GRAND TURK
GRAND TURK
In many Caribbean ports, active excursions such as zip-lining, kayaking, and hiking have replaced lazy days on the beach and stalling in commercial and tourist areas. Although the Grand Turk is part of the Eastern Caribbean routes, it is interesting to note that Turks and Caicos are not part of the Caribbean at all. Each island is surrounded on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean and although it is about 30 miles south of the Bahamas, it is not part of that chain of islands. land excursions on the Grand Turk range from horse racing to fishing. The traffic is scarce, however, and with a population of about 5,000, most people know the names of others. There are no fast-food restaurants or hotel chains. You could even see a horse or donkey once as a means of transportation during the days of the Grand Turk salt industry, roaming along Governor's Beach or through the narrow alleys in the historic city of Cockburn. Although only smaller and more luxurious cruise ships like Crystal and Silversea once called to Grand Turk, Carnival Corporation has taken time and money to position the port as a traditional cruise destination. Carnival Corp.'s cruise terminal is a stand-alone destination, with retail stores, a beachside recreation area, and a huge swimming pool. The pier can accommodate two mega-ships, theoretically from one of the many cruise lines under the umbrella of Carnival Corp., including Princess, Carnival, and Holland America. In 1962, long before cruise lines became interested in this small island, John Glenn - the first American to orbit the Earth - swooped down just a mile or two from the coast of Grand Turk and spent his first two days after his historic space flight. Some reports quote Glenn as saying that "it must be paradise" when he spotted the 40 coral islands from space. Whether you look from space or the sea, we have to agree. In 2012, Grand Turk celebrated the 50th anniversary of the launch with new murals, monuments, and additions to Splashdown Grand Turk, a 3,500 square foot attraction that explains the space program and mission Friendship 7, located in the cruise center. This exhibition is free and open to the public.
