Hangout 101: Picturesque Laolao lobby

IF there is one place that I can count as one of my most favorite hangouts on Saipan where I can gaze into the boundless sky and sea without getting bored, it is the lobby of Laolao Bay Golf Resort in Kagman.

I’ve always been fascinated with hotel lobbies for as long as I can remember, and I fell in love with this lobby at first sight four years ago. This lobby is unlike those of other hotels. Forget boring reception desks, plush chairs and stuffy flower arrangements. Forget hanging chandeliers and brass lights, spiraling staircases and huge television screens. Count out sofa sets where people can have coffee and meet with friends or business clients. Forget about the sight of people staring at their laptops.

Except for one sofa set and a square wicker table adorned with husked coconuts on a wooden tray, and a couple of polished wooden stumps that serve as seats, this lobby is bare.

What makes up for the emptiness is the huge, open window that gives one a full view of the endless sky that blends with the blue stretch of the ocean, and the well-manicured golf courses with little pools in between the greens.

The lobby is bordered by a rocky miniature pool on two sides protected  by a chest-high glass wall partition. Water gurgling from small fountain adds to the relaxing ambiance. I always have to curb the temptation to go wading in the knee-high water and if it was allowed, expect me to be the first to sit on the side with my feet dangling in the water.

Here is one place where you can enjoy the view of man-made and natural scenery and the fresh breeze from the ocean — without distractions. If only the Laolao Bay Golf Resort is not at the other side of the island, if only I have the luxury of time and deadlines are not part of the daily battles, I’ll be frequenting this place.

It’s just sad that only a few people seem to appreciate it. Most of the guests are in a hurry to get to their rooms and go out to the golf courses. Others either take the place for granted or think that it is too far out. They don’t know the long drive is worth it.

First published at the MARIANAS VARIETY August 10, 2012 issue

A trip back in time

ROTA — You cannot miss this green-painted structure perched on two huge latte stone posts overlooking the blue ocean across from the road when you drive to or from Songsong here on Rota.
The CNMI is littered with relics and memorabilia from  World War II, and a huge collection is found at the Marianas Trench Cave Museum.
I stopped by one noontime to check out this museum last month. Panting while climbing the long and slippery flight of cemented stairs up, I was met by a cheerful woman who introduced herself as Mercedes Taisacan.
Taisacan said she and her husband Matias, a member of the National Chamorro Association of the Mariana Islands, own and maintain the museum and the Chamuro Ancestral Park.
A huge poster of a Chamorro warrior behind a traditional canoe sculpted by Matias dominated the porch area as well as several artillery pieces and other artifacts.
Formerly named Rota Cave Museum, it is now known as the Marianas Trench Cave Museum.
Fishing through her pockets for a set of keys, Taisacan opened two huge wooden doors and revealed a gaping natural limestone cave. I had no idea it was there.
Twisting open the padlocks, I was brought back to the past, into a whole new world filled with artifacts and precious antiques. Rusty guns and rifles of various calibers were hanging from the right side of the wall near the entrance immediately caught my attention.
Awed by the huge collection, I slowly inspected everything: from an ancient Chamorro grinder, cracked and broken pottery shards, kitchen utensils such as pots, pans, plates, water pitchers and canteens, earthen jars and vessels, Japanese porcelain plates dating to the 1930s, pre-war assorted Japanese bottles, farming tools, a set of Chinese porcelain human bowls dating back to the 1800s displayed inside a glass shelf is another attraction and more.
A rotary telephone, a huge battered typewriter and rusty cash register sat at the center of the cave.
Taisacan said her husband hacked his way through the thick jungle to acquire most of the artifacts while the other items were donated by friends and community members.
The few minutes I spent inside that cave gave me a wonderful trip back in time, and I could just imagine the people who used those things as thought they were right inside the dimly lit cave.
The Marianas Trench Cave Museum, located across from the Chamoru Ancestral Park also operated by the Taisacans, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Entrance fee is $5 for adults.
Taisacan said they also accommodate field trips to the museum, and facilitate nature hikes on spectacular trails only Rota can offer.
For more information  call 532-0078 or check out the Facebook page of the Marianas Trench Cave Museum.

CNMI Historical Sites

PLACES and sites with historical significance on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Stay tuned as I add more materials...

Last Command Post

DRIVING all the way to Marpi on the north end of Saipan will lead you to several areas that have been mute witnesses to the poignant events of the Second World War, and one of these areas is the Last Command Post below the colossal 800-foot Suicide Cliffs. Read more...

The rough and dusty road toward Laolao Bay is not really  extraordinary — until one learns about the rich history of the area   from the dive sites to its cultural heritage sites. Read more...

WW2 Japanese tank

ONE one of the many other World War 2 tanks and relics lying around the island as grim reminders of the war under the shade of a canopy of leaves and surrounded by tall bushes near the Saipan International Airport. The sturdy piece of steel did not look like it was going to fall into pieces soon. Read more...

 

Japanese bunkers

Along the way to the Saipan International Airport are cement bunkers, some of the grim reminders of Saipan as one of the sites where the bloodiest World War 2 took place over 60 years ago. I got tthe chance to crawl inside one of...Read more

Celebrating a colorful Sto. Niño Festival

 CLAD in colorful costumes, the street dancers fell in line at the beating of the drums on a bright Sunday afternoon on Tinian and got ready to celebrate another tradition that has continued to attract locals and tourists each year—the Sto. Niño Festival, or festival of the Child Jesus.
As the men who volunteered to carry the Sto. Niño statue for the procession fell into place, the street dancers—composed of kids and adults started their dancing and chanting in front of the San Jose Church on Tinian.

Soon the procession started with the street dancers leading the way, drawing the attention of spectators along the road. Four stations were set along the streets—usually in front of the house of devotees where the street dancers stopped to dance for a few minutes before continuing.
By nightfall, the procession returned to where it originated—in front of the San Jose Church. Huge tents were erected at the back of the church where a lavish feast was laid out on long tables.

Guests and locals fell in line to partake of the mouthwatering dishes prepared by the community members hours before—some even as early as the day before.
It was a time when cultural barriers were crossed and guests from various ethnicities sat side by side eating the same food and sharing experiences with one another.
Some of the street revelers joined the dancing with fervent hopes to make their wishes come true. The Sto. Niño Festival is a time when residents take out the Sto. Niño statues they have at home to have it blessed at the church and join the procession.
The dancing did not end at the streets. It continued on through the potluck and even after the dinner plates were cleared away.
The Filipino community on Tinian initiated the celebration of the Santo Niño Festival, a celebrated Roman Catholic statue of the Child Jesus years every third or last Sunday of January, but during the past years, the Filipino community have successfully drawn the interest and participation of other ethnicities.
From the local Filipino favorites, the potluck dishes expanded to include Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Chamorro and Western favorites.

Next year, the residents of Tinian can expect another lavish Sto. Niño Festival. Mark your calendars a year ahead to make it there.

A visit to Saipan’s hidden jewel

DRIVING northbound late on a cloudy Sunday afternoon led me and a buddy into a deserted boonie road leading into thick bushes just past Marianas Resort in Marpi to visit what can be considered as one of Saipan’s hidden gems.
A sign post that threatens to fall down anytime told us we were heading to Wing Beach, one of the famous diving spots on Saipan. We were not going diving but just to temporarily cure our wanderlust.
Driving on the road that resembles like a dried-up river minus the huge boulders is breath-taking, especially if you are driving your own car. By breath-taking, it means you’re not driving a four-wheel drive vehicle and you hold your breath as you maneuver through one deep rut after another, anticipating that final groan that would leave your car stranded in the middle of the road.
After what felt like an eternity, we heard the splashing of the waves in the distance. When we emerge into the clearing, the hardship of driving through that snaking clearing they call a road was worth it. No one was about as we took our Subway sandwiches out and headed to the shore a few steps down. My attention was not on my sandwich though. Four years after the last time I stepped on the same shore, I got busy taking   pictures of everything.
It was a gloomy afternoon and the huge waves crashing on the reef was not a comforting sight. It was downright scary. The Suicide Cliff loomed from a distance. The thick jungles surrounding us and the vast ocean suddenly made me feel caved in. It was weird to be out in the open and feel claustrophobic at the same time.
We didn’t stay long. I didn’t wish to be there when darkness falls because my imagination was starting to create havoc with my senses.
Wing Beach is known as a popular destination especially on the weekends for barbequing and enjoying the sun, a perfect site for shell collectors and as an entrance for divers to a beautiful dive spot, and I would like to be back again soon, although I prefer to be there when a lot of people around and not with darkness only a few minutes away.
When you have some time, or better yet try to find time to visit Saipan’s hidden jewels. A lot of people from other parts of the world are willing to pay thousands of dollars just to experience what you always have, and may have taken for granted.

Secret cove beyond the rocks and waves

 BELOW the rugged cliffs and ledges and beyond the rocky shoreline of Marine Beach at the eastern coast of Saipan is a cave-like spot that would catch the eye of adventurers.
I’ve been to Marine Beach several times before but did not think that behind the huge rocks is a cove perfect for a photo shoot, until a week ago.
The small cove is concealed and you won’t even know it’s there. The tide was out when I and a couple of buddies waded through ankle-deep water at the very right end of the beach facing the water. Picking our way through the slippery and moss-covered rocks was a challenging feat, especially if you are protecting your camera but the hardship made it all the more appealing.
When we reached the very end of the first rock, it seemed like a dead end and there was no more way out except to wade in deeper water and go around but to the left was a small narrow enclosure—so narrow that we have to crawl our way out. The opening led to another section like a small rocky chamber which goes all the way up to the top of the cliff. Direct sunlight poured down from the small opening above, making the area look like a small grotto.
Framed by the huge rocks, the view from the enclosure was stunning. You can see the huge sprays of water on the cliffs at the far end of the beach, a contrast to the soothing splashes of the rivulets flowing around the toward the enclosure we were in.

There was more beyond, but we dare not venture further. It was too dangerous. A few meters from where we were, huge waves go up as high as the cliffs and roll back to the sea with such force that threaten to carry off anyone and anything in its path.
For a moment, everything suddenly seemed to come to a standstill and suddenly, the tide was slowly coming in. We hurried back to the shore before our entrance point will be filled with water.
I’ve seen what Marine Beach was like during high tide and during times when the wind blew so strong that standing on your feet became almost impossible. I’ve witnessed members of the rescue team holding on to ropes and fighting a losing battle the strong current in search of a lost fisherman. It was hard to imagine that the peaceful and still beach we were on that Saturday noon was the same beach that shows unimaginable fury at times.
Marine Beach is an ideal place to spend a day out. The place has picnic shelters and tables, restrooms, an outdoor shower and BBQ pits and a long stretch of white albeit rocky beach line but the waters speak differently.
There is none of the gentle splashing of the waves on the shores to lull you to relaxation there but waves so strong and huge that could sweep you out to the sea any minute.
And oh, if you dare adventure to that secret cove beyond the rocks, make sure it is low tide and as the locals say, ask permission from the spirits of the land and water first before venturing there.