Taste of the Marianas

Tonight is the last night of one of Saipan's greatest annual events -- the Taste of the Marianas Food Festival that runs each Saturday night during the month of May. For the folks in Japan who have recently been visiting my blog, here is the description from the Marianas Visitor's Authority.

The smell of scrumptious and delectable food is in the air at The 9th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden. One of Saipan’s most popular of events will take place on May 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2007 at the American Memorial Park. This event is complete with live entertainment, food, beverages and numerous competitions in the tropical Saipan weather making this outdoor evening event a favorite of visitors in the region who swarm for a "Taste of the Marianas".

There is no fee to join in on the fun and festivities, but you will need to purchase tokens for food and beverages. Saipan’s very best restaurants and hotels participate in this event making it a delectable culinary and cultural experience extravaganza not to be missed.

Locals show the Hafa Adai spirit to visitors of our tropical island of Saipan, sharing in the culture and enjoying all that the festival has to offer. So come and enjoy!!

Our family has been every Saturday night this month. It's great for the kids, and it always strikes me that we (and all the other parents) just let them run around and have a good time -- something you wouldn't do in a larger place.

Young Dancers
(Photo courtesy of Dave Hodges - visit his site for more great shots of Saipan)




Photo opportunity with the Carolinian dancers
(Photo courtesy of David Hodges)




The main stage




Artwork at the Taste of the Marianas



The ubiquitous roasting pig

Food huts on the grassy lawn at American Memorial Park, the usual venue.
Come join us next year!

Hike to Old Man by the Sea

Once a month, the kids at Brilliant Star School (which is one of the greatest schools in the WORLD, right here on Saipan!), go on a Junior Hikers' Trek. Today, we headed off to Old Man by the Sea. While we were there, my friend Xavier told the story that his father told him. There is a legend that an old man was fishing at this beach, and cursed the ocean for not giving him any fish. The ocean reached up and plucked the man away, but left his image on this rock on the beach for all to see and remember to respect the sea.

The trail has some small ups and downs and can be muddy and slippery if it rains. Take water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat and clothes to get wet in if you want to wade in the water at the beach. It's not a good snorkling beach, so don't bother lugging snorkle or mask along. It's a kid friendly hike. A few toddlers under two made it, albeit they were carried most of the way. It takes about 30-45 minutes each way, from the road to the beach.

Down at the bottom of this post, there are directions (complete with satellite photos) of how to get to this hike.

The Lamar's going down the steep part. A rope is always there to help.

Through the thicket.

Arriving at Old Man by the Sea beach.

Michael looking like MacArthur wading ashore.

Cool water and great waves crashing on the reef. I love this island!

Today Nava learned that it's not a good idea to run in the rocky water without reef shoes. She got a pretty deep gash on her heel. She was a trooper hiking back out. But it was deep enough that we went straight to my office where I put three stitches into the wound (after cleaning out all the bits of rock and coral.) We managed to get it sewn together in about 15 minutes, with enough time left to get home and shower and run off to see Shrek the Third.

Beautiful rock formations at the beach.

Preparing to leave.

Rob leads the way out for the last ones to leave.

Arman takes home a piece of Styrofoam -- a prized souvenir for any six year-old boy.

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Directions to Old Man by the Sea

I think this is one of the coolest maps of the trail to Old Man by the Sea. I left the file "full size" so if you click on the image, you can get a nice detailed view of the map and satellite photo.

The trailhead for Old Man by the Sea is on Talafofo Road (the road to Kingfisher Gold Course from Capital Hill which starts next to Esco’s). The trail begins just after the Egigi Road intersection (misspelled on the map as Igigi) , and before the San Igancio Road intersection (not labeled on the map). The road widens a bit and there is room to park on the side.

As you get close, you'll see this "winding road" sign, which goes downhill.

Then as you start to come back uphill you'll see this telephone pole. The trailhead is past the telephone pole, near the farthest car.

Here is what the trail head looks like. It's an oft used trail, so it's usually pretty well worn and rarely gets overgrown. As is typical on Saipan, someone has left some markers hanging in the tree on the right, in this case, a water bottle and a pink shoe. If you're ever driving around Saipan and see something hanging from a tree by the side of the road, it is usually the start of a trail.