Guam: US with an Asian flair

A trip to Guam is like visiting the four exotic corners of the globe. It is considered the hub of the Western Pacific and undeniably Micronesia’s most cosmopolitan destination -- a true example of the great American melting pot.

In addition to the indigenous Chamorros and the Americans, Guam has large populations of Micronesian islanders, Indians, Europeans. Filipinos comprise 40 percent of the island’s total population. It has also been invaded by millions of Japanese tourists. There were times I even felt I was in Japan!

Guam is an inviting tropical playground, with turquoise waters delighting swimmers and wind surfers, and coral reefs beckoning snorkelers and scuba divers. It is a tiny island. So tiny you could drive the whole perimeter of the island in about two hours!

TARGET: 1.5-M TOURISTS

Although it is an American territory, you won’t find many Americans here. It is a popular resort location off the Pacific Rim, tucked between Asia and Hawaii, but somewhat unknown to Americans today.

It has been described by many as the ‘’US with an Asian flair.’’ Everywhere you look, you will see Asian touches, specifically catered to the Japanese who frequent the beachside resorts.

Most tourists spend their time in Tumon, dubbed as the "hotel strip " which borders the sparkling blue waters of Tumon Bay and bordered at both ends by towering green cliffs. The strip holds many tourists captive with its inviting beaches, luxurious hotels and resorts, and duty-free shopping malls.

Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) marketing manager Pilar Laguaña tags Guam as "the most western destination in the Asia Pacific." "This is why we appeal very much to the high-end or upscale market, most especially as a shopping destination, because we have a diverse range of products. We have duty free shops in almost every corner and stores carrying signature brands. And we are only three to five hours away."

According to Laguaña, Guam welcomed 1.2 million tourists last year, mostly from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. "This year, we are targetting 1.5 million tourists," she said. "And for next year, we are looking at the possibility of luring the Russian and Chinese markets."

OCEAN PLAYGROUND

Without a doubt, water sports are Guam’s finest offering. Visitors come to enjoy the island’s ocean playground and may choose from a full range of activities that will take you either over or under the surface of its tropical seas.

Diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, and other water sports equipment and lessons are available at most of the hotels. Riverboat trips or dolphin watching tours complete the water activity line-up.

The Seawalker underwater tour takes the visitor as deep as 30 feet under water with just a helmet diving system. You won’t even get your face and hair wet. No heavy scuba diving equipment, no complicated hand signals, and no diving certificate required. Even non-swimmers and children as young as eight years old can join the fun. You just have to know how to equalize as you go deeper into the water, just like when you’re on a plane and you feel that your ears are popping.

For those who don’t want to get wet, there is the option to go to Guam’s giant aquarium called the Underwater World where a close-up look of the island’s teeming marine life and fish feeding in their natural habitat may be done.

NATURE AND HISTORY

Historical landmarks, coupled with the natural beauty of Guam, offer numerous sights of interest.

Latte, which served as foundation pillars for the thatched huts of the Chamorros, are found in parks and out-of-the-way jungle areas.

As early as 500 A.D., ancient Chamorros built their houses on stone pillars known as lattes. These pillars are notable for their two-piece construction; the supporting column (halagi) topped with a capstone (tasa). The halagi was made from coral limestone and usually carried several miles from the quarry site for installation in the appropriate location. The tasa was made from natural, hemispherical coral heads collected from the reef. In Latte Park, eight of these stones are displayed.

The remains of Fort Santa Agueda, built in 1800, boasts of a splendid view of Hagatna and Agana Bay. Government House, the official residence of Guam’s governor, is adjacent to the fort’s sprawling grounds. The graceful remains of Spanish buildings, the Plaza De España, and stone bridges may also be seen in Hagatna, Guam’s capital.

Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, a majestic structure located on the site where the first Catholic church on Guam was constructed in 1669 looms above the majestic palm trees and is a familiar landmark in downtown Hagatna. The cathedral-basilica itself is a striking white structure. It also houses a museum, which covers the history of the Chamorro people and the Catholic church on Guam, including an exhibit about Padre Jose Bernardo Palomo y Torres, ordained in 1859 and the first Chamorro to become a priest. Much like the Philippines, Catholic churches have been the center of village activities. The local Chamorrans are a very happy, friendly people and there is nothing they like better than a festival.

CLOSE TO HOME

There’s more to Guam than duty-free shopping and karaoke if you venture off the beaten path. It also has a rich cultural legacy and a compelling history. The traditions and customs of the island’s heritage continue to thrive despite invading conquerors, wars and changing governments. Although Guam has changed dramatically since it was originally colonized by the Spanish in the 1500s, many native cultural traditions remained intact, while its living culture has expanded into a vibrant, modern way of life. Every village has its patron saint whose feast day is celebrated with an elaborate fiesta.

Rene Quintans, president of the Filipino community in Guam, said that there are a lot of commonalities between Guam and Filipinos. "The locals and the Filipinos even share the same physical attributes that you can hardly tell one from the other."

The name Guam comes from the ancient Chamorro word "Guahan," meaning "we have." The Chamorro people arrived on Guam from the Malay Peninsula around 3000 BC, and they occupied the island alone until Ferdinand Magellan landed here in 1521. They have survived invasions by the Spanish, the Japanese and the Americans, but have managed to retain their cultural identity, including language, cuisine and customs.

The Chamorro Village is the best place to experience Chamorran cultural shopping and dining. The best time to visit is Wednesday evenings when the locals gather to enjoy a lively night market and free live entertainment.

Local plants, fish and produce are for sale, as well as Guam-made chocolates to traditional arts and crafts. Stalls set up between buildings offer Chamorro treats such as ahu (grated coconut boiled in sugar water) or the homemade sweet tuba (a drink made from the first sap of the young coconut tree). Most popular are the family-operated barbecue booths, where short ribs, pork and chicken kebabs, and even squid are served hot off the grill.

Live demonstrations by master crafters and performers of Chamorro Heritage add to the experience, as do the energetic local live bands playing everything from ‘50s rock to Polynesian folk songs. For those looking for souvenirs, this is the place to go shopping.