To those of you who have yet to read my article about America's hidden gem, my hometown, Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands, a brief summary of where it is located is just up north of Guam, east of the Philippines and south of Japan, right by Marianas Trench.
I’ve been missing my home a little bit more lately that I realized how truly significant my island is in my life. You probably seen me write about it a couple times, but I just can't stress how Saipan really is my sanctuary and my paradise.
With that, let me tell you a few things I miss doing back home:
Going for a brisk jog on beach road
I’ll drive to Oleai and run all the way to 13 Fishermen and back.
Eating at The Shack in Beach Road
At your starting point, there will be a cute cabin by Beach Road called The Shack. I promise that you will love it. I personally love having breakfast here! They have a variety of food and drinks to offer you. Super one of a kind on island!
Swimming behind Aquarius
This was the spot back then, even better with good company, delicious food and island music playing in the background.
Riding a boat to go to Managaha, a smaller island off the coast of Saipan
We do basically the same thing we would do back in the beaches in Saipan, but there’s just something about going to Managaha that makes it a unique experience.
Going to street events
Every Saturday, we have the Sabalu Market, which is almost like a Farmer’s Market but more island-style.
Every Thursday, we have Street Market where we can buy a variety of food from different restaurant vendors for a very cheap price, watch free entertainment and hang out with friends. This used to be the place to meet up with people in the middle of a school week.
Sometime in April, we have Flame Tree which is almost like street market but with more booths selling things other than food such as local shirts, necklaces, hats, ceramics and more exceptional items.
Every Saturday in the month of May, we have the Taste of Marianas where once again (we’re such foodies, I know) different hotels and restaurants come together and sell their food for “$5.00, 5 choices.” Only thing is we have to go to the token booth and get those Saipanda tokens in order to buy food. One toke equals a dollar. They also have a bouncy house, various competitions, free entertainment, a bar and more!
Checking in to hotels (even though we live nearby)
There’s just something about checking in to hotels that makes me enjoy Saipan, a lot more! A few of my favorite hotels are:
Kicking back and catching up
I crave for those random, last minute hang outs with my friends.
A: What's the bida tonight?
B: Idk, what you wanna do?
A: Let's go spot at the beach in CK?
B: Shoot.
Having bonfires in Ladder Beach
... even though it's already super hot on island, we love doing bonfires near our beaches while singing and jamming to some island music.
Going to Shinsen for sushi
(Me back in the day) Also, their sushi is pretty good but customer service could be pretty bad depending.
Grabbing a drink from Cha
Cha started out in a small space in Garapan and expanded as time went on. Back when I was home, this was the spot to be when my friends and I wanted to grab a drink (it probably still is, even now).
Around the island "road trip"
A few places to visit would be the old Japanese Lighthouse, Suicide Cliff, Banzai Cliff, Old Man by The Sea, Forbidden Island, Bird Island, Last Command Post, The Grotto and the abandoned La Fiesta mall, if you're looking for some adventures.
Saipan is truly beautiful and writing this is continuously making me homesick.
The minimum wage is not a living wage.
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