Hafa Adai!
Hafa Adai! (half-a-day) means "Hello". The first Chamorro word I learned.
I am so blessed to see another part of the world - Guam, a journey to be added on my travel eDiary, My Fantasies.
This is Guam!!!
Chamorros or Chamorus are natives of Guam, while people who live in Guam are called Guamanians. Folk or noble called Matua which is similar to my Pampanganian dialect.
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| Stone latte used as the foundation for a shelter constructed by Chamorros |
Currency: USD. Counting their cents is confusing. A dime,a smaller coin is equivalent to 10 one cents or 2 five cents which is a bigger coin.
Power voltage: 110V. I should have known this first before flying to Guam and not bring a 220V hair dryer, just added weight and space in my luggage.
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| A quarter of a dollar coin- Guam |
Sinajarana is the smallest area while Dededo is the largest and most populated village in the north. Hagatna is the capital.
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| Coconut leaves weaved fan |
Military Bases: Two American military bases are;
Anderson Air Force Base in Yigo (north) and Naval Base in Sta.Rita (south).
Airport: Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, named after Antonio Borja Won Pat, Guamanian politician, served the first delegate from Guam to the United States. The airport is also known as Guam International Airport, IATA code: GUM.
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| Bougainvillae seen in Dededo, the northern part of Guam |
National Flower: Bougainvillea
Time zone: UTC +10
Calling Code: +1-671
Transportation: For drivers it on the left side, the downside for commuters who want to explore the island is not having public transportation on the island.
Visited Places in Guam
War In The Pacific Park, Asan
On this site lived Apolinario Mabini and other 51 heroes. They were captured and exiled to Guam in 1903 by the American military, quartered in what was formerly a leper hospital. Released in 1903 after taking an oath of allegiance to the US. Apolinario Mabini is a Filipino revolutionary lawyer, regarded as Utak ng Himagsikan (brain of the revolution). Lost both of his legs to polio in 1895 shortly before Philippine Revolution in 1896. He died of cholera in Manila on May 13, 1903.
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Apolinario Mabini Historical Marker - Asan Point
War In The Pacific Park, Asan
War In the Pacific Park
In memory of 74 Chamorros who died in the Vietnam War
Guam Veteran's Memorial - Umatac
For 250 years, beginning around 1565, Spanish galleons sailed yearly from Acapulco, Mexico to Manila, Philippines and return. The only replenish stop for the Spanish galleons was Umatac Bay. From 1680 - 1810, the Spanish built four fortifications to protect the anchorage from the pirates and privateers. After WWII, the Government of Guam transformed the Fort into a park.
 
Umatac bay view from Fort Nuestra de la Soledad
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| Fish Eye Marine Park Underwater observatory located in Piti |
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| Ron approached the tourists in the observatory window and waved Hi! |
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| Inarajan Natural Pool - Inarajan |
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| Pago Bay - view from the University of Guam |
Tumon, Tamuning
Tamuning is the capital of Guam
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| Masso Reservoir in Piti This quiet hidden area once utilized by the Chamorros and was selected by the US Navy as a drinking source in 1940. |
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| Agat Small Boat Harbor Charter recreational boats for local residents and tourists. |
Sons of Guam Pearl Harbor Memoria 1941 - 1944
See those whitish lines? Engraved on the wall are names of United States Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and coastguards. Chamorros who died suffered personal injuries, and forced labor from 1941 - 1944 WWll, US retaking of Guam from Japanese invaders.
Sons of Guam Pearl Harbor Memorial 1941 - 1944
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| A Closer look of names engraved on the wall |
War In The Pacific Park overlooking Apra Harbor
Overlooking Apra Harbor at night towards Tumon from Libugon Vista Park
Umatac Bridge
Cetti Bay Overlook - Umatac
Merizo Combento - Merizo
Merizo Bell Tower - Merizo
The bell was used to call parishioners to worship and to summon residents of the village for meetings and disaster warning.
Statue of Our Lady of Camarin in Merizo
Chamorro Village Market day
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| BBQ BBQ BBQ |
Chamorro Village, Hagatna
Christmas tree erected fronting Guam Museum. Christmas in Guam! - Hagatna
Mount Lam Lam range in Agat
At the height of 406m. / 1332 ft. above sea level, Mt. Lam Lam is considered the highest mountain on earth!!!
But why is that? I flew several times to Nepal at the height of 30,000 ft. and can see the apex of Mt. Everest above the clouds. Mt. Everest is 8,848m. / 29,029 ft. above sea level. Touching a bit of Geography here, thanks to Wikipedia ;-). I am liking this. Guam lies on the Marianas Trench in the Pacific Ocean with a depth of 10,994m. / 36,070ft (+/- 40m. / 130ft) which is the deepest natural trench on earth. If Mt. Everest submerged into the trench it will be >2,000 ft. below the sea.
Stations of the Cross, Mount Jumullong Manglo, Agat
The second highest peak in Guam, 391m. Yearly pilgrimage around the Easter Season, to commemorate the death of Jesus.
Underwater World Guam USA - Tamuning
Guam Veterans Cemetery, Piti
Pigo Catholic Cemetery, Hagatna
Churches in Guam
Over 85% of Guam's population is Roman Catholic. There are over 2 dozens of churches in Guam including those in 19 villages. Here are a few that I have seen.
San Dionisio Church in Umatac , view from Fort Nuestra de la Soledad, Umatac
Dolce Nombre de Maria Cathedral, Hagatna
Went here for a 5pm Tagalog mass, which is every first Sunday of the month seen on website/s. when we got there, No sign of mass for 5pm, maybe they are no longer serving Tagalog mass. Waited for the 6pm regular Sunday mass instead.
San Dimas Catholic in Merizo
Road trip to Dededo
Offbeat road
Spotted these wild pigs crossed the road and soaked in mud
Forest
Star Sand Beaches Resort
Barbed wire fence on the left is a property of Anderson Air Base
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| They have SM outlet too, inside Agana Shopping Center |
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| Vista Mar Condominiums, Consolacion Ave., Asan, Guam Where I stayed, super nice view. |
