May | 2017 | WorldWideWinn

Saipan

Posted on May 19, 2017 by worldwidewinn

After an awesome flight with the turbo prop machine we finally landed on Saipan and enjoyed the weather.

At 16:00 we met our host, Tillman (from Couchsurfing) at Cafe Mango Six. It was my very first couchsurfing experience.

Anyway he welcomed us and he showed our place for sleeping -> two couches. No problem because he already informed us before that we “just” have a couch for sleeping. His place was awesome, small but was located in the paradise.

The same night we hit the beach bar at the Fiesta hotel and had an awesome first sunset on Saipan.

We called a day and recharged our battery for the next day: Snorkelling at the Pau Pau Beach.

We parked the car at the parking lot and walked as long as we could along the beach to the north where we set up our base. https://goo.gl/oWfB8O
Then we took our snorkelling gear and swam more to the north where the reef started.

Also on our list was a car trip around the island. I just list some location you should visit:

WWII Memorials and Last Japanese Command Post
Banzai Cliff
Suicide Cliff
The Grotto (take swimsuit and snorkelling gear with you)
Bird Island Beach!!!
Bird Island Lookout
Kalebera Cave (was not that spectacular)
Marine Beach and Tank Beach

For going back, we took the Middle Road from the Cave to Rte 320, the street or let’s say it was a small way is no tarmac just gravel. So, I recommend you that way back just with a 4 by 4. Due to enoguh time we also went to the Marine Beach and Tank Beach.

Next day we went diving with speedy turtle. Two tanks with full gear (no computer) cost 300$, first location was Lau Lau Beach and second one was the Grotto! Please see the other article I wrote for more impressions.

Under Water World Saipan

It was time to test our adventure skills. From our lovely host, we borrowed camping gear. Tent, air mattress and some courage.

That day we went fully packed with camping gear, enough sushi for a seven-person family, enough beer, whiskey and some dessert to the micro beach where we hired a small ship for giving us a lift to Managha Island!!!

Some organization comments:
Our host organized a permit for camping on the island, it takes usually two working days for getting one, price 0$.
The lift to the island costs 20$ to 25$, also it depends on the time you arrive. If you arrive early you have to pay an additional entry fee on the island. If you arrive later around 15:30 or 16:00 the ticket shop is closed.
We asked the people there for a boat ride the same day it think it was around afternoon 15:00.
My recommendation go to the micro beach and you will see some people that offer the rides. Asked for one the same day.

Thank you Tillman for that hint!!!

Anyway, on the boat our adventure started, we left the boat, I gave the captain and the assistant some sip of my whiskey as a tip :). And told them that they should pick us up at 10:00 next morning!!! From then on, we were alone and nothing could help us, just we two against the nature!!! The night was horrible!!! We had to fight against outrageous crabs there were thousands of them….. That night I could barely sleep. I was happy when we left the island and we were safe again and survived that adventure.

JK, I fully recommend to camp on the island!

Take enough food, alcohol, water and music with you -> then you are safe ;).

It was as I remember correctly the day near to Thailand New Year’s Eve therefore we went to a Thai restaurant which had at that night a delicious buffet!!!!

But before I tell you about the Thai party, I tell you about my experience at Bubba Gump restaurant. Maybe some of you remember Forrest Gump? That day I did not because I could not remember due to my lack of knowing about Forrest Gump. I am a little bit ashamed to tell you that I have never seen Forrest Gump at that time…

Anyway, in the restaurant I had no chance to answer the quiz….
At that moment, I decided with my friend that we will watch Forrest Gump together back at home and also we will cook shrimp that day.

Decided and done 😉 and now I can proudly tell that I have seen Forrest Gump!!!

Back to my story on Saipan. The same day we have met Mike and Anna (from Couchsurfing). Together we went to Mount Tapochau to see the sunset!!!!! Awesome was also the ride on the back on the pick-up from Mike!!!!

After the sunset, we headed to the Thai party / restaurant. That restaurant I also fully recommend for eating.

The name was Spicy Thai Noodle Place. That night the buffet was just 10$ all you could eat. Water fight and flour fight was included due to the tradition of Thailand. I will never forget that!!! The same night we met some lovely funny Chinese people with whom we had great fun and some rounds of beer.

For our last day on Saipan we decided to relax a little bit at the beach near the tank wreck. https://goo.gl/UEtGkl

And from then on, the travel back to Switzerland was right a head from us!

But for a lovely ending here some nice panorama from our adventure in the pacific.

My recommendations:

Godfathers for a good night at a pub
Beach bar (fiesta hotel) for a beer with sunset
Snorkelling at Pau Pau Beach
View from the mountain
Bird Island Beach (park here and walk down to the beach)
Dive in the Grotto with Speedy Turtle
Camping on Managha Island
Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff
WWII Memorial and Last Command Post
Snorkelling to the rusty tank
Eat sushi at Himawari
Eat Thai at Spicy Noodles

Guam

Posted on May 8, 2017 by worldwidewinn

Four simple letters G U A M.

We finally touched soil of Guam. We went to ACE car to receive our rental car for our next days. Also that day we were really exhausted from the long travel. So we drove a little around and ate something and then we headed to our apartment, which we booked over AirBnb , where we took a small nap. That night there was a food/night market. It is every Wednesday at the chamorro village. The fire and dance show was awesome but the food was not overwhelming, it was kind of touristic but we wanted local awesome food. Anyway we headed back and my friend took a beer in pub next to our apartment… Sadly the price was 8$ for a normal size beer. After that we called it a day and hit the bed….. some hours later….. let’s say 14 hours later we finally woke up from our cryosleep. Full we energy we wanted to discover Guam.

Packed our beach gear, towel, swim suit, sun scream, beer and my lovely boom box JBL charge 3!!!

What a fun. Later that day we wanted to experience the night life in Guam so we hit the road and walked along the strip in Guam (Pale San Vitores Rd). Rolex, Gucci, Hard Rock Cafe etc….

What I recommend is the bar next to the slingshot. There we had a pleasant conversation with the barkeeper, which also gave us some recommendations for Guam and also for Saipan. The bar was between Uncle Sim’s Ramen and the slingshot. There you should try out the hard cocktails, not a zombie there is even a harder one!!!

Second morning and we headed to the Guam National Wildlife Refuge….. It was close :(. Anyway there was a small little gravel road, which lead to the Coconut Beach. No people, just a beautiful beach, it is a visit worth. We drove the road until there was no way left…. Or better said a gate that blocked the way. Also worth to visit: the Marbo cave on the east side. Little walk of 5 minutes from a small “parking lot”. Take your swimsuit with you!!!

Before we went back to our favourite beach (next to our apartment) we had a really delicious local meal. The place was called Terry’s Local Comfort Food. Mhhhhhhhhhhhhhm

Time for rum, beach and music!!! We hit the beach next to the blue lagoon condos and enjoyed the evening. Some hours later we had some additional company. That means we head good conversations and even one guy organized a kayak for us! In the middle of the night under full moon light, my friend and I tried to kayak around. We needed some attempts until we found the balance. Simply Awesome!