Hawaii, Guam & Saipan

Oct 31-Nov 7, 2015
UA3498 YYZ-EWR, UA15 EWR-HNL, Nov 2 UA201 HNL-GUM, Nov 4 UA2927 GUM-SPN, Nov 5 UA2928 SPN-GUM, Nov 6 UA196 GUM-NRT, UA880 NRT-HNL, Nov 7 HNL-IAH

The original plan for our October travel plan was to go to Nepal.  With the tragic earthquakes in Nepal earlier in the year we decided it wasn’t a good time to visit.  Luckily, we were able to change our tickets and check out Guam and Saipan from Hawaii.  Both islands were very interesting with their own unique interesting history and heritage.  To setup the trip, we also bookended the trip with more time in Hawaii and for more travel fun took the long way back from Saipan through Japan.  

Oct 31

After a good portion of the day flying, we took advantage of the remaining day to check out Honolulu at Halloween.  In addition to the standard Waikiki experience, a number of folks were dressed up for the occasion. 

The view of Waikiki beach and Diamond Head from our hotel never gets old

The hotel's pumpkin carving competition

The iconic entrance to the Sheraton Waikiki that hasn't changed much since it hosted the Brady's in the 70s

Some of the many costumes

Nov 1

Before our flight to Guam, we check out the northwest coast and hike out to Kaena Point along the north shore.

A fisherman braves the rough waves

Local graffiti artists decorate abandoned buildings

Seal doing his best to blend in with the rocks

Some very stupid tourists getting way too close to nature

The hike back to the car

We end the day with our flight to Guam and with our crossing of the International Date line lose a day.

Nov 4

After our late night arrival and a chance to recharge at the hotel, we start out early to explore the island of Guam.

1950 Statue of Liberty in Paseo De Susan Park in Hagåtña

Talofofo Falls

Entrance to cave of Japan's Sergeant Shoicki Yokoi

More perspective of cave where Yokoi lived for 28 years after the war

Model of the cave

Inarajan Natural Pool

Remains of Fort Nuestra de la Soledad, Spanish fortifications from 1810

Checking out the old road as we head north along the west coast

Remains of WWII American fortifications

After our quick tour of the island, we head to the airport to continue our journey onto Saipan where we stay overnight.

Nov 5

As part of a pretty whirlwind tour, we have the whole day touring Saipan before we make our way back to Guam.  As a Japanese-controlled island prior to the war, Saipan provided a very different perspective on the same war.

Last Command Post on Saipan, where last WWII Japanese commanding officer directed their defense

Remains of a Japanese WWII tank

Perspective on the macabre Suicide Cliff where propagandized citizens ended life rather than surrender to American soldiers 

Looking up the coast and Bird Island 

Memorial at Banzai Cliff

Beautiful coast at Banzai cliff with a similar Japanese civilian suicide history to Suicide Cliff

Closeup on the cliffs below

Fortifications near the main airport

Evidence of damage from the hurricane that hit Saipan earlier in 2015, affecting many of the trees and smaller structures

At the end of our day of covering the small island and its history, we take an evening flight back to Guam.

Nov 6

As we've already done the major sites in Guam, we have a pretty slow start to the day sticking close to our airport and the hotel before our midday flight back to Hawaii.  Our main stop was the well-visited Two Lovers Point, which is based on a historical story that took place when the Spanish took possession of Guam.  Here, an important daughter of a Spanish aristocrat and her Chamorro chief mother jumped off the cliff with her lover, to escape a showdown over an arranged marriage with a Spanish captain.   

Beautiful grounds of our resort

Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagåtña

Couples locking in their love at Two Lovers Point

Looking up the coast at Tumon Bay from Two Lovers Point

Closeup with katydid bug doing its best leaf impression

Late morning, we headed to the airport and off to Honolulu via Tokyo.  

Nov 6

After a long trip back through Japan and passing the international date line in the opposite direction, we get a second chance at November the 6th, back in Honolulu, this time at our favourite Grand Hyatt hotel.

Looking across to the opposite hotel tower.

Nov 7

Although not planned in any way, our room benefited from a bird's eye view of the Over The Edge charity event that allowed fundraisers to rappel down the 40 story Grand Hyatt Waikiki. 

Setup for the drop

The view from below

Checking out the balconies 

A final drive up the coast to end our tropical journey

At the end of the day, we head back to the airport and our overnight flights home.