July 2017 – JD's Blog

Mount Lam Lam

This hike varies in difficulty depending on the weather. If you go early enough in the morning and it is a windy day, this can be a very nice hike.

If the air is still and you wait until too late in the day, it’s murder.

Either way, bring a lot of sunscreen because there is very little shade.

Also, make sure to have mosquito repellent for any spots you make in the shade. If it has been rainy (and it usually is) you will see a lot of mosquitoes.

There are two tops to Mount Lam Lam, and there is some dispute as to which one is the “real” top.

On the right hand path, you will follow the stations of the cross up to one of the tops of the mountain. This has wonderful views of the ocean and many locals consider it the real top.

However, if you take the left hand path, you will get to the top of the mountain that is officially recognized as the top.

I have done both. The top with the crosses is a much shorter path because it goes straight up.

On the other hand, the surveyors top takes you down into the jungle, and then back up along a poorly marked trial until at last you climb the rocks to the marker.

It’s a beautiful view from either spot, and I recommend doing both (though maybe not in the same day.)

If you are Catholic, you might appreciate the little shrine about halfway up before the trail splits off.

Definitely take some time to enjoy the ground orchids, passion vines, and other beautiful plants.

On an amusing side note: The locals consider Mount Lam Lam to be the tallest mountain in the world because they measure from the bottom of the Marianas Trench to the top of the peak.

Therefore, if you climb Mount Lam Lam, you can amuse your friends by saying you climbed the tallest mountain in the world.

Another Gratuitous Sunset Post

I discovered when trying to show you all the sunsets that I have seen that I can only post forty at once. I use a free WordPress site for my blog, and apparently there are limitations (which is fine, because it’s free.)

Anyway, here are the rest of the sunsets I wanted to show you in my June 5th post.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

(Note: We have an Airforce Base at the tip of the island and sometimes they play in the sunset.)

Nine.

Ten.

Eleven.

Twelve.

Thirteen.

Fourteen.

Fifteen.

Sixteen.

Seventeen.

Eighteen.

Nineteen.

Twenty.

Twenty One.

Twenty Two.

Twenty Three.

Twenty Four.

Twenty Five.

Twenty Six.

Twenty Seven.

Twenty Eight.

Twenty Nine.

Thirty.

Thirty One.

Thirty Two.

Thirty Three.

Thirty Four.

Thirty Five.

Thirty Six.

Thirty Seven.

Thirty Eight.

Thirty Nine.

Forty.

Of course it’s always better to see a tropical sunset in person. So, maybe some visit me in Guam and come see one!

Tarzan Falls Hike

Off route 16, there is a trail head for Tarzan Falls. Once you park in the lot by the windmill, you start your hike.

There are a lot of trails, but all of them go down to the falls.

I recommend taking the trails to the left, because they are drier.

If you go to the right, you’ll be on trails mostly used for ATVs and other vehicles. That makes deep ruts which fill with water.

Either way, you’ll get down to the top of the falls.

The first set are very pretty, and also small. Usually there are a lot of people at the top, so you should be able to get someone to take your picture. This is our hiking group!

When you follow the posted sign and climb down, you’ll see the largest of the falls.

Make sure you have good hiking boots, because there is a lot of mud.

Also, be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen.

There is a swimming hole, so bring a bathing suit if you want to swim.

If you plan to go onto the rocks, use caution because they are very slippery.

There is a rope swing on the left side of the pool for swinging into the water, but again, be cautious of the rocks.

After you see the big falls, head downstream along the smaller trail.

There are two more sets of waterfalls that you can get to.

I recommend bringing snacks, so that you can eat when you get down to the end of the trail.

There are lots of good spots to swim or wade. There aren’t many fish, but you may see tadpoles or fresh water shrimp.

The hike is only 1.4 miles total, but bring lots of water. It’s a long and difficult hike back up.

This is one of the easier hikes on Guam, so it’s excellent for beginners.

Pagat Cave and Marbo Cave

Visiting some limestone caves is always a fun idea. Neither Pagat Cave or Marbo Cave are seeping, so you won’t see a lot of cool stalagmites and stalactites. However, you will see beautiful fresh water pools for swimming.

Let’s start with Marbo Cave (see link for directions):

It’s a short hike so you don’t need much more than a liter of water and a bathing suit. We brought snacks because we wanted to have a picnic in the cave, but if you’re just going to see it you don’t need to bring much.

Follow the trail down, and the cave is right there at the bottom. You don’t need a flashlight because it is well lit from the surface (the opening is large.) There’s two swimming spots, one easy to get to and one that you climb over slippery rocks to get to. Both are cool, fresh water.

Warning: There are two places where you can swim under rock into a tunnel. Don’t do this! Several people have drowned in the cave after trying to do this.

After you enjoy the cave, turn back if you like. Or, continue on the trail until you get to the cliffs. The view is very nice. Make sure you bring sunscreen if you want to walk out to the cliffs. It’s not a long walk, but it’s hot and sunny.

Next up: Pagat Cave (follow the link for directions):

This is a much more difficult hike. You will need at least two liters of water and a snack. In addition, you need: Water shoes, a bathing suit, a flashlight, bug spray, sunscreen, and gloves. I recommend a waterproof camera as well, because you don’t want to lose your footing and get you camera wet unless it’s meant to be in water.

The trail is flat in some places, but mostly it is very steep. There are ropes in places to hold while you descend, so keep your gloves on.

At the bottom, you’ll see a hole in the rock to your left. It doesn’t look like much, but that’s the way in.

Hold the rope and walk carefully down. When you get to the bottom, change into your bathing suit and water shoes, and store your pack along the side of the trail.

Walk through the first pool, which is only ankle deep, and proceed through the small hole into the large cavern beyond.

If you wear glasses, you might get used to hiking with your prescription sunglasses on and leaving your regular pair in the car.

However, once you enter the second cavern it is completely dark and you will need a flashlight and glasses to see anything.

I was completely unprepared, as I thought it was a little cave like Marbo. Now I know better, and can go back dressed properly and with the right glasses.

There are no tunnels or side caverns so you won’t get lost. The only danger is if there is a flash flood, so check the weather and don’t go on a day when there is a lot of rain expected.

And don’t forget to reapply sunscreen and bug spray before you start the long trek back to your car.

Hamamoto Fruit World

Hamamoto Fruit World is a tourist attraction on the island of Guam.

It’s really geared towards Japanese tourists, but anyone is welcome.

I am a real lover of plants, and I thought it was exciting to get the chance to learn more about the plants that live on the equator.

The park it basically a long, looping road.

You can use your own car, or you can take the park shuttle.

I recommend taking your own car. That way you can take as long as you want to see things.

We actually ended up stopping and getting out of the car a lot, so we could have a closer look at the plants.

In particular the coffee plants (above) were fascinating to my husband. He loves coffee.

Of course, I like the agave, since that is what is used to make tequila.

The park is located off route 16, and the road there is a little rough.

Once you get there, you can enjoy the small garden before doing the looping drive.

Also, there are places to take picture with the very of the center of the island.

You will see all kinds of flowers, bushes, and trees.

My favorite is the ginger. The plants are beautiful, and they come in red, pink, and white.

Ginger is used as a spice, but it can also be used in tea.

Some of the best fruit on Guam is the Dragon Fruit and Mango, but we also have star fruit and other exciting things you don’t find outside the tropics.

Hamamoto fruit world is a wonderful place to see what kind of plants live in “Zone Nine,” or the equator.

We also have pineapple, wax apple, herbs for tea, and all sorts of other exciting things.

Remember sunscreen, since there are places to get out and walk.

When you pay, you will get a small information packet so you can identify the fruits.

It was $3 per person to tour the place, so it’s certainly the most affordable thing to do on Guam.

It’s fun trying to figure out what plant goes with what picture.

Some I had seen before. For example, coconuts and bread fruit grow all over the island.

Other plants, like the sugar apples, were new to me.

Before you leave, be sure to stop at the gift shop.

They make their own honey, Popsicles, and other products from the fruits in the park.

Plan on spending about an hour there, although you could spend all day if you really like plants!

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31