An Exciting Weekend in Guam

CEBU, Philippines - For a trip to be fun and memorable, three components must be present, a good and reliable airline, an efficient travel agent and great company. We had all three in our recent familiarization trip to Guam courtesy of Philippines Airlines and Fortune Travel.

Aida Uy, proprietress of the multi-awarded travel agency Fortune Travel Cebu, is one dynamic lady. She organizes tours like no other. She is ably assisted by her Manila-based son Mitchell Randolph whose contagious humor, wit and charm, makes him everybody’s friend and buddy.

Just as efficient and capable is soft-spoken Marijo Araneta, senior account officer of Philippine Airlines, whose 27 years in service has proven her worth and dedication. Being with these wonderful travel specialists surely made our weekend getaway to Guam truly remarkable.

The flight from Manila to Guam took just under four hours and we landed smoothly at Guam International Airport .The terminal was quite welcoming and we felt instantly at home with the hospitality and graciousness of the Guam officials who have embraced the custom of friendliness and accommodation. They are one of the reasons why Guam has been one of the prime destinations of Asian travelers in recent years.

After just a ten minute ride from the airport we arrived at Fiesta Resort our retreat for the weekend. We marveled at the long stretch of pristine beach, lush trees and swaying palms.

Guam is one of five US territories acquired after the Spanish American War of 1898 and is the largest island in Micronesia. Its capital is Hagatña, formerly called Agana. The island was formed by the union of two volcanoes; a limestone plateau in the northern and southern sections of Guam joins the extinct volcanoes.

The primary ethnic groups are the first indigenous inhabitants – the Chamorros with 37 percent, and then Filipinos at 26 percent. The rest are composed of Pacific Islanders, Caucasians and other Asians, including Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

Guam’s climate is very much like the Philippines and is characterized as tropical marine. The island experiences two seasons, rainy and dry, with the weather being very hot and humid on both seasons.

Evidence of Guam’s rich history lies in various sites, most of which are located in the capital city. The people take pride in sharing their cultural traditions with visitors to the island. Guam’s unique fiestas introduced by the Spanish in 1668 feature an array of the islands cultural cuisines. It is at these celebrations where families prepare heavily laden tables of delicious local delicacies such as chicken and corn chowder, spicy coconut eggplant, red rice, barbecue marinated reef fish and shrimp patties. The village Wednesday Night Market and the Friday Ocean Night Market are excellent displays of Guam’s cultural heritage in food, music, art and dance in one area.

Located north of Tumon Bay is the Two Lovers Point or Punta Dos Amantes. Legend has it that a pair of ill-fated Chamorro lovers, whose parents would not allow them to marry, jumped to their deaths from this 378 foot white limestone cliff. This tragically romantic tale has lent color to this lookout point where visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the luminous white sand beaches and lush hillsides along the Philippine Sea. Here, lovers and newlyweds can seal their love for each other by putting locks as a sign of their undying union and symbol of love.

Plaza de España is the most visited historic site in Guam. It served as the seat of government for the Spanish, American and Japanese administrations. It was defended by Chamorro volunteers of the Insular Force Guard comprised of 120 men tasked with assisting in the island’s defense. Most of the original walls at the former Spanish complex were destroyed but there are still remnants from the 333 years of Spanish occupation at the site.

Across the street is the Senator Angel Leon Guerrero Santos Latte Stone Park. This site with eight carved limestone blocks, known as latte, is a classic example of the archeological ruins found only in Guam and the islands of the Marianas. These ancient, goblet-sized pillars were used as the foundations of important structures in Chamorro villages. Their use vanished when the Spanish conquered the islands in the 1600s.

What surely must be one of the highlights in Guam is shopping at high-end shops at the DFS Galleria, Tumon Sands Plaza and the Plaza at Outrigger. Then there’s the world’s largest Kmart, the Guam Premier Outlets, Micronesia Mall, Acanta Mall or Agana Shopping Center where one can find great buys in clothing, shoes, accessories, island souvenirs, food, beverages and toiletries.

The nightlife can be just as busy as the daytime excursions. There are numerous nightclubs and a long list of American and international restaurants, bars and pubs located predominantly in central Tumon. Guam has become a premier destination with activities and luxuries the rest of the world can truly enjoy.