Last July, 5 of my girlfriends and I decided to take a quick trip to Turks & Caicos to celebrate our girlfriends 50th birthday. While it was a quick four day trip, it was long enough to refill my cup and lift my spirits. I flew in from Florida but the rest of the girls were coming from New Jersey. I arrived 30 minutes before they did and I wish I knew a few things, being that I was traveling solo. So read up to find out what those things were. The birthday girl had researched a ton, as did I. I knew we would have to each pay about $20 a person to get to the Hotel. After all, Turks & Caicos is known for being one of the more pricier islands.
After I arrived, and de-boarded, I had to wait in line at customs. The airport is small and the terminal, tiny compared to other airports I’ve been to. I only had a carry on, so didn’t need to wait for luggage. After leaving the luggage area, I walked into what felt like a small empty space. To the left, was the exit that led outside to a line of cars waiting. To the right, just walls and nothing, empty space. There were no places to sit and wait like I had thought. So I just stood to the side, like a sunflower, waiting. Staying inside where the luggage conveyors are would have probably been better.
I was asked multiple times if i was ok. Worried they would kick me outside, I explained I was waiting for my girlfriends. Luckily we were able to text and stay in touch. I didn’t go outside because I was afraid of being alone, in a new place, being offered things left and right. So I stay put. But once I knew they were on their way out, I made my way out of the tiny waiting place and asked a driver if he would take us to, Ocean Club Resorts.
He said yes, I told him there were 6 of us and he went and got the car ready. The driver didn’t give me a chance to ask him how much. But in my mind, I knew it was $20 from what I had read. My girlfriends finally arrived, and after big hugs and greetings we piled into the van. And yes, it was $20 a person.
We made it to Ocean Club and had two rooms, 3 ladies in each one. It was perfect! Spacious, clean, we had a porch, large bathroom, small kitchen area. The rooms at Ocean Club were super cute and comfortable.
We did a lot of relaxing that first day, enjoying the crystal clear water that takes your breath away. So much turquoise in front of you, it makes it hard not to smile. Turks and Caicos is a gorgeous island, cleaner beaches than other places I’ve been to, friendlier staff and it definitely felt safe. The resort offered a van to take you to their sister hotel Ocean Club West. We did that and from there we were able to walk to a small area with a few restaurants, 2 or 3 and some other shops. We ate at Crackpot our first night (funny name yes) which was yummy. A tip for my non spicy lovers, make sure you ask if what you’re ordering is spicy. Mine didn’t specify and it was, oh so spicy!
After dinner we went food shopping at Graceway Gourmet but were caught off guard at how pricey some of the items were. Either way we picked up a few snacks, especially water, a few gallons, which was quite heavy to carry back, but we are strong, so we did it!
The next day, for my lovely friend, Allison’s 50th birthday that we were celebrating, we went to have a special dinner at Coco Bistro. It had lovely energy, the set up, the people. The dining is al fresco and your surrounded by greenery and lights. Delicious food, spectacular service. It was a night to remember.
On our 3rd day we went snorkeling on a tour that took us to a small secluded island where you could spend an hour on. The boat ride was fun, good music, drinks and conch ceviche. Once on the beach, they showed you how to make fresh conch ceviche. It was a fun adventure to walk that island, exploring and finding our way to the other side of the beach. But my favorite part of the boat ride was a slide into the ocean. Yes, in the middle of the caribbean sea, you slide into the mysterious deep sea! Can you tell I was nervous. Oh boy, it took some coaxing to get to push myself off of that slide but I did it! I thought of how adventurous my little monkeys are and that they would do it, so I pushed past my fear and did it.
The best thing about getting away with your girlfriends is the way it fills your cup. I love wearing all the many hats I do, but sometimes, you need to recharge. It feels good to be in a space where NO ONE knows your name, other than your girlfriends. No one is calling for you to do this or that. I encourage you all to take a trip with your girlfriends every so often. It doesn’t have to be every year, it can be every other year, or every once in a while. It can be a weekend getaway a few hours away, but do it! As you’ve probably read recently, getting away with your girlfriends, can boost happiness, positivity and boost your self esteem. Check out this post about another girls trip we took to Cancun. Where will you go on your next girls trip?
