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The
Northern Mariana:
America's Undiscovered Pacific Paradise
Text
and Photos by Sandra Scott
One of America’s treasures is little known to statesiders. Most
Americans do not realize that the beautiful islands of the Northern Mariana
Islands are part of the American family. Located in the Pacific Ocean
east of the Philippines, they are the everything-destination with beautiful
beaches, fascinating Chamarro culture, and a history that played a critical
role during WW II. The 14-island archipelago is a Commonwealth similar
to Puerto Rico. The three main islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are
all within a short hop of one another on a small plane with Saipan as
the hub where 90 percent of the people live. Only Tinian and Rota have
any other significant population. Citizens have American passports, they
speak English and no visa is necessary to visit this tropical paradise.
But before Spanish, the Japanese, and lastly the Americans there were
the Chamarros who are thought to have come from Southeast Asia 2000 years
ago. Over the next 1500 years they developed a distinctive culture in
relative isolation leaving intriguing stone monoliths called lattes.
Sun,
sand, and sea
Today the Northern Mariana Islands are a vacationer’s paradise that
have long been a favorite getaway for the Japanese and other Asians, especially
for weddings and honeymoons, but seldom visited by statesiders. The islands
have everything except those pesky annoyances such as insistent beach
vendors and overcrowded roads. All of the islands have beautiful sandy
beaches, warm ocean waters, a variety of accommodations, diving, golf
and plenty of history. The islands have one of the world’s most
equitable climates so visit any time of the year. Each island has its
own unique attractions.
Saipan
All travel starts in Saipan, the largest island, where at low tide the
beach in front of the Hyatt Hotel goes out forever. Nearby is a favorite
wind surfing spot. Name your pleasure: snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing,
riding on a banana boat, basking in the sun or spending the day on pristine
Managaha Island which is just off shore and easily accessible by speed
boat. More adventurous divers and snorkelers will revel in a cool dip
is the Grotto, a huge limestone cavern connected to the ocean by an underwater
passage.
While
there are plenty of scenic photo stops most popular are Bird Island located
in a secluded bay and the panoramic view from Mount Tapochau, Saipan’s
highest point. Visit the award-winning Saipan Botanical Garden and the
Saipan Zoo but to learn about the island’s history starting with
the pre-contact time visit the Northern Mariana Islands Museum. Most impressive
is the American Memorial Park with a museum that tells the story of the
Battle of Saipan and the rest of the Marianas. The displays and video
are excellent. As a narrator relates, “What took 30 years to build
was destroyed in 20 days” during which 43,000 American and Japanese
were killed. For such a small island it was profound. Beside the museum
and memorial, the park is home to community events. At the north end of
the island are Banzai and Suicide Cliffs where 100s of Japanese soldiers
and civilians including whole families took their lives instead of surrendering.
Today they are somber spots with many peace memorials.
Tinian
Take a 10-minute flight on a five-seater plane to Tinian. In 1945 the
island was home to the world’s busiest airport, North Field. Today
it is deserted and overgrown with weeds except for one section that has
glass-coverings over the bomb pits that once held the atomic bombs that
were dropped on Japan bringing World War II to a quick end. There is a
Japanese bomb shelter and other remnants of the war years but little else.
At the south end of the island is another Suicide Cliff. Intriguingly,
in the little town of San Jose are the remains of House of Taga, built
around 1500 BC by the Chamarro. The massive twenty-foot pillars called
lattes supported the house of the powerful Chief Taga. Legend has it that
when the last stone falls Chief Taga will return. There are only a couple
still standing. The island also has a five-star casino hotel that is popular
with Asian visitors.
Rota
The beautiful island of Rota, the smallest of the three most-visited island,
possesses a unique character and charm all of its own. Just north of the
airport, discover how the ancient Chamorros carved giant latte stones
out of the limestone rock at the Taga Stone Quarry. Enjoy the beaches
or take a refreshing dip in the cool, clear water at Rota's famous Swimming
Hole. There is plenty to do. Marvel at the thousands of seabirds that
make their home at the Sagua'gaga Seabird Sanctuary. Learn about the local
culture and dozens of indigenous plant species at Taisacana's Botanical
and Nature Trail. Visit the new museum of Charmarro and Carolinian culture.
Check out the fascinating collection of artifacts at the Rota Cave Museum,
located inside a giant limestone cavern. At the entrance to Songsong Village,
stop by Pinatang Park, a seawater park with numerous channels out to the
open sea. Once in the village visit the Tonga Cave, a huge natural cavern
with dozens of stalagtites, stalagmites, tunnels, and mini caves.
Getting
there
Getting there is half the fun. Don’t be put off by what seems to
be a very remote destination. For those looking for a new unspoiled destination
the Northern Marianas are easily doable for statesiders. From anywhere
in the US there are connections direct to Saipan from Honolulu or Tokyo
and several other Asian locations. For such a small island Saipan has
excellent tourist facilities with a wide range of accommodations, car
rentals, a plethora of restaurants, and duty free shopping. While Tinian
and Rota are much smaller they also have excellent facilities. Guam, less
than an hour away by air from Saipan and has even more options for air
carriers. In fact, a trip to the Northern Marianas can be enhanced by
adding a stop in Guam, America’s other Pacific vacation destination.
If
you go: For more information check the www.mymarianas.com.
The five-star Hyatt, www.hyatt.com,
(888 96 HYATT), the only American chain on Saipan also has a beautiful
hotel on Guam.
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