WanderLusty Raqs
Born with a natural pair of itchy feet..."go now, ask later...follow the road where it leads"
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Saipan Seawalker- shot with a GoPro Hero3+ silver
One of Saipan's must-try underwater adventures!
Get up close and personal with fish and marine life without having to swim or dive!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Trekking on Edge
A
TREK to Naftan Point was not on my mind when I joined a group of six
others on a late Saturday afternoon. We were in the parking lot of
American Memorial parking lot flipping coins to decide where to go for a
shooting adventure when I remembered the Rabbit Hole in Naftan. I had
only seen pictures of the place but had’t been there yet.
We
reached a point where Mervin and Tony had to go down and start clearing
protruding tree branches so we could drive through. It was agonizing to
hear every squeak and scrape of the branches and shrubs under and on
the sides of the car. I was just waiting for the final thud that would
make us stuck in that jungle. It went on for the next half a mile or so
as we plodded on, finally reaching a small clearing to park our cars.
Our
trip was not over yet. Carting our heavy cameras and tripods, we slowly
inched our way in the jungle — this time parting thick shrubs with our
hands and ducking under roots and branches and avoiding one of the
hundreds of spider webs along the way.
Emerging into the open, we followed pale pink ribbons tied to waist-high shrubs as we looked for the Rabbit Hole.
We
reached a cliffside where a spectacular panorama awaited us. Way down
below and nestled between sharp cliffs was a cove with a small flat
surface but with rugged edges resembling a stage. It was mesmerizing to
watch huge waves crash on the “stage,” before rolling back to the ocean
in rivulets.
I
was too engrossed taking photos and video I did not notice Mervin making
calls on his cellphone. We were lost. We were not supposed to be on
that dangerous cliffline.
The
sun was beginning to set, and we had to head back. I did not relish the
idea of getting stuck in a jungle at night and share my blood with
thousands of mosquitoes. None of us was prepared for that trek — we were
wearing too comfortable sandals, carrying too much gear and were
mentally conditioned to shoot photos in friendlier and nearer areas.
We
failed to find our destination, and Tony ended up with a torn eyebrow
after hitting a protruding tree branch. Our cars suffered a hundred or
so minor scratches but we got the photos we wanted, and the adventure we
did not plan.
The Rabbit Hole, will still be there, somewhere, next time.
First published at the Marianas Variety
Friday, November 9, 2012
Moonlit sailing in Saipan lagoon
THERE are sunset, sunrise, and daylight
cruises. I’ve tried them all at one time or another, but a moonlit
cruise in the Saipan lagoon was something I didn’t plan for.
I have heard moonlight cruises were being offered by some cruise
companies here by special arrangement through some organizations for
fundraisers, meetings and gatherings in the past, but I hadn’t been on
one yet. That is until last Saturday when a text message from friend
Donna to go sunset sailing pulled me away from my computer. I decided to
go straight to Smiling Cove Marina. I was feeling kind of lazy but
could not allow a chance to go sailing slip through my fingers. It would
be different if you had a sailboat of your own and could go off anytime
you wanted to.
The sky was overcast but the waves were
gentle when we pushed off from the dock and into the lagoon aboard
Matt’s sailboat. With four photographers on board, conversation was not
necessary. An overcast sky is a challenge to photographers, but we all
gloried in it, shooting cloud formations and everybody wishing we all
had giant spades to scoop the clouds away for a view of the dazzling
sunset. We had no such luck but on our way back a couple of hours later,
we got a bonus. The moon made its way up in the sky, casting a luminous
glow on the water.
From afar, we could hear the laughter
and singing from one of the sunset cruise boats full of tourists. From
where we were, we could see billows of smoke rising from the CUC
building in Lower Base, but aside from that, Saipan looked like one
sleepy island with no one else up and about.
We slowly sailed back toward the dock.
Matt got busy rolling up the sails when we entered the Cove. With the
sails neatly rolled in place and the engine still off, the sailboat
glided ever so slowly as we entered the marina. I was lost in thought
and my imagination started to get wild as I gazed at the silhouettes of
trees across from the cement walkway.
There was a momentary silence broken
only by the soft lapping of the gentle waves along the sides of the
boat, or the occasional slapping sound as a mosquito tried to feast on
an exposed arm or leg.
I realized all of us had drifted into a
sleepy state. Everyone was busy gazing at the moon rising above the tree
tops or at the shimmering reflection in the water and fighting a bout
of drowsiness lulled by the slow and lazy swaying of the sailboat.
Everyone, that is, except for Matt who was trying to catch some fish
with a pole but with no luck.
It was already dark when we pulled into
the dock and walked to American Memorial Park where we had left our
cars, refreshed from the moonlight sailing experience. If you have been
here all your life and have not yet tried sailing in the moonlit lagoon,
you are missing a lot!
This was first published at the Marianas Variety
Friday, October 26, 2012
Forbiddenly yours
SEEING it from the lookout, the small
island on the east coast of Saipan looks like a little piece of chipped
rock pushed into the sea.
The
access road to Forbidden Island from the main road in Kagman is quite
challenging, especially if you do not have four-wheel drive. Some
sections of the road resemble a dried-up riverbed with deep crevices,
and thick shrubs cover sharp turns. You may end up narrowly avoiding a
head-on collision with a vehicle driving in the opposite direction.
Looking down from the lookout, you may
think that reaching Forbidden Island is easy and requires no sweat at
all, but those who have been down there before know better.
Crossing the small gap of knee-deep
water between the beach to the island is something of a major feat as
the rocks are sharp and the current strong.
You also have to make sure you’re back
on the beach before the tide comes in. Fighting the strong current is no
joke. Forbidden Island has already claimed many lives.
The trek, in short, is not for everybody. It is not for the weak of heart or those scared of heights.
You start the downward trail by entering
deep into a jungle of tangan-tangan, stepping on loose rocks that may
suddenly roll beneath your feet or fall from above.
The final few yards of the trail are the
most challenging. The loose earth and rocks almost make it impossible
to get a foothold or a handhold. A piece of rope tied to a tree helps
hikers, but you can’t hold onto it forever. You have to let go, prevent
yourself from tumbling down the rest of the trail and landing on the
sharp rocks below.
Then there’s the return trek which is no less challenging. The weather can also play a big role. If you go down on a rainy day, the trail will be slippery and muddy, but if you go on a bright sunny day, the blistering heat is almost too much to bear.
Then there’s the return trek which is no less challenging. The weather can also play a big role. If you go down on a rainy day, the trail will be slippery and muddy, but if you go on a bright sunny day, the blistering heat is almost too much to bear.
Just try to forget for a few hours why
the island is named “Forbidden” and enjoy the trek. To a lot of people,
the island’s name incites curiosity just like anything else that is
forbidden.
Designated as a sanctuary for the
conservation of wildlife in April 2001 through Public Law 12-46,
Forbidden Island offers a superb hiking trail, with spectacular views of
an endless stretch of the ocean and blue sky, great snorkeling nooks,
pristine hidden pools and a cave which I have yet to explore.
Friday, October 19, 2012
A walk along the beach
FAMILIES, friends, student and community
organizations usually hang out at the different spots along Beach Road
from Garapan to San Antonio. They also bike, jog or walk on the pathway
while others swim, ride a boat or fish in the lagoon.
All
this is a common sight everyday of the week, but have you ever tried a
leisurely walk on the beach from the Microl intersection all the way to
PIC? The walk includes a return trek to where you parked your car so it
doesn’t sound that appealing, unless you are joining a walkathon.
I did walk from across the Ada Gym in
Susupe to PIC one afternoon a few weeks back, taking my own sweet time
as I took photos of things and people along the way — the waves gently
lapping on the shore, kids swimming and adults sailing or canoeing. I
was having a blast but then it rained hard and I had to run back to my
car to keep my camera dry.
A couple of weeks ago, I joined a group
for a coastal walk starting from San Antonio, passing by the PIC
beachfront and proceeding all the way to Invasion Beach. The walk was
brisk and I had to keep running to catch up with everyone while taking
snapshots along the way. It was not easy but it was enjoyable. We passed
by a couple of fishermen patiently standing with their poles in the
water, tourists relaxing in lounging chairs on the beach, kids splashing
water at each other.
There are so many wonderful sights to see on the beach — things that a lot of us take for granted.
Why not try a relaxing stroll on the
beach barefoot? Enjoy the experience of sinking your toes into the sand
while the warm water laps at your feet. Take photos along the way,
capture priceless moments, meet new people or just breathe in the sea
breeze.
Try to do it late in the afternoon or at
dawn just before the sun comes up. It’s a heady experience having the
beach all to yourself with no screaming kids, passing cars, smoke from
the grill, the smell of barbeque or loud music from a pavilion. Just you
and the sky and the vast blue sea and the beach. You can walk all you
want and see only your own footprints. This is an adventure that you
will not only treasure but one that will refresh and rejuvenate your
mind and body.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Into the belly of a ship
WHEN I agreed to join the Bosslift
Program of the ESGR last month, it did not cross my mind that I’d have a
chance to board a visiting military ship.
I
arrived at the dock a few minutes late and was expecting to see the
Coast Guard Cutter Washington or a small boat that would bring us to one
of those prepositioning ships seen from Beach Road.
Instead, a ports police officer handed
me an ID at the gate and pointed me to one of the two military ships
anchored at the dock — the USS McCampbell (DDG-85), an Arleigh
Burke-class destroyer that arrived the day before.
Hurrying up the three flights of wooden
stairs and crossing a swaying gangplank, I caught up with my companions
just before the orientation started.
While off-duty sailors were busy signing
log books so they could get off the ship and explore the island, our
guide, Ens. Jacob Huntley, identified the equipment and apparatus we saw
in the hallways and on the deck. I was unable to give him my full
attention. The tour was fast-paced and I was busy shooting photos and
videos of everything and anything while trying to watch my steps and
catching up with the group.
Soon
we were navigating through a labyrinth of narrow hallways and climbing
up and down winding flights of very steep stairs with heavy doors at the
end that opened to more stairs. I needed more time just to find my way
through the confusing maze of narrow cubicles. We eventually reached the
navigation room where the ship’s operation took place — a small room
full of knobs and consoles that monitored and plotted the course of the
ship.
Looking at pictures online and just
reading about USS McCampbell cannot be compared to actually going into
the “belly” of the ship and seeing how it operates.
We checked out the supply rooms and also
got a glimpse of the sailors’ quarters from the narrow hall lined with
fire extinguishers.
Unlike luxury cruise ships where
everything spells comfort, everyone on USS McCampbell had to move in a
single file. The ship only had the bare necessities.
We
visited the officers’ dining room with its clean and polished wooden
tables before proceeding to the mess hall of the sailors with its blue
seats and tables topped with cream-colored tablecloths.
But perhaps dining in the general mess
hall was more fun. It looked like any regular cafeteria with a giant
coffeemaker and huge TV screens on the walls.
We waved at three sailors who were
having a leisurely meal at one of the tables before moving on. I had no
idea where we were already but once again we went up to more flights of
stairs before emerging on the deck.
Huntley took us to our last destination —
the place where the helicopter was kept and the deck used as a hangar.
The deck was protected by railings connected with thick knotted ropes.
From the deck, the Saipan lagoon stretched before us.
We also learned that this powerful ship
had a visit, board, search and seizure team to conduct anti-piracy,
anti-smuggling and anti-terrorist operations.
Homeported in Japan as part of the U.S.
Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces, the USS McCampbell was named after
Capt. David McCampbell, the Navy’s leading ace during World War II.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Of WWII bunkers and rocky cliffs
JUST when I thought I had seen all of
the World War II bunkers on island, I discovered another one at a place
I had never before visited.
Hidden
under a thick canopy of shrubs past the tip of the Coral Ocean Point
golf resort were the remnants of a bunker whose small opening for a
cannon that was no longer there was pointed directly at the sea and at
Tinian.
Looking at the structure from either
side, you would not suspect it was a bunker. It looked like just one of
the hundreds of abandoned and dilapidated buildings covered with
vegetation.
But viewed from the sea, it became something more interesting.
I followed a group of people I was with
through the dark narrow opening of the bunker and emerged into the space
where the canon should have been. Aside from the few spiders that
occupied some parts of the wall, the inside of the bunker was “clean”.
Traces of recent visits were visible — mostly offerings that Japanese
visitors had left behind, their usual way of honoring their relatives or
family members who died here during the war.
We
stayed only for a few minutes and emerged through the rectangular
opening and headed out to the seaside. I’d seen this area from the plane
window several times before but picking my way through the sharp coral
stones and watching the huge waves crashing against the sharp cliff
lines was a much more exciting experience.
A fisherman sat on the edge of the sharp
cliffline with his fishing poles in the water. I would have wanted to
stay behind and capture it all on the lens, get wet by the sea spray and
just enjoy the ocean mist, but I had to catch up with my group. Picking
your way over the sharp coral stones was no easy feat. There was one
spot there where you could hear the water gushing beneath the rock
where you were standing on — amazing yet scary too.
The golf course began right at the end
of that rocky ledge, and I found a spot with a more stunning view. Where
the manicured grass of the golf course ended was another rocky cliff
where waves crashed and splashed like a smaller version of the blowhole
on Tinian. One particular rock jutted out with its tip hanging above the
water — a photographer’s delight.
To get to this point, take the first
right turn when you get past the Invasion Beach in San Antonio and you
will see this bunker.
This island just won’t run out of
surprises. All you have to do is go out and set foot in places you
haven’t been to before, and you won’t come home disappointed.
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