National Australia Bank is another heritage building exist along Queen Street located in city central of Brisbane. It was a former Queensland National Bank head office built in 1885. The building symbolizes the close relationship of Queensland Bank and state of Queensland Government. It was designed by Architect FDG Stanley in Classical Revival Style.
National Australia Bank
Three-Storeyed Brick Structure with Murphy’s Creek sandstone facings in Classical Revival Style with distinct Palladian influence. Giant order columns of Oamaru (New Zealand) limestone dominate the Queen and Creek Street facades.
The building has a distinct Palladian influence with careful classical detailing and giant order columns. It is built on a corner, and the two facades are dominated by bays of Corinthian columns which rise through the upper two storeys. This portion of the Queen Street facade protrudes in the form of a porch while the similar colonnade on Creek Street is recessed.
— Wikipedia
The moment I entered the building, I felt like I was going to discover something amazing and the moment that I saw inside the magnificent heritage structure, I totally agree why is has to be a heritage structure. A building that was able to stand more than 100 years since it was built and it remains its radiance is something that people of Brisbane should be proud of.
I just had a couple of photos inside of it, but to be honest, it was not allowed to take photos, but at that time, I got few shots taken while touring the building. If the external design of the building looks so grand, the things to see inside is the same as well. Since the building still use as bank for real, I thought that was the reason I never able to capture so much photos inside.
Decorative Ceiling with hanging brass chandelier
Hanging Brass Chandlier
Decorative Ceiling and Walls
At the second floor balcony with the giant order Corinthian columns rise through two-upper storeys with semi-circular windows
Boardroom showcasing elegant mahogany and walnut furnishings with well designed marble fireplace
The Chambers feature Italian marble fireplaces with customised glazed ceramic tiling—here depicting Milton’s Il Penseroso and L’Allegro.
At the third floor balcony with the giant order Corinthian columns rise through two-upper storeys
Another beautiful brass chandelier
There was a room that was allowed for the visitor to see and seeing it with my own eyes, made me felt like I was entering a room that used by important people before, because the interior design are so detailed, from the ceiling, the hanging chandelier, the long tables and chairs, the carpets, the walls and even fire places are so elegant in style that at that time symbolizes luxury. Another building features that I truly admired is the lift with surrounding stairs where it clearly shows the design of its metallic structure.
The original staircase, lit naturally from decorative light wells, wraps around the lift well and opens to the The Chambers’ grand Queen Street entrance.
The building still servers as one of the branch of National Australia Bank. And having a chance to see this amazing classical structure in the city was a great opportunity to witness again, how Brisbane share its own elegance like other city that I visited in Australia.
Until then.
Notes : Plan to visit Brisbane ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Directions / Transportation to Brisbane Central Business District :
1. Within Brisbane take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Check the access link to the city here.
Official Website : Brisbane
Plan to see National Bank Australia in Brisbane? Or plan to visit the building during Brisbane Open House event? Check here.
Location : 308-322 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Directions / Transportation to National Bank Australia :
1. From Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Cross Ann Street and walk straight towards ANZAC Square and ANZAC Memorial until reaching Adelaide Street
3. Cross Adelaide Street and walk straight towards Sir William Glasgow Memorial until reaching Queen Street
4. Turn left at Queen Street and walk until reaching Creek Street
Official Website : None
Theme (Post#19) : Heritage Building – Masonic Hall (Freemasons’ Hall)
Photos of the day are all about Masonic Hall or Freemason’s Hall. Based on the tablet in the wall that can be seen in the building, the heritage building was built for the independent Order of Oddfellows in 1887, then sold in 1925 to a similar society, the Freemasons. The building became Lodge No.5 of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia. And its architectural design categorized as Victorian Classical Revival Style. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, Masonic Hall or Freemason’s Hall
Location : 3 Juaquina Street, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Theme (Post#18) : Heritage Building – York Motor Museum
Photos of the day are all about about York Motor Museum. At first, this building was known as Windsor Building after Mr. J.C. Windsor who built it in 19th century. But then, it was mostly known as Ford Dealership in Western Australia. Currently, the building is now served as York Motor Museum since 1981, when Peter Briggs and James Harwood founded the museum in 1979 to display their collection of 140 vehicles. The museum also displays the finest private collections of veteran, vintage, classic and racing cars in Australia. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, York Motor Museum
Location : 116 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Theme (Post#17) : Heritage Building – The Old Backpackers & Union Bank
Photos of the day are all about Old Backpackers & Union Bank Building, as I do not have photos of it separately so I combine featuring them here. First, about Old Backpackers, is one of the building that had been re-purposed many times. If only walls can talk, most likely it already told us a lot of things happened inside the building. This building started as Gentleman’s club in 1884, then it became Dinsdale Shop (after owners William and Alfred Dinsdale) and also run as a temperance boarding house by Mrs. Charlotte Pyke – wife of Albert Pyke (manager of Settler’s House). It also became antique restorer, a shirt factory, a tailor, a saddler, an importer, a wartime tent-making factory and a block of flats. Most recently it housed a backpackers’ hostel. And finally about Union Bank building, it’s almost the same with Old Backpackers with lots of functional history. This building, was branch of Union Bank of Australia in 1878. From 1951 to 1996, it became an Australia and New Zealand Bank branch. After that, it became a jewelry shop and factory. And currently the building is a veterinary clinic. Both buildings still standing at this time and its amazing how these buildings passed through more than hundred years of time. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Old Backpackers (Left) and Union Bank (Right)
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, Union Bank, The Old Backpackers
Location : 148-152 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Photos of the day are all about York Courthouse Complex. In 1852, the site has a building used to have police station and a cell block, then in 1859 the police station building extended to the right, while courthouse was added to the left. From then until 1890s the building constantly being modified. In 1895, the police station demolished and the new two-storey courthouse was built. Within the complex, the new police station built in 1908 and used the building until 1981. This courthouse host many cases, some dangerous, some harmless and often bizarre. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes : Photo : heritage building, York Courthouse Complex Location : 132 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia Transportation : 1. Join Day Tours from Perth or 2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town 3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York. Official Website : None
Photos of the day are all about York Post Office. This building’s foundation has been laid in 1893 by the first Premier of Western Australia – John Forrest. The first post office was built in 1866 but its original building didn’t last that long but still made York Post Office to have the long period of unbroken postal service. The original building has been replaced by this building which used stones and bricks that was not familiar at that time. One of the newspaper (Eastern Districts Chronicle – newspaper company leased the Settlers House & York heritage building) made a laughing-stock news about its design. At the front of the Post Office can be found the two early style red phone boxes and an original mail box. And on the roof ridge behind the clock, the weather vane that was reputed to have been salvaged from a demolished local flour mill built in 1849 by Solomon Cook (shipwright, blacksmith and engineer from USA lived in York and became Australian). These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, York Post Office
Location : 134 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Theme (Post#16) : Heritage Building – Western Australian Bank
Photos of the day are all about Western Australian Bank. This heritage building considered to remain the same since 1889 and has always been a bank ever since. It was home for decades for York branch of Western Australian Bank (now Bankwest), then followed by Bank of New South Wales, Challenge, and Westpac banks. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, Western Australian Bank
Location : 147 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Chromatic Outlook (Post#52) – The Old Fire Station (York, WA)
Photos of the day are all about the Old Fire Station in York. This heritage building was formerly known as Council of Chambers which declared by previous governor of Western Australia, Gerald Smith. It was developed for municipal council meeting as they just used Oddfellow’s Hall (now Masonic Hall) and Mechanics Institute (now Town Hall). In 1911, the council moved to newly built Town Hall and this building sold to Mr. William Thomas Davies (the owner of Davies Building which I posted here). A great discovery about Mr. Davies was he sold the building to Fire Brigade without a profit, it was like a donation. Currently the Fire Brigade already move to its modern home in Henrietta Street. The building is now used as community centre and owned privately. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, The Old Fire Station
Location : 151 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Discovery (Post#63) : York Hotel (formerly known as Palace Hotel)
Photo of the day is about York Hotel which previously known as Palace Hotel. This hotel was built by a former farmer named Matthew Ryan. And at that time, the hotel was considered luxurious because of its tiles, fitting and furnishings. But such splendid hotel did not come in cheap. Mr. Ryan had financial difficulties which resulted him to mortgage to a pastoral company. In the end, the hotel was sold but Mr. Ryan still stayed in the hotel and did not want to leave the property even threatened the new owner of the hotel. They heard at that time that Mr. Ryan will blow-up the hotel if he was forced to leave the premises. Then he got arrested and found evidence of this plans to blow-up the hotel. Mr. Ryan went into trial but his claim and explanation was changed which made him found not guilty. The name of the hotel changed to York Hotel after it was bought by Swan Brewery in 1937. Some parts of hotel has already been changed since its renovations in 1990s with the new owner named Mr. John Hay. The photo is part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, York Hotel, old Palace Hotel (York)
Location : 145 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : York Palace Hotel
Theme (Post#13) : Heritage Building – The Davies Building
Photos of the day are all about The Davies Building which located opposite direction of Sargent’s Pharmacy, still in the corner of Avon Terrace and South Street. This heritage building built in 1908 was the improved former business Garden Valley Fruit Palace that was built in 1903 which owned by the same person William Thomas Davies. Laurie Davies, son of the family has been requested by the mayor of York at that time that the two face clock may be installed in Town Hall instead at Davies Building but Laurie did not agree since only one face will be seen in the clock, that clock is still visible along Avon Terrace. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, The Davies Building
Location : 96 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Photos of the day are all about Sargent’s Pharmacy, the opposite building of Castle Hotel which still stands in the corner of South Street and Avon Terrace. The name of the building was after Obeithio Sargent who built the shop in 1904. His family lives in the top floor while the pharmacy in the ground floor. His son named Oswald Hewlett Sargent who was also trained as pharmacist and his wife Gertrude Victoria Onions continued the pharmacy business. Historically, Oswald received the first Webster Memorial Prize for achieving the highest marks in the final examinations and his collection of plants became part of Western Australian Herbarium. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, Sargent’s Pharmacy
Location : 91-93 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Photos of the day are all about York Castle Hotel located in the corner of South Street and Avon Terrace. This hotel is the oldest inland hotel not only in the town but in the whole state of Western Australia which established in 1853 and managed by Craig family until 1990. One of the interesting discovery in this hotel aside from being the longest family business running in York, was found during its renovations in 1989, when the paint was stripped in the dining room, they found an insignia of the Order of the Garter with its motto “Honisoit qui mal y pense” (translated as “Shame on him who thinks this evil”). The Order of the Garter is the highest and oldest order of British chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348. The said discovery made some assumptions that the room used by members of Agricultural Society (wealthier and influential men of the town), other people believed that Court session may have been held in the room. As of this writing, this historical hotel still in business and offers combinations of accommodations, shops, bistro, bars and swimming pool. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, hotel, Castle Hotel (York, WA)
Location : 95-97 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : Castle Hotel
Photos of the day are all about York Town Hall. During the walk along Avon Terrace, no one will miss this building with Federation Free Classical style as it is located in the corner of Avon Terrace and Juaquina Street, the other side of the corner is Imperial Hotel. Historically, it was a former Mechanics Institute and converted to a Town Hall in 1911. The heritage structure considered to be the most impressive building in York. York Visitor Centre can be found inside this magnificent structure and I had a chance to be inside of the building when I was trying to look for visitors information about the old town. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, hotel, York Town Hall (York, WA)
Location : 81 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : York Town Hall
Theme (Post#12) : Heritage Building – Imperial Hotel (York, WA)
Photos of the day are all about 132 years old Imperial Hotel located at the old town of York in Western Australia. The hotel was closed down for years and its one of the national heritage building to see while walking along Avon Terrace (main street of York). During the tour, the building still closed. It was recently reopened this year after it was bought and renovated by group of farmers in the town with the spirit to revived tourism. Currently, the hotel combines restaurant and accommodation business to attract guests and visitors. Based on history Imperial Hotel was built in 1886 during the gold rush period of the state and has Victorian Filigree style. I can say that the hotel is located strategically in the town as its also near in the railway station in Juaquina Street. These photos are part of Wheatbelt Region Tour October 2016.
Notes :
Photo : heritage building, hotel, Imperial Hotel (York, WA)
Location : 83 Avon Terrace, York WA 6302, Australia
Transportation :
1. Join Day Tours from Perth or
2. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : None
Every time I am in new place, I am always excited. My travel to Guam was quite pricey because all my expenses were all in US Dollars. But I tried my best to find ways to make some of my adventure to be cost-effective or a bit of cheap but still not 100% cheap.
First Time Visit
In my second day in Guam, I didn’t book a tour. I got some brochure for public transportation around Tumon Bay, the place where I stayed in the island and the most tourist populated in Guam. Using the public transportation information that I had, I planned to visit the capital city of Guam Hagåtña to do its Heritage Walking Trail.
Hagåtña or its old name in Spanish “Agaña” is the capital city of US Territory of Guam which located at the middle west part of the island. From the hotel that I stayed which was Grand Plaza Hotel, I walked just few minutes towards T Galleria by DFS mall, wherein I thought its the shuttle bus terminal that goes to Hagåtña from Tumon Bay. Unfortunately, when I reached the said mall and when I asked somebody there, I was told that I already passed the terminal, which is Tumon Sands Plaza. I walked back to Tumon Sands Plaza, I saw the bus coming out from the side of the mall, I waved to the driver of the bus, it stopped in front of me and he opened the door. I asked if he was going to Hagåtña and he confirmed that he was, so I hopped into his bus.
The shuttle bus offers one way ticket, round trip and a day ticket. Since I will be visiting Hagåtña, I bought a round trip, to be able to visit the city and to be able to come back in Tumon Bay. The bus fare was $10. I don’t have specific map for Hagåtña Heritage Walking Trail because the Guam Visitor Center is far from my hotel, therefore I relied only using my research result from the internet. So the places that I found in the walk were the places that I was able to identify from the map that I found in the internet.
I got off the bus when it reached the stop near the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica, the first Catholic Church in Guam which significant historical event in the island when it was dedicated last 1669. The church is also included in the Heritage Walking Trail from the map that I found in the internet. From there, I passed the church and walked towards the Plaza de España.
Plaza de España
As my observation in a Spanish community which very visible in my country (and I think it’s the same case in other country with Spanish influence or probably not specific to Spanish but with the Roman Catholic influence together with imperialism) is the location of a church and its political government office center. In Hagåtña, the case is not different, Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica is not far from Plaza de España where the Governor’s Palace was formerly standing. I had seen this kind of setting in my country where Catholic churches are near in either in a City or Municipality Hall. Back home we usually call it ‘Bayan’ which most of the time, becomes the capital center of a city or even a province.
While walking at Plaza de España, I saw the map displays information what we can see in the area and what’s left in the site. Based on history, it served as the colonial Spanish Governor’s Palace from 1734 until World War II. The former building stands here became the center stage of government and civic activities from Spanish colonization, to American administration and even to Japanese regime. What we can see right now are only portion of the plaza which they were able to restore since it was destroyed last 1944 during the liberation of Guam from Japanese.
Here are some of the restored part of the Plaza de España
Azotea and Site of Governor’s Palace
Chocolate House
Three-Arch Gate to Almacen (Arsenal)
Garden House (former Guam Museum)
Kiosko
Siesta Shed and Fountain
Surroundings
Insular Guard Monument
Not far from Plaza de España, I found an interesting monument and when I approached it, I learned that it’s a memorial towards the fallen Chamorro men who valiantly defend Guam against Japanese invasion in 1941.
Guam Museum
I wanted to visit Guam Museum but unfortunately, at the time that I was in the city, the museum is closed. A quiet unique design of a museum.
Skinner Plaza
The Pietà of Hagåtña at Skinner Plaza
For all Men and Women Wounded in all Wars
The Tower below dedicated to Guam sons who fought during Korean War
I saw this one, while I was trying my way to find a bus to go back to Tumon Bay. This inscribe a significant event of Guam.
Agana Shopping
While I was waiting at the bus stop for its schedule to leave the terminal going back to Tumon Bay, I was curious what can I see inside the Agan Shopping Center. Since I still have enough time to walk a bit inside the mall, I discovered something that one part of the shopping center will be familiar to me which is called SM Island. I verified that its part of the SM Store which widely spread in my country, they even have BDO bank branch in the island.
When my time to get back to the bus stop, I went out and waited for a while just to make sure I will not miss it. That was how I spent my first time in Hagåtña.
Second Time Visit
It was Wednesday, I came from an adventure that day, but I still have enough time to visit Chamorro Village. The village is in Hagåtña, not far from where I had my first Heritage walk in the city. While visiting the island, I heard that Night Market in Chamorro is exciting and full of people and the food are all good and in cheap price. Because it happens only once a week, which is every Wednesday Night, it became a popular event and famous destination both for local and tourist alike. The public bus schedule for Hagåtña are changed because a different bus line will serve exclusively for such event.
Because I never drive (since I never knew it), I heavily relied in public transportation. And because of that, before even Wednesday night, I checked the brochure information that I have related to bus going to the village on Wednesday night. And that night, from hotel, I walked towards T Galleria by DFS mall and I bought bus ticket which cost $7 and it is a return trip to Tumon Bay. After I bought the ticket I followed the instructions where to take the bus and there I realized, that a lot of people wants to visit Chamorro Village Night Market. We waited a bit and then our bus came and in less than half an hour driving to Hagåtña, we arrived in the famous local village. When I first came to peek the area during the first time visited in the city, it was a quiet place but that night, it was totally opposite. From the time we went off the bus, there are lots of people who can be seen immediately. Aside from the bus line that serves visitors that night, there is tourist bus and private vehicles. So there are quite traffic to experience in the city.
Chamorro Village Night Market
My curiosity leads me to the entrance and both sides has kiosks displaying different products being sell to entice people who comes in and out that way. Near the main entrance, there was a building with lots of people some people seats and having a great dining experience with local food and some were enjoying dancing along side with the music. The dance music was familiar to me, it was Cha-cha. I stopped a bit and watch them a bit. These people know how to have a great time.
Dancing Cha-Cha
Chamorro Village at its earlier time
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Chamorro Village before it darks
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Agana Bay
Because we arrived the village a bit early and the sky still clear, I just passed the village and went straight to a point where I can see the Agana Bay. With my camera, I tried to take some snapshots of the bay but it was not as clear as it should be.
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The Food
Since it was a night market, what else should I be doing. There are many choices of food. But I don’t want to think anymore which one I should choose. Therefore, I selected the store where it has too many people queuing on it. Well, for one reason, why there are so many people wants to try their food? And why people never complain about the long line. And even there was long line, the wait time was worth of it, when I was so near to see my options, I was confused which one should I chose. I made my mind and then I told them my order and they prepare it so fast. So it’s not really that long to wait. I chose the special plate and to be honest I wasn’t able to finish my food because I was already full.
Chamorro Local Dance Performance
After I had my dinner, I walked around again to see what else to see in the Chamorro Village Night Market. One thing is for sure, you will not get hungry since you have lots of options to eat. Then, local products are spread in different parts of the village. Lots of local kiosks stray around the area. My wandering in the village continue until I heard a music being played not far from where I stand. Then I followed the sounds where it coming from. Then, I saw people were gathered and I discovered there is a small stage nearby. I saw people were watching something, I approached the stage and saw some Chamorro locals doing a local dance performance. I was intrigued what it look like. I was curious if it was similar local dances that we have back home. I enjoyed the show specially the part where they have fires while dancing. It was worth time to enjoy the show.
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After watching the dance show, I decided to walk a bit more and check if there are distinct local products that I can find, but in the end, I bought some few post cards in Guam. I decided to go back and I didn’t want to be left behind by bus, so I left the market 30 minutes before the last bus will leave the village. The bus schedule was from 6:30 to 8:30 PM every Wednesday.
Third Time Visit
I was able to return to Hagåtña for the third time unintentionally during my Island Tour that I booked because there were no other way for me to see most of the island using public transportation. The buses are only available in Tamuning, Tumon Bay and Hagåtña, outside this part of the island, the only option is to take a taxi, rent a private vehicle or join a tour.
The tour visit lots of places in the island and Hagåtña is just part of it. We had stopped in the city that gave me a chance to see other parts of the walking trail that I haven’t been able to see during my first visit. The surprising thing was that these other parts of walking trail that I was talking about was not far from where I had been during the first visit.
Below are the continuation of Hagåtña Heritage Walking Trail that I had during island tour.
Stone Latte Park
This latte stone is a symbolical pillar that represents the culture of local people (Chamorro) in the island. And the shape of this are commonly seen around Guam. These pillars were the Chamorro houses stands before. These lattes are used as the foundations of important structures in Chamorro Villages.
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Senator Angel Leon Guerrero Santos Latte Stone Memorial Park
Based on the displayed description of the monument, I learned that he is a man who advocates the for the Chamorro rights that has been long denied by US because of historic injustices and for equality under the law. He was credited for the success of federal land and disbursement of Chamorro Land Trust property to eligible Chamorros.
Japanese Caves Latte Park
Not far from Latte Stone Park, the interlocking caves used by Japanese for storage and air-raid shelters can be found.
Well, it was three visit in the same city, but for those three times that I had been in Hagåtña, all were discovery. All things that I saw and experience were different in those visit. And with those visits, I realized some of its culture has similarity to mine but still there’s distinction to emphasize for its own identity.
Notes:
1. Plan to visit Hagatna ? – Please check information here.
2. Self-Guided Walking Tour – Please download walking trail here.
Additional Resources : Guampedia
3. Public Transportation Ticket
Guam does not have unified public ticketing system as the island does not have systematic public transportation.
4. Public Transportation to Hagatna
If you are staying in Tumon, there is available public bus that goes to Hagatna.
Ticket Fare : As of April 2017, round trip ticket is $10.00
Bus Station : Tumon Sands Plaza
First Trip : 10:30
Last Trip : 17:45
Additional Resources : guam-beaches.com
5. Chamorro Night Market Shuttle Bus
Day : Every Wednesday Night
Ticket Fare : Round Trip $7.00
Bus Station(s) : (1)DFS Tumon (2) Guam Premier Outlets
First Trip : 18:00
Next Trip : Every 20 minutes
Last Trip : 19:30
Additional Tips :
Always confirm the return of the bus from Chamorro Village to avoid being left behind if you only rely on public transportation. As far as I remembered, the bus last return to Tumon is 20:30. So its better to take the earliest schedule to the village to be able to spend more than an hour to enjoy the night with lots of foods, to be able to shop souvenirs and even to watch Chamorro Cultural Dance Show.
When I did the Heritage Walking Trail, I was pondering and looking back on the historical site, how war ruins a lot of things. Because Japanese seats in the plaza for few years when they were able to take over Guam for a moment from US and when the latter reclaims it again, the plaza has been damaged severely in 1944. Now what remains are only parts that can be restored at that time and that are all can be seen in the site. These photos are part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.
Chromatic Outlook (Post#36) : Insular Guard Monument
They also called it as Guam Insular Force Guard Monument (Memorial) which honors the gallant stands of Chamorro men against the invading Japanese imperial army troops in 1941. These men were recruited 8 months ago before the World War II outbreak in the pacific. US Navy Captain McMillin decided to surrender to prevent more killings of the Guam Defenders. These photos are part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.
Royal Exhibition Building is one of the building on my list that I wanted to visit while I was in Melbourne. But it was only happened when Motorclassica (showcasing classic cars) event happened last October 2013.. Visiting the building requires reservation and most of the time, it is fully booked for events and exhibitions. This building based on history was the first in Australia to be awarded as UNESCO World Heritage status, being one of the last remaining 19th-century exhibition building. The building also hosted the opening of the first Parliament of Australia in 1901.
View At My Window (Post#19) : Abu Dhabi (Heritage Village, Theatre), Corniche Beach and CBD
When I got a chance to visit United Arab Emirates (UAE) when I attended a work related training, I tried my best to see other place aside from Dubai. Through my college friend who currently working in Dubai suggested to visit Abu Dhabi which is the capital city of UAE. Since the season is summer we cannot really stayed outside of the city and most of the time we wanted in a place where there is air-condition to feel more comfortable because of the summer heat. We went to Marina Tower and we dined to one of the café at the top of it to get a chance to see the city from top in a more comfortable way. The snapshot above with the UAE flag at the right side is where the Heritage Village and the Theatre is the dome building at the left side. The white beach at the top is the Corniche Beach and the Skyscraper at the background is the city’s CBD. Photo captured last August 2014.
Chromatic Outlook (Post#16) : Shrine of Remembrance
I used to see this building on my back and forth travel from work and to the place where I live while I was in Melbourne. Coming from the city, this structure looks in the middle of St Kilda Road as it turned out that the road turns curve which is a good visual effect and become a charm in the area. Even this building is near and walkable from my place, I haven’t got a chance to see it immediately until I put some time to walk around Melbourne. Shrine of Remembrance was built to remember Victorian people who fought World War I and now it is shrine to all Australians who fought wars. After I visited Canberra, I just thought that it was like a branch of Australian Memorial as it showcase the bravery of people who for the peace we enjoy right now. Photo capture last July 2013.
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