Travel Destination: Guam
About Guam
Guam is a cosmopolitan, unincorporated US insular area and Micronesia’s largest island. Although English and Chamorro are its official languages, the latter is not popularly spoken as it used to. The American accent is strong and any visitor who speaks English wouldn’t have a hard time going around. Tourism is the main industry here and even though small, it is packed with big-time surprises.
Exploring the whole of Guam can only take a day or two so the best way to enjoy its beauty is by taking things easy. It is multicultural combining traditional Chamorro with Mexican, Filipino, Spanish and American. It is a work in progress continuously adding up dance, songs and fashion into the present culture mix.
Since it’s a multicultural island, its cuisine is a reflection of varied influences. Popular to Japanese tourists, Guam offers a multitude of Asian cuisine thrown in with American fast food. Continental, ethnic, seafood, vegetables, Pacific—every taste will be satisfied with island flavours.
The city of Tumon is the main tourist hub in Guam with all the amenities of a modern world such as hotels and shopping centres. Tumon Bay is also known as Hotel Row and the main attraction is its white sandy beaches. There are shrines, basilica, art gallery and other historic sites to visit as well. Nightlife is thriving in this part of the island where there is even a Las Vegas-style attraction called Sand Castle. Along the Hotel Row is the largest tunnel aquarium in the world which is also part of the reason it is a tourist magnet. Fishing is allowed only in designated areas. Tumon is a shopping paradise as well, with big malls such as Acanta Mall, Tumon Sands Plaza, The Plaza and JP Superstore and Duty Free Galleria (DFS), the variety is hard to resist.
Approaching the Agana Boat Basin, you will see the replica of the Statue of Liberty, set up by the Boy Scouts of America in 1950 for their 40th anniversary. Guam is called “America in Asia.”
Although Guam is an island, the “island life” is not really apparent here. But if you want to get a glimpse of the Chamorro heritage, visit the Chamorro Village located near Paseo de Susana. Its culture, lifestyle and cuisine can be learned here. Visitors can also shop for handicraft items and souvenirs.
Northern Guam offers interesting sites as well such as the South Pacific Memorial Park, the site of the last Japanese garrison, which is an important friendship symbol and Mount Santa Rosa, an extinct volcano where you can have a view of the northern plateau and limestone forests.
Central Guam has six historical parks: Asan Beach, Asan, Piti, Mount Chacho/Mount Tenjo, Mount Alifan and Agat. It has two falls, the Sigua and Tarzan. The lovely Pago Bay is also found here.
Moving on to Southern Guam would take you to the island’s highest point, Mount Lamlam, standing at 1,334 feet above sea level. Parks, caves, falls and the Inarajan Village all showcase the rich tapestry of the island. For windsurfing, snorkelling, jet skiing and other water sports, you may go to Cocos Island and Talafofo Bay Beach Park.
There are plenty of sites for divers too, no matter what level you’re in. The most popular ones include Pati Point, The Pinnacle, Northern Caves, Double Reef, Gun Beach, Tumon Bay, Hospital Point, Piti Bomb Holes, Apra Harbor and Blue Hole.
With its remaining traditional island flavours blending with modern convenience, Guam gives in without losing its sense of adventure, a small wonder indeed.