Snapshots of a journey around Guam

By James Espinosa

This past March, a good friend took me around the island, revealing a fresh perspective on Guam’s beauty and, more significantly, its people.

We began in East Hagåtña at Turé Café, sharing breakfast with childhood friends against the serene backdrop of Agaña Bay. Then our journey began as one friend left for work.

While each stop deserves its own story, I’ll focus on a few memorable moments. Our first stop was Adelup, the People’s House, where remnants of Spanish Colonial architecture and World War II weaponry stand as reminders of our military history.

As we visited sites commemorating WWII battles, the Marine beach assault locations affected me deeply. Seeing the iconic mountain backdrop in Hågat, captured by wartime photographers as they stormed the beach, I could envision the beach approaches and the fallen soldiers in the water.

In Humåtak, the village’s efforts to clear roadside vegetation revealed an unobstructed view of Guam’s deep blue waters.

The Vietnam Memorial resonated personally — Guam honored its fallen sons, including my father-in-law. The site’s palapala and fencing brilliantly incorporated ancient limestone with fossilized corals, likely millions of years old.

Behind the memorial stood majestic green mountains overlooking Humåtak Bay, where Guam was first discovered in 1521. This vista prompted reflection on our identity, our history and our future. The iconic bridge still stands stately and continues to serve as one of many reminders of our colonial past. 

We stopped at the Humåtak Mayor’s office to visit Mayor Johnny “Bada” Quinata. A woman sitting under an umbrella pointed to him nearby, cutting grass. My friend greeted him jokingly: “Wow, a working mayor!” This encounter reminded me of Chief Gadao’s story—a tale not just of greatness, but of humility. 

Entering Malesso’, we were welcomed by streets lined with decorative plants. My friend explained that one resident had planted and maintained these not just on his property’s easement, but on others’ for decades. This man’s selflessness and pride in his community exemplify the island spirit.

At Malesso’ Pier, memories flooded back of a family celebration years ago. It’s one of many places where families gather around what Guam offers in abundance — beautiful beaches.

A nearby billboard educated visitors about Guam’s cultural fishing practices, highlighting Inafa’maolek — caring and sharing. I experienced this firsthand when a new friend shared his catch of atulai with me, providing a meal I enjoyed with my family on my last day on Guam.

Inalåhan Pool, always worth visiting, didn’t disappoint but the statue of Chief Gadao commanded attention. I couldn’t resist the honor of a photo with this monument to greatness. At Bear Rock, I realized how the Pacific Ocean, its breezes and rainfall had sculpted not just the bear, but also a turtle and camel in stone.

As we moved north, hibiscus flowers lined the streets of Talo’fo’fo’, enhancing the village’s natural beauty. The narrative shifted, however, at a northern beach where we witnessed someone shatter a glass bottle in the parking lot. Though I hesitate to include this in an article meant to celebrate our island’s beauty, this ugly reality occasionally receives media attention and deserves acknowledgment.

Each stop on our journey held its own story — historical significance or natural splendor. Many artists have captured our island’s beauty through writing, drawing or crafting. For me, though, Guam’s physical beauty serves merely as a canvas for its most remarkable feature: its culture and its people.

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