50 GOLDEN YEARS: CELEBRATING NICKIE IN TURKS AND CAICOS (DAY 2!!)

Well hey everyone!

I am BACK with another installment chronicling our epic trip to Turks and Caicos to epically celebrate the epicness that is Nickie for her most epic 50^th birthday.

In this one, we are still not at Beaches (soon my little Smurfs, soon) but we are joined by Myles and Hannah, which is pretty exciting stuff. Some would say it’s very exciting stuff, in fact.

And we do some more exploring of the island.

Let’s do it!

Celebrating Nickie’s 50^th in Turks & Caicos 2024: Day 2

Day 2 began at around 8:30-ish.

Well at least it did for Nickie and I. We decided to let Owen sleep in a little bit while the two of us walked up to the front desk to see if we could grab a couple of the electric bikes they had parked up there.

The Oasis provided these bikes complementary for resort guests. And we wanted to use them to head into town for some breakfast. So Nickie and I got a quick “don’t kill yourself” tutorial and off into town we went.

Breakfast this morning was at Beans & Leaves.

Which I mean, was super cu…

Oh. Wait. Beans and Leaves. Like coffee beans and tea leaves?

Ha now I get it.

Anyway, right, this place? Super cute.

For breakfast, Nickie and I ordered the same thing. On account of we are basic couple goals AF. Or whatever the kids from a few years ago say.

We both got a Vanilla Latte.

And this absolutely incredible avocado, egg, and cheese sandwich on a croissant.

It was a really nice breakfast, just the two of us. We also grabbed Owen a croissant to go. And we headed out back into town.

Nickie was all set to head back. That’s for sure.

But as I went to unlock my bike?

Thing wouldn’t budge.

Seriously. I put in the combination and the lock would not unlock. It was real good at the whole locking thing but not so good at the unlocking thing. Thing was super secure, obvs.

I tried. Nickie tried. I tried again. And again. And again.

But the thing would not unlock.

So we ended up having to call the Oasis to tell them we were kind of stuck there. Which was a problem since we were picking Myles and Hannah up at the airport soon. And Myles gets very upset if you’re late picking him up at the airport. A real diva that one is.

Also? It was INSANELY hot out there so working with the locks like we were doing left me looking like I had gone for a 5-mile run.

Which I hadn’t.

The Oasis did end up sending someone thankfully who legit just like unlocked the lock like nothing and made Nickie and I look like big stupid morons.

But we rode the bikes back quickly and I hopped right in the car to head to the airport to pick up Myles and Hannah.

They got in around 10:30AM and we were back at the resort by 11-ish. Look at Myles and Hannah. Back at the resort by 11-ish.

So exciting right?

We got them settled in the room and gave them their swag. Which, like I dunno. Did I show you guys the swag yet?

We had beach bags filled with goodies for all the guests. Including personalized “Love Island” style personalized insulated water bottles and sunglasses (the sunglasses were courtesy of the Pittmans – Stephanie and Mikey). But look you guys. Look how bougie.

After Myles and Hannah dropped off their luggage, it was lunchtime. And we deffo had a clear idea of where we wanted to go for lunch today. It was a little bit of a drive (about 20 minutes), but totally worth it. Because lunch today was at Las Brisas Restaurant & Bar.

Las Brisas was located right on Chalk Sound and OMGosh this place. Look. Look how pretty.

No no…not that. This.

There it is. Gorgeous.

Rawr.

The place was pretty empty so we were seated pretty quickly. To start, I ordered a rum punch. Which like. Yah.

Rull good.

We started off with the nachos, which the menu describes as crispy tortilla chips, creamy cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, jalapenos & tomatoes; served with fresh Pico de Gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. We also toped it off with some chicken.

These nachos were pretty super duper. Loaded with toppings and the chips maintained a good crisp throughout.

Also? Whenever I eat nachos, I always have the “Macho Man” song by the Village People just sort of running through my head on loop. Though obvs instead of “macho man” it’s “nacho man.”

Nacho, nacho man. I want to be a nacho man.

Good luck eating nachos now and NOT thinking about that song.

It’s like that movie Smile. I legit just cursed you or whatever. I just “nacho man”’ed you.

We also ordered some chicken wings, which came with a few different sauces – BBQ, buffalo, and a ranch I think.

Which like…everytime I eat wings, I can’t not think of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” song.

If you like it, then you should have put a wing on it.

Literally, I live a Weird Al Yankovic existence.

Just you know. Less funny.

For an entrée, I actually ended up going splitsies with Hannah. On account of we both wanted sushi but also not sushi.

So we split a spicy tuna roll (tuna, green onion teriyaki sauce, spicy mayo, red masago, avocado), of which I already ate a little bit before I remembered I blog kind of.

And we ordered the Coconut Crusted Snapper Tacos (flour tortillas, snapper, shredded romaine, roasted jalapeno, salsa, avocado mousse).

These were legit incredible you guys. Seriously. The fish tasted so fresh and the balance of sweet and spicy and savory throughout this thing was ON. POINT. That’s what I am taco-in about.

Such a good lunch tho.

And that wasn’t all you guys. This place also had a pool we could use after we ate.

How awesome though, right? Like, every restaurant should have a pool.

Or at least be ok with me taking my shirt off.

We cooled off in the pool for about 20 minutes or so and then we walked upstairs to get a better view of Chalk Sound off the upstairs terrace.

Seriously cannot recommend this place enough. Go here. Now.

After we finished up with lunch, we wanted to do a little more exploring so we took the car a little ways down the road to try and find Taylor Bay Beach. Which was a bit off the beaten path. We had to park on the road and then head down a dirt path on foot that looked  private but wasn’t? Maybe?

TBH, we weren’t even 100% sure we were where we wanted to be at this point. On account of this place didn’t really show on GPS. We had to ask the guys that work at Las Brisas for directions and we think we got it right but who knows?

Regardless, we did end up in somewhere which was pretty and had sand.

And being that beaches are pretty much all public in Turks & Caicos, we set our stuff up on the beach and walked out into the water, which stayed shallow for like a long time. I walked all the way out to where those palm trees were jutting out from the left up there and hardly got beyond my waist.

I felt like a giant. Or Jesus. Or a giant Jesus.

We stayed at the beach for a little while but, like, we hadn’t eaten in over 30 minutes so after a half hour or so of water-based cavorting, we hopped back in the car to find our way to what is a pretty iconic spot in Turks & Caicos – da Conch Shack

And yeah guys. This place was hella-pretty.

And they had live music as well. Which is like top 2 kind of music, right alongside pre-recorded.

We put in our orders and then Nickie and I found our way down to the water.

Which was lovely. On account of Nickie was in there.

I started off, once again on account of I am a creature of rum habit, a rum punch.

And since we had just had lunch, this whole eating situation was going to be a lighter affair. We stuck with apps and got the cracked conch (tenderized conch dusted with flour and fried)…

And conch fritters…

…for the table to share.

And, like, if you were to ask me which to order if you had to make a choice? I’d probz squad say

Like, if someone comes to you and asks you if you would rather fritters or crack? Say both to play it safe.

Also, while we were enjoying our lunch, we had a little visitor. Look at this little pupper.

Dude was adorbz. And very friendly. We all got our pets in, but as Myles was petting him, the guy playing live music up on the stage made sort of a guttural growl sound and Nickie thought it was the dog and legit freaked. She yelled for Myles to get away from the dog and it was a totez record-scratch moment where the whole restaurant turned and looked at us like…pfft, Americans.

It was good times.

Annnnd since I am best husband ever, I did tell them it was Nickie’s birthday when I made the reservations so they brought over a slice of Key Lime Pie for her.

I know. I am very thoughtful to ask for something free on her birthday.

All in all, though, a really nice stop-off at da Conch Shack.

Oh and on our way out, they had a Gram-worthy photo stop with a tire swing. Hannah got on up there.

I also came in like a Wrecking Ball, which wasn’t as graceful.

And the photo ops didn’t stop there.

Wait a minute. Did the kids shrink or something?

…

…

Ha, no. It’s just a comically oversized Adirondack chair dummy.

And that was our little daytime adventure. We got back in our Nissan and drove back to the resort, arriving at around 4PM. Being that we already had our bathing suits on, Nickie and I decided to take a quick dip in the pool before heading back to the room.

And OF COURSE we ordered some drinks, like this Tito’s and soda I had for myself.

We didn’t spend too much time in the pool since we didn’t want to miss the whole sunset situation again tonight. We got out, dried off, and went back to the room to grab the kids so we could catch a shuttle back over to the beach.

We were over at the beach by 5:30.

The Oasis had a whole section of chairs on the beach and wait service so we secured some chairs and ordered a few beers.

We beach’ed it for a little bit, enjoying the fading sun on our skin and the beer in our bellies. And since I was wearing my bathing suit co-ord, which doubled as both regular and water clothes, I took a quick dip in the ocean as well.

As the sun neared setting, we popped open the bottle of Veuve we brought with us.

And we of course enjoyed our champagne in our custom tumblers.

We were all excited for the sunset!

Sorry. Did I say “all’? I meant “all except Myles.” Dude HATES sunsets.

Oh wait.

Better.

OK guys let’s get to the reason why we’re all here.

TONS OF PICTURES OF THE SUN WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ALL SEE ALL THE TIME!!

We of course also took advantage of the good light.

OK. Sorry. Back to your regularly scheduled sunset.

And that concludes our solar-focused programming for today.

That all ended at around 6:30 or so. Which worked out on account of it was time for dinner you guys. And dinner tonight was at Coco Van Airstream Lounge. Which was a vibe.

Yup. It’s an airstream. You place your order up at the counter, find a table, and they bring your food over. But seriously. A vibe and a half.

We placed our orders and found a table tucked away in the corner.

And as has been the case with most restaurants here, we made a friend pretty quickly.

Such friendly animals in Turks and Caicos. Turks and Caicos?

More like Barks and Catcos.

Amirite?

So yeah Cocovan. The atmosphere wasn’t just the whole vibe of it all. The food here was all kinds of inventive and cool. Like check out these Big Mac Egg Rolls.

And these Fried Mac and Cheese Balls, served with Spicy Mayo.

Both of these were insanely good. I think, if I had to choose, I’d go with the egg rolls. But honestly, both were great.

I also ordered this alcoholic iced tea situation of some sort. I can’t find their drink menu online but trust me it was made with unsweetened tea and some sort of alcohol.

And I am sure it was good.

Aren’t you glad you came?

For my entrée, I went with the Peking Duck Tacos (with Hoisin Sauce, Green Onion, and Cucumber).

And yeah, it was as good as it sounds.

And look at me – I am such a good blogger. I actually got pictures of other peoples’ food.

Nickie got the Smash Burger (Homemade Bun with Special Sauce, Caramelized Onions, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle, American Cheese).

And I think maybe Myles AND Hannah both got the Falafel Plate?

I know for sure this is Owen’s Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich on account of there is nothing on there at all except cheese and Owen is basic AF.

All food, all good.

We also ordered for dessert the Caicos Churros with Liquid Chocolate and Vanilla Ice cream.

Which were.

Fine.

Honestly, these were the weakest part of the meal. I feel like, honestly, I usually find myself when ordering churros from a restaurant and not a Disneyland snack cart that they are….fine. It’s usually more miss than hit when it comes to restaurant churros.

Hot take.

We also brought with us some light up numbers to be all kinds of “look at us, its Nickie’s birthday”.

Yeah, we enjoy the celebrating.

But yeah, that was Day 2 you guys. And I mean, stay tuned for Day 3. Day 3, things get all party up in here.

See you guys then!

Last Post – Day 1!

Next Post – Day 3!