THROUGH the invitation of the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), this writer recently revisited Guam. The first time I saw the island was nearly 25 years ago and I’m quite astonished by what it has become today.
Only three-and-a-half hours away, a $500 round-trip ticket via United or Philippine Airlines, will take you to the island. You can even find promo deals for less. The question is, however, what is there on Guam? And what are the things to do on the island? Is it worth going there?
Guam, which is an American territory, is the closest United States destination to the Philippines. It is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands, and the largest island in Micronesia.
In the 15th century, Guam was a stopover for Spanish galleons en route from Acapulco, Mexico, to Manila in the Philippines. In 1521 Magellan’s voyage marked the first contact between Europeans and Pacific Islanders and resulted in incipient globalization. In the centuries that followed, the Marianas served as a stopping point for Spanish ships moving raw materials between its New World colonies and the Philippines in Island Southeast Asia (ISEA).
Nearly three centuries of Spanish colonization resulted in the decimation and forced translocation of the Chamorros, one of remote Oceania’s oldest and most distinct people, who inhabited the Marianas and are now the natives of Guam. According to the American Journal of Human Biology, genetic DNA evidence suggests that the Marianas were settled between 5,000 and 3,500 years ago and the settlers came directly from ISEA, likely, from Wallacea (Sulawesi and the Moluccas). Meanwhile, Guam’s local historian, Rudolph Villaverde, asserts that Chamorros can trace their languages and cultures to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The first historical document detailing the general physical features of the ancient Chamorros was written by Pifigetta in 1521. He described the indigenous people as being tall, big-boned and robust with tawny brown skin and long black hair. They also used to live in a “latte,” which is a pillar structure.
When America took over the territories from the Spaniards, it brought even more nationalities to the shores of Guam. Through it all, the Chamorro culture survived and the people of Guam have become a mixture of various ethnic compositions consisting of many cultural groups originating from Asia, Europe and the Americas. Many Filipinos, Caucasians, Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Indians and Pacific Islanders have made Guam their home.
Guam’s population is only around 159,000 and its economy depends primarily on tourism, Department of Defense installations and locally owned businesses. Just like Filipinos, the locals in Guam are friendly and hospitable. In the Philippines they will greet you Mabuhay, while on Guam they will welcome you with the words Håfa Adai, which you will hear a lot while you’re there.
The island is unique. You can find star-sand beaches, diving sites, crystal-clear blue skies, rainbows and world-famous sunsets. These are just a few of the reasons millions of tourists go there every year and have made Guam their top travel choice.
Guam is now becoming a shopping destination. It has a very active retail scene and it is all tax-free. GVB has ensured that tourists will find their favorite brands, such as Ross, Forever 21, Calvin Klein, Foot Locker, Payless and Tommy Hilfiger, just to name a few, in the many stores on the island and in Guam Premiere Outlets. Locals and tourists also enjoy shopping at Kmart in Tamuning, which is open 24 hours.
Several shopping stores are also located in Tumon, where one will find international fashion houses, world-renowned brands, as well as several collections of boutiques within establishments that include the DFS Guam Galleria, which is the cheapest Duty Free shop in the world that is open at 5 a.m. The biggest mall, Micronesia Mall, is in Dededo, where Macy’s can also be found. The Agana Shopping Center, which is also great for shopaholics, is in Hagatna.
There are more than 20 hotels in Guam and they include Hotel Nikko, Pacific Star, Hyatt Regency, Outrigger, the Westin and the newly opened Dusit Thani. Most of them are located by the seaside.
There are so many sights to visit around the island, which will allow one to know Guam’s rich history. Some of the famous tourist spots are the statue of Apolinario Mabini—“The Brains of the Revolution” and “The Sublime Paralytic,” which is in Asan; the Chamorro Village; Two Lovers’ Point; Talofofo Falls Park; Plaza de Espagna; Tanguisson Beach; Underwater World; Guam Pacific War Museum; Pacific National Historical Park; Cocos Island; Fort Nuestra Señora de la Soledad; and the Latte Stone Park.
Golfers will be glad to know that Guam has seven courses designed by no less than the legendary Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
For foodies like this writer, Guam has some great culinary cuisines and restaurants. Aside from different styles of barbecue, the island is famous for Chamorro dishes called kelaguen (A pickling marinade of lemon juice, fresh coconut, green onions, salt and hot red chili peppers or donne dinanche, which are used to marinate chicken); Tinaktak (ground beef in coconut milk with vegetables); Kadun Pika (hot chicken-and-coconut milk soup); and Tamales Gisu (a Chamorro tamales with one red side and a non-spicy white side)—all delicious and must-tries.
Cineastes will have their grand time during the Guam International Festival to be held from September 26 to 30 at the Agana Center Stadium Theaters. The festival will feature different independent films from around the world.
The Shop Guam Festival is going to be big, which is scheduled from November 1 to February 15, 2016. It is an annual event where shoppers make a “pilgrimage” to Guam to take advantage of the fantastic deals and shopping experience.
Whether you’re looking to experience a thrilling adventure on land or at sea, unravel 4,000 years of intriguing history, shop for the latest fashion and trends, taste the Chamorro cuisine or just relax on pristine shores, the answer is “yes,” Guam is a place definitely worth going to.
Image credits: Fritz Cruz, Tet Andolong