Truth About Grand Turk

--~-- Truth About Grand Turk: In many Caribbean ports, active excursions such as zip-lining, kayaking and hiking have replaced lazy days on the beach and the gridlock in shopping and sightseeing areas. But even though it's the capital of the island chain Turks and Caicos, Grand Turk maintains a slower pace of life. Though Grand Turk is part of Eastern Caribbean itineraries, it is interesting to note that Turks and Caicos is not a part of the Caribbean at all. Each island is surrounded on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean, and though it's only about 30 miles south of the Bahamas, it's not a part of that chain of islands, either. Shore excursions on Grand Turk run the gamut from horseback riding to fly fishing -- and one of the biggest draws is diving, with the islands -- technically in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean -- lying along one of the largest barrier reefs in the world. But traffic is sparse, and with a population of about 5,000, most people know one another's names. There are no fast food restaurants or chain hotels. You may even see a horse or donkey, once a means of transportation during the days of Grand Turk's salt industry, roaming along Governor's Beach or through the narrow alleys in historic Cockburn Town. Though only smaller-ship and luxury cruise lines such as Crystal and Silversea once called at Grand Turk, Carnival Corporation has committed time -- and money -- to positioning the port as a mainstream cruise destination. Carnival Corp.'s cruise terminal is a destination in its own right, with retail shops, a recreation area on the beach and a huge pool. The pier can accommodate two mega-ships, theoretically from any of the many cruise lines under Carnival Corp.'s umbrella, including Princess, Carnival and Holland America. The company is also developing a new downtown welcome center. In 1962, long before cruise lines were interested in this little island, John Glenn -- the first American to orbit Earth -- splashed down just a mile or two off the coast of Grand Turk and spent his first couple of days there after his historic space flight. Some reports quote Glenn as saying it "must be paradise" when he spotted the 40 coral islands from space. Whether viewing it from space or sea, we have to agree. In 2012, Grand Turk celebrated the 50th anniversary of the splashdown with new murals, monuments and additions to Splashdown Grand Turk, a 3,500-square-foot attraction explaining the space program and Friendship 7 mission, located at the cruise center. This exhibit is free and open to the public. Thanks for visiting my channel Fly For Free https://bit.ly/35YeWqF Save On Airfare https://bit.ly/3h6lXLf. For information on my Greek Islands and Western Mediterranean Cruises, go to: https://youtu.be/Bvi0IJ4RpdY The Cruise Amigos: https://www.facebook.com/The-Cruise-Amigos-644594176167456/ Recent interview with Sue Bryant, Cruise Editor London Times: https://youtu.be/DJqyCi79Zt8 Recent show with Jeannine Williamson: https://youtu.be/_opIMM50MNM Recent interview with Pam Hoffey, COO Avalon Cruises https://youtu.be/ytBs9p--yFI Cruise Amigos with Shane Riley, Virgin Voyages https://youtu.be/JYEfNIla798 Recent show with Jeannine Williamson: https://youtu.be/_opIMM50MNM Recent interview with Pam Hoffey, COO Avalon Cruises https://youtu.be/ytBs9p--yFI Cruise Amigos with Shane Riley, Virgin Voyages https://youtu.be/JYEfNIla798 To subscribe, go here: http://bit.ly/chi-fal As always, I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.x=en_US For your special needs, contact me or Scootaround, https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals, 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. Special Needs Cruising: https://youtu.be/DWR5kNM2x_g To search for excursions worldwide, go here: https://www.partner.viator.com/en/81039 Check out my streaming partner: https://streamyard.com?pal=4889083533852672 YouTube: https://bit.ly/chilliescruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls Chillies Cruises Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/chilliescruises/posts/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChillieFalls Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chilliefalls/ Business Email: chilliefalls@gmail.com Disclaimer: This video description contains affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on one of the product links, we may receive a small commission. This help supports our channel and enables us to continue to making videos for you to watch. Thank you for the support!