Immerse yourself in Caribbean waters – The News Star – Monroe News Star

Jennifer Schmeer 6:00 a.m. CT April 1, 2017

A view of The Alexandra Resort from the ocean.(Photo: Courtesy Alexandra Resort)

Arriving at the Alexandra Resort, I had one thing on my mind Grace Bay.

I could not wait to walk on the white sand and immerse myself in the Caribbean waters. Alexandra Resort is part of the Turks & Caicos Collection on the famous Grace Bay. The resort is just sixmiles from the airport. As we had been staying at Blue Haven Resort, we convenientlytook the free resort shuttle from Blue Haven to the doorsteps of Alexandra Resort.

We checked into our spacious, deluxe two-bedroom, beachfront king suite with the most beautiful view of Grace Bay. The large balcony overlooking the ocean has several loungers and a long, wooden table with chairs perfect for outdoor dining. I am impressed with the contemporary dcor and the size of the unit. It is easy to make ourselves at home in our suite with its highceilings, fully equipped kitchen, washer & dryer and my favorite deep, soaking tub.

TURKS & CAICOS: Exploring the luminous, turquoise waters ofMy Blue Haven

The lush grounds hold tennis courts, a lagoon-style pool with swim-up bar, Elevate Spa and an oceanfront restaurant called Asu on the Beach. It is decorated with radiant, hanging lanterns that light your way in the evenings. The beach at Alexandra Resort has everything you need. It islined with kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling equipment, hobie catsand the sought after water trampoline.

The beach at Alexandra Resort in Turks & Caicos.(Photo: Jennifer Schmeer)

Our first stop is Grace Bay, and we were greeted by attendees who assisted us with towels and finding the perfect spot on the beach. Relaxing on Grace Bay is the ideal way to start your day. Asu on the Beach is just a few steps away where you can enjoy a refreshing drink or appetizer. After a swim in the ocean, we migrate to the lagoon-styled pool with a swim-up bar. Someone is standing there by the pool to escort us to our next spot; loungers with umbrellas along side the pool. Tough life.

After a dip in the pool, we decide to get in a quick game of tennis before heading to dinner. My daughter reminds me to let go of my dream of her becoming a tennis pro and we have a fun game under the trees that surround the courts. I am completely relaxed and my travel crew is having a great time. The resort layout makes you feel like you have it to yourself and everything is just a few steps away.

The salmon sashimi at Asu on the Beach at the Alexandra Resort in Turks & Caicos.(Photo: Courtesy of Jennifer Schmeer)

I love dining right on the beach while you experience the ocean and the Caribbean breeze that gently touches your skin. Asu on the Beach offers all of these sensations as it is located on an oceanfront deck with the ideal view of Grace Bay.

For starters, we enjoy the salmon sashimi moving on to the NY strip steak for myself while my daughter enjoys the local spiny lobster. My mom decides on the organic roasted chicken that she thoroughly enjoys. The menu offers a varietyof impressive dishes. At the end, we try out the dessert taster that includes mango cheesecake, banana spring roll, chocolate cake, passion fruit sorbet and rum ice cream. There is something everyone with the dessert taster.

After dinner, the radiant,hanging lanterns guides us back to our spacious suite. Time to sit on the balcony overlookingGraceBay and ponder how we will spend our next day. Our first day at AlexandraResort was excellent and so relaxing with stimulating views.

Asu on the Beach at the Alexandra Resort offers oceanfront dining.(Photo: Courtesy Alexandra Resort)

The next day, we awake rested and ready for an adventure. We first decide to have breakfast at Asu on the Beach allowing us once again to experience oceanfront dining.

My mom and daughter enjoy sampling the local teas and the expansive breakfast buffet where someone is standing by to create your perfect omelet. I order from the menu the French toast, and it was magnificent. It was actually the best French toast I had ever experienced. A perfect way to start the day; a delicious breakfast with ocean front views.

The staff at Alexandra graciously assist us with our adventure for the day as they arrange for a day excursion with Caicos Dream Tours. From the lobby of the Alexandra, it is just a couple of steps on to the beach where a boat awaits to take us on this excursion.

Cruising out to the third largest reef system in the world, I am ecstatic. My daughter and I love to snorkel, and my mom has not been snorkeling in over 25 years. The crew on the boat are lively and fun offering everyone rum punch and seaworthy attitudes. As we make our way to the openocean, a dolphin isspotted. The dolphin swims around the boat giving everyone the perfect visual. My daughter is elated.

Snorkeling is a blast as we see tons ofcolorful fish and the reef is stunning. I am the only one that goes in without fins and enjoy a little free diving while everyone snorkels above me. After snorkeling, we head to our next stop; a wonderful, uninhabited island called Half Moon Bay that was created by a hurricane. A small island with iguanas and gorgeous views. It is the perfect spot.

The view of the ocean from the Alexandra Resort.(Photo: Courtesy of Jennifer Schmeer)

A crew member makes his way to the beach and begins to crack open conch shells in order to provide fresh conch for our salad. He hands my daughter a shell that she will bring back home with her as a souvenir. While we wade in the water close to shore, a baby lemon shark swims right by us several times. It was thrilling and it is such a beautiful marine fish with distinctive yellow colors.

Lunch is served on the beach with gourmet sandwiches and fresh conch salad. After lunch, we explore the island taking in the iguanas and enjoy the privacy of feeling like we are the only ones on this small island. Paradise found. Returning to the beach, we take a swim near the boat keeping an eye out for more lemon sharks.

The boat is two-stories with a slide on the top deck and my daughter talked my mom into giving it a whirl. It was so much fun watching my mom slide into the ocean. She had not been on a slide since she was a young girl. I know this is a vacation that she will never forget and so grateful for the staff at Alexandra Resort for lining up such a great day for us.

After a full day of adventure, we gather back onto the boat to head back to Providenciales. While out in the open ocean, we were fortunate to see a whale. This was the first time my mom and daughter had witnessed a whale. Dolphins, lemon sharks and now a whale; a memorable day that will last a lifetime.

With my daughter carrying her conch shell, we return to our comfortable suite to relax. Sitting on the loungers on the balcony with my family, I am grateful.

Dinner under the lanterns at the Alexandra Resort in Turks & Caicos.(Photo: Courtesy of Jennifer Schmeer)

For the evening, we decide tovisit the stone oven pizza deck and sample their pizza selection. It's easy and simple with an ocean view. The perfect spot for adults and kids alike. You are able to create your own pizza with a multiple of toppings to choose from and pizza has such a better taste when placed in a stone pizza oven.

Another beautiful night under the radiant lanterns, we walk back to our suite as a small crab walks beside my daughter on the pathway. Another new friend found in the Caribbean.

The next day will be filled with a bike ride in the morning and kayaking in the afternoon. But before we tackle the day, we enjoy another breakfast at Azu on the Beach. I tasted the "Mexican" dish which is two fried eggs, spicy salsa, pepper jack cheese on corn tortillas. The perfect way to start your day. My daughter sampled the fresh fruit while my mom sipped the local tea.

Take in a flick while feeling the ocean breeze under the stars at Beach House.(Photo: Beach House)

In the evening, we find out that the sister property, Beach House will be showing a movie on the beach. We take the free resort shuttle and find ourselves back at the glamorous Beach House. I have always wanted to experience a movie on the beach, and the "Mod Squad" was the perfect one to take in while feeling the ocean breeze under the stars. With popcorn and a full bar, we were comfortable and the movie was fun. Beach House intrigued me.I love the design of this resort. I look forward to returning to Beach House to experience its full flavor.

After the movie, we take the free shuttle back to Alexandra Resort for another peaceful evening. My daughter enjoys a bubble bath in the deep tub while my mom and I sip on cocktails on the balcony. I share the idea of venturing back to Beach House to indulge in their full experience.

The next morning, we plan our next location in the Turks & Caicos Collection adventure.

Alexandra Resort

Alexandraresort.com

1-800-284-0699

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Immerse yourself in Caribbean waters - The News Star - Monroe News Star