
Why not re-experience the Islands of the Turks & Caicos?!
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North and Middle Caicos, big and beautiful!!! These two islands sit in the center of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ archipelago and collectively, they make the largest islands in the Turks and Caicos. The islands are also home to the popular causeway, which is the link that connects North Caicos, the “Green Island” to Middle Caicos, the “Cave Island”. If North and Middle Caicos were a couple, they would be the perfect match!
Let’s take a much closer look at North Caicos or the “Green Island”, as it is affectionately called. On a small scale, this island has been feeding the people of the Turks and Caicos for years. It is no wonder, that the residents of this island are known to be so hardworking and productive. But let’s put that aside for now and attempt to narrow in on the rich raw beauty of the island. North Caicos is the only island in the Turks and Caicos that is covered in lush landscaping from end to end, with one of the largest underground water table systems in the Country. The underground water table acts as a natural irrigation system that not only keeps the island beautiful but, it also provides water for the residents and their farms; making it the perfect place to grow, anything! You can see the magnitude of the underground water system by visiting Cottage Pond, which is a clear display of God’s amazing grace and architectural skills.
Above the water table, you have the rich history of the island that goes back centuries, from the earlier settlers (which we will discuss whilst in Middle Caicos) to the slaves that worked on Wades Green Plantation, who’s structure and popular surnames still stands to this day; to the men that navigated rough seas on their way to Haiti to trade conch for seeds, cloths and of course a few bottles of rum. After all what would life be like in the Caribbean without rum, lol. However, outside of the history and amazing topography of the island, it’s home to some of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches.
Middle Caicos, the “Cave Island”- I am sure that everyone knows by now that Middle Caicos is not only the cave island but, it is home to the largest above ground cave system in the Region. It’s also the birthplace of Turks and Caicos’ civilization. Or, what I like to call it, the population center. All the original surnames and elderly people (I hope that I don’t offend anyone) can be traced back to yes, Middle Caicos! Trying not to get into too many details, the population center (Middle Caicos) was kick started by the wrecking of the Trividor, which happened just off the cost of the majestic coastline of Middle Caicos. Once the surviving slaves made it to shore, they got to work on population Turks and Caicos’ archipelago! Some may have a difference in view but, this is my story and I am sticking to it. We are all related, one way or the other! Now that we have completed the process of making husbands and wives cousins, let’s talk about the beauty and landscape of this large island.
There is no coastline that’s overly dramatic and majestic at the same time, like that of Middle Caicos. The dark blue ocean is just a few feet shy of kissing the shoreline, making it easy for the uninterrupted power of tall white-headed waves to make landfall. The waves making landfall on the north shores of Middle Caicos is nothing shy of magnificent! Watching the waves crash against the iron walls and creating such a powerful but peaceful spray, is breathtaking. I would encourage every Turks and Caicos resident to visit Mudjin Harbor to experience this. Then we have the cave system, one of the largest above ground cave systems in the Caribbean, which stretches for miles. Today, the caves are nothing more than a great tourist site. But, beforehand, the caves were the main reasons our ancestors survived such a brutal way of life on the island of Middle Caicos; providing shelter, community and place of peace and comfort, which then set the stage for what we now know today, as the Turks and Caicos Islands.
By Ramon Andrews