World Country Guide

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Food & Drink
With rare exceptions, dining takes place in hotels. Island specialities include whelk soup, conch chowder, lobster and special types of fresh fish. Another popular dish is Grits, known locally as Hominy; cooked with peas or dried conch, completed by adding vegetables, chicken or fish. Continental dishes are also available as are US/European snacks such as hot dogs and hamburgers. Although some establishments have buffet-style serveries, table service is common.
Alcohol is freely available. Rum-based punch and cocktails are delicious and a wide selection of imported beer, wines and spirits can be found in most bars.

Nightlife
There are nightclubs and discos, and hotels arrange beach parties and other entertainments. Events are broadcast in advance on local radio.

Shopping
Fairly expensive. The islands' small shops sell locally made baskets, jewellery, ceramics, shells, sponges, hand-screened cloth, souvenir T-shirts and rare conch pearls (although the latter is discouraged because of problems of over fishing).

Special Events
For a complete list, contact the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in the Turks & Caicos Islands in 2005:
Jan 1 Junkanoo Jump-Up (festivities from midnight to sunrise), Grand Turk and Providenciales. Jan 30 Island Network 14th Annual Mini-Triathalon, Provo. Feb 11 Cactus Slam Festival, Providenciales. Mar 17 13th Annual St Patricks Day Pub Crawl. Apr Earth Day. May South Caicos Regatta. May 30 National Heroes Day. Jun Conch Carnival, Grand Turk; 15th Annual Fools Regatta and Great Raft Race. Jun-Jul Annual Turks & Caicos Classic Fishing Tournament, Providenciales. Jul Women's International Festival of Football, Providenciales; 12th Annual Heineken Game Fishing Tournament, Grand Turk. Aug Middle Caicos Day Celebrations. Sep Cultural Week, various islands. Oct North Caicos Extravaganza; 10th Annual Oktoberfest; Turks and Caicos Music and Poetry Festival. Oct 24 International Human Rights Day. Nov 2nd Annual International Film Festival, Providenciales. Dec Christmas Tree Light Ceremony, Grand Turk.

Social Conventions
Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Hospitality is important and, when visiting someone's home, normal social courtesies should be observed - if possible, a return invitation should be made. A souvenir from home is well received. Informal dress is accepted for most events, but beachwear should be confined to the beach. Tipping: There is no tipping in hotels on any of the islands, 15 per cent is added to all bills. In restaurants, tip 15 per cent.