Tumon Bay – The Hidden Panorama

5 Reasons Why Most of the Travelers in Guam Flocks in Tumon

Most of the tourist districts that I visited, as an observation, boils down with common factors that it has and able to keep the tourist to stay. I can say that all the reasons listed below are pointing to what we call travel comfort zone.

Fundamentals of Traveler’s Needs

Below are the things that we can accept as needs of every traveler every time people are on vacation or holiday. Well, see for yourself if the list are true if you had been in Guam.

1. Accommodation

Tumon is where most of the hotels and accommodations are located.

2. Food, Clothing and Shopping Needs

Tumon is like metropolis where different shopping centers, restaurants and cafe can be found. Most of them are located along Pale San Vitores Road.

3. Mobility

In all villages in the island, Tumon district has at least a public transportation with arrange route to other shopping centers and nearby tourist spots and people don’t need to rent a car and drive. The island does not have systematic and reliable public transportation therefore having a nearby, cheap and available transportation that works is very important.

4. Tourist Spots

The district surrounds Tumon Bay, therefore it has easy access to both public and private beaches within the stretch of the bay. And aside from beaches, the district features other tourist spots and entertainments establishments that visitors can enjoy and spend their time.

5. Language Support

Visitors with different language like Japanese are almost supported in Tumon if not all over Guam. Most of the hotels employ people with such language skill. Japanese is what I think the most foreign visitors of the island. And even travel tour companies accommodates to support this language.

Do you agree if all the above are the basic needs of the tourist are all in Tumon? Do you have other idea what other traveler needs while in Guam? Please share it and lets exchange our ideas and experiences we had in Guam.

Until then.

Top 12 Places Visited in Guam

Have you visited Guam? Do you have favorite place that you visited in the island? Here’s my top places that I visited in the island based on my preferences. I hope it helps you to create your own list when planning to visit Guam – one of the US Territory in the Pacific.

Top 1 – Pagat Point and Pagat Cave

This is my favorite spot that I was able to reached while traveling around the island. This is the place that requires hiking which means you need an effort to see the place. Pagat Point is one of the amazing lookout or viewpoint to appreciate in the island. The Pagat Cave is an added bonus for the adventures that wanted to have activity with the nature.

Top 2 – Tarzan Falls

I love this falls because it requires me to do a hiking even though it was not really a mountain. Another falls that I discover as part of my travel adventures. And I had a great time sit on its walls and enjoys the waterfalls.

Top 3 – Fish Eye Marine Park

Though I was scared in swimming a deep-sea water and even I was uncomfortable with my fins, I still love this place because of the colourful fishes under the water. I just need more exposure and experience with similar adventure.

Top 4 – Guam Adventures Yigo

I love the lookout where I had a chance this paradise view from the top. Though it was not that long rest after buggy off-road adventure but its worth of a rest to appreciate such kind of scenery.

Top 5 – Asan Bay Overlook and Libugon Vista Point

Asan Bay Overlook now offers panoramic view of War In the Pacific National Historical Park in Nimitz Hill, Asan Bay and Fish Eye Marine Park. It also a reminder of its significance on the freedom of Guam from Japanese.

Libugon Vista Point offers birds-eye view of Tamuning, the islands’ international airport and Barrigada.

Top 6 – Two Lovers Point

The most accessible point to appreciate the beautiful scenery of Tumon Bay and the shorelines that surrounds it.

Top 7 – Fort Soledad

Fort Soledad offers a scenic view of Umatac Bay and emphasize its fortification of once rich village of Umatac.

Top 8 – Fort Santa Agueda

A fort that offers the view of capital city of the island which is Hagatna.

Top 9 – Hagatna Heritage Walk

A learning walks to discover the historical importance of the city and understanding how the history shaped the island right now.

Top 10 – Chamorro Village

A gluttony adventure indeed in Chamorro Village every Wednesday where different kinds of people get out to have fun inside the village either through shopping of different kind of cultural souvenirs and to be fill the empty stomach.

Top 11 – Tumon Bay

The most tourist populated area in the island. Whether you enjoy the walk like I did in the bay or have an adventure in the water will fill-up your time here.

Top 12 – Tamuning

Walking in the city is not bad at all, if you just wanted to chill in the city, the island has Tamuning where you can enjoy the city life of the island.

Chromatic Outlook : Pale San Vitores Road

Chromatic Outlook (Post#39) : Pale San Vitores Road

Pale San Vitores Road is the main road where the Tumon Tourism center is located. It’s nice to have a walk along here to enjoy the urbanity of Tumon. Majority of the hotels are located along the road, malls, restaurants, cafe, bars and even some tourist spots like Underwater World, parks and beaches. These photos are part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.

Colors : The Plaza Guam

Colors (Post#9) : The Plaza Guam

The Plaza Guam is one of the mall to be found in Tumon which also accommodates the Underwater World. I had a chance to walk inside and found restaurants as well that can suit your appetite. The photo is part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.

Tumon – Beach and Urban Walk

As what I mentioned from my previous post about my adventure in Guam, Tumon is the most tourist populated area in the island as it is the place where most hotels are located, shopping district, tourist spots, beaches and where the public transportation is available. During my last day in Guam, I did a walk in some beaches in Tumon Bay and had few times walking around Tumon.

Beach Walk

After I rested a bit from my hiking and snorkeling adventure in my last day in the island, I decided to walk in the beach since the island is famous on its beaches. My walked started at Ypao Beach and ended at Matapang Beach Park. One thing that I am not sure during the walk if I should not allow walking along the shore of private beaches or it was just fine at all since all of them are along Tumon Bay.

Ypao Beach (Gov Joseph Flores Beach) Park

From the hotel that I was staying, I took a bus to Hilton bus stop and from there I walked towards Ypao Beach.

The beach itself has historical significance in the island. Based on history, Ypao has been inhabited 3000 years ago. But during 1680, Spanish burned the village and move the Chamorros to Hagatna as part of population centralization.

Hilton Resort Guam & Spa

During American period, Ypao became leper colony and hospital has been built due to leprosy, gangosa and insanity disease.

During Japanese regime, there were pill boxes built around the area and even along the shorelines.

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After Ypao Beach, I passed a private beach which part of Pacific Islands Club Guam, Pacific Star Resort & Spa and Fiesta Resort Guam. Then, I also passed the San Vitores Beach before I ended in Matapang Beach Park.

Pacific Islands Club Guam

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Pacific Star Resort

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Fiesta Resort Guam

Matapang Beach Park

I was surprise that there is one such name of the beach in Guam that sounds familiar to me. The name itself is a Filipino word “Matapang” which means “brave”. I am wondering if it’s really a Filipino word or probably just similar to Chamorro word but I did not find answers to my thoughts so I just stick to its meaning based in my local language. Anyway its a name of the beach.

Before I fully passed the beach, I found the colorful canoes in the ground and looks like there is an existing club for kayaking or canoeing in the said beach.

I ended my beach walk at Matapang Beach Park and from there, I just walked towards my hotel along Pale San Vitores Road.

Urban Walk

In most of my travels, I always plan to get accommodation around the city where the public transportation is most accessible since I don’t know how to drive. When I visited Guam, I decided to look for hotel around Tumon. The hotels in the island are quite pricey and since I will be staying in the island for almost a week, I have to get the most affordable accommodation that I can afford at the time of visit but still located in Tumon area. In the end, I ended up to stay in Grand Plaza Hotel.

Since the first day that I stayed in the hotel up to my last day in Guam, I had few times walks around Tumon. Going to the shopping districts does not require me to take a transportation which is very handy for me to do it anytime. And if I wanted to eat somewhere not far from my accommodation, I will not have difficulty to do so.

Here are some of the photos that I captured while walking around Tumon area specifically while walking along Pale San Vitores Road.

Pale San Vitores Road

Tumon Sands Plaza

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Castaways Tiki Bar & Island Grill

Park Arcade

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Hyatt and Sandcastle

The Plaza Shopping Center and Underwater World

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T Galleria By DFS and The Plaza

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JP Superstore

ABCs Store

Notes:
1. Plan to explore Tumon Beaches ? – No general information as Tumon Bay is surrounded mostly of hotels where its front beach becomes private beach.
2. Public Transportation to Ypao Beach (Public Beach)
If you are staying in Tumon, there is available public bus that stops at YPao Beach just at the front of Guam Visitors Bureau, then walk towards the public beach
Ticket Fare : As of April 2017, one way ticket is $4.00
Additional Resources : guam-beaches.com

Discovery : Tumon Bay – Pill Box

Discovery (Post#30) : Tumon Bay – Pill Box

Because of strategic location of Tumon Bay, its shoreline has been used as location of pill boxes that has been put up by Japanese during the years that they hold the island until Americans recaptured it back from them in 1944. The pillbox is one way of Japanese fortifications along the coast of Guam that overlooks the beaches. These photos are part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.

Still Expression : Tumon Bay, Guam – Canoeing

Still Expression (Post#8) : Tumon Bay, Guam – Canoeing

As part of my walks along Tumon Bay, I saw people enjoying water activity by canoeing the bay. A great way to appreciate this part of the island. These photos are part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.

Panoramic View : Tumon Bay

Panoramic View (Post#29) : Tumon Bay

Visiting Two Lovers Point gave me something that is one of the memorable place to help me how great and wonderful the world indeed. At the Lookout Point, one of the scenic viewpoint to appreciate is the scenery of Tumon Bay 400 ft from the ground. Then it also gave me a chance to see the vast ocean even looking towards the far Philippine Sea and to glimpse the island at one point. People loved the place because of these reasons I listed above and most of all, it’s because of its accessibility. These photos are part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.

Visiting Puntan Dos Amantes (Two Lovers Point), Not Once But Twice !!!

Part 1

The next place that I visited in Guam during my second day is totally famous tourist spot in the island because of its legendary story that surrounds it and because of its great location that offers amazing lookout viewpoint of scenery of Tumon Bay, other parts of the island and even Philippine Sea.

After visiting Hagatna, I returned to Tumon area. From Tumon Sands Plaza, I walked towards T Galleria by DFS mall where the shuttle for Two Lovers Point terminal is located. I bought a ticket for $10 combining the shuttle fare and entrance fee at the park. The shuttle bus are not typical bus because it’s a trolley, semi-open trolley where you enjoy outside view while traveling back and forth from Tumon to Two Lovers Point, so beware during summer as the sun rays can hit you directly while inside the shuttle. The shuttle route also includes a drop-off and pick-up at Micronesia Mall only if the shuttle goes to Two Lovers Point Route. It does not stop at the mall when it goes to Tumon Route.

When we reached the place, I got off the shuttle, I saw the famous park. At the middle, the prominent statue of two lovers stands which shows the part of the legend story where they tied their hair together before they jumped-off the cliff. It is not unusual, that many visitors comes to the place for the main reason that it’s really accessible to public transportation and even to private vehicle. I started to wander the park and first thing to notice were people taking time having photos with the two lovers metal sculpture. Because I wanted to have a beautiful photos of the statue, I decided to do it later where fewer people around it. I went to the lookout point because at the back of my head, that’s the best point in Guam to see the scenic views of the island and Philippine Sea from the top without having so much trouble in hiking the area.

Name of the place few kilometers before the park

Lookout Point

During the first visit, I bought my shuttle ticket which at first I was not aware that it comes with the entrance ticket to the Lookout Point. I went to the counter and plan to buy another ticket. Then, I saw other people showing their ticket and they allowed them to go in. Then I asked them, if my ticket which I showed them comes with the entrance, and they agreed to me. So they returned my payment and I went inside the Lookout Point.

When I walked inside the Lookout Point I felt excited because I knew that in few seconds I will be witnessing an amazing scenic views of the bay and the island. There are people taking photos at the best corner of the lookout area. And I took my time to enjoy the scenery and I took lots of photos of it. Because I was alone, I requested someone to take photos of myself, we waited a bit when the corner became empty for a moment I took my chance to stand and post with the beautiful and scenic background of Tumon Bay.

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The scenery at the bottom of the cliff are fantastic as well, which signifies how beautiful the nature is.

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Aside from scenic views to enjoy at the Lookout Point, since its late afternoon when I arrived at the park, I got a chance to witness the sunset.

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Heart Lock Wall

And for the couple who wants to put some memories in the Lookout Point, there is the Heart Lock Wall where you can buy and put it in the wall. Because it became a tradition, it put colors to the Lookout Point.

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From the Lookout Point, the cliff of the park are also visible and from a distance the restaurant can be seen and specially the iconic brass statue of the Two Lovers.

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Before I totally left the lookout point area, I look around and near the exit, I took photos in a bit different angle which gave me a different view of the bay.

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The Legend

If you are familiar with the two lovers legend of the place, these murals in the wall inside the Lookout Point shows us the important scenario of the story.

Two Lovers Statue

The famous statue that has its story of its own. Once lost and thought to be a scrap and has been restored because of two real lovers visited the park.

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The Love Bell

I learned that this Love Bell is presented by the people of Izu in Japan as part of the common bond between Japan and Chamorros. In relation to this, I found an interesting information around Lookout Point that Two Lovers Point has two sister city in Japan, Two Lovers Point at Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture and Two Lovers Point at Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture in Japan. These three places has scenic landmark called “TWO LOVERS POINT” where the legend of love is born.

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Part 2

When I did my second visit in Two Lovers Point in Guam, I still take my chances to enjoy the places, the first time that I visited the place, it rained and almost sunset. The second time is sunny day which means I had a brighter day even it was a bit hot.

One thing that surprised me during the second visit was, I never saw the name written on the grass. I was not sure why I never saw this during the first visit, so it kind of good to be able to see this one.

Lookout Point

Because of a brighter day, I cannot stop myself taking photos of familiar scenery but looking at these photos, I see the scenic views in a beautiful time of the day.

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Some views under the cliff.

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Heart Lock Wall

The Cliff

Two Lovers Statue

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Two Lovers Point Story

Some of the new photos I captured and found during my second visit are the stories that surrounds the place. One is a legend story and second is an amazing real love story that happens in Two Lovers Point.

Natural Cavern

A discovery that exist in Two Lovers Point which is a natural cavern that thought to be around 20 stories in its depth.

9-11 Memorial

This has been the added by Chamorro People as a memorial to the heart-felt event happened last Sep 11, 2001 in USA.

Some snapshots of the surroundings of Two Lovers Point.

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Notes:
1. Plan to visit Two Lovers Point ? – Please check information here.
2. Public Transportation to Two Lovers Point
If you are staying in Tumon, there is available public bus that goes to Two Lovers Point.
Ticket Fare : As of April 2017, round trip ticket is $10.00
Bus Station : (1) T Galleria By DFS, (2) JP Superstore, (3) Two Lovers Point
First Trip : (1) 09:30, (2) 09:33, (3) 09:39
Last Trip : (1) 18:00, (2) 18:03, (3) 19:00
Additional Resources : guam-beaches.com

Colors : Heart Lock Wall at Puntan Dos Amantes (Two Lovers Point)

Colors (Post#8) : Heart Lock Wall at Puntan Dos Amantes (Two Lovers Point)

Anyone who had a chance to visit Guam definitely heard about Puntan Dos Amantes or Two Lovers Point. There is a legend of two lovers that surrounds the place. The Heart Lock Wall shows colorful locks where mostly lovers put in the wall which became a tradition when visiting the place and became an attraction in the area. These photos are part of Guam Adventure Photo Collection April 2017.