[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#0a1766″ header_font_size=”42px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Island Adventure<\/h1>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#279b45″ text_line_height=”1em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
By Michelle Pratico<\/p>\n
Asheville, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Turks and Caicos<\/strong>\u00a0is a group of about 57 tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean and northern West Indies. It lies southeast of the Bahamas and north of the island of Hispaniola, which is split between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n Turks and Caicos is a territory of the United Kingdom. It is home to the third largest barrier reef in the world, as well as more shades of blue than you can imagine. There are said to be 26 different hues in the waters of the famous Grace Bay alone!<\/p>\n Getting Around<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If you could take all the islands and squish them together, you would have an area of only 238 square miles. Not very big for a whole country, but getting from one island to the next can require multiple modes of transportation and more time than you would ever expect.<\/p>\n One afternoon, I decided I wanted to explore the Conch Bar Caves on Middle Caicos. As I\u2019m sure you know, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Unfortunately, since I\u2019m not a bird, I couldn\u2019t take the quick route of just 22 miles. Instead, at 8:00 AM the next morning, I set off from my home in the town of\u00a0Providenciales\u00a0on my bike.<\/p>\n To get to the North Caicos ferry was a 3.25-mile ride, which took me about 25 minutes. After a short wait, I got on the ferry and enjoyed the 30-minute, 12-mile ride past various\u00a0cays<\/em>\u00a0(small islands) to my next stop on North Caicos. I then hopped in a car and drove 45 minutes, or 24 miles, to the caves. (This does not include all the time I spent getting lost!)<\/p>\n Bring Bread Crumbs<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n At 1.5 miles long, the\u00a0Conch Bar Caves\u00a0form the largest dry cave system in all of the island chain. There is evidence that the caves were used by humans during the pre-Columbian era. That\u2019s all the way back before Christopher Columbus made his voyage in 1492!<\/p>\n Inside the caves there are\u00a0stalagmites\u00a0and\u00a0stalactites\u00a0that have been forming for many, many years. A stalagmite and a stalactite grow together to create a\u00a0column. In these caves, columns can reach up to 15 feet in height. Dimitri told me that it takes 100 years for a stalagmite or stalactites to grow just one centimeter. Wow, that makes those columns really old!<\/p>\n Dimitri also showed me the four species of\u00a0bats\u00a0that live in the cave. He even took me to a part of the cave that\u2019s completely dark. I couldn\u2019t even see my hand in front of my face.<\/p>\n More Than a Job<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Showing people the Conch Bar Caves is more than just a job to Dimitri. They\u2019ve been a part of his life since he was a young child, and he\u2019s proud the caves are in his lineage. He told me that what he wants visitors to experience is \u201claughter, and most importantly [to see] just how amazing Mother Nature can be.\u201d He certainly succeeded with me.<\/p>\n Thank you, Dimitri, for your knowledge and hospitality.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/turks-and-caicos.jpg” alt=”Stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”turks and caicos” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/conch-bar-caves.jpeg” alt=”stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”conch bar caves” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Once Michelle arrives on North Caicos, she takes a car traveling 35 miles per hour to Conch Bar Caves. At the same time, Dimitri leaves Conch Bar Caves in a pickup truck traveling 42 miles per hour toward the North Caicos ferry dock. When and where will they pass each other on the road?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Extension Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n During the late 19th century, people used Conch Bar Caves for collecting bat guano. All original archaeological artifacts were lost during this period. Visitors continued to treat the caves carelessly, leaving graffiti behind and disturbing the bat population. Nowadays, anyone wanting to view the caves must be accompanied by a guide. Do you think that is enough protection or would you recommend additional measures be taken?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Dimitri.jpg\")
When I got to the caves, I was met by a local resident named Dimitri. A 22-year-old native of the islands, Dimitri was born on North Caicos and currently lives on Middle Caicos. He knows the caves very well, because his father used to be the guide. Dimitri grew up exploring every nook and cranny of the cave system. One time, when he was nine years old, he lost his way, and his father had to go looking for him.<\/p>\n\n
\n