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Guam

Guam

Bec
2004-09-17 14:13:32

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Hagĺtńa(Hagatna)
This photo shows Guam's large airport and its capital Hagĺtńa with the big tourist hotels along the coast.

Guam is normally expensive but there were few tourists and I was able to find a room at the Hamilton Hotel for 30 $ a night.

There was a beach just across the street from the Hamilton but it was far from the center of town which can be seen in the distance on this photo.

These are the famous "latte" stones on top of which the ancient Chamorros used to erect their houses.

Guam's economy rests on a considerable military presence and on tourism. As you can see, tourism was slow and these sport fishing boats were mostly idle when I was there.

The Japanese recession and fear of flying since September 11th have drastically reduced the sales figures of Guam's numerous shopping malls as well as the level of occupancy of its big hotels.

The beach was practically empty looking west from the Ypao Beach Park...

I was rather disappointed with Guam until I met this group of Chamorros who are having a picnic in Ypao Park. I was reading a book by myself and feeling a little depressed when Arlene, in black, invited me to join them. They were all very friendly, Melba, in yellow, Francisca, in white, and Vicky in brown saved the day for me. Especially Vicky who drove me back to my new hotel.

From Guam I flew to Saipan and back, then to Yap and Palau and back, and finally I left for Bali.

I found that the Vacation Inn, near the airport, was much more convenient than the Hamilton. It was closer to town and I was picked up and brought back to the airport without charge.

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