The Guam Visitors Bureau invited me to stayed in Guam for eight days. Yes, that long. That’s because there’s so much to explore (and shops to conquer) in the island.
Needless to say, I fell in love with the place, and the people and I now know so much about the island. You may now call me “Miss Guam”! Haha!
Guam is gorgeous! The island is surrounded by clean and clear water, but what makes Guam even more AHMAYZING is the people — everyone was so warm and friendly. In fact, I never encountered a single snooty sales assistant in any of the high-end boutiques. It must be the island vibe.
Hafa Adai! The view of the ocean from my hotel room was spectacular!
You know you love it:
• Everyday, I wake up to the view of the ocean, the sound of the waves and fresh air.
• City life + Island living = Perfect combo
• Guamanians are warm and friendly, so much so that when you shop iat their high-end stores, sales assistants greet you with a smile and are ready to service clients. They are not snooty like some of the shops we go to in other countries.
• There are a lot of Filipinos living and working in Guam. I swear there’s a Pinoy in every establishment and shop I’ve been to! Guam is truly a home away from home for Filipino tourists.
• Shopping is the bomb for both value shoppers and high-end clienteles. From ABC Stores to LV, there’s something for everyone.
• The quality of produce and food is “first world”. They have all types of cuisines from Japanese, Korean, Italian, Filipino, Chinese, American to authentic Chamorro chow — a must-try!
Warning: Eight days in Guam means eight million photos! CHOZ!
Seashore soiree:
For some fun under the sun, the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) organized water activities and dolphin watching at Agat Bay for the eight Shopping Ambassadors and our representatives.
I Googled the weather before going to Guam; it was supposed to be raining during my stay, but God is good, we had beautiful sunny weather most of the time.
Don’t you just love the sight of blue skies and white boats? Clazz.
Clear blue skies call for clear sandals and blue nail polish!
Our group was welcomed by the Shotguns crew.
All aboard!
Anchors away!
Fishing anyone?
We went snorkeling and fishing and because I enjoyed myself too much, I forgot to take photos! Oh well…
Spotted: “Flipper”
Dolphin watching is exciting! Our Captain was able to find the area where they play. Check out those cute fins:
Look!!! One came really close to our boat! I’m glad I was able to take a shot of it and didn’t drop my camera! Haaay!
What a way to end our boat trip! I’m so glad I saw the dolphins! Maybe one day I’ll be able to swim with them too.
Culture vulture:
After our water activities, we visited Ypao Beach to learn about the Chamorro culture.
Wiki says: “The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which are politically divided between the United States territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states including Hawaii, California, Washington, Texas and Nevada. According to the 2000 Census, approximately 65,000 people of Chamoru ancestry live on Guam and another 19,000 live in the Northern Marianas.[1] Another 93,000 live outside the Marianas in Hawaii and the West/Pacific coast of the United States. The Chamoru are primarily of Austronesian stock.”
The wonderful folks of TASA (a tax-exempt, non-profit, Chamorro cultural organization that encourages active participation in all matters pertaining to the people of the Sinahi archipelago, the Northern Marianas) welcomed all of us with a fiesta at the beach!
Thanks to the TASA (Traditions Affirming our Seafaring Ancestry, Inc.) tribe, the Shopping Ambassadors were blessed with Chamorro knowledge.
Must: For those interested in Chamorro history, a step on Guam’s Ypao is like a step back in time. Since 2009, the park has been ground zero for the building of ancient Chamorro canoe replicas, as well as a massive Guma Latte, or canoe house, an impressive 42 feet wide and 80 feet long and feature ten 14-foot tall latte stones.
Some of the girls rode the canoe…
While others made the canoe!
Shopping Ambassadors Chihiro-san (from Japan) and Jessica (from North America) hard at work in helping the Chamorro elders build a canoe.
When there’s fiesta, there’s food!
Preparing a pig for a Chamorro fiesta is a family and community affair. Men are responsible for slaughtering and cleaning the pig to prepare it for roasting.
Chamorros have also used an ancient cooking method called chinahan (derived from the word “chahan”) to cook vegetables, fish or a pig. This method of underground cooking is common in Pacific cultures and is similar to how Hawaiian Kalua pig is prepared.
It involves digging a pit in the ground, lining it with lava stones and wood, building a fire, waiting for the fire to cool before placing food wrapped in breadfruit and banana leaves. Chahan was originally used in the preparation of seafood and starches such as yams, but when pork (and beef) were introduced to the Chamorro diet it was cooked in the same method.
When the roasting is completed, the pig is placed on a serving tray that is decorated with sometimes elaborate dressings of fruit. Other times an apple is simply placed in its mouth.
Lovely woven basket made from coconut leaves!
Chow time!
Art attack:
Cocktail hour in Guam is either on the beach or in one of the bars in the mall.
We were lucky to catch the GAX: Guam Art Exhibit V at the 2nd floor of DNA in The Plaza Shopping Center.
Wine + Art = My kind of cocktail hour!
We found artists working on their pieces at the entrance of the gallery.
Guam’s art secen
I’m buying on of the artwork in this wall, can you guess which one?
The GAX V exhibit extended outside of The Plaza
Cool graffiti artists at work
GVB is the “Good Vibes Barkada”:
Model citizens. Guam Visitors Bureau’s (GVB) Marketing Manager (and a former beauty queen) Ms. Pilar Laguña and Deputy General Manager of GVB, Mr. Nathan Denight
Say “Mabuhay” to GVB’s Marketing Officer Brian Borja!
Partner in crime. GVB’s Philippine representative Jelly Macachor
Just shop:
OK! Now that’s we’ve got the cultural part done, it’s time to shop!
This time we head off to The Plaza Shopping Center, 1225-1275 Pale San Vitores Rd., Tumon Bay, Guam 96913.
The Plaza Shopping Center, with direct access from the Outrigger Guam Resort Lobby, is home to over 60 boutiques, including some of the world’s most exclusive luxury brands. More than 20 cafes, bars, and restaurants cater to all tastes and occasions. Spoil yourself with the largest variety of shops in Pleasure Island, and a wide selection of entertainment and international cuisine, all at your fingertips.
Luxury shopping, dining & entertainment in the heart of Pleasure Island, Guam
Rimowaaaaaaa!
In the Rimowa shop at The Plaza is where I discovered the cool function of their Salsa Deluxe Business Trolley.
The perfect small carryon case – big enough for an overnight trip, terrific as a carryon. On its own it is the perfect wheeled business case – strong, lightweight, with a full divider and laptop case inside, which can be removed entirely and the case converted into a small suitcase style carryon. It has an elastic strap on the rear to hold it securely on top of other wheeled suitcases, so with your matching Rimowa suitcase, you’re traveling singlehanded!
New!
Eye-catching and elegant, the limited edition Rimowa Salsa Pearl Rose
I am not a Coach bag fan, but their new Legacy Collection is so up my style alley! I love their colorful leather iPad Clutch that can also double as a chic bag. The clutch has no ubiquitous branding which makes it cool plus it’s affordable (Coach is now on sale with their new collection in Guam) too.
Coach iPad Clutch in Emerald
All that shopping can leave a girl hungry!
Lunch was served at the elegant Sea Grill.
Show and tell portion:
Eto na ang katas ng The Plaza! Haha!
Seriously, I love that I found the perfect Christmas gift for Tom in one of their stores. It’s so hard to buy for him, but I did good on this trip. I will reveal it after the holidays so tune in!
Very ‘The Price is Right’ lang ang peg!
Water break:
I spotted Underwater World while on my way to the Rimowa shop and I thought it would be a great place to visit. I wish my kids were with me, they’d be blown away by this place!
What a colorful entrance — just like I imagined Ariel’s lair would be!
UnderWater World is home to one of the longest tunnel aquariums in the world! The transparent tunnel, well over 300 feet long, winds its way along the bottom of the “ocean”, simulating a scuba diving adventure without getting wet!
The Aquarium’s Sealife Gallery showcases a variety of exhibits that enable you to explore diverse ocean realms, from shallow coral reef habitats to deeper, darker waters.
Going up!
Surreal steps
More aquariums and sea creatures on the second floor
Don’t for get the souvenirs!
Fashyon:
I’m the kind of person who uses things I buy agad-agad. SO, kahit tirik-tirikan ang araw, todo AVAIL! Haha!
Ray-Ban Aviator, Caronel, GPO ; Chambray shirt, Zara; Couch Legacy clutch, The Plaza; Levi’s camo, GPO
Azure or “asus”?
Prada sunglasses; Leopard coat, Zara; Marc Jacobs bag, The Plaza
So I did a bit of shopping, but I also did a lot of exploring the island and I met new friends. Like what I always say, life is all about balance.
Despite the telenovela blog post, this is only half of my Guam adventure. Tune in for more luxury shopping, a show-stopping affair and meet the other Shopping Ambassadors from different parts of the world on my next “Guam” post!
Shoppingero/shoppingero, visit Guam now!