Guam
 |
Location
As Micronesia's most populous island, Guam is about as 'cosmopolitan' as it gets, so it cops a lot of attitude from Pacific snobs who reckon it lacks 'real island culture'. Sure, American accents are everywhere (it's an unincorporated US territory and many Guamanian homes fly the US flag) and the Chamorro language isn't spoken quite as widely as it used to be. And if you never stray from Tumon Bay - the island's glitzy duty-free shopping and accommodation hub - then undeniably you'll be over- (or under-) whelmed.
But the island is currently in the throes of retooling itself. The tourism authorities talk of how 'Product Guam' (there's that American influence) needs a complete overhaul from its current status as a Pacific theme park for Japanese tourists. There may come a day soon when Chamorro culture (long subsumed by various invasions and occupations) is promoted above all else, with an increased focus on local food and the fascinating stories underlying many of the villages.
You can do your bit by escaping Tumon, exposing yourself to the best of Guam, and then spreading the word. The island, although Micronesia's largest, is small enough to explore in a day or two. The south is a must-see, with its rural kaleidoscope of sleepy, historical villages, stunning waterfalls and pristine beaches. The north is mainly taken up by the US military's Andersen Base, but even so it still contains Ritidian Point, a simply sublime stretch of coast featuring swaying palms, azure water and golden sands.
Along the way, chat to the proud locals who are working hard to restore their culture and you'll unearth a genuine community with a warm and welcoming attitude towards outsiders.
People & Culture
Guam today is a truly cosmopolitan community with a unique culture, the core of which is Chamorro heavily influenced by the Spanish occupation and the Catholic Church. Strong American influence is evident in regard to celebration of many public holidays, the form of Government and the pride in being U.S. that is displayed by the populace. Guam's culture has also been influenced and enriched by the Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Micronesian immigrants each group of whom have added their unique contributions. Many of the major hotels provide cultural shows and cuisine. The Chamorro Village in Hagatna offers ancient cultural dances, reggae and live bands, and other cultural exhibits and you may also experience a wide variety of restaurants and food stands featuring Chamorro, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Jamaican, Mexican, Filipino and other cultural delicacies.
With its gleaming white sand beaches, marine and land based out-door activities, historical and cultural landmarks, cosmopolitan dining and active nightlife, Guam has something to appeal to almost any taste. A wide variety of tour guides and dive operators are available to ensure visitors make the most of their time. With its beaches, out-door activities, historical and cultural landmarks, cosmopolitan dining and active nightlife, Guam has something to appeal to almost any taste.
Population
176,000 (2008)
Food
Guam Island was captured by the Japanese in 1941, the island was retaken by the U.S. three years later. That means in 1944, after that Guam has become strategically the most important U.S. base in the Pacific. Despite Guam’s small population, a wide array of restaurants on Guam offer scrumptious delicacies food The wide selection of Guam restaurants features American, Chinese, European, Filipino, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Mexican food. Guam food cooking is very similar to Spanish cuisine. Guam is a small Island but it is very famous for holidays and food lovers, you can find so many varieties of dishes in all restaurants on Guam you might be get confuse which Guam restaurant is best.
Climate & When to Go
Guam has a uniform climate: warm and humid throughout the year. Daily temperatures average a low of 22°C and a high of 30°C. The dry season (January to late April) provides the most pleasant weather, with slightly lower humidity and a monthly rainfall average of just 114mm.
Ominously, Guam is in a sector of the Pacific Ocean known as 'Typhoon Alley'; typhoons are said to hit the island once every eight years, usually during October and November. The most recent occurrence was in 2002, when Supertyphoon Pongsona stalled over Guam for a full day, with wind speeds of 180km/h that levelled over 1000 homes and killed four people.
Currency
US dollar (US$)
Banking
Credit cards are widely accepted and automatic teller machines (ATMs) abound. The Bank of Guam, BankPacific and the Bank of Hawaii have a raft of branches in locations around Guam.
Climate
Guam's climate is pleasantly warm year-round. The mean annual temperature is 81 degrees; generally, the range is from the low 70s to the middle 80s. The coolest and least humid months, marked by prevailing westerly tradewinds, are in December through February. Although the warmest months are from March through August, the refreshing trade winds blow steadily. The annual rainfall totals 80 to 110 inches. There are two seasons, the dry and the rainy. The dry season, "fanumnangan," begins in December through June. The rainy season, "fanuchanan," falls within the remaining months
Electricity
Electricity in Guam is 110 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. If you travel to Guam with a device that does not accept 110 Volts at 60 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.
Getting Around
Most hotels on Guam offer guests free airport pickup and return. Many hotels also offer rental cars which can be booked with room reservations. The rental will be waiting for guests at the hotel, saving the need to drive to the hotel after a long trip. Rentals are also returned to the hotel and guests are shuttled to the airport for their departure flight, relieving them of the need to return the car to the airport on the day of departure.
Guam is not a large island, 30 miles long, 4 to 9 miles wide, and many attractions, such as Tumon beach, shopping, dining and nightlife, are located within within walking distance of Tumon hotels. However, the majority of historical and cultural landmarks, remote beaches and many other items of interest are scattered across the island and a rental car is best way to get there.
Tipping
A tip of 10% to 15% is expected.