so you learn to make do without, or make it yourself. The stores are tiny, but they are stocked with home made bread and homegrown produce, along with a limited assortment of imported food items. Donkeys and cows wander at will, but nobody gets bent out of shape about the free-roaming livestock. Last time I was there, a lovely, dignified gentleman dropped off gas for the cart at 7:30 in the morning. Most visitors tootle around in golf carts. In fact there isn’t even a real gas station. Wifi is provided by two companies, so you could stream movies on your computer. people do small favours without being asked. If you visit, you will experience island life as it should be. If you are always on the go, accomplishing the tasks of five normal humans, or running towards deadlines, you will either hate Salt Cay, or fall completely in love. Things happen at their own pace on this tiny Turks and Caicos Island of less than 200 permanent residents. The island should come with a warning sticker: All ye who enter here will relax, unwind, and come to appreciate that Mother Nature is a pretty amazing old Dame. I really believe Salt Cay said to heck with time. It has been called “The Island that Time Forgot.” However, I don’t think that time forgot Salt Cay.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |