Month: February 2016

The past two weeks have gone very quickly, but time is starting to slow down a bit as we approach our two week countdown to our departure from Saipan.

Last weekend we finally got to see one of the most unique places on Saipan, the Grotto. This is a very popular dive and swim site. It is often closed due to bad weather, but this time it was open and we got to walk down the steep winding stairs to the Grotto. At the bottom you are surrounded by tall cliffs and there is water where you can jump in and swim or dive. The day we went it was pretty windy so the water was rough. We decided not to go in, but it was still just as beautiful to see.

On Monday we went to Garapan to join in the celebration of Chinese New Year. This year is the year of the golden monkey so in addition to the lanterns hanging there was also golden monkeys on display. All day they had dragon dances happening around different spots on the island, and we got to see one later that night. It was pretty fun to watch and try to figure out what was going on (at the end one of the dragons ate a cabbage that was hanging from the ceiling and we’re not quite sure why, but it was pretty funny to watch!).

This week was also very exciting in that one of Saipan’s iconic restaurants opened back up. The Shack has been closed since typhoon Soudelor in August as it got hit very hard. The typhoon left many families without homes, water, and power for months, and the owner of the Shack (Glen, aka the nicest guy in the world) decided to dedicate his time to helping other families and establishments on the island recover and get back on their feet before repairing his restaurant. When we heard that it had opened back up this week we were thrilled! John had talked about the Shack before I got to the island; how much of a staple it was in the group’s life and the amazing food that they had. When we went I finally got to meet Glen (and his mother who cooks the delicious holiday plates on Thursdays). John got the rib plate and I got the vegan chili. Both of them were so good, and I’ excited we’ll get to go back there a few more times before we leave!

With only two full weekends left we wanted to visit some of our favorite places on the island before we leave. Sunday we went to Forbidden Island again. This time it was extremely windy which made for a seemingly intense hike down and too rough of waters to swim in. It was still just as beautiful though, and we soaked up every part of the view we could for the last time.

 

With only four weeks left on Saipan, it’s crazy to think our time here is really coming to an end. The past few weeks have been pretty routine. Besides working, most of our time has been spent planning and booking various things for our trip, reading in the woods, or just relaxing at the beach.

Last weekend we did go to a local barbecue at one our friends’ house. They made ribs, chicken wings, salad, and red rice (a classic Chamorro dish). Everything was delicious and it was so nice of them to welcome us into their home for an evening of pool & darts.

Two weeks ago was John’s birthday. Saturday we started with happy hour at the beach bar and then went to a BBQ on the beach with some friends and a few people visiting from Guam. Sunday was spent relaxing and we finished off with a buffet dinner at Coral Ocean Point resort. It was really nice and the food was great, plus we got our local half off discount, (though it was somewhat strange as we were literally the only ones there that were not tourists!). Other than that is has pretty much been business as usual here.

I thought it might be interesting to show a few pictures of everyday things around the island. I hope they give a better picture of what Saipan is like (besides the beautiful beaches and fancy resorts).

When Saipan was the hot Japanese tourist spot (back in the 90’s/early 00’s) they built a mall and a few resorts in anticipation of the mass numbers of people that would travel here. Then the airlines canceled the direct flights to Sapian/the Japanese economy crashed so now the mall and resorts remain empty and abandoned.

Here are some houses in one of the villages called Dan Dan.

This is the market right down the street from our apartment that we go to regularly for groceries, and the one below it is a larger grocery store.

This is the movie theater on the island. It got quite a face lift after typhoon Soudelor including all new seats, a new sign, and a new roof!

One of the High Schools in the village of Kagman and a road.

The laundry mat we go to and Java Joes Cafe next door where they have (in our opinion) the best burger and fries on the island.

Just a street sign with the directions of different villages (we live in Capital Hill).

 

There are bus stops around the island in all the villages for school buses to pickup and drop off kids.

This is Memorial Park and the museum that talks about the Battle of Saipan in WWII. Across the street is a great restaurant Cafe at the Park.

This is the hospital on the island.

The rest of the photos were taken in Garapan, the most populated and touristy of the villages (because most of the beach resorts and shops are located there).

A great Korean restaurant right across from Fiesta resort (where we get the amazing eggplant hot pot!).

Everyone is getting ready for Chinese New Year. There are decorations in the plaza, in many of the resorts, and in the restaurants.