1699, 1765-1770 UNITED KINGDOM (Turks and Caicos Islands) - The white-sand beaches

1699 - A pristine white-sand beach (1)

Posted on 29.06.2015, 24.07.2015
The eight main islands and more than 299 smaller islands which constitute Turks and Caicos Islands have a total land area of 616.3 square kilometres, consisting primarily of low, flat limestone with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps and 332 square kilometres of beach front. They feature a relatively dry and sunny marine tropical climate with relatively consistent temperatures throughout the course of the year. Summertime temperatures rarely exceed 33 °C and winter nighttime temperatures rarely fall below 18 °C. Hurricanes are not at all rare.

1765 -  A pristine white-sand beach (2)

Around the early 1980's, Turks and Caicos started to become a tourist destination, quickly becoming one the world's most premier beach destinations, due to their perfect white-sand beaches and calm turquoise waters. If in 1996 only about 87,000 tourists visited these islands, in 2010 a total of 245 cruise ships arrived at the Grand Turk Cruise Terminal, carrying a total of 617,863 visitors.The government is pursuing a two-pronged strategy to increase tourism. Upscale resorts are aimed at the wealthy, while a large new cruise ship port and recreation centre has been built for the masses visiting Grand Turk.

1766 - A pristine white-sand beach (3)

 

The defining characteristic of a beach is its sand. The Turks and Caicos beaches almost without exception have shell and coral origin sand. This type of sand is formed from the naturally broken down particles of sea shells and hard corals, and the result is breathtaking bright white sand with touches of pink and peach hues. Another factor is the lack of hard rock origin or dark colored sand and gravel. The Turks and Caicos Islands foundation is primarily soft and white limestone. Once this rock begins to break up into smaller pieces, it decomposes into sand and dust and remains a bright white throughout the process.

1767 - The Malcolm's Beach on Provo

 

Secluded Malcolm Beach is an oasis of calm and relaxation, but to get there is need of sense of adventure. The traditional way to get to Malcolm Beach (sometimes referred to as Malcolm Roads Beach) is by traversing the twisting, bumpy Malcolm roads in a rented 4x4. Unlike the other popular beaches on Providenciales, this beach has a few sections of low rocky cliffs, and large ocean-worn rocks have been piled up by waves in other areas.

1768 - Snorkeling

Malcolm Roads Beach,  part of the Northwest Point Marine National Park, along with Smith’s Reef offer the best snorkeling and diving from shore on the island, but due to ocean conditions and difficulty of access, it’s best to visit with someone familiar with the area. Although a bit too far off to access without a boat, many of the best Providenciales dive sites are also found off the coast here. On calm days, many dive boats can be seen off the coast.

1769 - Club Med on Grace Bay

 

Grace Bay Beach, part of the Princess Alexandra National Park, is one of Turks and Caicos' most well-known and beloved beaches. The stretch of fine sand starts in the island town of Leeward and runs 12 miles to Thompson Cove. Many hotels and resorts have cropped up here including the luxurious Grace Bay Club and the all-suite Alexandra Resort and Spa. The French vacation village company of Club Mediterannee (Club Med) has here an all-inclusive adult resort called Turkoise.

1770 - Hobie cats on Grace Bay Beach

Hobie Cats are small easy to sail unsinkable catamaran sailboats. Many resorts on Grace Bay offer complimentary Hobie Cat use for guests, and rentals are also available at a few different locations. The name Hobie Cat comes from the combination of catamaran (two hulled boat) and the name of the inventor of this small craft: Hobart Alter. Hobie Cats have two plastic sealed hulls with a trampoline style deck stretched between them. The usual mast height is about 20 feet, and the craft have a boomless main sail, which makes for safer sailing for novices.

About the stamps
On the postcard 1699
The first stamp, depicting an illustration  from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, is part of a series about which I wrote here. The second stamp is part of the series Flowers - Orchids of the Caribbean, about which I wrote here.

On the postcard 1765
The first stamp, depicting an illustration  from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, is part of a series about which I wrote here. The second stamp is part of the series Flowers - Orchids of the Caribbean, about which I wrote here.

On the postcard 1766

The stamp is part of a series of eight issued on 2012 to commemorate 100 years since the sinking of Titanic.
1 - It's on the postcard 2435
2 - It's on the postcard 1713
3 - It's on the postcard 2432
4 - It's on the postcard 1766
5 - It's on the postcard 2431
6 - It's on the postcard 1768
7
8 - It's on the postcard 2273

On the postcard 1767
The stamps are part of the series Shells and Marine Snails, issued on June 11, 2007, and comprising 15 stamps.

On the postcard 1768
The stamp is part of a series of eight issued on 2012 to commemorate 100 years since the sinking of Titanic.

On the postcard 1769
The stamp is part of a series of eight issued on 2012 to commemorate 100 years since the sinking of Titanic.

On the postcard 1770
The first stamp, depicting a portrait of the writer (1858), is part of a series about which I wrote here. The second is one of the series In Memoriam Nelson Mandela (1918-2013), about which I wrote here.

References
Turks and Caicos Islands - Wikipedia
Why the Turks and Caicos Islands have the Best Beaches in the World - Visit the Turks and Caicos Islands
Turks and Caicos' Best Beaches - Travel Chanel
Malcolm's Road Beach - Visit the Turks and Caicos Islands
Providenciales Hobie Cats - Visit the Turks and Caicos Islands

Sender 1699: Denise 
Sent from Providenciales (TCI / United Kingdom), on 13.04.2015
Photo: S. Passmore
Sender 1765: Denise 
Sent from Providenciales (TCI / United Kingdom), on 13.04.2015
Photo: S. Passmore
Sender 1766: Denise 
Sent from Providenciales (TCI / United Kingdom), on 13.04.2015
Photo: Michael Friedel
Sender 1767: Denise 
Sent from Providenciales (TCI / United Kingdom), on 12.04.2015
Photo: S. Passmore
Sender 1768: Denise 
Sent from Providenciales (TCI / United Kingdom), on 13.04.2015
Photo: Michael Friedel
Sender 1769: Denise 
Sent from Providenciales (TCI / United Kingdom), on 14.04.2015
Photo: Michael Friedel
Sender 1770: Denise 
Sent from Providenciales (TCI / United Kingdom), on 13.04.2015
Photo: S. Passmore