First Day at Turks and Caicos

The next morning Bonnie asked about a wheelchair and was told we had to go to the nurse’s station. Still in our clothes from yesterday, we went to the breakfast buffet at Giuseppe’s which was the closest. Then we made the trek to the nurse’s station and got an old but serviceable wheelchair.  This wasn’t the way I expected to spend my vacation but it was better than sitting in the room. 

We walked all around the resort and it is really beautiful. There are various “villages:” the French Village, which is where we stayed; the Caribbean Village, where they tried to find us a king room but failed; the Italian Village, the pool where we mostly spent our time; and the Seaside Villas which are right on the ocean.  Each village has a beautiful pool and at least one whirlpool. Then there are other attractions such as a water park, children’s camp, snorkeling, teen game room and dance room, windsurfing (extra charge), scuba diving (extra charge) and various other extra charge activities. 

By 2:00, there was still no luggage.  Shelby hadn’t complained even once but you could see that she couldn’t wait to get into the water. Because she was being a lot better than I was, I decided to buy her a swimming suit.  She picked out a very nice suit and off she went into the water, immediately finding a bunch of kids. Bonnie and I decided to have lunch at the Cricketery, an English pub which we enjoyed a lot.

Our luggage appeared in our room at 4:00 and I immediately took a shower and got into my bathing suit to lie near our pool.  My first problem was getting out of the chaise.  It was too low to the ground.  The pool water was wonderful – warm and comforting.  I had been told not to do anything active in the pool.  I didn’t realize that walking was active.  After this time, I would go in the water and sit and I loved it.  The sun was hot and the water was fantastic.

Shelby came back at dinner time – 6::00 for us – looking very happy. She showered and changed into clean clothes.  She had met a bunch of kids of various ages and they were meeting after dinner.  I told her she had to come to breakfast with us and dinner with us. We expected her back at our room at 6:00 and after dinner, she can go out but must return before 11:30.  I felt the resort was very safe so I decided she could have a lot of freedom and I was right.  She followed my two rules and all was safe.  Although I must admit that I was glad she was having so much fun and I did see her playing volleyball, talking and walking with a group, I missed having her around a bit more.  But this was her trip and seeing her being so happy was a joy to me.  We ate dinner this night at the French Restaurant, Le Petite Chateau.  Our vacation was beginning to feel real.