Page 509 - Visitor Guides

Sightseeing & Historical Landmarks Sightseeing & Historical Landmarks

Bear Rock housed within the church was statue depicts a powerful and
Just south originally intended for the well-respected leader in the
of the church in Umatac. Because of village’s history. According
village of rough waters, the ship carry- to Guam legend, Chief Gadao
Inarajan, a ing the statue as it arrived on challenged the chief of Tumon
large rock Guam could not sail all the in a contest of strength many
welcomes Inarajan Pools way to its destination, and years ago. The two powerful
passersby A natural system of swimming instead stopped in Inarajan. leaders rowed a canoe in op-
to Agfayan Bay. Due to its re- holes just off the main road posite directions, breaking it
semblance to the animal, it is near the village’s Catholic in half. The statue in Inarajan
aptly named Bear Rock. A boat Church, Inarajan Pools is a depicts Chief Gadao rowing
ramp near the main road is a popular spot for both visitors his half of the canoe.
great place for visitors to take and residents. Several on-site
photos of the landmark. barbecue pits and picnic shel- Gadao’s
ters, as well as an old diving Cave
board that serves as a jump- Located
ing off point for thrill seekers, Gef Pa’go Chamorro near the
has helped make the site a Cultural Village entrance
favorite hangout. Modeled after a traditional to Inara-
Chamorro village in the 1940s jan Bay, Gadao’s cave depicts
and 1950s, Gef Pa’go takes the ancient Guam legend
visitors back to a time when about its powerful chief in pic-
56 bread was baked in ovens, tographs inside the cave walls. 57
Inarajan (Inalahan) Village rope was hand woven, and the The drawings have made the
Named to the National Histor- women of Guam were frocked site one of the more famous
ic Register in 1977, the village in bright-colored skirts. The caves on the island.
of Inarajan is experiencing a village, which is open daily, is
revitalization effort to pro- managed by the Historic In- Inarajan
tect several of its buildings. alahan Foundation in an effort Falls
The Inalahan Foundation has to preserve the local culture One of the
partnered with the American and pass down traditions to island’s
Institute of Architects Guam younger generations. It is a many
Chapter to breathe new life favorite spot for visitors and waterfalls,
into the Inarajan Community local schoolchildren. this Inara-
Center, the Baptist church, the jan site is
Doris Flores Lujan House, and a favorite
the Manibusan House. A com- among
plete restoration of the Anna St. Joseph Catholic Church hikers who often plan boonie
Leon Guerrero House, built in Named after the patron saint stomps to the falls from the
1901, has already been com- of Inarajan, St. Joseph Catholic southern mountains near
pleted. Inarajan, a village rich Church remains the center of Cetti Bay Overlook. The site,
in cultural flair, is also home many activities including fies- although difficult to get to,
to the favorite visitor spot, tas, weddings, and novenas. Chief Gadao Statue offers a shallow swimming
Gef Pa’go Chamorro Cultural According to oral tradition, Located near the entrance to pool to cool off and a beauti-
Village. a large statue of St. Joseph Gef Pa’go, the Chief Gadao ful view.