Grand Turks, Turks and Caicos

21 January 2012 - 28 January 2012 Eastern Caribbean Cruise
I wanted to share with you some of the history and highlights of Turks and Caicos.  This is the first stop on our Holland America cruise.
Turks and Caicos is made up of many small islands and gets its name from a cactus and a Lucayan term for "string of islands".  The islands were inhabited by Taino Natives who were then introduced to Western culture.  The island  were settled by Bermudans, The French, the Spanish, and the British. Today it still remains a British crown colony and is a tourism hot spot and culinary melting pot.
Foodwise, some familiar staples include Johnny Cakes, peas and rice, curry goat, chicken, and pigtails to name a few.
Many of the indigenous dishes are based on seafood  and local vegtables.  A dish like "Penn On" usually uses conch or cod fish or whatever sthe fisherman brought home to cook.  The most know dish, peas and rice is "peas and grits as they did not have rice until later.
The people are descendants of African slaves who made their home their and have come to be known as "belongers."  The speak English and are known for being friendly and religious.
Their local crafts are extremely popular in the middle Caios.  From basket weaving, plaiting palm leaves for straw hats, and weaving fanner dishes and bowls to binding mosquito brushes and net-making, native crafts are important to the way of life of the people of the islands.
The music of the islands are "Ripsaw" or "Rake 'n Scrape".  The music is made with unusual intruments, a saw, goatskin drum, hand accordion or Constentina, hand-made maracas and ascoustic guitar.  Another style of music is Combina and sounds like Jamaican reggae, as well as the popular calypso and soca styles.
Story telling is yet another tradition passed on from the islanders' African ancestors.
Lacayan rum is the liquor of the islands, mixed with fresh juices and a bit of coconut rum as well.
Here are two recipes know to Turks and Caicos I thought you might like to try before we go on the cruise:
Turks and Caicos  Turks and Caicos


RECIPES FROM TURKS AND CAICOS
Coconut Rum Cheesecake
96 oz softened cream cheese
2 cup sugar
2 tbs flour
1 tbs salt
mix in mixer with paddle
7 eggs
2 yolks
1.5 c sour cream
10 oz white chocolate melted
1 can coco lopez
5 oz shredded coconut
5 oz rum
Add and Mix
Spring form, graham cracker pie crust
Bake 350 for 30 minutes with a water bath in the bottom of oven
lower to 200 for approx 1.5 hours
cool




RECIPES FROM TURKS AND CAICOS
Ginger Mango Chicken
6-8 oz. boneless chicken breast
garlic powder
salt, black pepper mango chutney (see above)
1 cup evaporated milk
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups breadcrumbs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pound chicken breast with mallet on both sides and season witli garlic powder, salt and pepper. Place chutney on 1/2 of the chicken breast and fold together. Put flour, beaten egg, milk and bread crumbs in separate bowls. Coat sttiffed breast with flour, then milk, then egg, and finally bread crumbs. Brown chicken breast in a skillet with vegetable oil, rotate so that entire breast is golden brown. Drain off oil, place in a baking dish and bake for about 25 minutes. Serves 6 people

Be in the Know, The do's and don'ts of Cruising

Barbara Gonzalez, CTA
Four Seasons Travel, Lake Oswego, Oregon
barbaragnz@gmail.com
http://www.barbara-fourseasonstravel.blogspot.com/

Holland America,  21 Jan. 2012 - 28 Jan. 2012
This is your chance to relax and go to a warm place for a Winter Break to warm your bones and to be pampered.  Cruise the Eastern Caribbean, with its  beautiful blue waters and white sandy beaches.  Our Cruise starts on 21 January 2011 for 7 days aboard the beautiful Eurodam on Holland America.  This is a 7 day cruise starting and ending in Ft. Lauderdale with stops in Turks and Caicos, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas and Holland America's private island, Half Moon Cay. This cruise is an exceptional value with cabins starting at:
Inside                           $961.80 per person double occ.
outside obst. view  $1061.80 per person double occ.
outside full view     $1141.80 per person double occ.
balcony                       $1261.80 per person double occ.
The Do's and Don'ts of Cruising:
Do book your cruise early. 
This will usually get you the best choice of staterooms.  Most cruises can be booked as far as 18 months in advance.  Remember, that you only need to make a small deposit and this completely refundable up to final payment, usually about three months before the sail date.  If the price is reduced, you will get the lower price, but you will never pay more.

Do book your cruise with a cruise specialist.
Even if you exactly what you want, you need to have someone to contact when you have questions or problems.
Do review your booking confirmation carefully as soon as you receive it from your agent. 
Make sure all information is correct including names, ages, stateroom number and fares.  There is a charge for making changes after final payment.
Do notify your travel agent of any special requirements.
This should be done as soon as possible.  Most cruise lines require written notification at time of booking of any physical or mental disability which requires special accommodations, use of wheelchair or medical treatment.  Some cruise line have dialysis available on the ship.
Do Purchase Travel Insurance.
Almost every travel agency requires travelers to sign a waiver if they do not purchase travel insurance.  This is not a sales tool but rather a liability issue.  Travel Agents know that problems can arise and they are required to advise the clients at the time of booking.  Cruise lines have a very strict cancellation policies after final payment, usually 50% within two months of sailing and 100% with two weeks. You need to purchase travel insurance within 14 days of initial deposit to get coverage for previously existing medical conditions.  Also many medical plans do not cover medical evacuation which could cost $25,000 or more.
Don't pack medicines or valuable in your luggage.
This applies both to airline check-in and cruise ship check-in.  Take a small carry-on bag on the ship with these items and anything else you may need  for the first afternoon on the ship.  Your luggage may not arrive in your stateroom until 6:00pm or later.
Return flights on debarkation day.
Most cruise lines advise you not to book flights before 12 noon.  Cruise ships usually arrive around 7:00am and start unloading passengers by 8:30am.
Do reserve shore excursions in advance.
The most popular excursions fill up quickly.
Do make reservations for specialty restaurants as soon as you board the ship.
This is the best way to get the date and time you want.
Do check your final stateroom account on the next to the last day of the cruise.
You will receive a final copy in your cabin on the morning of debarkation.
Don't miss the ship.
This applies to embarkation and all port visits.  You will probably be able to catch up with the ship, but it will be at your expense.