The Aruba of tomorrow

Clayton Collins spent 10 days in Providenciales, BWI.

Where did you go? The up-and-coming island of Providenciales, or "Provo," in the Turks and Caicos chain of the British West Indies.

Where did you stay? At the Royal West Indies resort, in a botanical setting on the 12-mile beach along Grace Bay.

What did you do? The Caribbean standards: Parasailing, horseback riding, snorkeling, and several turns in the resort's ocean kayak and 14-ft. Hobie Cat sailboat. Saw the "world's only" conch farm. Made an evening run to Club Med just down the beach ($60 for the four-hour "disco package").

Where did you eat? Mango Reef (at the resort) and Iguana (just up the road) for the likes of conch chowder, jerk chicken, and mahi-mahi in crushed plantain. The Sharkbite Cafe worked well for a cheap burger and a view of Turtle Cove marina and its mega-yachts.

Would you go back? It depends who's paying. Stunning beaches. Great roads. New resorts. Direct flights from Northeast cities. This might be the Aruba of tomorrow, but.... So many islands, so little time. It's probably back to Fodor's for the next destination.

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