Friends:

Today was a fabulous day of R&R at the beach. My client, Tina, her sister, and children picked me up from the hotel and took me to Ritidian beach. The sky was heavy with dark ominous clouds and we wondered about our planned picnic… When we arrived, Evelyn, her husband, Will, Tina’s brother, and Evelyn’s children were already there. They set up a tent with tables and chairs in a beautiful wooded area just yards from the water. Meat roasted on the barbecue.  The table was set with lots of delicious food including red rice (a native specialty), Chamorro spicy sausage, and a chocolate cake topped with strawberries. Later, Cyndy Pruski and her family joined us. It was a beach blast!  Here is a picture of some of the gang in our picnic pavillion.

Our wooded alcove was the home to hundreds of beautiful butterflies. They clustered on the local trees, like bunches of jeweled grapes. This picture actually shows some of the iridescent blue on their wings.

Indeed, it did rain but on and off, and not for very long. The water at the beach was, at first, rough and choppy, but it calmed down when the sun emerged. The water is so clear and gorgeous. The sand is made of tiny bits of shell and coral – it’s not hot at all. Here is a picture of me playing with the children in the paradise waters. We splashed in lots of “swell swells!”

It was a a ton of fun! The beach is located on a nature preserve. Twice, we saw monitor lizards cross our path! They are huge! They are attracted to meat and we had barbecued steak and sausages. I guess the aroma enticed them. My friends told me not to get too close. They said, “These lizards like meat and you are meat.”  It was said it half in jest and half seriously. I took their warning seriously. Yeah, I definitely don’t want to become some lizard’s lunch! LOL

After our splendid day at Ritidian beach, we headed back to my hotel. Tina and I had plans to go see a Polynesian revue. I used the few hours I had to swim some more in Tumon Bay, the beach right in front of my hotel, pack all my bags to prepare for my Philippines trip, and do a bit of work. This is the stunning  sunset I captured from my balcony.

Tina picked me up at 8:30 pm and we headed to Jimmy Dee’s, a casual beach bar. There was a reggae band playing when we arrived and everyone was dressed in shorts and flip flops. Tina and I were dressed up. It wasn’t what we expected. I wanted a full, formal Polynesian dinner and show. My hotel had one but Jimmy Dee’s was recommended us to by a friend so we headed there instead. Jimmy Dee’s didn’t serve food so we decided to grab a bite. Tina took me to Sam Choy’s, featuring a fusion of Hawaiian, Chamorro, Asian, American foods. It was delicious. I had a Kobe beef burger – so tender. Tina had the Chamorro puu puu (appetizer) platter with fish kelaguen, dried pork and dried beef, titiyas (Chamorro tortillas), and a special spicy finedeni sauce made with coconut milk  instead of soy sauce.

It was a fabulous day although I am nursing a sunburn on my shoulders and back (yes, I put SPF 45!!!  and still burned!). Guam has been a delight. I can’t wait to return.  I leave for the Philippines tonight (Monday, March 10, 2008) at 7pm. The flight to the Philippines is only about an hour and forty minutes.

Thank you, Tina, Evelyn, Cyndy (and your families), the IRA Guam Council, teachers, students, and people of Guam. I love you! I felt so special because I was treated better than a guest – I was welcomed like family. Guam is a truly special place – please visit! I promise you – you will love every minute of it. Just eat like the locals, soak in the sunshine, and bask in the splendor of Guam’s beauty (both its land and its people).

Farewell, Guam. I will miss you and can’t wait to return!!

Warmly, Dianne

P.S.  Eliana and Soleil — love from Mom in Guam! XOXOXO