Page 370 - Micronesia
P. 370
Sightseeing & Historical Landmarks Sightseeing & Historical Landmarks
the sparkling blue waters of in 1968 after it incurred dam- Chinese Park baptized Chief Quipuha in
Tumon Bay, also known as age from WWII. Padre San Established and 1672. The chief served as a
“hotel row.” Guam’s favor- Vitores, known as a martyr in donated in 1985 maga’lahi, or high-ranking
ite playground for visitors the Catholic faith, was beati- by the Chinese Community male, in the society, and was
and tourists alike, the bay fied in 1985. of Guam, the Chinese Park granted authority to hand
is bordered at both ends by overlooks Tumon Bay from down important decisions. He
towering, green cliffs. At the a nearby cliffline in upper also donated land for the first
center is a sandbar built by Tumon. Within the park, visi- Catholic Church to be con-
the SeaBees in 1945 to assist tors can explore a large statue structed in Hagåtña, the site
in off-loading supplies from of Confucious, a symbol of of which is now believed to
ships just outside the fring- morality, correctness of social be on the same spot as Dulce
ing reef. The bay is one of the relationships, justice, and se- Nombre de Maria Cathedral
island’s five marine preserves renity in the Chinese culture. Basilica. The memorial site
that offer some of best snor- honoring Chief Quipuha is lo-
keling on island. cated near Chamorro Village.
42 Gun Beach A.B. Won Pat International Chamorro Village 43
Airport Guam (l Sengsong Chamorro)
This remote beach, located at The Guam Airport Authority Located next to the Hagåtña
took over operations from the boat basin, the Chamorro
the northern end of hotel row Department of Commerce in Village is home to numerous
January 1976. Since then, the gift shops featuring the work
in Tumon, hosts the remains airport has launched interna- of local artists and craftsmen.
tional operations and numer- Every Wednesday and Friday
of a Japanese pillbox hous- ous expansions. Located on a evening, the village hosts a
hill overlooking Tumon from night market that has become
ing a cannon from WWII. The the east, the A.B. Won Pat a favorite among both locals
International Airport Guam and visitors. Complete with
gun’s rusting barrel points out handles 2.54 million passen- live music, cultural danc-
gers annually in the two-termi- ing, and a wide selection of
to the Philippine Sea, which nal facility, named for Guam’s Chamorro, Asian, and Pacific
first U.S. Congressman. Island delicacies, the market
served to protect the island is home to vendors selling
Hagåtña everything from clothing to
from invading U.S. forces. The handicrafts, bananas to betel
Chief Quipuha Park nuts. Make sure you visit at
Padre San Vitores Shrine site is one of two areas on Known as the first least one time during your
Chamorro chief stay, as it is the best place to
This monument marks the Guam where there is a Japa- who converted find local cuisine.
to Christianity,
site where Chamorro Chief nese gun sitting in its original Padre San Vitores
Matapang executed Padre position. A winding adventure
San Vitores for baptizing trail along the cliffline fea-
his daughter without his tures beautiful ocean scenery
permission. The murder of and a unique view of down-
San Vitores, who is credited town Tumon. A favorite spot
for bringing Catholicism to for local divers, the best time
Guam, sparked the Spanish- to enjoy the water surround-
Chamorro Wars shortly after ing Gun Beach is when the wa-
in 1672. The monument was ter is calm. Otherwise, beware
erected in 1942, then replaced of dangerous rip tides.
