About one month ago, I received a message from my travel nurse bestie: “Want to go to a festival in Guam?” Uh, yeah. And before I knew it, I was looking down onto the lush island about to land.
After being greeted with many, “Hafa Adai (hello in Chamorro),” I found my friend in the parking lot of the tiny airport and was whisked away to change immediately into my bikini. We weren’t going to our lodging, we were going to bake in the sun. And since my trip was a short three days, baking in the sun was about all we got into. Well, that and the Electric Island Festival, but more on that later.
NOTABLE DESTINATIONS
Mosa’s Joint: Our first stop was to one of the most highly-rated places for food on the island. Mosa’s Joint has a no-frills menu, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers like deep fried mushrooms, oysters, and even poke. I recommend the duck burger with chili habanero aioli for $17. Mosa’s is great, because it won’t break your bank and you’ll leave full.
Dusit Thani: THE luxury hotel in Guam, known for its stellar views of Tumon Bay, as well as beachfront bar, Tabu. Rates go for about $200USD, and that will get you a semi-comfortable bed, access to the onsite gym, as well as six dining options. I recommend getting a drink in the lobby lounge, while watching the sunset.
Ritidian Beach at Guam National Wildlife Refuge: I mean, just look at it.
Puntan Dos Amantes (Two Lovers’ Point): Once upon a time, the daughter of an affluent Spaniard learned she was arranged to marry a sailor, and so she ran as far as she could until settling upon a Chamorro village. It was here she met a local man and fell in love. Once her father found out about the secret affair, he had them chased to the highest point of Tumon Bay. Here, they chose to tie their hair together to seal their fate and jump into the waves below. Though the tale is tragic, we got a stellar lookout from it. I highly recommend spending some time at the top – with a good book, a picnic, or even your forbidden lover.
Fafai Beach: Near Two Lovers’ Point, Fafai Beach has some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen, as well as access to a cave and lush hiking. We stopped here to picnic and have some drinks before heading to the aforementioned festival. Highlight of the beach was getting to see a starfish incredibly close to shore.
Bikini Island Club: Advertised as, “Guam’s ONE STOP Activity Center,” for a reason: banana boats, parasailing, snorkeling, private boat charters, and jet skiing. We booked the jet ski tour and were taken around the calm waters to a sand bar where we got to swim and snorkel for a bit. I recommend this experience for anyone wanting a little adrenaline.
Electric Island Festival: An annual EDM show at the island’s International Raceway (locations vary by year). If you would have asked me a year ago if I ever thought I’d be raving with locals on a remote island off the coast of Asia, I would have laughed in your face. Alas, I did just that, and was dumbfounded by the production (they even hired aerialists). If you happen to find yourself in Guam during EIF, snag your ticket, because how many people can say they’ve had this experience?
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