Hafa Adai, Each section of the Guam Guide, detailed in the Table of and Contents, is separated using welcome to Guam! different colored latte stones on the margin of each page. This will help you to explore his Guam Guide includes the book and our island easily. Teverything you need to know about our island in one One important thing to keep easy-to-read format. From our in mind as you make your way rich Chamorro culture to our through the Guam Guide is heritage, food, and even that you can find a listing of all historical landmarks that make hotels, restaurants, scenic our island unique, you will find spots, shopping and everything you need to transportation options – along explore our tropical paradise with other members of the in these pages. Guam Visitors Bureau – in the back pocket. Maps can be found throughout the book, particularly in the Please use this listing to help Sightseeing & Landmarks plan your stay on our beautiful section, which offers a island or visit the GVB website detailed listing of WWII sites, at www.visitguam.com. favorite beaches, and other We hope you enjoy your stay Guam hotspots that may be of on Guam, “Where America’s interest to you. day begins.” 1 USING THIS GUIDE CONTENTS Using this Guide. 2 Guam’s Unique Culture and Proud Heritage . 4 Fruits & Flowers of Guam . 6 Village Murals . 7 Your Guam Experience . 8 History of Guam. 10 Planning Your Visit . 16 Getting Around . 19 Family Fun in the Sun . 20 · Beaches . 20 · Outdoor Activities. 24 · Snorkeling . 25 · Scuba Diving. 26 · Boat Tours . 29 · Boonie Stomps . 30 · Guam Golf . 31 Getting Married in Paradise . 32 Entertainment & Nightlife . 34 Shopping . 36 Sightseeing & Historical Landmarks . 38 · Northern Guam . 39 · Tamuning/Tumon/Harmon . 41 · Hagåtña . 43 · Central Guam . 47 · Southern Guam . 51 Guam’s Must See and Do . 59 Safety Tips . 63 Island Region Maps . 64 Guam Wildlife . 72 2 USING THIS GUIDE . 2 . 4 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 10 . 16 . 19 . 20 . 20 . 24 . 25 . 26 . 29 . 30 . 31 . 32 . 34 . 36 . 38 . 39 . 41 . 43 . 47 . 51 . 59 . 63 . 64 . 72 U.S.A. 3 GUAM’S UNIQUE CULTURE AND PROUD HERITAGE UNIQUE CULTURE GUAM’S nown as the oldest government buildings and K civilization in Micronesia, the churches found in Hagåtña, Chamorro culture of Guam has a while modernity of the American deep-rooted respect for family culture permeates through the and tradition passed down for resort area of Tumon, whose generations. Everything from main street is lined with luxury seafaring and fishing techniques, boutiques and chain restaurants. artisanship, weaving, song and Village fiestas are also a dance has been inherited tradition in the Chamorro culture through thousands of years of although they were not oral tradition. introduced until Spanish missionaries came to Guam in Chamorros take great pride in the late 1600s. The celebrations, their language, faith, traditions, which honor Catholic patron and arts & crafts, but have saints in each of the island’s 19 always welcomed new cultures villages, occur annually. to the island with open arms. Although practices like kissing Nowhere is the island’s multi- the hands of elders (fanginge’), cultural heritage more evident which emerged in early than on the fiesta table, where Chamorro culture, or fishing with Filipino-style pancit sits next to a throwing net (talaya), have Spanish-influenced red rice maintained their place in society, (hineksa’ agaga’), and where influence from Spanish and American red velvet cake is just Asian cultures is evident down the table from Chamorro throughout the island. barbecue ribs marinated in soy sauce from Asia. Heavily laden Architecture from the tables of colorful local delicacies Spanish period, for such as spicy eggplant with example, is evident coconut milk (finadenne’ in the birenghenas), hot and spicy chicken (kadon pika), chicken with ground rice (chalakilis), and shrimp patties, can be found here as well. 4 GUAM’S UNIQUE CULTURE AND PROUD HERITAGE UNIQUE CULTURE GUAM’S While new cultures to the island To learn more about our island’s are evident wherever you visit, rich culture, visit the Guam take special note of those Museum in Hagåtña or see it for Chamorro traditions that yourself at a village fiesta. No continue to thrive thanks to oral matter who you are, Chamorros traditions passed down from will welcome you with open elder generations. Legends and arms. folklore about ancient village spirits (taotaomo’na), doomed Guam is comprised of people lovers leaping to their deaths from America, Europe, Asia, and off Two Lovers Point (Puntan Micronesia, and all have left Dos Amantes), and Sirena, a their footprint on this beautiful beautiful young girl who island. We call this spirit of became a mermaid, are cooperation and pride in our portrayed in stories and through island’s history the “Hafa Adai” dance. spirit. Don’t be afraid to show yours by trying Chamorro food, Guam’s traditional arts are also visiting our scenic and historic very much alive. During island sites, and giving your best “Hafa cultural fairs and exhibitions, Adai” (which means hello” in visitors have the opportunity to Chamorro) to anyone you meet watch master weavers, carvers, on your journey. and even blacksmiths demonstrate techniques that Here are a few other phrases have been passed down from for you to learn: generation to generation. Chamorro English Mañana Si Yu’os Good Morning Ha’anen Maolek Good Afternoon Pue’ngen Maolek Good Evening Håfa Adai Hello Si Yu’os Ma’åse’ Thank You Na’an hu si My name is: Hunggan Yes Åhe’ No Adios Goodbye 5 FRUITS & FLOWERS OF GUAM VILLAGE MURALS YOUR GUAM EXPERIENCE GUAM YOUR hen you arrive on Guam, Visitors can easily take in the Wthe first thing you’ll notice beautiful scenery by walking is the clean air, warm tropical along the beach or the weather, and beautiful tropical accessible sidewalk on the strip. setting that awaits as soon as Shopping, dining, and visitor you leave the airport. attractions are all within walking distance from many of the During your stay, we encourage hotels. Surrounded by pristine you to explore not only the natural beauty and abundant busy resort area of Pleasure recreational activities—Guam is Island along Tumon Bay, but a blend of urban and nature. beyond, allowing you to fully experience the blend of unique Your Guam experience will cultures that live on our island. allow you to integrate with the Stroll through the capital city of “We Are Guam” spirit, which Hagåtña, where a walking trail first began as an initiative weaves through 17 historic sites, launched by the Guam Visitors discover the luxury brand Bureau in January 2009. The shopping in Tumon, and program, which coordinated experience the unique with village mayors and culture of the island’s communities to create several southern region. village murals you may see during your travels on Guam and to bring visitors to local fiestas, has now emerged as much more of a spirit than a branding initiative. It 8 YOUR GUAM EXPERIENCE GUAM YOUR has united communities and inspired the island of Guam to promote its unique culture, food, and faith through everything from clothing to the friendly Hafa Adai spirit. Whether you’re a first-time or returning visitor, our island offers a distinct experience that will captivate any traveler. We warmly invite you to explore Guam and discover the ambiance that is unlike any other tropical resort. Guam and its neighboring islands of Micronesia can provide you with memories that will last a lifetime. So go ahead, run or swim along the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve, enjoy an island view atop Mount Lam Lam, explore the pristine ocean by snorkeling, kayaking, or scuba diving, or eat to your heart’s content. As you become absorbed in your Guam experience, the island’s marine environment will soothe your mind. The sweet flowery scent from plumeria trees will tantalize your spirit. And the breath-taking, natural beauty will make you appreciate why you chose Guam as your destination of choice. 9 HISTORY OF GUAM HISTORY he history of Guam can outlined beginning on page 38. Tbe divided into several eras, beginning with the Pre- Take a moment to explore the Latte/Latte Period (2000 history of Guam below. BC–1521 AD) defined by ancient Pre-Contact Chamorros life before Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan Period discovered the island in 1521. (2000 BC– The Spanish Era (1565–1898), 1521 AD) which began a few years after Archaeological the discovery and extended evidence more than 300 years later, when suggests the Spanish missionaries introduced Chamorro Catholicism to Guam, accounts culture has for a significant portion of the existed on Guam for more than island’s history. Evidence of the 4,000 years, after the first American Period (1898–1941), settlers traveled from Southeast followed by the Japanese Asia in canoes that took them Occupation (1941–1944), through the Pacific Ocean’s Liberation and U.S. Territorial rough waters. Status (1944–Present) can be seen throughout the Because written history does island at several not exist prior to the arrival of historic and Europeans on Guam, much of scenic what we know about this period spots has come from varchaeological research — cooking tools, hunting artifacts, pottery, and drawings 10 HISTORY OF GUAM HISTORY that have been left behind. Ferdinand Magellan on March Researchers have further 6, 1521, he is credited with the divided this era into two island’s “discovery.” Magellan, periods – pre-latte and latte. a native of Portugal who was The designation is characterized sailing on behalf of the Spanish by use of latte, a limestone Crown, arrived on Guam during pillar (haligi) capped by a his attempt to circumnavigate curved stone (tasa), that served the globe from 1519-1522.