Guam
Trip Start
Oct 03, 2006
1
16
17
Trip End
Nov 11, 2006
Hagatna, Guam
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Hafa adai! (sounds like half a day, but means Hello, how are you, in Chamarro). Spent a day in Guam and found it to be very beautiful. It is quite western and very tourist oriented, but also very rural and rugged at the same time. I've enclosed a few photos from the hotel area in Tumon Bay, with the rocky point in the distance called Two Lovers Point. Legend has it two Chamarro lovers tied their hair together and jumped to their deaths to avoid separation. Ouch!
I did not see any of the infamous Brown Tree snakes which have decimated the bird population on Guam. "Some forested areas of the island have up to 12,000 snakes per square mile". They feed on eggs and chicks of birds and can be a danger to small domestic animals. I'm sure if I looked in the bush, I'd find one or two, but perhaps on another trip!
Took an around the island drive and found it appealing and interesting, albeit hot, too. Did you know that the Pacific Ocean ends on the east shore of Guam and the Philippine Sea starts on the west shore? I didn't! Visited a park where a Japanese soldier lived hidden for 28 years after WWII ended. When he was found, he was nearly killed out of revenge - animosity toward the Japanese soldiers by the Chamarros still existed up until that time in 1972.
It has been a long, tiring, and fascinating trip. Thanks for allowing me to share things with you. Please let me know if you have any questions as I know I'm ending rather abruptly now.
Kristen
Comments
Welcome Home
Nice to have you closer, although I will miss your adventures. Guam reminds me of Hawaii. It's probably good you went there last.