Guam: Where America's Day Begins

GUAM--Thursday, March 25, 2010

Guam is an unincorporated territory of the USA making it where America's day begins (about 14 hours before it does on the East Coast of the United States). We began the day early by lining up for the mandatory immigration inspection at 7 a.m. Unfortunately, the doors did not open until 7:30 p.m. so we experienced hurry up and wait.

We took the Hagatna Highlights tour to the capital city of Guam. Our tour guide, Jun, short for Junior, told us that the island experiences a very pleasant climate with high temperatures of 88 degrees and low temperatures of 76 degrees, two seasons--dry and wet--with the best months to visit being December to March, high humidity and about 40 inches of rain a year. The topography reminded us of Florida with its beautiful coastal views of the ocean, the highest point being about 300 feet above sea level and well paved highways. About one-third of the land on the islands is used by the military. Much construction is happening on Guam because the Marines are transferring their forces there from Okinawa.

Our first stop was the Asan Bay Overlook and the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. The Japanese attacked Guam on December 8, 1941. Facing the bay is a monument to the first Chamorro US military casualties who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. A wall lists all the citizens of Guam who endured rationing, force labor, beatings and execution by the Japanese. Unfortunately, 34 of the 99 bronze plaques with their names were stolen in 2007 and sold for scrap metal. The replacement glass plaques of black with white lettering are easier to read than the original bronze plaques. On July 21, 1944, 55,00 American troops landed. The Marine captured the ridge and secured the Orote Peninsula,liberating Guam.

We stopped at Fort Santa Agueda and passed the Guam "White House" or the governor's mansion. Our next stop was Latte Stone Memorial Park with 139 latte stones, which are pillar/post arrangements. The round tasa stone on top is the capstone while the shaft stone is the post. They are a symbol of Charmorro culture that may have been used for burial grounds. On the back side of the park is a Japanese cave, part of an interconnected and extensive system that the Japanese used for storage and bomb shelters.

At the Plaza de Espana, which is now used for many government and civic activities, we viewed the circular Chocolate House in which the governor's wife served hot chocolate, and later tea, to the governor's guests, and the Summer House, which is still a social meeting place. In the plaza is a monument to the Guam Insular Force Guard who valiantly defended the town on December 10, 1941, against a far superior force. In the middle of the road is a statue of John Paul II, the first pope to visit Guam. The citizens had a parade for him on that street, and the monument was built on the spot where the pope knelt down to kiss the ground.

On our way to the other side of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Jun told us that Guam Beer in cans is made in Korea and that Guam holds the distinction of drinking more Budweiser beer per capita than any other place in the world. Also, spam is the most consumed food and the manufacturers have produced a special Guam-only spam with tabasco sauce and garlic. Guam has no mass transit system so the ratio of cars to citizens is almost 1:1.

At the national park, we saw where the marines came ashore. Sara also talked with a minister who recently moved to Guam, after being stationed there in the 1970s, to be the associate pastor of the Church of God on the military base to prepare for the military influx.

We were somewhat disappointed with our tour as where others who went on different tours. Even our tour guide said he was disappointed because our tour was only three hours, and he much preferred the six-hour tours. After our exotic ports of call, Guam seemed too Americanized.

When we arrived back at the ship, we took the free Princess shuttle past the world's largest K-mart and into downtown. There we saw the famous Guam Slingshot ride with six Gs of acceleration and the upscale stores. More than 80 percent of the tourists are from Japan.

When we arrived back at the ship, the Pacific Princess hosted the Chamorro cultural dancers. Now we know how America's day begins and come to an early end with the Guam version of the Electric Slide. Janie, our new friend and follower, was out there dancing to the beat with a young Chamorro man and doing great. After the last dance, the young people greeted everyone in the audience with a kiss on both cheeks and a hug. Then they gave a traditional blessing so that we would reach our next destination safely. Guam's all-purpose greeting word is Hafa Dai. Hafa Dai!