Guam: Humidity, History, and a Whole Lotta Fried Chicken
okay, so. guam. i didn’t really know what to expect, honestly. i just saw a cheap flight and thought, ‘why not?’ and here i am, slightly sticky and definitely over-caffeinated.
I just checked and it’s…a blanket of warm air clinging to everything. Like, seriously, you walk outside and it just hits you. The forecast says it’s hovering around 28 degrees Celsius, feels like 30.57, and the humidity is a solid 68%. Pressure’s at 1007, ground level’s 987…whatever that means. I’m just trying to stay cool, you know?
I spent a lot of time wandering around *Hagåtña, the capital. It’s…smaller than I thought. But there’s a weird, fascinating vibe. You’ve got these old Spanish colonial buildings right next to modern shops selling, like, the brightest neon t-shirts imaginable. It’s a clash, but somehow it works. I stumbled across Fort Santa Agnes, which was pretty cool - a lot of history packed into those walls. Apparently, it was used during World War II. You can check out more about the history here: TripAdvisor - Fort Santa Agnes.
I overheard some drunk guy at a bar telling everyone that the best place to get authentic Chamorro food is Mama’s Grill. He was very insistent. Said it’s “the only place that does it right.” I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on the list. I did have some amazing fried chicken though. Seriously, the best I’ve had in ages. There’s a place called Chicken Charlie’s that’s apparently a local institution.
Someone told me that Tumon is where all the tourists hang out, and they weren’t wrong. It’s got the big hotels, the fancy restaurants, the shopping malls…the whole shebang. It’s a bit…overwhelming, to be honest. I prefer the quieter, more local spots. I found a really cute little coffee shop in Hagåtña called Cup of Joe. The barista was super friendly and made a mean latte. You can find reviews on Yelp - Cup of Joe.
I’m trying to get out to Agana Bay tomorrow. I heard it’s gorgeous, especially at sunset. Apparently, there are some great snorkeling spots too, but I’m a terrible swimmer, so…maybe not. I’m also thinking about checking out the Guam Museum. I need to learn more about the island’s history. You can find more information about it on Guam Visitors Bureau.
If you get bored, Saipan and Rota are just a short flight away. I’m not sure I have time to hop over, but it’s tempting. I’m also trying to avoid the tourist traps. A local warned me about a certain “cultural experience” that’s basically just a staged performance for tourists. Apparently, it’s overpriced and not very authentic.
Honestly, the best thing about Guam so far has been the people. Everyone’s been so friendly and welcoming. It’s a really relaxed vibe here. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay, but I’m definitely glad I came. I’m already planning on finding a good spot to watch the sunset tonight. Maybe with some more of that fried chicken…
Oh! And one last thing: don’t forget to bring bug spray. The mosquitos are relentless*.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/shooting-the-sunset-in-port-victor
- https://votoris.com/post/agadez-the-forgotten-jewel-of-the-sahara
- https://votoris.com/post/cheap-coffee-bad-wifi-and-a-few-good-bites-my-messy-cairo-adventure
- https://votoris.com/post/gangwondo-where-concrete-meets-the-chill
- https://votoris.com/post/kyiv-chaos-321426-that-weird-number