Let’s Dive In!
For this month’s special feature post (every last Thursday of the month), I thought I would take a dive into the adventures of me & my husband, on the beautiful island of Guam.
Imagine stepping off the plane, into a beautiful land full of palm trees, tropical flowers, & lapping waves of crystal blue waters, surrounded by green everywhere.
Despite the occasional typhoons & rainy season, Guam is warm & sunny for a majority of the year. That’s my kind of life!
This was our life for three beautiful years on Guam.
Guam’s Development
Before moving to Guam, we had heard only stories of its beauty, while being told how undeveloped the island was (think huts, dirt roads, & mopeds as transportation). Lucky for us, things have developed quite a bit since “those days.”
Nice neighborhoods still neighbor abandoned lots of overgrown sections & some back roads are known for their gravel & potholes, but there has been a lot of development beyond dirt roads & huts.
One thing to watch for are some slick roads during rainy days. Since the asphalt was mixed with mashed up broken coral, the roads are sometimes slick when it’s raining—think similarly to the black ice during winter months elsewhere. So be careful!
America’s Other Tropical Paradise
Guam is considered a territory of the United States, so the common language is English & they use USD currency. Although, as a fun fact, the local people are known as Chamorro.
Guam is beautiful, with a lot to see, so let’s dive into some of the sights….
So Much To Do!
One of the many wonderful things about Guam is the fact that there is so much to do with very little cost involved.
Now, I am sure there are places where you can spend your money, like the beach-view hotels & high-end shopping, but there is so much to do that costs very little.
Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!
Activities on Guam vary from shopping the expensive stores in Tumon to scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters around the island. There are lots of amazing things to do, so this blog post will only touch the surface, but if you are planning a visit or move to Guam, this will give you a pretty good start.
As for shopping, besides the high-end shopping in Tumon, they have places like a giant Kmart, Macy’s, Ross, a few shopping centers & Micronesia Mall, equipped with a movie theater & food court.
Guam Deliciousness!
For food, as our favorite, Jamie & I recommend Mosa’s Burger Joint (Spinach, Mushroom, Blue Cheese Burger with sweet potato fries, & maybe the spicy spinach artichoke dip with garlic bread as an appetizer—YUMMMM!)
Another local favorite is Jamaican Grill, with a delicious selection of Jamaican/Guam fusion choices. Meat & rice & a delicious Jamaican Burger!
Restaurant variety includes IHOP, Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, Chilis, TGI Fridays, & more. Gun Beach also offers a beachside restaurant that has a casual beachy feel, overlooking the ocean with open walls. It’s a great place to eat & watch the sunset.
There is also a wide array of American fast food, like: Taco Bell (my personal favorite), Burger King, McDonald’s, Panda Express, Sbarro, Papa John’s, Dominos, Pizza Hut, Subway, etc. Also, make sure you check out Yogurtland for a refreshing frozen yogurt treat.
For an unforgettable date night, we also loved our underwater eating experience at Underwater World, with tropical fish, sharks, stingrays, & sea turtles swimming above & around us!
Seeing the Sights
Walking through Tumon is gorgeous & well-lit, with anything from great souvenir shops like ABC, as well as high-end shops like Gucci & Prada. Our favorite Tumon-strolling activity, though, is Underwater World.
For a small fee, at Underwater World, you can spend a few hours walking through an underwater tunnel, exploring the tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks, & stingrays, as well as several individualized tanks upstairs & dining opportunities in the tunnel itself (reservations only, I believe). Benches throughout the tunnel allow you the chance to sit & relax while watching the underwater sea life interact around you.
One of our favorite activities on Guam was a drive through the less developed south side of the island. You can jump on Route 4 & follow that road all the way around, with stops at tucked away beaches, beautiful lookouts, & a hike up Mount LamLam, if you’re up for some great views!
Some Gorgeous Views!
There are many gorgeous hikes around Guam as well & most local shops will have maps with routes & difficulty ratings, so make sure to check that out! One of the ones we tried was Tarzan Falls, but make sure it’s not too muddy when you go, because the slopes can turn into muddy slip n slides, if you know what I mean.
We also loved visiting Two Lovers Point, which tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers who chose to die together rather than being forced apart. The cost is only a few dollars & the view is amazing. If you look off to the left from the top of the lookout, you can see the silhouette of a woman’s face in the shoreline, with her hair flowing out into the ocean.
Just Keep Swimming
A must-experience activity is visiting the many places to lounge on the sunny beaches & snorkel in the clear blue waters. The fish are everywhere & it is an easy trip, as Tumon Bay has parking for beaches, waves are blocked by reef walls around most of the island, & the water goes up to your shoulders in most places. Stress-free & gorgeous! (KMart is a great place to buy all the gear you need for snorkeling at a decent price.)
But, one of my most favorite activities, aside from the southside of the island drive, is the diving! MDA on Guam offers rental equipment for about $20-25 (at least it was this cheap while we lived there!) & there are so many gorgeous places to scuba! Gun Beach, Fish Eye, & boat dives offer gorgeous underwater views. It is not uncommon to see eels, schools of brightly colored fish, & even some sea turtles occasionally! I have also seen spots with clown fish, squid, & octopus. It’s amazing!
Fish Eye is a place where you can wear the metal helmets & walk on the sea floor, while feeding fish! They also have an area to walk down indoors, to peek through the portholes & watch the fish swim by. I have never paid to do Fish Eye, but it’s fun to dive nearby & wave to those who are inside, looking through underwater portholes.
Definitely a Beauty to Behold!
Besides everything I mentioned above, the sunny skies (most of the year), warm weather, crystal clear blue waters, hibiscus, plumeria, palm trees & vast greenery make Guam a beautiful & unforgettable island to explore!
If you ever get the chance to visit, do it! Guam–“Where America’s day begins!”
Coming Next Week
Make sure to check back on Monday morning EST, for some regularly scheduled encouragement! Love you ladies!
A Note from Michelle:
If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
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Weekly Special Spotlight:
Each week, I will feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Petal Necklace & Petal Stud Earrings
This cubic zirconia floral pendant hangs from an antique golden chain & pairs perfectly with the Petal Stud Earrings.
Artisan Information:
The women we partner with in India do so much more than just create beautiful products. With every purchase, another woman is empowered out of poverty to be self-reliant! Women have the opportunity to earn an income, attend financial management classes, & receive education & healthcare. These women are now able to give their family a promising future because of your purchase!
Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!
Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
