Aboard the Asuka 11

FOR the past couple of years, this section has brought you to familiar and unfamiliar nooks and crannies of Saipan, Tinian and Rota — from spots that you have always taken for granted to areas that you have never thought existed here.

Today, put on your sea legs and take a glimpse of what’s inside one of the luxury ocean cruise ships which has visited Saipan every year for the several past years — M.S. Asuka II which is previously known as M.S. Crystal Harmony.
A text message from Commonwealth Ports manager Mary Ann Lizama sent me flying into a frenzy and leaving everything at a moment’s notice to grab a rare chance of exploring Asuka 11 which docked at the Saipan port that morning.
An upscale medium-sized cruise ship that provides western-style luxury, Asuka II, is known as one of the biggest luxury cruise ships in Japan. Its 790-foot long frame almost occupied the whole Saipan port for another one of its regular visits.

Atrium of the Asuka 11

Asuka II’s first purser Yukiko Shindo took four of us on a tour of this mighty ship which I had only seen from a distance while it was docked in the port in past years.
We started the tour at the third deck of the mighty ship where we were asked to leave our IDs in exchange for visitor ID’s. I got #004. We made our way through a narrow alley with royal blue curtains on both sides and resembling  a spa and headed to a flight of stairs before riding an elevator to the sixth deck— and that’s where you forget you are on a ship.
The hallway opened into a spectacular two-deck centerpiece atrium with artfully designed furniture and sala sets in the center.
Our guide transported us to a luxurious five-star hotel with lush carpets and wide glass windows offering superb panoramic views of the sea and the island.
Time was never enough as we took photos of everything and anything while trying to take the grandeur of it all in. It was like cramming and wanting to take in everything in at once into a very short time. We wandered through a glorious haze and maze of plush carpeted hallways decorated with contemporary décor and an exquisite art collection emphasizing 20th century western works.
We went past designer shops featuring fashion items, jewelry, and upscale items, to coffee shops and restaurants, elegant lounges and high-end bars.

We waltzed through the Hollywood Theater, which can seat 260 persons, dance halls and conference rooms, a library with huge glass windows offering panoramic views of the ocean, an internet cafe and  computer shop, more shops than I can remember. Whew! If only I had one day to fully explore the ship and take photos at my own leisure.
From the 6th deck, we rode the elevator to the 11th deck and wandered into the poolside area. There, a Seahorse Pool sat at the center of the area, its clear blue waters reflecting the blue of the skies above and the ocean around.  Beside the pool and up six wooden steps with neatly arranged planks a circular Jacuzzi bubbled merrily, overlooking luxurious sun beds that provide passengers a place for relaxation.
Outside the pool a door lead to the Wimbledon Courts. We picked our way toward the other end of the 11^th deck past more restaurants and emerged into a wide spacious area with glass windows called the Palms Lounge. Here, wide solar panels allowed natural light to pour into the lounge.
It was not our destination. Shindo led us on until we reached the area directly above the ship’s bridge—the Vista Lounge.

It became my instant favorite and I later learned that it is one of the best features of the Asuka 11. Uniform pillars adorned the front end of the lounge while a huge blue dome occupied the center of the whole area. It was like stepping into the future. Shindo told us that when the sky is totally dark, hundreds of pin lights are seen on the dome, making one feel like he is gazing up into the skies on a starry night. We didn’t experience that because it was still 2 p.m.
We had coffee at the Vista Lounge, sampling the best latte that slid down our throats to add to memories later but I didn’t get to relish in my coffee. I was still too busy taking pictures of everything, wanting to capture it all.
Going up to the top deck of the ship was an experience beyond description. The aqua blue soft carpet stretched endlessly until your vision meets the blue of the ocean and the horizon. The view from up there was breathtaking — the whole of Lower Base spread below with Mt. Tapochao in the backdrop. A few flowering flame trees added touches of fire to the green forests and blue skies and seas.
I asked Shindo on the possibility of hiding in the ship and going down anymore but that was of course impossible. Haha!
We went back to the third deck, surrendered our visitor IDs and out the gangway and discovered we were not in Europe or any exotic part of the world. We were still at the Saipan Port with the blazing sun beating relentlessly on our unprotected skin and with it, the reality that we have deadlines to meet.
The Asuka II tour appeased our frustration for not being able to get onboard the Queen Mary 2 earlier.
This was first published HERE

Moonlight drive at the back roads

SO, what’s new with driving in the back roads these days? Nothing and everything—that is if you go out for a night drive.
Coming out from a late dinner some nights ago, I gave in to the temptation of going for a drive around with a couple of buddies. It was almost midnight and we decided to drive to the Banzai Cliff and back, just to re-experience how the place feels like with the light from the quarter-moon illuminating the skies.
Bracing myself for a night of moonlight adventure in a place I’d always considered eerily beautiful, I was surprised to find that my buddy mad a right turn and headed for Capital Hill instead, telling us she was suddenly scared to go to Marpi.
She was at the wheel so we were left with no choice but gave in to the idea of a quick drive in the back roads and emerge in San Vicente and back to the office.
We took the back road with its familiar twists and turns that snaked through the dark jungles like countless times before. The road was almost empty save for a few vehicles that we met along the way. Road construction was in progress marked by orange cones and signs but when we reached the Mobil station at the intersection going to Kagman, things changed.
We had been busy talking and missed some developments in the road earlier. As we drove on, we forgot the usual back roads we’ve come to know in the past four years. We were driving down in one of the three lanes of smoothly paved roads, enjoying the sight of the long line of reflectors installed on both sides of the road. It almost felt magical, with Saipan’s lofty hilltops and natural scenery silhouetted in the moonlight and the distant lights of Dandan Village and the airport blinking in the distance.
Maybe I had been away from the lights too long but it’s amazing how road developments created great changes in an ordinary drive around the back roads—drives that usually elicited more ‘ughhhhs’ from us in the past because of the distance and the rough road condition.
We emerged at San Vicente feeling refreshed, and made a detour to Chalan Kanoa before heading back to Garapan.
That moonlight drive at the back road is something that the travel brochures do not include. It is one experience that anyone could do just to break the daily routine and feel like you are in another place from time to time.

Revisiting Laulau Beach

THE rough road to Laulau Beach in San Vicente had been the biggest challenge for people who wanted to visit this lovely area tucked amid breathtaking views of cliffs and jungles. Going there was not for people who didn’t have four-wheel vehicles.
Now, at least, the entrance has been paved.
The sign was still tilted but the paved road was a strong temptation I couldn’t resist. Going down early morning on Wednesday, it was a big relief to drive on a smooth road that used to be so rough you’d think you were rolling down a dried-up river.
The paved portion ended just below the sharp bend on the road to Laulau Beach, but getting there was much better than before.
The last time I had been to the beach was about three years ago, and other changes had already taken place since then. A proper parking space had been built and an open hut for picnickers had been constructed with a barbeque pit.
Going to Laulau Beach is a unique and refreshing experience, especially if you have the whole place to yourself. The remoteness and the accessibility add to its appeal.
It was quite an experience to sit on the beach listening to the sounds of the waves rolling in from the reef, watching several blackbirds swooping down to catch food on the water while hearing the chirping of other birds from the jungle behind.
It’s like cutting yourself off from civilization and having all the beauty of nature to yourself. You’re not totally isolated, of course, because you can see the Laulau Bay Golf Resort hotel from a distance.
Laulau Beach is also one of the best dive spots on the island.
Going there allows you to enjoy a picturesque view of the road, with long vines hanging down from trees. It seems like you’re entering wonderland.
A rough road snakes its way from the beach all the way to Kagman, but I didn’t have the luxury of time and a sturdy vehicle to be daring enough to follow where it lead. But someday, soon…

WW2 relics in a modern airport

A QUICK drive following the side roads leading to the AARF at the Saipan International Airport the other afternoon with buddy Alexie introduced me to another World War 11 relic that I have heard about several times but haven’t been to before—another rusty yet sturdy JapaneseWW11 tank sitting amid tall bushes.
Parking on the rough roadside, Alexie and I fished out our cameras and inspected the tank that still seemed complete despite being exposed to the elements for so many decades.
The tank was just one of the many other WW2 tanks and relics lying around the island as grim reminders of the war but this was the first tank that I had the chance to really go near. This tank was conveniently situated under the shade of a canopy of leaves and surrounded by tall bushes but the area surrounding the tank was clean and well- maintained, making it convenient for visitors to go around.
The sturdy piece of steel did not look like it was going to fall into pieces soon.
The Japanese World War 2 tank was just among the grim reminders of the bloody war among all others, including several buildings and features associated with the American and Japanese use of the area.
Information on the interpretive sign erected near the tank narrates that the construction of As Lito Airfield began in 1934 and it was developed into the principal Japanese air base in the Marianas as the threat of war increased. American aircraft of Task Force 58 attacked As Lito Airfield on June 11 before the June 15 landings on Saipan’s southwest coast beaches to capture it and convert it to an American base that would put land-based bombers within reach of Japan.
The airfield became the home of Bomber Wing 73 and was renamed Isely Field in honor of an officer whose plane was shot down during one of the air raids. Isely Field was deactivated in 1940 and the construction on Saipan International Airport began in October 1973.
The modern airport buildings, concrete parking areas and landscaped grounds cannot hide the grim reminders of war that lay scattered all over the area.
Drive around the airport and you will see remains of the power station building, an oxygen generating building, a hospital, repair shops, the Japanese headquarters building, several Japanese navy design air raid shelters, a bomb storage bunker that lies under an artificial mound, and several bunkers and air raid shelters along the Flame Tree Drive.

Bell tower at twilight

IF there is one structure that always catches my attention on the historic island of Tinian, it is this old bell tower or what has remained of it at the back of the San Jose Catholic church.
I’ve been at the island several times and have seen and photographed this old bell tower countless of times before, but a couple of weeks back, it was a different visit because I had the chance to stay around until darkness has fallen.
The ruins of the old bell tower looks out of place in a modern surrounding, with but the contrast added to the major attraction. I would have wanted to go up the bell tower and explore this ruined building up to the topmost area but the tower is closed to the public.
I was told the structure used to be open for the public and despite its sturdy look, it has become too dangerous.
The inscription on the doorway of the bell tower says it is dedicated in memory of Father Marcian Pellet, OFM, and his faithful followers on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee on December 12, 2006. The old church was built by Father Pellet and parishioners in 1936.
Looking at the bell tower in broad daylight with its colorful flowers surrounding the base, seeing the pieces of steel and metal sticking out of the cracked concrete is quite an experience, but seeing the structure with the darkness falling is altogether a different story. One experiences different feelings when you look at the dark silhouette of the bell tower casting eerie shadows. If not for the bright lights from the church windows and the houses and buildings in the immediate vicinity, I would have second thoughts about going near the structure at night.
The bell tower is one of the must-visit historical sites on Tinian and continues to get thousands of tourists from all over the world each year, along with all the other historical sites and World War 2 ruins and relics scattered all over the island.
The next time you visit Tinian, visit the bell tower and wait until the sun sets and you will experience what I mean. To get there, fly via Freedom Air for $69 per person, or board a charter a flight with Star Marianas Air.

Peace Island at the Park

I HAVE seen this oval structure with steps around it leading to a large slab of cement from a distance hundreds of times in the last four years that I have been here, but have never really paid attention to this particular ‘island’ located at American Memorial Park until one day a couple of months back when I was left with an hour to spare.
I can say a butterfly I was trying to capture on camera brought me to the Peace Island. I have always thought that the cemented structure bordered with the traditional latte stones around is another tribute to something that happened during the World War 2 but upon closer inspection, the Rotary International logo above a flying bird symbolizing peace met my eyes.
Unlike regular islands that are usually surrounded by a body of water, the Rotary Peace Island is surrounded by flowers and greenery.
The towering monument states that the CNMI was declared as a Peace Rotary Island in 2000.
Browsing through the internet later, I learned that Saipan Island was declared a Rotary Peace Community after having been sponsored by Rotary Club Saipan, District 2750 and initiated by Saipan Rotary Club past president Glen V. Perez.
Members of the Rotary Club of Saipan unveiled the Rotary Peace Monument at the American Memorial Park as part of the group’s effort to promote peace and understanding around the world on November 17, 2000.
I also learned that the Peace Monument is just among other Rotary peace and friendship monuments erected in other parts of the world such as Spain, Berkeley, California in North America, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in US/Canada, Indiana, Georgia, Los Angeles, Colorado, Yukon Canada, Vancouver, Mexico, Uruguay, Australia, India, Japan, and other countries. Check this site for other peace and friendship monuments: http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/library/monuments/.
Like thousands of other people living here, I drive by the place every day or stop at American Memorial Park every now and then but have never really paid attention to this landmark or what it stands for.
It’s funny because you may have been here for years and taken everything for granted, but try to take a closer look around you. You might discover something that has always been there but you might have never known what that is. This small island is indeed full of treasures.

A perfect getaway on Saipan

DRIVING down twisting roads and thick jungles in Talafofo leads one to another scenic spot where I would have loved to spend time — if only it isn’t too far.

One Friday afternoon, I and a buddy decided to keep driving up Capital Hill without any destination in mind, but then I saw the sign “Kingfisher Golf” beside Tun Goru Snack House.

I told my buddy to follow the road. He had not been in the area before so he kept on asking where we were going and I told him to just enjoy the scenery and continue driving. He said we seemed to be in an underdeveloped remote area. He was right. Some electric posts and the paved road were the only signs of civilization we saw.

Very soon, the road forked and I told my buddy to drive straight to Kingfisher Golf Links — a place which seems to exist in its own world.

Non-golfers may consider the place as out of the way and wouldn’t waste time and fuel to drive all the way there just to enjoy the greenery and the breathtaking views, but the place is so relaxing and peaceful. It also serves as a perfect getaway to break the routine of everyday life.

While there, we felt like we stepped into another dimension and that Saipan was so far away.

Opened in 1996, Kingfisher is snugly tucked away on a lovely coastline, offering an awesome view of well-trimmed golf courses, lush jungles, Suicide Cliff, Mt. Tapochao, the vast blue ocean and open sky. It was a real delight to the senses.

We made our way down to my favorite spot — an artificial murky pond with lots of fish swimming beneath the weeds and other plants.

Here, everything was so peaceful and quiet, the silence broken only by the occasional sound of golf carts, the distant roaring of the waves crashing on  rocky cliffs and the occasional drone of a passing airplane.

We took time snapping photos of anything and everything and wished that we had more time to enjoy one of nature’s impressive showcases.

If it wasn’t that late, I would have loved to revisit the Hidden Beach beyond the Kingfisher Golf Links but that required leaving the car on the road and walking into the jungle.

Another time perhaps.

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