Cocos
Sailing Centre Guam: There are a few airlines
operating a service to Guam. Scheduled flights and
prices change from time to time so check with your
travel agent for full details. No accomodation is offered
at Cocos so you will probably be staying in the main
hotel area, Tumon. From Tumon it's a 50 minute drive
to Merizo. There are ferries every hour from Merizo
to Cocos Island. The journey takes approximately 10
minutes.
What to expect when you get there:
Guam is an idyllic island south of Japan, one of
the myriad Micronesian islands that dot the pacific
in this area.The tradewinds blow solidly throughout
October to June and Cocos' exposed location catches
the best of them, though there is a more sheltered
and shallow lagoon ideal for beginners. The centre
is equipped with the all the latest Neil Pryde
rigs and F2 and Tiga boards. Lessons for beginners
right up to advanced level are available including
gybe lessons from Japanese Team Pryde star, Natsuki
Iijima. A variety of other sports such as diving,
jet skiing and parasailing are on offer while the
club house has full facilities including restauraunt,
bar, swimming pools etc. |
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Adelup
Park: With Marine Drive at its entrance and a
jagged cliffline to its rear, Adelup park has developed
into one of the island's busiest central parks. Not only
is it a favored recreational site, the park also functions
as the surrounding grounds for Guam's seat of Government.
As picnic-goers enjoy the modern facilities of the rustic-looking
park, leaders scamper within the Adelup complex administering
Guam's local laws. During the Japanese occupation of Guam,
Adelup point was a heavily armed site with fortifications
built into the rock cliffs. A battery of large guns was
also mounted at the point. After the recapture of the island
by the United States, Commodore W. O. Hiltabidle, CEC USN,
5th Naval Construction Brigade, set up his command post
here. Today many programs take place on the grounds of
Adelup Park ranging from events as paramount as the inauguration
of the island's Governor and Lt. Governor, to programs
as simple and entertaining as a dog show. The Adelup complex
was once an elementary school but restoration in the late
1980's modified it into administrative offices.
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Padre
Diego Luis de San Vitores Shrine: Padre Diego
Luis de San Vitores led the Jesuit missionaries who arrived
on Guam in 1668. In 1672, Padre San Vitores and his Filipino
assistant were killed by Chief Mata'pang of Tumon for baptizing
the Chief's baby girl at the mother's request, but without
the Chief's consent. The death of Padre San Vitores lead
to all-out war that nearly resulted in extinction of the
Chamorro race. The Catholic Church however continued to
exert considerable influence over the people of Guam. Today,
Padre San Vitores Road in Tumon is named for the Padre
and a today a shrine to the Padre stands at the location
of the slaying. Nestled tightly between the Guam Reef Hotel
and Sails restaurant, the shrine is a must to see. The
statue of Padre San Vitores baptizing the Chief's daughter
with the mother and the sword wielding Chief standing over
them is located in the shrine. The Statue of Padre San
Vitores shown to the right is located about a mile away
in the courtyard of the Tumon Catholic Church on San Vitores
Road.
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Latte
Stone Park: This park is located in the city
of Agana. The Latte Stone set was transferred here from
an original historic site within a military base so that
all may appreciate and ponder upon its cultural value and
significance of the Chamorro people of Guam.
This combination of upright column, which
had been excavated from coral rock, and rounded cap-stone
(often made from a single, large, inverted coral head)
were used by the ancient Chamorro people, in sets of 4,6
or 8, as foundation stones for elevated 'A' frame style
houses. Most Latte sites are found in the jungle, along
rivers or on the beach. The Agana Latte Stone Park is a
compostite of Lattes taken from two different jungle sites.
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Guam
Safari Tours: Guam Safari Tours is the island's
first eco-tour company, established in 1972. We have offered
personalized sightseeing experiences for over 27 years.
With GST, you can hike to mountain peaks, explore waterfalls,
and visit hidden battlefields. We have developed standard
tour packages to highlight Guam's most beautiful and interesting
sites, but the key to the GST experience is flexibility;
we can customize your tour to take you and your party to
places of special interest to you and according to your
schedule--we even accomodate sunrise viewing!
Transportation is provided in new, comfortable
Toyota 4 Runners with a/c, and lunch is included on all
tours! |
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Diving and
Snorkeling: Three
hundred varieties of coral make Guam a diver's delight. Whales,
dolphins, mantas and skip jacks
are just some of the sea life seen offshore. Popular wreck
dives include a World War II Japanese "Zero",
a U.S. tanker and a World War I German cruiser. The waters
at Asan Beach contain several pieces of submerged military
equipment embedded in the colorful coral reefs. Snorkeling is an absolute must to discover the multitude
of exotic coral and marine life to be found alongside ocean
treasures of incomparable beauty that line the reef. |
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Mangilao
Golf Club: Mangilao is located on the central
eastern coastline of Guam about 25-minutes from most hotels.
Designed by world famous Nelson and Haworth golf course
architects, Mangilao offers 6,904 Yards of challenging
and unforgetable golf experiences for all skill level players.
Players will wander through its scenic splendor and lush
natural beauty while playing on some of the world's most
uniquely designed golf holes.
Enjoy the warm, tropical Pacific breeze
as you experience a truly memorable golf challenge you
will find hard to forget! |
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Two
Lover's Point: If you could visit one place on
Guam to take in the island's beauty, culture, and history
in a single breath, come to Two Lovers Point. This startling
cliffline in Northern Guam, overlooking the glimmering
Philippine Sea, is the site of an ancient Chamorro legend.
The legend tells of two lovers who, forbidden from being
together in life, leaped to their deaths from the cliffside
so they could be together in eternity. Today, with culturally-inspired
architecture, sweeping landscapes and dramatic overlooks,
the site immerses visitors in all the drama and history
of that ancient Chamorro romance.
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Dulce
Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica: The first
Catholic Church on Guam, the Dulce Nombre de Maria {Sweet
Name of Mary} Cathedral Basilica was constructed in central
Agana in 1669. The original church was constructed in 1669-1670
by Chamorros under the direction pf Padre Diego Luis de
San Vitores, on lands granted by Chief Kepuha, the ranking
male of Agana at that time. This structure survived until
World War II when it was destroyed during the shelling
of Agana in preparation for the American invasion. The
present church, pictured here, was constructed on the original
site in 1955-1959.
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San
Antonio Bridge: The San Antonio Bridge (To'lai
Acho or stone bridge) was constructed by the Spanish in
the 1800's to span the Agana River. The original bridge
survived the shelling of Agana in World War II and continued
in use after the War. During the rehabilitation of Agana
that began in 1945, the river was filled, but the bridge
was spared and today stands in a small park in central
Agana across from the Agana Marina. Along with the Tailafak
Bridge in Agat, the San Antonio Bridge remains as an example
of the Spanish era.
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Fort
Nuestra Senora de la Soledad: Fort Nuestra Senora
de la Soledad was one of the last Spanish Forts constructed
in the 19th Century in support of the Spanish Galleon trade.
Sitting on the cliff just to the South of Umatac, Fort
Soledad has a commanding view of the Bay and all Ocean
approaches. The Fort was restored in 1995 and today the
cannon of Fort Soledad still point out over the Pacific
Ocean and Umatac Bay where Magellan landed in 1521 to make
the first contact between Guam and the West. |
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Merizo
Bell Tower: The Merizo Bell tower (Kampanayum
Maslesso) was constructed in 1910 under the direction of
Father Cristobal de Canalas to help raise the standard
of living for the people of Merizo village. The tower was
constructed with stone and cement and the bell was used
to announce religious events, town meetings and mass. Although
no longer in use today, it has been maintained and is a
well known landmark to visit when in the Southern part
of the Island.
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Japanese
POW Steps: Japanese prisoners of war held at the
Guam Naval Station were assigned various masonry and construction
duties. This series of three steps located near Sumay is
one example of their work that is excellent condition today.
An inscription in Japanese characters translates as: "In
memory of prisoners of war on the island of Rota, on the
27th day of the 7th month in the 21st year of the reign
of Emperor Hirohito." This would be 27 July 1946.
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Cocos Island: Cocos
Island is a 100-acre island at Guam's Southern Coast surrounded
by a clear, turquoise lagoon off the shores of Merizo accessible
by glass-bottom boats. Besides being a favorite picnic/dining
site, Cocos Island is the focus of international attention
as a Spanish galleon wreak site which has yet to be recovered.
Ten commercial divers and underwater archaeologists have been
excavating the ocean depths since may 1998. |
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Santo
Papa as Juan Pablo Dos Monument: This monument
was erected in central Agana adjacent to the Plaza
de Espana and Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica
in commemoration of the Pope John Paul II's 1981
visit to Guam. This was the first Papal visit to
the Marianas since Christianity was introduced by
the Jesuits in the 17th century. This monument was
erected on the site where John Paul held mass.
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The
Plaza de Espana: The Plaza de Espana, located
in central Agana, was the location of the Governors
Palace during the Spanish occupation. Most of the
palace was destroyed during the shelling of Agana
during the retaking of Guam in World War II. There
are three structures still standing including the
three-arch gate to Almacen (Arsena), the Azotea or
back porch, and the Chocolate House.
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War
Dog Memorial: "Always Faithful." The
War Dog Memorial located on the Naval Facility adjacent
to Sumay honors the Dobermans that served with the
Marines in 1944 and who courageously and valiantly
gave their lives and saved Many Marines. Twenty-five
dogs were killed in action and buried in Guam performing
duties such as leading scouting parties, exploring
caves and serving as sentries.
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