Travel

Also known as the place “where the U.S.’s day begins,” Guam welcomes the sunrise atop every U.S. land every day. A plethora of tropical green beauty, fabulous beaches, and a contrasting strap of history, this island is truly a blessing for the road tripper, providing something new and exciting with every bend! With the breath of spectacular scenery, Guam offers an experience worthy of its culture that charms and inspires you back to relaxation. This culture, Chamorran by birth and Spanish by influence, suffuses the music, art, and especially food. Measuring only 48 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide at its broadest point, Guam is nevertheless hefty on adventure, discovery, and natural beauty. Create a road trip around the island and maximize your stretch in paradise. Start out at Tumon BayTumon Bay, a beautiful stretch of shore considered the best island adventure site, is close to the Tamuning location along Route 10A or South Marine Corps Drive, just a little bit out of the airport. Famous for its alluring waters and numerous water sports activities, Tumon Bay is the place to be! Take your pick from parasailing above the waves, banana boat rides, and snorkeling in tropical waters. If ever a diver’s paradise, it is the one on the southwestern end of the island, nearer to the Mariana Trench, regarded as one of the deepest ocean trenches on Earth. And for an extra special treat, dive along the artificial reefs built in remembrance of the German warship from World War I and the Japanese freighter from World War II that center around Guam’s military history!Local Flavors: Culinary Excursions Along the ShorelineAfter doing nothing but get wet all day, it is only proper to replenish your energies by tasting the island’s assorted flavors. Guam’s food culture is a delicious medley of native Chamorran practices and Spanish influence. A must-try is kelaguen-finely chopped marinated chicken; other variants include fish, beef, or SPAM-mixed with lemon, onions, and coconut. Kelaguen is a dry dish, with the cooking being done by the citrus’s natural acidity, refreshing the palate.For an authentic local gastronomic experience, head just a block inland from Tumon Beach to Beachin’ Shrimp, where a large plate of kelaguen awaits. A short walk afterwards will take you to Meskla Dos for some really U.S. burgers, fries, and onion rings. As you walk around, you’ll notice refreshing drinks popular among the locals, like bottled lemon tea, Assam milk tea, and the famous Chamorro punch. If you want a more laid-back atmosphere, Gun Beach, a mere 100 meters north from the Crystal Chapel on Tumon Bay, is the way to go. Nestled in this quiet spot is a little beachfront pub, where local fare such as barbecued chicken and spare ribs with red rice, corn-on-the-cob, and finadene sauce (a soy sauce-based dip that gives salty and savory loads to any dish) is readily available.Visit Ritidian Point- the Natural BeautyA peaceful drive indeed through Guam Route 3A will lead you at last to Ritidian Point-the farthest tip of the island to the north. The point is really very tranquil for it has a national wildlife refuge where adventurous people can hike their trails, explore caves, indulge in pure white sand beach and visit or view the nature center. Ruins of ancient villages scattered around would also add some history to this natural marvel. The refuge is open on Saturdays through Tuesdays, making it the perfect place to touch nature, hear the soft throbbing waves, explore the island’s unspoiled wilderness.An Elusive Gem: Inarajan Natural PoolNext is a slow drive off south to the Inarajan Natural Pool, which is located off Guam Route 4. This wondrous natural formation is located within a public park and is highly suited for snorkeling or just enjoying a dip in salt water. The waters are shallow, ideal for temperature ranges, yet surrounded by coral outcroppings, which form an ideal habitat for tropical fish. Thus, the fantastic experience awaits beginner snorkelers and leisure swimmers alike.Dive Into Local Culture in HagåtñaA trip to Guam would not be complete without a stop in Hagåtna-the smallest capital city of under 1,000 people in a location about 30 minutes driving from Inarajan. It is filled up with culture and history. Spend some time in the museum of Guam, which brings about very intriguing stories of how the island was in days gone past. Amble through pretty streets, where one might discover restaurants serving Chamorran cuisine and small shops selling handmade wares by local artisans. For an authentic local flavor, visit Chamorro Village on a Wednesday evening, when the market comes alive with mouthwatering aromas of barbecue, sounds of music, and the vibrant energy of local entrepreneurs showcasing their crafts.The Heart of Guam: Experience the Warmth of Its PeopleIt is here where Guam becomes very much different in all its parts and can rely completely. The warm friendliness, welcome, and being proud of its heritage inspire its people to show and share the island to the visitors. You will feel at home, discovering a history lesson at Hagâtna, taking a weekend outdoor-adventure excursion to rock-scramble at Ritidian Point, or just taking your kelaguen to the beach. The warmth and hospitality of the Chamorran people will truly make the visit of anyone to Guam an unforgettable experience.Beaches of the splendid Tumon Bay, sites and artifacts worth visiting within Hagåtna-these are only some of the guarantees providing Guam with infinite adventure and genuine experiences. Whether local flavor, nature, or culture charms you, something special in that destination awaits every distinguished traveler.

Well, here is a travel blog and an introduction to my adventure and full-time travel life from across the world—David Leiter. I have traveled for the last 9 years experiencing different cultures, landscapes, and people that actually make our world rich and diverse. These days, I am usually home in Bali, Indonesia, where I spend this great time with my fantastic wife, Intan. Travel first brought me to Iceland in 2016. I drove alone on a tiny budget-a rental car, and I slept in the back all month long, driving more than 7,000 kilometers around Iceland-exhausting-waiting for untold views of waterfalls and volcanoes and glaciers. In fact, my first video went viral with millions of views and a feature from BBC Travel. The flick to the big world opened up, and it’s been one heck of a journey ever since.Since that first big adventure, I have been very fortunate to have traveled solo to more than 50 countries, all of which are somewhat unknown and out of the way. I’ve traveled all over Asia, Central America, and the Middle East, in search of culture and story-the landscapes that make each place unique.The unpredictability that has tested the strength of character along the paths of travel has been nothing less than marvelous. Caught in the 7.0 magnitude Lombok earthquake in Indonesia in 2018-that was my worst situation yet. In 2019, I happened to be in Bangkok during a spate of bombings. I’ve seen too many scams, illnesses, car accidents, and unforeseen events-the typical travel event everyone will tell their story about.But the challenges are far outweighed by the wonderful experiences that travel has offered me. Some of my journeys’ highlights are:From the great heights of peaks, where yet exists the untouched beauty, to reach the base camp of Mount Everest in the Himalayas. Charging up an erupting volcano in Guatemala. A physical transformation that pits one against nature’s fury.Treks on glaciers in Patagonia with an afterwards visit to the dreamlike Iguazu Falls in Argentina. Witnessing komodo dragons in the wild, getting close to them, and impacting their habitat.Treehouse sleeping in Bali, which may well be one of the most laid-back and quiet places I’ve ever been to, and awed by the blue fire at Kawah Ijen in Java.Considering local specialties: eating tarantulas and scorpions in Cambodia, followed by jumping into individual weird tastes of various regions.Camel ride to the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the most iconic travel dreams to be fulfilled on Earth.Skydiving over the paradise beaches of Oahu, Hawaii: free-falling over crystal-clear waters is a thrill.Visiting monuments of a lifetime, such as Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, Petra, Machu Picchu, and Himeji Castle; each of them possesses its captivating tale to narrate.I went to 24 countries in record-short one year in 2018, and all on a shoestring. I traveled on a typical budget, spending not more than $30 daily on everything, including lodging and food. One would be surprised at the great possible experience when one knows how to travel well and makes the right experience priority.Traveling has taught me that the world indeed is far more diverse than one would realize. Each nation has the very property of its own, and fantastic places can still surprise through secret wonders. Be it a calm town or a megacity, a desert or a rainforest, it has new things to offer.These have ranged from happiness through mighty wonderment to deep thankfulness, as I have been privileged to meet many incredible people along the way, not only fellow travelers but locals who have taught me that the world is full of kindness, generosity, and shared suffering.Though I have traveled much, I know there are countless places to see; so many billions of cultures, lives, and adventures are still on this hundred-thousand list, looking forward to my next great adventure. Not that I’ve seen it all, but it’s definitely in store for me.I aim to reach out to those who travel through this blog, convincing people to try a little something different, get out there, and see the world through open eyes and the heart. Hopefully, these blogs can help plan your own journey, whether that ends up being found on some remote island or a cultural immersion of visits or adventure with adrenaline.What I have learned is that it is not about a destination traveled to, but rather the people one comes in contact with, challenges faced, and the individualistic growth that happens along the way. It’s an otherwise chance of looking at the world, and at oneself, in strange ways.Entonces, únete a mí en mi camino; descubramos juntos los misterios del mundo y llenemos las historias que hacen esta vida tan increíblemente rica. La aventura llama: ¡vamos a contestarla!