Guam, Mariana Islands - February 23

A territory of the United States, Guam is the commercial and tourist center of the Marianas Islands - of all Micronesia in fact, an island where resort hotels and shopping malls stand in contrast to sandy beaches, sleepy villages, and mountains covered in tropical rainforest.

The Chamorro people first settled in the Marianas circa 1500 B.C., Westerners arrived in 1521, when Magellan landed in Guam during his circumnavigation of the globe. Spain ruled the islands as a colony until the U.S. took control during the Spanish American War. The island was twice the scene of combat during World War II - first when the Japanese invaded in 1941 and again when American forces liberated the island in 1944. Guam's strategic location led to the establishment of permanent American military facilities on the island.

We were supposed to visit Yap today, so we had nothing pre-planned for Guam. The last time we visited here we rented a car and drove around the island and saw the main sites. We ran out of time to snorkel so we wanted to do that this time. A couple we met on the Great Barrier Reef tour said they set up something quick on the internet to explore caves and snorkel and it was the same company I had considered last time before deciding to rent a car, so we booked the same tour.

Princess was also offering a free shuttle to the main shopping district and snorkeling from those beaches is supposed to be good, but it just seemed easier to do something organized. (no worries about leaving things behind on the beach while we snorkel)

We woke up to get ready for immigration and our tour and when we looked out the door to the balcony we noticed we were not yet in port. We showered and got ready when an announcement came on from the captain saying that there was a mix-up with the Coast Guard about what time they were to escort us in so we had to wait about an hour for them to come. Since Guam has military bases we had to be escorted in.

We went up for breakfast and then came back to the balcony to watch the sail in. Then, we went to line up for immigration. Greg had emailed the tour company to let them know the ship was running late. Since it wasn’t a private tour we didn’t know if they would wait for us or not. (they also can pick people up at hotels for their tours) Tropical Tours Guam is the company and I highly recommend them!

sail in

Immigration went quickly and we went to leave the ship and the rope was still blocking the way to the gangway. People were gathering and some said they were told they weren’t going to let people off the ship until everyone cleared immigration. Vicki said we should take the elevator down to deck 3 to see if we could get off or at least wait down there. People were getting off so we lined up with them. No one’s key cards were working to get off the ship. They did let us all off however.

Next, we had the long walk out of the cruise pier and hoped the tour company was there. Carol also had emailed that we were running late. There was no van that said Tropical Tours Guam. We stood there for a while and a guy came up and said they would be there in a few minutes. He was with Tropical Tours Guam and he had loaded a group from our ship for a land tour. We all breathed easier knowing they were coming back for us. To make it even better the tour ended up being private with just the 5 of us and our guides Matt & Burt. They passed out Guam-style Empanadas for us to snack on and they were sooooo good! A bit spicy and very tasty.

immigration

 from the van window

We took a bumpy road through the “jungle” to get to a lookout that had an awesome view of the rugged coastline and Marbo Mountain.

 through the windshield

Then, we went to the Marbo Cave which is under the mountain. Crystal blue pools of water were in the cave for those that wanted to swim. The guides brought lights so we could see where we were walking and to light up the pools. There were quite a few chambers and pools.

 entrance to the cave

 Joel & Greg going in

 Greg exploring

 inside looking out

 Blue Tailed Skink

path to drive out

We got out and relaxed and dried off before getting in the van for the 30 minute ride to the snorkel spot which turned out to be the area by the Fisheye Aquarium observatory. People can pay to go there and it goes deep underwater with viewing windows. The area is actually an old “bomb hole” Last port was “ash-holes and this port was “bomb-holes”

 cemetery from the van windows

We had to walk quite a long way out on a shallow coral bottom before putting on our snorkels and masks. Matt was very helpful with me as my “fussy” feet weren’t happy with the walk out. He helped me get off the water shoes and put my fins on my feet.

we walked out from shore past the observatory at the end

the long walk out.....to snorkel past and around the end

There were tons of fish and a Barracuda that was about 4 feet long that hung with us. We fed the fish raw squid. After hanging out in that area for a while we headed behind the observatory where there were some beautiful corals and interesting fish, sea cucumbers, a clam and starfish.

Then, a sea turtle came and swam with us for quite a long time. He was very friendly and he bumped into us quite often. He actually took a nip on Carol’s arm. Greg got some great video of the turtle and the rest of the fish and coral. We snorkeled for quite a while and then swam back to shore. Absolutely an amazing time!

Here is the video that Greg took today:  Guam Snorkeling

We were all starving and eager for our lunch stop which was at Terry’s Local Comfort Food Restaurant. A huge plate of food was waiting for each of us. There were BBQ ribs and chicken, red rice, white rice, tasty noodles, dipping sauce, chicken ceviche, shrimp puff and spinach in a yummy local sauce. What a feast!

restaurant

our lunch plates

Carol & Mike

Joel

When we walked into the restaurant we saw Bob & Phyllis and their group who had booked the same company for a land tour of the local sites.

On the drive back to port Matt wanted to know if we wanted to stop at a local grocery store and we did, so he took us to Pay Less Supermarket. We bought some wine and some chocolate covered macadamia nuts.

Grocery Store

our driver Burt and our guide Matt

Burt & Matt

What a great day we had with Carol & Mike and Joel. The guides were both really funny and informative. Just a fun day!

sail away

As we are getting ready for dinner an announcement that the entertainment yet again was not able to make the ship. They were denied boarding on the plane from wherever and so, we once again have no new entertainment. The same Polynesian Duo performed to a meager crowd and a lot of people walked out and we didn’t stay until the end either. The Patter for tomorrow shows the comedian that we didn’t care for is performing again.

We have 3 sea days until our next port which is Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Since we only have 1 day after Taiwan to get ready for our over-land in China we will need to pack in the next 3 days as well.

We’ll do our best to get some video and photos done……..