Interested in a Guam 2 bed/2 bath beachfront condo rental???

   In March, in our blog, we showed pictures and explained how we ended up in our new "Guam digs". We mentioned that we had earlier communicated with a couple from Guam that were doing a pilot transfer to the Middle East (Jordan) for a period of time and were anxious to explore the other side of the globe for a change, like us. We were planning on renting their Guam condo, but just before we departed the USA, the military officer renting their unit had been extended and wouldn't depart Guam until early May. 

  Well, their unit is now available to rent. For those of you with United Airlines, military, or anyone wanting a change in climate, I've asked the owner to give me an advertisement for it, and I'd post it. Read on.....

BEACHFRONT, CENTRALLY LOCATED AND VERY CLOSE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT SPOT IN THE ISLAND, YET VERY PRIVATE, SECURE AND QUIET. IT HAS THE MOST SPECTACULAR OCEAN VIEW! IT COULD BE THE FINEST AND MOST DESIRABLE LOCATION IN THE ISLAND OF GUAM: Alupang Cove Beachfront Condominiums

Spacious, 2-bedroom condominium unit with a great balcony, large living/dining area, 2 full bathrooms, kitchen with new high-end appliances, and lots of storage space. Both living/dining area and master's bedroom boast of magnificent ocean and pool views. Wake up to the sight of a twinkling blue ocean. Enjoy water and beach activities, just a few steps away -- kayaking, surfing, skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, you name it. (You can paddle from the complex to one of the best surfing spots on the island, next door by the Sheraton.) Then unwind, after work or play, while appreciating the island's beautiful sunset .

Amenities include two high-tech and well-equipped oceanview exercise rooms with cardio machines, treadmills, weights, flat screen TV, etc; USPS mail delivery to residents' free mail boxes; 3 high-speed elevators; 3 fancy and huge laundry rooms with oceanviews that have a total of 21 high-tech machines which means no waiting; library for book swapping residents; professional landscaping; oceanfront swimming pool; playground; manned security; coded entry; back up generator ; reserved parking spot very close to the lobby entrance; complimentary air-con maintenance service and window washing every three months.

Utilities include UNLIMITED AIR CONDITIONING!

There is superb on-site management from a resident manager. Having an on-site manager with excellent housekeeping, groundskeeping, maintenance and 24-hour security teams that are always available and on-duty means that residents would not have to worry about unit and common area issues. This benefit is very helpful especially when a resident is a frequent traveler and is frequently away.

The Alupang Cove Beachfront Condominium also has direct beach access from the landscaped grounds and poolside. It features several acres of professionally landscaped grounds, with beautiful palm trees and tropical flowers. It also has the nicest and probably the largest oceanfront pool and pool pavilion area on Guam. It overlooks the blue ocean and has a picnic area with shaded tables and benches, and propane barbecue grills available for residents and guests use.

Close to best beaches on Guam, hotels, restaurants, beach bars, grocery stores, malls, movie theaters, entertainment strip, hospital and airport and yet, not crowded, noisy and busy like Tumon which is just a 3-minute drive away. A very popular residence as you get the best of both worlds.

A very sought after place, as it affords the residents care-free living in a peaceful, tropical, resort-style setting. No yard and swimming pool maintenance worries, no trash collection worries, no water and power bills to watch every month, no extra trip to utility agencies to set up new accounts, no connection fees, no trips to the post office to pick up mail.

 Contact:    Irish Marron (imarron@jetpacific.net) 

  Now here is the condo owner's personal note to me:

      Rent including utilities (power, unlimited central air conditioning, water, garbage and common area maintenance) is $2,500 a month. Cable and internet will need to be set up by the tenant. Right now it is partially furnished with a basic queen bed, huge office desk, coffee and end tables, dresser/drawer, lighting fixture. All kitchen appliances are matching and were just replaced a year ago.  We can make the unit fully furnished if there is a need depending on the negotiations. Everything in life is negotiable J .  

"Guam Bombs" and driving in Guam

   Since we arrived mid-Feb. 2014, the price of gasoline...throughout the island.....has stayed at $4.72 gal.  Guam does not have any interstates. The maximum speed limits for cars/trucks are 35 mph in rural areas and 15 in residential areas.  We had heard of people driving "Guam bombs"....you know the ugly cars without hubcaps or wheelcovers! SO NOT TRUE! In fact, OUR 2002 Hyundai car that we shipped from Virginia is closer to being a "Guam bomb" than 99 out of 100 cars we see on the roads. The typical Guam car is a newer model of Toyota or Nissan. Our Air Force neighbor, who moved here when we did, is the only one we know that bought a "Guam bomb" dented pickup truck.....and that's only because the Air Force would have shipped his car here free, but he didn't want to mess it up with potholes here....it's a classic Porsche worth a fortune.....good move on his end! The main road around the island is in average condition. However, just turn off it and you'll most likely either be on an unpaved or sandy road with gigantic potholes. Plus, some of the roads, aren't made of asphalt, but crushed seashells/coral, making them extremely slippery when wet....like driving on ice. Also, these types of roads are horrible for tires. The Guam drivers are patient and helpful. Today alone, I had someone parallel driving in the lane next to me, after the light changed, directing me to the nearest post office....no horns honking behind us. Later, I went into the middle lane to make a U-turn and driver opposite gave me the thumbs up signal when it appeared OK to do my turn. I'm confident that "road rage" isn't in their vocabulary, because it just doesn't exist in their sweet dispositions!

Two Lovers Point

        Two Lovers Point (Puntan Dos Amantes) is Guam’s most famous visitor attraction, and justifiably ours, too! We can see it from our living room/master bedroom and it’s a quick 10 minute drive away, so we’ve driven over there sometimes just to enjoy the sunsets. Very frequently we see newlyweds in their wedding clothes with a photographer capturing the breathtaking views. Its profile at the northern end of Tumon Bay rises 368’ from the reef below, offering views of both the eastern & western sides of the island. Its position provides a unique view of the mountainous volcanic geography of the south and the level limestone plateau of northern Guam.

     Not only are the views & sunsets spectacular there, but we like their Heart Lock Wall.  We’ve seen the craze..…globally…of lovers writing their initials/date on a lock and attaching it to a public bridge/fence/gate to symbolize their love. Most look like they were purchased at some local Ace Hardware and quite unattractive. However, at Two Lovers Point, they decided to get ahead of that curve and avoid aesthetic and structural concerns (& keep the attraction attractive!) by selling beautiful little red heart locks ($4) and foam hearts ($2) in 4 colors. Hey, we were married on Valentine’s Day, so you KNEW we’d invest six bucks to leave our own heart on the wall…hahaha!

     The legend of Two Lovers Point goes like this….....

“Long ago, in the time when Spain ruled Guam, there was a proud family living in Hagåtña, the capital city. The father was a wealthy Spanish aristocrat and the mother was the daughter of a great Chamorro chief. The family owned land and were held in high esteem by all, Chamorro and Spanish alike.

Their daughter was a beautiful girl, admired by all for her honesty, modesty, and perfectly natural charm. Her beauty bestowed the greatest pride and dignity unto her family.

One day, the girl’s father arranged for her to take a powerful Spanish captain as her husband. When the girl discovered this, she was so distraught that she ran from Hagåtña all the way to the north of Guam until she found a secluded and peaceful shore.

There, on the moonlit shore, she met and fell in love with a young warrior from a very modest Chamorro family. He was gentle, with a strong build, and had eyes that searched for meaning in the stars.

When the girl’s father learned of the two lovers, he grew angry and demanded that she marry the Spanish captain at once. That day at sundown, she stole away to the same high point along the shore and once again met her Chamorro lover.

Her father, along with the captain, and all the Spanish soldiers pursued the lovers up to the high cliff above Tumon Bay. The lovers found themselves trapped between the edge of the cliff and the approaching soldiers. All the young warrior could do was warn them to stay back, and the father ordered the soldiers to halt.

The lovers tied their long black hair into a single knot. Acting as if they were entirely alone, they looked deeply into each other’s eyes and kissed for the final time. Then, they leaped over the long, deep cliff into the roaring waters below.

The girl’s father and all who remained rushed to the edge to stare in great anguish.

Since that day, Chamorros have looked to the jutting peak above Tumon Bay with reverence. The two lovers remain a symbol of true love–a love in which two souls are entwined forever in life and in death. Thereafter, the high point on the cliff was known as Puntan Dos Amantes, or Two Lovers Point.”

South Pacific Memorial Park

     We enjoy exploring Guam, armed with an excellent map and a GPS. We literally just drive in/out side roads that are dirt/paved to see what’s at the end! One beautiful day we drove north along Route 1, headed towards Anderson AFB, trying to find the Pacific Memorial Park that was shown on our map… roads are notorious unmarked:-( What we found was so solemn, yet beautiful, that we chastised Guam for not putting a sign off the main road pointing towards it.

     In the Pacific War, waged from 1941-45, more than 500,000 Japanese lost their lives during combat on the beautiful islands scattered throughout the Pacific Ocean.  In addition, many Americans, as well as local Chamorro people who had lived a peaceful life in this region, died or were wounded in the fierce battles during these disastrous years. This location, at the foot of Mt. Matagi, marked the final, fierce battle for Guam between the Japanese and the Americans. The Japanese commander committed suicide and most of his men died here. In 1965, the South Pacific Memorial Association Mission visited Guam and the Micronesian islands with the purpose of locating and paying respect to the war dead (there were still numerous casualties of the war unaccounted). The leader met with a Msgr. Calvo (same last name as current /former governors here!). The priest commented on the mournful fact that 20 yrs. later they were still finding bones of dead Japanese scattered and left in the jungle or behind rocks where they died. He wanted to collect those bones and give them a formal funeral. The Japanese leader was moved by the priest’s sincerity & they collaborated in building the memorial tower dedicating their loyalty to their respective countries and also symbolizing wishes for friendship between Japan and the USA, and world peace. 

     The beautiful tower was completed five years later on the very grounds where the Imperial military was forced to give up its control of Guam. There is an ossuary in its basement as a final resting place of human skeletal remains found. Its design is in the shape of palms pressed together in prayer indicating the wishes for consolation of the souls of the dead and peace for all. Its construction & maintenance expenses have been exclusively covered by donations from the Japanese.

     In addition to the tower, there is the Queen of Peace chapel, which also houses artifacts that have been collected from the battleground & caves around this area. Also, several monuments, shrines and prayer sticks nearby.

     To the north of the memorial, there’s a flight of concrete steps down into a large depression that contains the entrances to four large, elaborate caves (that the Japanese forced Chamorro prisoners of war to build). It was the Japanese commander’s post with a large transmitter and where he and his staff died (60 Japanese bodies found in the caves…Americans sealed them with explosives). A second flight of steps descends to a spring that provided fresh water to the Japanese.

The local Chamorro People

     The Chamorros are the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands, of which Guam is the largest and most southern in the island chain. Archeological evidence identified civilization here dating back 5,000 years. They were expert seafarers and skilled craftspeople familiar with intricate weaving and detailed pottery-making. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed and life changed forever for these people. In recorded history, the Chamorro people have, as a community, experienced traumatic periods that remain unresolved. These include the near total genocide and colonization by the Spanish (1521-1898). Guam and the Philippines became territories of the USA as a part of the “spoils of war” of the Spanish-American War of 1898 and bought from Spain for a mere $20 million. Guam had been a possession of the United States from 1898 to 1941 until it was attacked and occupied by Japanese forces from 1941–1944. Guam was liberated from the Japanese in 1944 by the USA. In 1950, it became a territory of the USA, and as such, has no power.

     The population of Guam is approximately 182,000 people. The Chamorros are the largest ethnic group making up about 37%, and the Filipinos are second making up an additional 26%. Because Guam was colonized by Spain for over 300 years, many Chamorro words derive from the Spanish language. The traditional Chamorro number system was replaced by Spanish numbers. There has been a resurgence of interest in reviving the language, and all public schools on both Guam and The Northern Mariana Islands are now required by law to teach the Chamorro language from elementary through high school. The Chamorro greeting for Hello is "Hafa Adai" (hah-fuh-day). I guarantee you that if you give a Chamorro a big smile and say that phrase, you will definitely get the very same back! These people are very sweet and gentle.

     Perhaps, because the Chamorros are actually a “minority” on their own island of Guam, and they want to preserve their history and promote their culture, they declared March to be Chamorro Month. Since we had given ourselves the month of March to get settled into our new surroundings, and for Jim to finish all his island qualifying flights, we were able to enjoy several of these activities.

     Governor Eddie Calvo and First Lady Christine Calvo opened their home, the House of the People, for an exhibit of photos and artifacts. Before arriving at their home, we mistakenly went to the beautiful Government House on the water. You’ll see pics of Pat standing in front of a huge replica of a latte stone. This is a term for a pillar capped by a hemispherical stone capital (tasa) with the flat side facing up. It is used as a building support by the ancient Chamorros and found throughout most of the Mariana Islands. Today it is seen as a sign of Chamorro identity. 

View of Government House on the bay

Huge Latte Stone replica 

         Canon on Government House property

     Photos from inside the Governor's house (above) depicting religious items, view from their backyard looking down the mountain to the ocean, picture of Governor and First Lady Calvo (pics of his father & grandfather as former governors also on the wall), plus their front door. We were absolutely shocked that no one with a weapon was at the door when we walked in, just local docents, even though the family lived upstairs!

       On Friday, March 28th, we drove to the SW village of Merizo (above) for their 6th annual crab festival. The village was a virtual postcard with gorgeous ocean & mountain views. The local children sang songs in Chamorro and it was followed by a skit performed by the senior citizens. The locale reminded us of the Great Falls community with our summer Sunday concerts on the green...great sense of community. Today, Sunday, they released 2,000 crabs that the locals had caught and then let various age groups have a go at catching them with buckets/bags to take home....small crabs w/big pinchers! The event was on a green outside the local school next to the pier. All weekend there were activities like canoe races, coconut husking/grating contest, live bands/dancers, etc.

     On Saturday, March 29th, (below) there was a local fashion show at one of the malls showcasing original Chamorro clothing, Spanish-influenced, and modern. We didn't walk the catwalk, but were ready for it:-)