Saipan Adventure 2015: JODI AND JUSTIN'S WEEK

Thursday Market

Thursday evening is a traditional Thursday market/meat stick/bring it back home time. Ever since we landed on the island and had our first Thursday market experience January 15, we have carried on the tradition in various ways. Sometimes it's a trip by everyone to the market for purchase of whatever - but definitely meat sticks - and maybe down to the 13 fishermen memorial, or up to our place, or it's just buy the meat sticks and go to the 13 Fishermen, or just make stuff and eat it at our house!

For Jodi and Justin's benefit, we all made the trip the the market, bought the meat sticks and took it back home to enjoy those along with one fabulous dish or another that Uncle Max has prepared.

Alfie, Arnold, Jodi, Justin, Max, Debbie, Larry

For this particular night, Max prepared fish that Sara and her Dad (Dean) had caught that day. Max much prefers the head - especially the eyeballs. He offered Deb one of those two prize delicacies. She was game and ate it, but admitted one is enough probably for a lifetime!

Friday touring time

Friday was kind of a laid back day. We started with a drive up Mt. Tapochau, highest point on Saipan - elev. 1,555 ft. - where a view of the entire island is at your feet. On the way up we spotted very large trees with what looked like pineapples on them. Not pineapples. The name is pandanus, nicknamed Screw Pine and they are used for everything from food to dyes. The leaves are very tough and mae great weaved mats I'm told.

The towers of Mt. Tapochau

Southwest part of the island - Susupe village

The tourists

Southeast part of the island - Lau Lau Bay

Taken on a sunny day

After Mt. Tapochau we took a small detour on our way to the beach. There is a very tucked away Catholic shrine built around a natural spring. It's called Santa Lourdes.