10 reasons why you should visit Guam
You don’t have to fly around the world for your next holiday, because for the same price as flying to Hong Kong or Boracay, you can be in America! It’s true: Guam, which is a US territory in the Western Pacific, is the perfect destination for anyone who just wants to relax, enjoy and have a grand time over the weekend! This beautiful tropical island is a melting pot of different cultures blending in with the indigenous Chamorro people. Together with the Guam Visitor’s Bureau (GVB) Philippine delegation headed by its president Herbie Arabelo, VP Dingdong Avanzado and the general manager Bryan Tayag, we took the evening flight on Continental Airlines — it was a smooth flight; before we knew it, we were at our destination in time for the fun activities lined up for us.
As we stepped out of the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority in Guam we were greeted with warm fresh air and the charming appeal of a modern urban setting set against spectacular coastal vistas (think Hawaii).
The Philippine delegation checked in the Fiesta Hotel which has a fantastic beach view, after our short rest we proceeded to the Hyatt Regency Hotel were we were warmly welcomed by Guam Visitors Bureau General Manager Gerald S.A. Perez.
Guam was a pleasant surprise for me. It’s no doubt a charming and exciting city. Although the GVD Philippines could have been more organized, we still managed to make the most of our trip and make the most of what the island could offer. In the end everyone agreed that our visit to Guam turned out to be an unforgettable and fun weekend trip. Guam is definitely the perfect destination fit for every member of the family. To give you a glimpse of what the island has to offer. I listed the top 10 reasons why Guam is worth visiting.
1. As they say in Guam it’s a place for the “born to shop” crowd. For those on a budget you can find the biggest retail outlets like the Guam Premier Outlet which houses shops like Nine West, Payless, BCBG MAXAZRIA and Ross For Less, to name a few; they also have K-Mart which is one of the biggest outlets in America and even Home Depot Store were you can find garden and building materials for your office and house. If you feel homesick you can go to the Micronesia Mall which has (my favorite) a Bench outlet, Kamiseta, Philippine National Bank, Philippine Airlines and National Office Supply — the only bookstore in Guam owned by well-respected Filipino businessman Emelio Y. Uy
2. Since Guam has duty-free status, name brands are less expensive than its country of origin. Next to Paris, Guam has the latest styles in stock for high-end brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tod’s and many more! The Hermés shop has a wide selection of colors and sizes of Birkin and Kelly bags that shoppers can purchase on the spot. In most shops here, you definitely will get VIP treatment since 80 percent of the managers and sales people are Filipinos.
3. Organized by the Guam Visitor’s Bureau is the annual Koko road race, now in its third year. Held during October, it’s an event worth joining. The Guam Koko Road Race was created to generate interest to the plight of the Koko bird, whose numbers have dwindled down and is feared to be reaching extinction. The good news is the winner this year was a Filipino farmer, Pepito Deapera, who is now the new champion for the 21K event with a time of 1:18:14. Pepito flew in with the GVB Philippine group and will be flying back next year to defend his title.
4. Hotels are reasonably priced. During this trip we were booked in Fiesta hotel which is the favorite hotel of Martin Nievera. The hotel is comfortable and has an excellent beach view. The north wing has nine floors while the south wing has 14 floors. The staff is very friendly and hotel guests were 80 percent Japanese when I visited. Another hotel I would recommend is the Sheraton with a rating of 5.5 stars. It’s a luxury hotel that’s ideal for honeymooners and reasonably priced. Guam, being a favorite of travelers from all over the world, has a lot more world-class hotels and resorts for you to choose from that will suit your every need.
5. Must-trys are the water sports, marine activities and golf courses. Your family can choose from a wide array of activities. You can take riverboat trips, go windsurfing, sea kayaking or jet skiing, to name a few. Another must try is the Sea Walker, which gives you a chance to explore the sea by riding in a semi-submersible boat to view the best marine sites in Guam. Another attraction is Underwater World which features the longest underwater tunnel in the world. At the end of the tunnel there are open fishponds were children can literally touch and play with native fish. If you’re a golf addict, Guam boasts of seven challenging golf courses with magnificent views, designed by golfing legends Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
6. Spend an evening in a world of pure elegance as you watch a fabulous Las Vegas-style show, featuring a cast of over 30 entertainers and a world-class master illusionist at the SandCastle Entertainment Center. As you enter the place you see en elegant, multi-level, New York-style lobby with red carpet and chandeliers, yet you can dress in casual wear and be as comfortable as you wish. There are two evening shows per night. The fantastic show runs a little over an hour and will keep you glued to your seat. This show is highly recommended and will surely be enjoyed by the whole family.
7. Since Guam receives visitors from different parts of the world it has a wide selection of restaurants to choose from — there’s authentic Chamorro, Filipino, Japanese, Thai and Mexican restaurants. Among my favorites are the Jamaican Grill that serves the best ribs and tasty grilled chicken in town; and Shirley’s, which has four branches around Guam serving very good Chinese-American food that is reasonably priced.
8. For an historical trip, you and kids will surely enjoy theinteresting sites in Guam. The GVB took us to the Two Lovers Point. As the legend goes, it was inspired by two lovers whose parents didn’t approve of their relationship. When the young lady was about to be married off to a captain she and her lover leaped to their deaths from the 378-foot cliff. A visit to the site will give you the best view of Tumon Bay and Central Guam.
9. For those with a sweet tooth, the Halloween-themed 11th annual Pastries in Paradise fest is a yummy site to behold. This event, held a week before Halloween, is an event everyone looks forward to. You’ll be amazed as you enter the Hyatt Regency Guam Hotel’s grand ballroom with festive decorations, filled with hundreds of pastries, booths and an endless supply of Hershey’s chocolates which you can grab by the handful to fill up your loot bags. With the participation of other hotels, Pastries in Paradise has become a venue for showcasing the art of cake decorating. At the Westin Hotel booth is top Pastry Chef Eddie P. Martinez showcasing his special creations for everyone to try. For a minimal fee that goes to charity, guests get to enjoy an unlimited sampling of the best desserts and drinks from around the world.
. After all is said and done the final reason why I love Guam and why I encourage you to visit this beautiful is
land is that the flying time is just three and a half hours! Yes, for the same price and same flight time as Bangkok and Hong Kong, you’ll find yourself in a part of America, enjoying the sunny beach and the duty-free shopping!
For your next vacation, consider visiting Guam and experience the warmth of the people, enjoy the tax-free luxury items and I guarantee you’ll also be taking home a whole lot of happy memories.
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For more information on Guam you may call GVB Philippines Bryan Tayag at 727-7755, 726-4277, or e-mail gvbphil@pldtdsl.net. Visit their website at www.visitguam.org.
Continental Airlines flies nine times a week to Guam, with seven daily nonstop evening flights and two flights via the beautiful island of Koror, Palau. For inquiries, call passenger sales manager Marie Salvador at 817-9669, 816-0527, or email msalvador@transpac.com.ph.
