Guam: hub of Micronesia
pp. 39-42 · Read in the full issue
Micronesia
Guam, a territory of the US, is at the hub of Micronesia. Claimed by the Spanish in 1565 (just one year after the birth of Shakespeare), it is accessible by PanAm out of Tokyo, Manila and Honolulu and by Air Micronesia out of Honolulu and Okinawa. Though unmistakably a Pacific Island (see above), Guam has an atmosphere that is distinct from the territories of Polynesia and Melanesia and, indeed, from other Micronesian territories. Perhaps this is because the Spanish rums which dot the island give it a South American flavour.
Guam picked up as a tourist centn last year when Air Micronesia starte< flying in. Before that Guam was an out of-the-way spot, largely populated b] Micronesians and American servicemen The servicemen are still there, of course by the thousand. From the big airbasi on Guam giant bombers have in recen years been making non-stop fligh missions over Vietnam, although then lately has been a lull.
The advent of Air Micronesia wa accompanied by a spate of hotel-buildin] and tourist promotion. Central therm of the promotion is that Guam is rough ready—and beautiful. As one pamphle puts it: “In a world of Cadillacs an< yachts, it’s frightfully easy to fall in low with jeeps and outboards.” And so it is of course, even if yours is not a work of Cadillacs and yachts.
The pictures on these pages show something of what makes Guam dif ferent. Apart from being well served by air-conditioned hotels (where rates range from SUSIB per day for double rooms), the island has breathtaking views, fine beaches and quaint reminders of the past.
The crumbling arches (p. 38) are in the plaza in the centre of Agana, the capital, and the ruined bridge (p. 39) is on the outskirts of Agana. Another link with the past is the old Spanish oven (p. 39), now overgrown with weeds. In direct contrast with the ruins is the beach at Merizo (p. 38) where visitors swim, sail and waterski with 20th century abandon.
Guam is an island of views. Above, Cetti Bay is accessible by boat—or by a very difficult road. Guam is an island of peace. At left is the quiet cove at Umatac village where a monument commemorates the landing of Magellan in 1521, and where local life has changed little these past four centuries —if you forget those bombers heading for Vietnam.