History of the Turks and Caicos Islands (general aviation)
No commentsBy Roberto Garabell
The Turk and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean home both a home to modern day dwellers and a treasured destination spot for those seeking a more provincial island get-away experience. The islands, eight larger and a smattering of several dozen smaller, include two groups with a common history. The Turks consist of only two islands, Grand Turk and Salt Cay, with the Caicos encompassing the remainder of the island chain, including East, West, North, South and Middle Caicos, and the Providenciales Islands.
Both Grand Turk and Salt Cay are populated, as are the majority of the larger Caicos Islands. Numerous smaller islands in the cluster are uninhabited, however, allowing visitors to experience a world of solitude surrounded by the beauty of the Caribbean.
The Indigenous Heritage and Lineage
The agrarian Arawakian Taino peoples inhabited the islands preceding the gradual encroachment by the more aggressive and militant Caribs, who were expanding their territories from the Bahamas and Greater Antilles. As a result of Carib expansion, the populations of the Taino and Carib peoples became one of mixed heritage, often through forcible means, with the aggressors taking females as enslaved wives and often violently eliminating their male opponents among the original population.
Advancements in DNA science have shown descendants of the Arawak to be common among the present day population of Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean islands, as well as among the populations of the eastern coastal regions of South America. Descendants of the Taino and Carib peoples among modern day inhabitants of the Turks and Caicos are significantly less common, as the arrival of Europeans decimated native populations.
The Columbian Period and The Conquistadors
When Columbus landed in what he thought were the West Indies, he actually landed in the Caribbean. Many scholars believe he first landed in the Bahamas, while others believe it was Grand Turk Island. Columbus recorded his thoughts of the Taino people in his logs, noting that they were peaceful, traded easily with the Europeans, did not possess gold or riches, though they may have known of a king who had great wealth. He also noted that Taino would likely be easy for the Spanish to overpower and that they would make good servants.
In 1512, Conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon sighted Grand Turk Island, noting it in his travel logs. In the years following, Spanish slavers frequented the Turks and Caicos, enslaving the Tainos and Caribs. Within the first few decades following the arrival of the Spanish in the Western Hemisphere, the Turks and Caicos were depopulated. A combination of factors contributed to this population decline, including the continued conflict between the Caribs and the Tainos, lack of immunity to new diseases carried by the Spanish, the harsh and inhumane practices of the Spanish, and a decrease in soil fertility for farming to provide a subsistence for the people.
The Colonial Period
The 16th through the 18th Centuries saw claim of the Turks and Caicos change hands among the Colonial Powers. With the islands now depopulated of native inhabitants, first the Spanish, then the French, and finally the British laid claim to them, though none of these powers established settlements on the islands during these three centuries.
In the late 1600s, Bermudian settlers began to establish seasonal encampments for salt mining on Grand Turk Island, returning to Bermuda every six months, when seasonal changes hindered mining efforts. These first Bermudian settlements solidified British claim to the islands, as Bermuda was a British Colony at the time.
Following the American Revolution, 40 or more British Loyalists relocated to the Turks and Caicos, settling on land offered by The Crown as appeasement for lands lost in the American conflict. The Loyalists attempted to rebuild their former lives on the islands, many trying to establish cotton plantations; however, soil, weather conditions and pests undermined efforts and most cotton plantations were abandoned within a few decades. A few Loyalists became salt mining barons, but most left the islands by the 1820s after the failure of their plantations.
During the Loyalist presence, thousands of African slaves were brought to the plantations to work the cotton fields. Most of these slaves were left on the islands when the Loyalists abandoned their plantations. The former slaves took up an agrarian and subsistence living on the islands, and their descendants remain among the present day populations on the islands.
The Bermudian Century
The British government in the 18th Century held the Turk Islands as a Common-Use Territory and not a settled land-holding. The seasonal salt mining camps of the Bermudian, as well as shipping lane stops by British merchant vessels were examples of the “common-usage” of the territory. The ambiguous status left the islands open for challenges by various parties with interests in the region, with Bermudian and Bahamian leaders vying for entitlement for nearly a century. In the early 1800s, the Islands became part of Britains Bahamian colony, and the Bermudians were given a seat on the Bahamian parliament as the voice of their long-term salt mining presence.
Jamaican and Bahamian Leadership
In 1848, locals of the Turks and Caicos petitioned The Crown for separate colonial status, which was granted. The Islands became a colony of their own, governed by a local council president under the authority of the Jamaican governor, with later annexation to Jamaica in 1873.
The Islands remained dependent to Jamaica until 1959, when administrative autonomy was granted. Jamaica received its independence from Britain in 1962, with The Turks and Caicos becoming a British colony of their own. In 1965, the Bahamian governor assumed authority over the Turk and Caicos local administrator, still under British authority. When the Bahamas received their independence from Britain in 1976, the Turks and Caicos were granted a local governor but remained a British colony.
Independence, Autonomy - the Present Day Islands
In 1980 the Turks and Caicos were granted independence from Britain. As with most fledgling nations, the islands have experienced political struggles, having rewritten their own constitution three times. However, these political issues have been peaceful and appear to have resulted in a more stable government for the Islands.
The modern Turk and Caicos consist of a range of cultural experiences, with the Providenciales being a vacation destination spot with a strong tourist market, booming after the arrival of the Club Med resort in the 1984. Many of the smaller islands remain uninhabited by humans and allow visitors a more quite and remote personal experience.
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Playa Del Carmen
By Playadel
Holidays are one of the best ways to unwind. It is that time in life which gives one an opportunity to relax, and enjoy the sweet pleasures of life and capture those precious moments which stay with us for life. For some it is a hill station, for some a farm house, and for some it is a beach. In recent times one place which has gained immense popularity as a travel destination is Playa Del Carmen which has become one of the greatest tourist spot. With its pristine white beaches and beautiful scenic views this place has captured the heart and soul of anyone who has had the opportunity to visit it. Located just 40 minutes south of Cancun, Playa Del Carmen travel is guaranteed to be one of the most exciting adventure spots as one can easily travel till Cancun where snorkeling and diving are one of the best ways to unleash the wild side of you. Playa Del Carmen is a place of remarkable luxury which is why it has become a spot of ultimate sophistication and opulence. Rentals in Playa Del Carmen are one of the bes
t ways of accommodation. Condos, villas and beach houses are the most exquisite places where one can stay during their visit to this one of a kind place.
Hotels Playa Del Carmen is a luxury of its own. It is a paradise of its own where one can find all the facilities that one would want in their holiday. Playa Del Carmen makes your holiday even more special at the sight of the sand filled clean, pure beaches lined with a stretch of pristine, clear water. It provides space for pure relaxation by lazing on a beach or provides thrilling and exciting adventure by underwater diving and snorkeling. This holiday destination has a unique feeling to it- the Mexican ambience, the Caribbean feeling of relaxation and American spirit of freedom and joy. Thus it is a holiday destination which gives a sense of being alone while on the beaches but still a sense of belonging with its groovy night- life.
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Winter Sports in Lake Tahoe
By Roberto Garabell
Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular winter holiday destinations and excellent for those who love the activity and energy of winter sports. To be honest, if you do not like winter sports, you are better off leaving the cold and heading somewhere warm. But for those of you who love to ski, sled or ice skate, Lake Tahoe could be the holiday destination of your dreams. There is just so much to do, you will need a holiday to recover!
Sledding and Tubing
A great one for all the family, what better way to spend a day than hurtling down the side of a mountain? It is something that even the younger members can cope with, although you may want to leave the really tiny people at home in the warmth there. Select your method of descent and no, we don’t mean walking back to the bottom. We mean sliding at great pace on a snow tube, saucer, or more old-fashioned sled. Hold tight and off you go! Next stop, the bottom of the hill!
Snowmobiling
If you fancy picking up the pace a little then consider hiring a snowmobile. A hybrid of a motorbike and skis, this is motorized skiing fun. This is more of a skill and not so hot for the kids, although they can ride along. It is advisable when you start that you get the services of a good guide who will take you through easy beginner territory. As you build up more confidence, you can head out into the wild. Just be sure you can handle the terrain and perhaps go in convoy with others. This snow-based fun is seasonal. Make sure you book your holiday between mid-November and mid-April if you want to get out on the snowmobile.
Snowshoeing
Perhaps one of the lesser known snow pastimes, and definitely for the more energetic, snowshoeing has come a long way from the images that may have popped into your head. Gone are the massive tennis-rackets-on-the-feet snowshoes. These have been replaced by more modern snowshoes. Now you can learn to walk, jog and run on the snow. Whether you want to take a morning jog to keep fit or head off into the wild to explore, you may just enjoy snowshoeing. However, be warned! The average kid is going to find this all too much effort, so you may be best leaving them at home with nanny and grandpa.
Ice Skating
If you prefer a more gentle past time, how about the elegance of ice skating? Lake Tahoe offers some of the finest skating rinks in the area and the good news is they are open all year. Whether you are a complete beginner and stand like a newborn deer on the ice or a more experienced skater looking to chill and relax on your skates, there is space for all to enjoy. Get some intensive practice in and you could be heading for the winter Olympics to see if you can win a medal or two. World-class athletes do use these outstanding facilities to do just that.
Dog Sledding
Another more old-fashioned tradition is making a comeback; sledding dogs is increasing in popularity again. At Lake Tahoe, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery while the dogs take the strain; you can even learn how to command the dogs yourself. This is one thing that lots of people have always longed to try and everything you need to get started is right here waiting for you. Experienced mushers will take you through the basics and get you up and running in no time. From one-day courses to week-long intensive courses, the choice is yours.
Sleigh Rides
As gentle as it gets and a pastime for all the family to enjoy, climb aboard a horse-drawn sled, tuck a blanket around the legs and enjoy watching the world pass slowly by while you sit in the lap of luxury. You can even have a glass of bubbly on the way. There are various sleighs working the Lake Tahoe area, so you are sure to find one that suits your desires. Whether you want to book a private romantic ride for two or need more space so the whole family can come along for the ride, someone will have something to suit your needs.
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