Visiting Friends & Family
Over the course of many years, Guam’s
population has seen tremendous growth. Development on the island has evolved as
well, with five-star hotels and shopping malls rising up to cater to a growing
tourism industry. And although the new development has led to a new element in
Guam’s culture, the beauty and zeal of Guam has remained. When you visit the
island you or your family has called home, you’ll see many of the traditions
you remember about Chamorro families still remain. Take time to re-discover the
unique heritage, the island’s history and the individual people that make up
our population. It will help you discover the Chamorro spirit within – one that
never truly left. Now is the best time to enjoy what our culture has been so
fortunate to live and breathe. Let us help you explore the Guam you see today.
Our Language, Our History, & Our
Traditions:
If you grew up on Guam, or you have close
family that live on our island, your first priority should be to rediscover and
connect with the essence of Chamorro culture.
Start with the language. The Chamorro
language is something we’ve been striving to preserve and protect throughout
the influx of different ethnicities to our island. Today, teaching the language
is a priority in our schools, our university, and even in our community.
Learning Chamorro in Guam helps to keep alive the dream that our native
language will flow freely from the mouths of our children once again.
The rich history of our island and how it
has affected present-day Guam can be seen all around. Structures are reminiscent of Spanish influence and World
War II monuments highlight the struggles Chamorro people underwent to maintain
freedom. Books, sightseeing and oral accounts of our manamko’ (elders) are just a few ways to educate yourself of the
events on Guam and how they have affected our relationship with the rest of the
world.
One of the more customary efforts to carry
on the culture is through the traditions of our island. Guam fiestas – village-wide celebrations introduced by
the Spanish in 1668 – often allow visitors and locals the opportunity to
experience a cultural activity of our indigenous people. A weekend at a fiesta
will bring back recollections of the rare island hospitality and the comfort of
being surrounded by family and friends.
You’ll find tables covered with unique Chamorro cuisine, along with
people dancing and singing along to the sounds of talented local artists. The fiestas have been, and will always
be, one of the best ways to celebrate our heritage. Today you can even witness
families carrying on the time-honored customs of christening parties, fandangos (weddings), novenas, funerals, and
death-anniversary rosaries, all of which are flavored by our rich Spanish influence.
The Liberation Day Parade, held annually on
July 21, continues to serve as the symbol of freedom of Chamorro people from
the Japanese during WWII. Marine Corps Drive, as it has been each year, is
lined with families and friends who gather together to cheer on festival
floats, marching groups, musicians and representatives from each village.
Infused with local food and entertainment, the parade is our sign of the
promise of independence.
There are also numerous monuments situated
throughout the island dedicated to depicting the events of WWII on Guam. Through
a simple tour of our landmarks, you can learn the story of our road to
prosperity. Discover where the U.S. Armed Forces stormed the beaches to
liberate the local Chamorros from Japanese rule, and see the number of
memorials dedicated to lives lost.
As a predominantly Catholic island, locals
also celebrate December 8 in honor of Santa Marian Kamalen, our patroness. Streets
in the capital village of Hågatña are filled with Catholic faithfuls celebrating
a tradition of a devotion and culture that has existed on Guam for
decades. Adults and children use
this day to join together and honor the faith that continues to unite
Chamorros.
Another popular beacon of Chamorro culture
that has grown through the years is Chamorro Village, which resembles the
design of old Spanish markets. Restaurants, shops and market vendors offer
local handmade goods and unique Chamorro cuisine any day of the week.
Especially popular is the Wednesday Night Market, which attracts a large crowd
of both locals and visitors. Its popularity grew so much that the night market
expanded to Friday as of October 2009. The “Ocean Night Market” boasts all the
offerings of Wednesday in a weekend setting for locals and visitors to enjoy.
What Others Call Paradise, We Call
Home:
Embracing the sun and surf most people
associate with our island is something we all love to do. Because of our
tropical location, the average temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It rarely
falls below 70 or rises above 90, causing the average water temperature to
hover around 85 degrees as well. The warm Pacific waters make ocean activities
like shore fishing, snorkeling, and diving ideal.
As children, we all still remember the
beauty of exploring the jungles, filled with lush plantation and paths to some
of Guam’s most beautiful waterfalls and caves. Local gardens are full of all types of tropical plants and
fruits. Popular flowers such as
hibiscus, plumeria, red gingers, ixoras, lantanas, and the territory flower
bougainvillea (puti
tai nobio) continue to
be abundant. And if you’re craving
local fruit, it’s easy to find papayas, bananas, coconuts, limes, breadfruits,
mangoes, guavas, mountain apples, and tangerines.
Outdoor events and activities are increasingly
more available if you’re craving adventure. Some things that weren’t even
thought of before are right at your fingertips. The tropical weather allows for tandem skydiving, jet
skiing, parasailing, kite surfing and boonie stomping, to name a few. And if you’re a diver, don’t think
twice about taking advantage of the warm waters that surround our island. With
the richest coral reef marine environment of any United States territory or
state, you’ll see more than 950 fish species and nearly 300 kinds of coral that
make up the natural biodiversity of our waters. Explore shipwrecks and remnants
of WWI and WWII, and the gold-bearing Manila Galleon trading days.
Water
activities are not the only pastime when it comes to vacationing on the island. Whether you’re planning a romantic
wedding, experiencing traditional Chamorro culture, or losing yourself in an
irresistible shopping environment, Guam has a little bit of everything.
Choose
from dozens of beautiful and pristine wedding chapels and locations on our
island, which has become a popular choice for young couples – both native to
Guam and visiting. Treat yourself to the awe of the Tumon Bay Marine Park
protected marine life, or the natural beauty and challenge found in one of
Guam’s seven golf courses, each of which has a different environment and degree
of difficulty. And if you prefer to stay indoors, experience everything from
the latest goods and merchandise in our shopping malls to the best of our
oceans – without even getting in the water. Go shopping at Acanta Mall, Guam
Premier Outlets, Micronesia Mall, Agana Shopping Center, Tumon Sands Plaza, DFS
Galleria, and many others. And when you’re through, explore the wonders of the
sea at “Underwater World” in Tumon’s Pleasure Island.
For history buffs, historical sites of
Chamorro cultural significance, Spanish era influence, WWI and WWII can be
found throughout the island. There’s Two Lovers’ Point, Plaza de Espana, Latte
Park, the many WWII memorial sites, the Jungle River Cruise, local village fiestas
and a number of other sites that are both entertaining and educational. Build a
sightseeing trip centered around the graceful remains of Spanish buildings and stone bridges throughout
Hågatña, or the architectural design of Guam’s southern homes and villages to
get an idea of how your ancestors lived.
The list of attractions on island is virtually endless; parks, shrines,
look out points, and galleries are just the start of the long history of Guam.
For those who prefer to relax, there’s
still so much to do. Camping with familia (family) along the beach can still be done
like the good ol’ days. And for those
who haven’t been back in a while, you can still opt for the guided hikes (aka
“boonie stomps”), which are available for anyone hoping to take the journey
with experienced individuals.
Entertainment
on Guam doesn’t just stop when the sun goes down though. Nightlife starts on
Wednesday at Chamorro Village, and continues through every night of the week at
the many bars, lounges and clubs throughout Tumon. Each place offers something
different, and there’s always something for everyone.
Local Quality Education:
In the past several years, higher education
has grown into an important commodity for our island’s youth and adults
pursuing degrees. There has been a continuous effort to develop our secondary
education institutions. Focusing on crafting young leaders locally has become a
priority. Many are even returning home to pursue master’s degrees.
Many college students are opting for
adventure by spending a semester or a year abroad, away from their home
colleges. The University of Guam
participates with mainland schools through exchange programs, bringing a wealth
of diversity to the island.
Bachelor’s degree programs include business, public administration,
education, nursing, science, and the arts. UOG is particularly known for its
quality marine biology research and has gained recognition as administering the
No. 1 ROTC program nationwide.
Additionally, Guam Community College offers associate’s degrees and
certificates in more than 50 areas of study. Trades are available in fields such as automotive
technology, cosmetology, practical nursing, and much more. Satellite campuses can
be found on Guam as well through the University of Phoenix, the University of
Maryland, & University of Alabama-Troy.
Our island has made great strides in paving
the road to success, with the goal being to give locals an opportunity at
education to help them not only become leaders on our island but elsewhere.
Our Own Little Strip:
Guam is obviously not Las Vegas, but you’ll
be excited to see how much our island has grown. Tumon has become our own little hotel strip, complemented by
large chain and locally owned restaurants, bars, clubs and numerous shops. It
is the hub for every level of entertainment, and now Hågatña is picking up the
pace as well.
Despite our island’s small population, the
wide variety of visitors and local residents has influenced an array of food
choices to warm any palate. Major hotels and restaurants serve quality meals,
many of which are accompanied by dinner shows at locations including the
SandCastle, Hilton and the Pacific Islands Club. For any meal, choose from your
favorite cuisine – Chamorro, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Filipino,
Chinese, Mexican, American, and even Italian.
If you’re one of those islanders who deem
themselves a night owl, you’ll be happy to know you can enjoy the nightlife
wherever you are on the island. Elegant nightclubs and modern discos operate in
large hotels, along the Tumon strip and in Tamuning.
And of course, there’s the shopping. Hotel
row in Tumon has made Guam one of the best places to see brands like Gucci,
Louis Vuitton, Coach, Prada, Rolex, Tiffany and more. Top-notch upscale
boutiques and well-known international brands coincide their merchandise with
introductions in Milan, London, Paris and New York. Other shopping outlets
including Micronesian Mall and Guam Premier Outlets offer a number of stores to
choose from for clothing, cosmetics, home décor items and electronics.
The local appeal, however, is what it’s all
about. Stock up on some locally produced items at Chamorro Village, where
shoppers can get the local artwork, dishware, clothing, blankets, and other
memorabilia sure to keep Guam on your mind. You can even find small shops situated along the roads and
in the malls that specialize in offering goods fashioned for our Chamorro
cultural heritage. You can never go wrong by supporting local businesses and
walking away with a keepsake at the same time.
Whatever your shopping preference or choice
of stay, you’ll now enjoy high-speed Internet, cellular service, and
world-class national hotels and resorts on Guam. We have many different hotels of varying standards - from
the Hyatt Regency, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, and Westin to more economical
choices like Days Inn.
Gateway to Asia:
You no longer need to think coming home
limits your opportunity for exploring the world. Our island is becoming a major
hub for travel, which has led many people to begin calling our island “America
in Asia.” Whether you live here or
are merely visiting family and friends, there is always a way to discover new
lands. Within 4 to 5 hours by
plane, you and your family can explore places such as Manila, Tokyo, Osaka,
Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, and of course our neighbors in the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Tinian, Rota), Palau, and the Federated
States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap, Kosrae).
Supporting our Armed Forces:
Many of our Chamorros are serving proudly
in our Armed Forces, which we honor greatly. The comforting thought is that there is a way to bring our
soldiers home. The military bases
positioned on Guam give many Chamorros the option to be stationed right where
they grew up. Even if it’s just a couple years, you can surround yourself with
family, expose yourself to the island’s growth, and even help invest in your
heritage. The Air Force, Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard all hold this opportunity. We encourage all Chamorros to mark Guam
as a place to serve.
Quick
information about Guam:
Climate: Average yearly temperature is 85°F, rarely falling below 70 or rising above
90.
Population: About 173,456
Political Status: Organized, unincorporated territory of the
United States
Language: Chamorro and English
Time: Guam is 18 hours ahead of Pacific Time
and 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Meridian Time
Electricity: Electrical current is the same as on the
U.S. mainland – 120 volts/60 cycles.
Currency: U.S. Dollar
Main banks on island: Bank of Guam, Bank of Hawaii, First
Hawaiian Bank, BankPacific, Coast360 Federal Credit Union, Community First
Federal Credit Union, Citibank and ANZ Guam Inc.
ATMs:
Star, Maestro, Cirrus, Armed Forces Financial Network, American Express,
plus supported ATMs available in most gas stations, malls and Guam
International Airport.
Credit Cards: Most major credit cards are widely
accepted.
Useful websites and references: Guam Chamber of Commerce - www.guamchamber.com.gu;
Guam Economic Development Authority - www.investguam.com
Guam is a gem waiting to be explored more
and more each day. The list of all
the wonderful things our island has to offer is endless. The number one reason to
visit is simple: Guam is home. We
welcome you to travel back, embrace, and carry on the spirit of this beautiful
island. Guam awaits your visit.
For more information,
contact:
Guam Visitors Bureau
401 Pale San Vitores
Road
Tumon, Guam 96913
Tel:
1-671-646-5278/79
Fax: 1-671-646-8861
www.visitguam.org
