Although Turks and Caicos is not that large, bodies of water separate the land. While no place feels too crowded, there are areas that are more private than others.
This was one of those places.
The road to the villa wrapped around a mint green lake. It was a color I had never seen before. It was Flamingo Lake, noted for the regular flamingos who often stop here.
It was a quiet area with a two lane road. To the left, the lake and to the right, hilltop beachfront homes.
Just around the corner, I approached a gate and just beyond, Villa Sandy Shore flanked by foliage on both sides with a circular gravel drive. Although next to another villa, Sandy Bottom, it still felt very private. The ocean breeze and wind over the lake drowned out any other noise except the palms rustling.
A straightforward exterior resembling traditional architecture was anchored in the center by large, heavy double doors with slivers of window glass that gave a peek of the incredible elevated ocean view behind the home.
Just beyond the back patio, the water expanded to an endless horizon. It was fifty miles wide and 90 miles out until you reach the reef so the depth doesn’t get much deeper than roughly 8 feet or so.
Three cays were in the distance. Close enough to the shoreline with minimal water depth, the islands were easily accessible if you were to walk or paddle over.
The water moved in the sun’s last light and looked like liquid silver melted by the sun and turned to a sea of metallic chrome. Every beam of sunlight tapped the water’s surface and looked like a diamond.
A long rocky pathway led directly to the beach. An outdoor shower was just by the stairs of an open air, white washed deck with lounge chairs and oversized umbrellas. And from the beach, an expansive view of the coastline both to the right and to the left.
At sunrise and at sunset, the furthest points on the island within sight were illuminated by the rising and the setting of the sun. Each day offered a new masterpiece as the sun poured its light over this part of the island and cast thousands of colors.
At night, I could only hear the rolling of the tide and the muffled sound of the symphony of crickets. There were very faint glows of distance villas, but they seemed few and far between.
On a full moon night, even the islands at 1000 meters out were visible, bathed in moonlight with a single star above. With a slow but consistent roll of soothing waves colliding on shore, the white sand and jagged rock were colored stark blue by the night’s glowing light.
The few clouds that were passing by were like sheer lace curtains. A semi-transparent veil with the moon light seeping through at the intricate breaks.
The hot sun had given way to the moon, but it was almost just as bright.
The water was still warm. Heated by the sun and cooled at night. Two very different but equally pleasant scenes.
Down the pathway, I was less than 10 steps to the ocean. My feet dug deep into the soft sand. Moments later, a wave crept onto the shoreline, and just like that the evidence of my presence was erased. I felt a new sense of freedom as I stepped into the moonlit water and into the sea.
The white sand on the ocean floor felt like fine linen under my feet. The water was calm so I was still and could withstand the push and pull of the waves. My shadow danced on the water’s surface though.
I looked at the cays in the distance and watched the water move between me like sifting sand.
I turned back to the shore and faced the bright moon but felt no burn. I was in the cool neon glow of night.
In the center of the home, white, cool to the touch leather seating and a fan that circulated air keeping the atmosphere serene and chilled. The center roof detail was an architectural detail and style from the original homes on the island.
A full wall of sliding glass doors offered a scene of endless ocean and a mosaic of blues. From the living room, I felt like I was in a fine art observatory watching brilliant sunrises and sunsets each and every day.
There were no two the same.
The pool bubbled, the sound of waves carried up the pathway and small lizards watched me from the sun deck. I snapped a few photos so it would last longer.
I made my way up to the top of the pathway.
It was time to check out of Heaven.
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