When we visited Micronesia in 1998, we had to leave Chuuk a day before the cruise was complete to make the necessary connection in Guam. This gave us the opportunity to get to see the island a bit. (Guam Map) We had met Greg and Judy on Yap and they invited us to tour the island with them during our (almost 24 hour) layover. The commercial airport has taken over the Naval Air Station in the center of the island. We flew in late on Saturday night, checked into our hotel near the airport and got some sleep. On Sunday morning, the hotel bus delivered us to Denny's in Tamuning for breakfast (no restaurant in the hotel). After breakfast, Greg and Judy picked us up and we toured the island.

We were getting low on scuba supplies, so our first stop on Guam was at Micronesian Divers Association (MDA) for a "fix". Actually Linda's dive suit was giving out, so you'll see a change from Truk to Palau. She bought a new black Polartec suit at MDA. They have a great store and offer a wide selection of boat and shore dives around Guam. We were traveling too soon to be able to dive with them this trip.

To understand Guam, you need to get a bit of history under your belt. CLICK HERE to learn more!

Leaving MDA, we stopped at the headquarters of The War in the Pacific National Historic Park.

Leaving the Naval Station, after stopping at McDonald's for a cold drink, we traveled to the Agat Unit of the Park. Here we found two shore guns. Notice, also the shallow reefs.

An inlet on the Orote Peninsula shows the shallow reef structure close to shore.

On what was a bloody battlefield, with enormous casualties on both sides, there is now a peaceful park.

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However, the hills contain the (obviously man-made) remnants of the dug-in Japanese defense of Guam

Next stop on our tour was the Guam Naval Station.

Guam, Highway 1, Apra, harbor,Philippine Sea, Glass Breakwater

From the headquarters of the War in the Pacific Park, highway 1 heads south along Apra Harbor in the Philippine Sea.

Here is the view at "Glass Breakwater."

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South of the main part of the harbor, the U. S. Navy installation on Orote Peninsula provided some fun and great vistas.

Here is a Japanese one man "Kamikaze" Kaiten submarine.

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Guam, Naval, Station, Japanese, submarine, one man, Kamikaze, Kaiten

An inlet on the Orote Peninsula shows the shallow reef structure close to shore.

Notice the dry brush on the land. El Nino has had its hand here, too. In fact, later in the day, we would drive through a brush fire on the east coast.

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There were other picturesque items on our visit!

We stopped at an old Spanish fort overlooking a beautiful Pacific bay. This photo inspired me to add a canvas effect to it, as it reminds me of a painting.

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Further north, up the east coast, we found a church from the Spanish era, which seems to have lost the battle with time.

I'm sure that some of the damage occurred during World War II.

The unfortunate placement of the traffic sign does not make this photo worthy of the "canvas" treatment!

Leaving MDA, we stopped at the headquarters of The War in the Pacific National Historic Park.

Next stop on our tour was the Guam Naval Station.

There were other picturesque items on our visit!

OTHER DESTINATIONS!