The main drag along Grand Turk's leeward beaches is a narrow lane out of a Caribbean of long ago. Although there was some automobile traffic on this road, it was mostly quiet, even though several of the hotels and diveshops are located here.

The Bermudian architecture and the lack of activity remind you that you are a long way from any tourist "mecca."

There are no shopping centers or tourists shops. In fact, one of our simple challenges during our stay was finding a couple of bags of ice to purchase. We did find a nice little bakery and a couple of convenience stores. And, of course, there's Cee's, the sleepy Caribbean version of Sam's Wholesale, where you could buy large quantities of necessities.

But the folks are friendly. One group in a pickup helped us find ice by having us follow them to a few places - private residences, really - that sold ice.