When I told my friends that I was going to Guam for holiday, many of them gave me a blank look because they did not know where in the world is Guam. It is off the tourist path for Singaporeans, but definitely not for the hordes of Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese tourists that we saw there.

Known for the warm, hospitable people, Guam is a destination like no other. It is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and being a US territory, it is nearer to Asian countries than to mainland USA. It is the largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago. As the tagline goes, it is “where America’s day starts” due to its unique time zone that follows closely to the time zone in Japan.

Only in Guam can you find star-sand beaches, crystal clear blue skies and world-famous sunsets. These are just a few reasons why millions of tourists have made Guam their top travel choice.  In Guam, you could experience a thrilling adventure on land or at sea, unravel 4,000 years of intriguing history, shop for the latest fashion and trends, taste the famous chicken kelaguen and red rice, or just wind down beneath some shady palm trees. It is very much a laid-back island with a slow pace of life, good for the people living in cities who are looking for a place to destress.

In Guam, the local greeting is “Hafa Adai” which means ‘hello’ and is pronounced as ‘half a day’ which probably shows the attitude the locals have towards work.

In downtown Guam, getting around by the Red Guahan bus is easy because it has several stops at various points of attraction, from the beach to the outlet stores and hotels. Each ride cost US$4 and a full day ticket cost US$12. On the other hand, there is also Lam Lam Tours and Transportation which offers day tickets at $10, usable for Tumon Shuttle, Shopping Mall Shuttle and T-Gallera K-Mart Shuttle. They also have other services such as the bus to Two Lovers Point.

The most famous place in downtown Guam would be Tumon, known for its beautiful beaches along its shores. Many hotels on the beach side provide bungalows for activities like banana boating and kayaking.

These water activities provide an excellent opportunity to experience the waters of Guam firsthand. If you are not in such an adventurous mood, the vibrant colors and soothing sounds provide an excellent environment for lounging on the sand while achieving the perfect sun-kissed skin. If you decide to dip in for a swim, the waters are calm enough for relaxation while providing sufficient waves for beach play.

If the daytime scene isn’t convincing enough, the sunsets will take your breath away. Shades of orange and pink contrast against the deepening shade of the ocean to create the perfect ambiance for a romantic walk on the beach.

For those looking for retail therapy, do head to Guam Premium Outlets. Affectionately called GPO by the locals, it features an expansive Ross Dress For Less store, along with many other name brands including Guess, Levis, Nike Sports, Calvin Klien, Izod and Tommy Hilfiger. You can find footwear from all brands at outlets such as Sketchers, Famous Footwear, Nine West and Payless Shoe Source. There’s sportswear, equipment, books and stationery, health and beauty products, jewelry, watches and accessories and so much more! Tourists even come as early as 7am just to steal the best bargains over at Ross. The other shops in GPO would open around 9am. Since Guam is an offshore territory, it enjoys duty free goods so the prices of clothes and goods at GPO are a good buy, especially those who are looking to restock their wardrobe. Do bring along an extra luggage so that you can pack your purchases into the luggage.

Slightly outside of the town area is Two Lovers’ Point, accessible by the shuttle buses. It overlooks the Philippine Sea and you could really get a great view of Guam in this area. However, it was rainy when we visited and we did not get to enjoy a good view. Entrance fee to this attraction is $3 and it allows you to go up the tower to take pictures of the view of the surrounding Bay Area.

To understand the history of the country, do visit the Guam Museum in Hagatna which was newly renovated and boasts a modern exterior design. The museum currently has over 250,000 unique artifacts, documents and photographs in its collections. It features interactive, state-of-the-art technology and the most complete display of Guam’s history and culture in the Chamorro language to date. Admission fee is $20 for visitors.

Just further down from the museum, there is the Fish Eye Marine Park. It has a pier that extends out into spectacular Piti bay. Visitors can stop and watch the fish and enjoy the fresh ocean air as they walk along the 305m long boardwalk. Down below tropical fish dart through the coral reefs. This is Micronesia’s only undersea observatory. The underwater observatory built in the Piti Bomb Hole Marine Preserves is home to an abundance of fishes and marine life. And in late afternoon, you can also marvel at the beauty of the sunset if you are lucky enough. The admission ticket cost $14.

For a cultural experience, do head over to Chamorro market on a Wednesday night, where street stalls selling local cuisine and drinks are set up for tourists and locals alike. It was really crowded when I visited that night that parking was also an issue. It is not uncommon to notice the smell of barbecue as you walk through Spanish influenced buildings that lead you to a center court where people of all ages dance the night away. You can also find farmers displaying local produce grown under their care, local dance groups entertaining the crowd, and fresh fruit juice stalls. In addition, carabao rides and other cultural activities are also available.

These are the main attractions that you can visit in Guam, I will discuss more about other lesser known areas in my subsequent article, of which these places are accessible by car only.