A Sky Full oF Travels

Guam, one of the places I never thought I would find myself going to. And yet here I am on a 4-day getaway trip, lying on an idyllic beach, the crystal clear water of Tumon Bay in front of me. Words are not enough to describe how I’m feeling right now. If I had ever felt a bit stressed, now that feeling is long gone, leaving way just to an overwhelming sense of peace. I’m not surprised many, especially from Japan, China and South Korea, pick Guam as their escape destination, or even more, as their wedding destination. After all, it seems like being in a paradise on earth.

Despite being just a small island lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, there’s actually plenty to do in Guam, especially if you’re a big enthusiast of marine sports and beach life.

To be honest it was quite hard to find some good information to plan my 4-day getaway adventure on the island. Somehow I couldn’t find any good travel guidebook in English and I was very sad about that since I’m kind of old school when it comes to this. Yes, I prefer to bring a hard copy of any book with me. And even on the internet, I could only find a couple of good websites.
Anyhow, eventually, a bit looking up online, a bit asking around once I got to Guam, I managed to come up with a good plan to enjoy my time in this paradise to the utmost.

Here’s what you absolutely can’t leave out of your 4-day getaway trip to Guam!

TUMON BEACH

Probably the most famous beach on the island, this is where most of the tourist resorts are located. Despite being a bit mainstream and, at times, crowded, the area is still very beautiful, with a unique landscape that you should totally capture among your pictures. It’s also very easily accessible and ideal for both groups of friends and families who are just looking for a place to chill at the beach.

The water is so clear that you can see the seabed or spot the colorful fish even from the outside. What I liked the most about Tumon beach is that despite being right in front of the city center, you can easily find a quiet spot where to enjoy this magnificent gift from nature.

I decided to chill there on the very first day of my trip because of its convenient location. I could get there just with a 5 minutes walk from my hotel and since I was waiting for my boyfriend, I thought it could be a pleasant wait. No need to say it was way beyond my expectations and also one of the beaches with the clearest water I’ve ever seen.

TWO LOVERS POINT

An essential stop in your Guam itinerary, especially if you’re traveling as a couple, is the famous Two Lovers Point. Located north of Tumon, this cliff overlooking right at the bay is considered one of the ancient sites sacred to the native Chamorro people.

Legend has it that once, back to the times when the island was under the rule of Spain, a wealthy family, respected by both locals and Spanish, lived in Hagatna, the island’s capital city. One day the father decided to give his beautiful daughter in marriage to a wealthy Spanish aristocrat but, as soon as the girl found out, she escaped to the northern part of Guam. There she met and fell in love with a young Chamorro man. When her father and the Spanish aristocrat found this out, they chased the two lovers who found themselves trapped at the edge of this cliff.

As you can imagine this story has a tragic yet inspiring ending. It is told that the two lovers tied their hair together in a single knot and then jumped off the cliff together. Since then the cliff has become, in the Chamorro traditions, the symbol of true love. Today, couples from all over the world visit Two Lovers Point and make wishes for their happiness in love by hanging padlocks and heart-shaped messages on fences and railings.

While this is very nice and romantic, it is certainly nothing new to me (we have many similar spots in Italy too).

But what a captivating view!

The main reason I recommend going is actually because of the breathtaking view over Tumon Bay and the Philippines Sea that you can get from the lookout on the top of the cliff.

The best thing to do, especially if you want to avoid all those cute but a bit too noisy couples and enjoy the romantic view with a bit more privacy, is probably going there early in the morning or right before the sunset (the lookout is open from 8 am to 8 pm). This last option was actually our plan, but unfortunately, on the day we had this planned, it started raining just around 5 pm and we had to reschedule our visit for the next morning.

The good side of this is that with the morning light, we could take a better look at the amazing coastline of Guam and stare down the cliff at the ocean and see even from up there how clear and transparent the water is!

INARAJAN NATURAL POOLS

Located just along the main road that goes around the island, Inarajan natural pools consist of some rocky seawater pools sheltered from the ocean waves. The area is a great and safe location to enjoy some snorkeling and observe the many tropical fish swimming around. Despite it getting a bit crowded when we were there, I really enjoyed swimming in the calm salty waters of these natural pools while listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks in front of me. It was all very relaxing and the pools are definitely a must-see if you’re visiting Guam. They certainly offer an alternative way to enjoy the sun, the amazing weather, and the beach!

If you also go on a bit of exploration you can find some very instagrammable spots where you can quietly work on taking your perfect shots. The view you have of these wonders of nature is absolutely stunning and you will end up with some great pictures of a very memorable place. I am actually very curious about knowing how these natural pools came to form. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find this information so please, if you happen to know anything or if you know anyone who does, feel free to share it with me!

WAR IN THE PACIFIC NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Many people might not actually know about this, but Guam was the scene of bloody fighting between the Japanese and American Military during WWII. The island, which had been under the US control since its capture from Spain in 1898, was invaded by the Japanese following the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941. Three years later, in the summer of 1944, the Americans lead a counter-offensive to conquer back this strategical territory in the heart of the Pacific. What follows is history. And today, the War in the Pacific National Historical Park is there to remind us of that history and to commemorate the souls of those who sacrificed their lives during the war.

At the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center, you will have the chance to learn about Guam’s colonial history, the Japanese occupation and the WWII battles in details. Scattered around the island and its waters, you can also find shipwrecks, WWII shelters, pillboxes, the remains of old guns and weapons hidden among the jungle and the lush nature of the many beaches.

Check out Asan Bay Overlook, from where you can gaze over the hills where some of the fiercest battles on the island occurred. Not only does this overlook have a great significance as a memorial and historical site, but it also offers a stunning view, making it one of the spots you MUST visit once during your stay.

Guam Pacific War Museum

If you’re a history buff, you definitely can’t leave without paying a visit to Guam Pacific War Museum, a privately owned small museum which treasures some interesting artifacts dating back to WWII, from helmets, guns, and uniforms to personal belongings of both Japanese and American soldiers. The museum is also home to restored vehicles from the war times, hospital trucks and remaining parts of aircraft. The exhibition is very informative and it represents a great educational resource for all those who would like to understand more about the war in the Pacific as well as Guam’s role in it.

ROUNDTRIP OF THE ISLAND (& COCOS ISLAND)

Rent a car and go on an exploration around the island. If you don’t, you’re probably going to be stuck in the Tumon area for your entire trip. Don’t take me wrong, Tumon Bay is remarkably beautiful but the island hides some interesting treasures and mesmerizing landscapes that you should absolutely not miss out. Interestingly shaped hilltops, hidden waterfalls, historical spots, secluded beaches and much more.

Driving around you can easily enjoy the scenery from the seat of your car and then when the view hits you right there in your heart, you can take a brief stop to admire it better and take great pictures. The drive itself is very relaxing. Forget the traffic of big busy cities like London, Tokyo or New York! Streets and roads in Guam are almost deserted, especially in those areas further from the main villages. Locals also take their time when they drive and you hardly see people in a rush. The result? You will enjoy a pleasant, chill drive surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the island! What else could you ask for!

During our 4-day getaway trip, we were also planning to drive south, leave the car and go for an adventure on Cocos Island. From what I’ve heard, this is one of the best spots to go snorkeling. Unfortunately, we were a bit late and didn’t make it in time for the last ferry to the island. If you are luckier than us and have the chance to explore Cocos Island, please do share your experience with me as I definitely intend to go if I ever happen to be back in Guam (and I promise one day I will).

Get ready to fall in love!

Guam is quite small and during your 4-day getaway trip, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the locations and activities I suggested in this post. I have no doubt you’ll have a great time there. I can honestly say I left a piece of my heart in Guam and my only wish is for you to experience just as much as me one of the best 4-day getaway trips of your life!