JODI AND JUSTIN'S WEEK - MARCH 30

Pau Pau and Departure!

One great thing FOR US about the departure delay was - well there were two things: 1) We didn't have to see them off at 3 am; 2) we got TWO extra days and since they didn't leave until about 8 pm on Monday, we had the whole day to beach and snorkel, so we went to Pau Pau again. There is this little rock not far from shore that lots of neat fish like to hand around at, so they got some pictures PLUS a bonus - a blue starfish!

The time has finally come . . .

Through security - off to Guam for the night - off to Hawaii in the morning - flight delayed so missed connection in Honolulu - turned out to be same plane going on to SFO, so it "waited" for them. Had to deplane, go through customs, back through security and onto the same plane. Six-hour wait in SFO for flight home to Portland. Sigh . . .Hopefully, lots of good memories to take the place of these last ones!

JODI AND JUSTIN'S WEEK - MARCH 28-29

March 28 - we did NOTHING!

Well, not NOTHING, but it was a total down day. We did laundry, played Hand & Foot, hung out laundry, played Hand & Foot, read, cleaned house, did grocery shopping, played Hand & Foot.

Oh - I forgot to mention on SMALL thing that had to be taken care of Saturday: Cape Air cancelled all Friday and Saturday flights, so that meant Jodi and Justin got bumped from their early Sunday morning flight. After hours on the phone with United - and an in-person visit to the counter at the Saipan airport, they finally settled on a Monday evening flight off Saipan with an overnight in Guam - at United expense.

No joy at the Cape Air/United counter

March 29 - We had Sunday morning meeting, pot luck, Bible study at our place in the afternoon and GOOFED OFF with the group. Notice where the hat goes.

Back: Larry, Celso, Alfie, Arnold, Max
Front: Susan, Debbie, JOdi
Seated: Clyde

Can you see Clyde peeking in the window?

Can you see Debbie leaping? No?

Can you see Debbie and Susan leaping? No?

JODI AND JUSTIN'S WEEK - MARCH 26-27

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. 

Next up - Marine Beach

Where Jodi and Justin are standing was under 6 feet of water during Typhoon BAVI

Justin is king of the hill standing on an old Japanese bunker from WW II

After a hard day of sight seeing, it was time for a little rest and relaxation - playing Hand & Foot!! Serious competition here.

JODI AND JUSTIN'S WEEK - MARCH 24-25

Capturing the view at Banzai Cliff

Island History Tour, Pau Pau and Managaha.

The visit to the American Memorial Museum on the 23rd set the stage for the tour of the north part of the island with Banzai Cliff, the Last (Japanese) Command Post Suicide Cliff . . .

The fall was substantial

A tank at the Last Command Post 

A bunker hewn out of the rocks provided a good view of the approaching enemy

Justin inside the bunker

Braided paper streamers at a Japanese memorial

Jodi and Justin looking down from Suicide Cliff

After the sobering moments at the Japanese suicide memorials, we headed for the Grotto - favorite snorkeling and diving spot. We had our snorkel gear, but you can tell by the crowds, it would not have been a good day in the water!

A very crowded day at the Grotto

I think there are about 100 steep steps to the Grotto

It was a hot and muggy day, so on the way back home, we stopped for a dip at Pau Pau Beach and got in a little snorkeling on the side.

Ahhhhhhh . . . .

Not sure what the hand signal means, but . . .

Strange sea creature!!

Let's play follow the sea creature! Does he have legs?

TRIP OUT TO MANAGAHA

Going out to the little island of Managaha is one of the highlights of any Saipan adventure. Jodi and Justin added parasailing to theirs!

No - I'm not on my cell phone

Sunken ship - no dubloons

 The waters around Managaha are loaded with beautiful tropical fish. Here's some that Jodi and Justin saw.

Angel fish and sea cucumber

Swimming with the fishies

Now, off we go into the wild blue yonder!

Ready to launch

Up, up and away!

Hundreds of feet above the lagoon

Bird's eye view of Managaha

We concluded the day at Celso, Susan and Clyde's house for Bible Study. Justin was not feeling too well, so could not come.