Yes, it’s true. I, Holly Gordon, am traveling thousands of miles away, into the depths of Micronesia. To a tiny island – isolated in the North Pacific – hovering vicariously over the Mariana Trench, the very deepest, darkest valley known to the ocean floor.
Okay, so it’s not that treacherous. It’s a US territory located three quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines. The native language is Chamoru, the official language is English and hey! it’s “Where America’s Day Begins!”
From what I’ve learned, Guam is a pretty interesting place. Most of the homes there are made out of cement and rebar, so they – and the occupants inside– survive the violent tropical typhoons. The Jungle in Guam is home to pesky ancient Chamoru spirits – the Taotaomona – who will pinch the hell out of you and leave you covered in painful red welts.
No biggie.
There was quite a bit of destruction on the tiny island during WWII. During the rebuilding process, a creature called the brown tree snake made it’s way over as a stowaway, from Australia or Papua New Guinea. This hungry feller had a heyday, feasting on all the exotic, rare and especially beautiful native birds. The island has been without song ever since.
Guam really is jam-packed with curiosity. Everyone there drives, there’s a university, hospital, breadfruit trees, beautiful beaches, water parks, vampire plants, golf courses, the largest K-Mart in the world, giant African land snails, a WWII tank graveyard, pink sand and lots of barbeques. It’s like a tiny suburbia smack dab in the middle of paradise. I’ve even heard it’s comparably just as gorgeous as Hawaii – except that you have to be super careful of the wild packs of hungry, stray pit bulls.
At least there aren’t as many tourists!
I read a book once about giant prehistoric sharks living in the Mariana Trench, I just think you guys should WATCH OUT!!!
Love the graphics on this post. You should do more web-comicy posts like this, love it. Reminds me of one of my favorites sites (The Oatmeal).
Hah – thanks Adam! I LOVE The Oatmeal.
I was on Guam in the early 1960′s for 18 months, was a boonie stomper and radioman in the U.S. Navy. Spent many hours stomping through the jungles,
snorkling the many beaches around the island and even hit a few golf balls.
I never saw a brown tree snake, did see a few small deer running wild and did experience close encounters with great white sharks while diving the other side of the reef. Survived a severe typhoon, got some severe sun burns and enjoyed many beautiful sunsets on the beach. The large white birds of paradise flying along the beaches were etched into my memories and I’ve often wanted to go back to see the many changes made by time. I’ll never forget Guam and the many friends I made there and worked with as a radioman. The island was beautiful. “Tweeds Cave” an adventure.
(check out the book) “Duva Devine” means, Guam is Good! Clink. Tuba is terrible. (Guamanian drink) Coconut husking a skill to know. Tarzan River my favorite place to escape. (Drowned there, but was revived by Fred) my hero. Memories are vivid of Guam. Rode the water buffalo and a 90cc Honda
many miles. Beautiful women behind every tree…..(oh, shut up).