Guam, Where America's Day Begins

February 18, 2024

Guam is a terrific, tropical paradise with fabulously, friendly people. If you are looking for an under the radar spot - check out Guam.

Lovely sail in. Only 5 or fewer cruise ships come a year so we got quite the flotilla welcome.

We rented a car for the day. Our traveling companions were Arlene, Lan, Peter and Pat, the two bridge teachers. We had a little trouble finding our vehicle at the port. The Guam police went out of their way to help us. Walkie talkie messages must have been flying around because when I walked into the taxi area, an officer approached me and asked if I was the woman looking for a rental van. They assured me they were looking for it and would direct it to where we were sitting. Then the Chief approached me to assure me he was going to his office to call the rental car company and see if there was a problem! Wow. We felt like visiting dignitaries.

Once the car arrived, we were off. First stop Fishey Park. A real find - a boardwalk out into the ocean, then a small building, 70 steps down and we were in an "aquarium" - basically windows looking out into the ocean. Beautiful, fish, coral and sharks.

Next was the Governor's Center. Many reminders of the war and memorials to those who died.

Two Lovers Point in Tamsung is one of the most iconic sites in Guam, offering lookout points that provide breathtaking views of the Philippine Sea over a plunging cliff face. The cliff drops off a stark 400 feet to the crashing sea below, and you can take walkways that hang over the jagged rock. This is the site of a tragic story about the daughter of a wealthy family who fell in love with a Chamorro warrior. The two tied their hair together and jumped off the cliff to avoid the army that was coming to force her into an arranged marriage.

South Pacific Memorial Park. The memorial's centerpiece is a 50-foot tall monument that abstractly depicts hands clasped in prayer. Beneath this monument lies the remains of Japanese soldiers who lost their lives in the final days of Guam's wartime occupation. The path to the right of the monument leads to the shallow canyon where Obata hid his command post inside a labyrinth of caves. Also located on memorial grounds is a small Buddhist chapel that is home to WWII artifacts. The memorial park was built, and is maintained, by donations from Japanese citizens and serves as a symbolic gesture of peace.

Talofofo Falls Resort Park. We went to see the falls and found out we needed to ride a cable car to see them. Up, up and away. Is this a HAL approved tour?

Then to the resort area of town, Tumon. Very upscale. High end resort with a beautiful long beach scattered with restaurants and bars. Arlene shopped. Jim returned the car to the airport. Lan and I found a nail salon and asked what can you do in 30 minutes? I got a relaxing pedicure - no polish. Lan got her polished nails trimmed and shaped. The Chinese couple couldn't be more accommodating. We caught the last bus from Dusit Thani (resort) to the port.

First sunrise of the day in America!