Where are we today? Saipan/Managaha

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Hafa adai!


It feels like we are moving closer to Asia in culture.  Saipan is part of the US, but it’s a part in which English is only one of several official languages. Nine-tenths of the people speak a language other than English at home. Signs remind people 1) not to spit Betel nut juice in public places and 2) not to attempt to use an American style toilet by trying to squat as you would for a Chinese one. A little island in Saipan’s harbor where we went to snorkel was filled with Japanese tourists, and the signs in the snack shop were written in Multiple Asian looking alphabets along with English.  For lunch, Dave and I wandered into a Chinese restaurant where we had to pint to pictures to communicate with our waitress and only chopsticks — no forks — were offered. I love these peeks into how people live, shop, travel, and spend time with their families in other places. 

We started the day with a snorkeling excursion to Managaha. This beautiful islet in Saipan’s harbor was the burial place for a Carolinian king, as well as a defensive place for Japanese soldiers in WW2. It was a cloudy day with surf and rip tide warnings, so we didn’t get to swim in the best place for snorkeling.  Even so, I found a lot of fish by a coral reef, as well as different kinds of coral.  Many people didn’t find much.  

To me, the fish were a bonus. I was enchanted with amazing birds in the trees, and more so with all of the happy Japanese families. 











We are beginning three sea days and will arrive in Igishaki Okinawa on the 4th morning. 

More about Saipan tomorrow. 

Have a great day! 

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