Guam

Introduction

Guam-Diving

© All Rights Reserved AllisonKim

When Ferdinand Magellan sailed into Guam in the early part of the 16th century, a cultural misunderstanding between him and the local Chamorro people led him to name the island the Island of Thieves. The story of the Chamorro people from this early failed contact is a sad one, as the Chamorros' numbers dwindled through fighting and disease. There are no pure Chamorros anymore; modern-day Guam is a Westernized US territory armed with fast food chains, expensive hotels and a collection of popular beaches, reefs and surfing spots. In short, it's a bit like a small-scale version of Hawaii.

Like all good tourist destinations, though, Guam still shows an active interest in Chamorro culture. An attractive Chamorro Cultural Village displays traditional Chamorro arts and craft; and a strong push towards restoring towns and villages with their Chamorro names reveals a genuine desire to pay homage to the people who've inhabited this small nook of the North Pacific for a century and a half.

Brief History

It is believed that Guam was first discovered by people from southeastern Indonesia around 2000 BC. Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, sailing for the King of Spain, reached the island in 1521 during his fleet's circumnavigation of the globe. General Miguel López de Legazpi claimed Guam for Spain in 1565. Spanish colonization commenced in 1668 with the arrival of Padre San Vitores, who established the first Catholic mission. The islands were part of the Spanish East Indies governed from the Philippines, which were in turn part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain based in Mexico City.
Between 1668 and 1815, Guam was an important resting stop for the Spanish Manila galleons, a fleet that covered the Pacific trade route between Acapulco (Mexico) and Manila (Philippines). Guam, along with the rest of the Mariana and Caroline Islands, were treated as part of Spain's colony in the Philippines.
The United States took control of the island in the 1898 Spanish-American War, as part of the Treaty of Paris. Guam came to serve as a station for American ships traveling to and from the Philippines, while the Northern Mariana Islands passed to Germany, and then Japan. During World War II, Guam was attacked and invaded by the armed forces of Japan on December 8, 1941. Guam's Japanese occupation lasted for approximately thirty-one months. The United States returned and fought the Battle of Guam on July 21, 1944, to recapture the island from Japanese military occupation.
After the war, the Guam Organic Act of 1950, established Guam as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, provided for the structure of the island's civilian government, and granted the people U.S. citizenship. However, to this day, though they are U.S. citizens, the people of Guam are not allowed to vote for president and their Congressional Representative is a non-voting member. This has caused contention amongst many Guamanians, who feel they are treated like third class citizens of the United States.

Geography

Regions/Villages

• Hagatna (formerly Agana) is the capital
• Tumon is the main tourist destination, on the central western part of the island.
• Dededo, is the most populated village, located in the island's north-west.

Cities

Sights and Activities

Ritidian Point

Ritidian Point is located at the northernmost point of Guam and is a national wildlife reserve. The site contains one of the most pristine and secluded white-sanded beaches of Guam and is perfect getaway for a few days. Try to visit during the week by the way, as on weekends there are families and some areas can get crowded. You will find yourself along during the week, except the local fishermen.

Mount Lamlam

Mount Lamlam is the highest point on the island of Guam at around 400 metres above sea level. Although it is rather a hill than a mountain, it is not an easy walk. Once you are at the top, the views are magnificent and you can see much of the island and the surrounding Pacific Ocean from here.

Cocos Island

Although Guam has some fine stretches of beach and there are areas you can be on your own, it still is rather crowded, especially with Americans. For some more tropical islands feelings, Cocos Island probably is a better option. Here, you can swim, fish, go snorkelling or sunbathing. Still, it's almost impossible to be really alone, as the island gets a fair share of tourists from the main island. Try to visit during the weekdays and come very early to have some hours of relative quietness.

Umatac

Umatac is an unspoilt village that is full of historical significance. Just before Magellan landed here in 1521 at the Umatac Bay, the Chamorros thought that a spot just north of Umatac was the place where the first people were created. This was celebrated annually and nowadays Magellan's landing is celebrated as well in the village each March. You can see his monument and the ruins of the Saint Dionicio Church opposite of eachother in the village centre. Off the beach and Umatac there is a Japanese Zero fighter plane in the bay, a good diving spot at 50 metres deep. Finally, Fort Nuestra Senora de la Soledad offers a stunning hilltop view of Umatac Bay.

Other sights and activities

• War In The Pacific National Historical Park - former battlefield location of WWII
• Talofofo - jungle villages
• Hagatna - capital, with statue of Pope John Paul II and small Statue of Liberty
• Two Lovers Point - monument at a 125 metre-high cliff where two young Chamorros jumped to their death
• Easter Egg Hunt - Asan

Events and Festivals

Weather

Guam has a pleasant tropical climate with generally warm and humid weather conditions. Average daytime temeratures hoover around 30 degrees Celcius during the day, only January and February are slightly cooler. Night time temperatures are still above 20 degrees during most nights and rarely drop below. The wet season roughly lasts from July to November with September and October seeing the most rain. Still, from December to June there can be heavy afternoon downpours as well. During the wet season, tropical storms can be a real danger as well but generally don't cause too much damage.

Getting there

Plane

Flights arrive at Won Pat International Airport. The main airlines is Continental Micronesia Airlines, a branch of Continental Airlines, serving American destinations like Honolulu, Los Angeles and Houston and other destinations like Manila as well.
Guam is a major gateway to other places in the Pacific and as such there are many flights from many destinations in Asia, Australia and New Zealand as well.
Airlines to choose from are All Nippon and Japan Airlines from destinations in Japan, like Tokyo and Osaka, China Airlines from for example Beijing, Philipiine Airlines from Manila and Korean Air from Seoul.
Services from Australia include Continental Airlines from Cairns with possible connections to Micronesia. The same airlines also serves Hongkong and Bali.

By Boat

Yachts and the occasional cruiseship or cargoship are your only possibilities to get here.

Getting Around

By Car

You can rent cars at the international airport or the capital and some hotels. Most roads are paved but can be slippery after rain. There is also a lot of traffic on the roads. Traffic drives on the right and you need an international driving permit, or if you are from the US, your national driver's licence will be sufficient. Cars start at about $50 a day.

By Bus

There are many bus lines on the island, but services are infrequent and confusing sometimes. Usually, transport is in small vans but some bigger buses drive the main lines.

Red Tape

The same visa waver program as for the USA applies here. For Guam, the additional countries for the visa waiver include Indonesia, Malaysia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, UK overseas territories, Vanuatu and Samoa.

Money

See also Money Matters

The US Dollar, or "greenback", is the national currency of Guam. One dollar consists of 100 cents. Frequently used coins are the penny (1¢), nickel (5¢), dime (10¢) and quarter (25¢). 50¢ and $1 coins also exist, but are rarely used. Frequently used banknotes are the $1, $5, $10 and $20 notes. $2, $50 and $100 notes can also be found, but are rarely used.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

The main tourist area is around Tumon Bay, which has a number of high-rise hotels and resorts ^[1] similar to Waikiki Beach with an even larger percentage of Japanese tourists. Cheaper accommodations exist near the airport, especially around the village of Harmon. Be aware that Harmon hotels tend to be on the seedier side since Harmon is a mixed industrial/residential neighborhood. Many of the flights scheduled through Guam to other locations (especially in Asia) often require an overnight layover, so plan ahead. Some hotels offer airport pickup, as taxis can be quite expensive.

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Guam. It's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Guam. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also a hepatitis A vaccination is recommended and when travelling longer than 2 weeks also typhoid. Vaccination against hepatitis B and tuberculosis are also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months.

Dengue sometimes occurs as well. There is no vaccinations, so buy mosquito repellent (preferably with 50% DEET), and sleep under a net. Also wear long sleeves if possible.

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS.

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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