(My Marianas) Cruise stopovers on Saipan

STAKEHOLDERS in the tourism industry are looking forward to the time when the often asked question “Where is Saipan” will be a thing of the past as the Marianas Visitors Authority and other involved agencies go all out to promote not only the CNMI but the whole of Micronesia to the world through Cruises.

Cruise ships that make brief stopovers on Saipan are usually given the traditional island welcome with cultural dancers and given leis when the ship docks at the seaport.  

Judy Torres of the MVA said that as of June 2013, two cruise ships stopped over on Saipan, two cruise ships stopped over in 2012 and five cruise ships made stopovers for the fiscal year 2011.

For 2014, Crystal Cruises is scheduled to make a stopover on Saipan on February 4. Crystal Serenity will leave Los Angeles on an 89-day world tour from January 18 to April 18, 2014. The ship will visit Hawaii, Bali, Africa, Guam before coming here. The ship is expected to dock at the Saipan seaport at 8 am on February 4 and depart at 5 p.m. on the same day to head for Okinawa and Tokyo, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and other countries.

Some of the cruise ships are regular visitors that make one or two stopovers on Saipan every year like the MS Asuka 11 but there are rare visits like the Queen Mary 2 which unfortunately was unable to dock at the Saipan Seaport due to stormy weather. Businesses prepared to welcome over 2,000 visitors for a day but were disappointed but the weather was beyond everyone’s control.  

The CNMI has already carved its niche after being included in forum discussions in various cruise guides like the Cruise Critic where you can read posts from visitors describing the beauty of Saipan and the top sites to visit, as well as basic information on where to go and what to do. Check out http://www.cruisecritic.com to read some of the posts. An overview of Saipan/NMI and Micronesia is also available in the Cruise Away and Clean Cruising websites where readers/cruisers get a wealth of information about the island, and links to how they can book cruises to come here. Visit http://www.cleancruising.com.au/port.asp?port=GUSPN and  http://www.cruiseaway.com.au/cruise-port/saipan_marianas_islands_micronesia.

Postings at these websites describe Saipan and the CNMI as a paradise to escape with magnificent beaches and crystal clear aqua waters, a place with unhurried friendly lifestyle and warm island hospitality. 

Pacific Development Inc. is usually the ground handler for the cruise ships that come in. PDI director Gordon Marciano earlier said that the visitors usually go to visit the World War 11 sites all over the island, go shopping and eat at the restaurants for the day’s stopover.

Tourism industry including the hotels, restaurants, stores and other businesses in the island earlier expressed that they want these cruise ships to stay more than one day on Saipan. Even taxi drivers said that the longer the cruise ships come here, the more money they spend to spur the island’s economy.

The CNMI hopes to attract more cruise ships in the coming years as the MVA has partnered with the Port Authority of Guam, Guam Visitors Bureau and the Micronesia chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association to make up the Micronesian Cruise Association. For more information please call the MVA at 664-3200. 

First published at the Marianas Variety

Santa Visits Saipan via Skype

ALL eyes were glued to the huge screen as the Skype ring tone reverberated in the American Memorial Park Visitor Center theater on Saturday afternoon.

Cedrick the Magician from Tinian was trying to contact Santa Claus in the North Pole while the audience waited. After a few seconds, Santa’s jolly face appeared on screen and he greeted everyone with his booming laughter. He said he was on his way to Saipan.

Cedrick the Magician impressed the young and not so young audience and had everyone mesmerized for 45 minutes as he performed on stage.

Cedrick, 20, is one of the backstage hands for the SandCastle Magic Show at the Hyatt, and it was his first performance in public on Saipan.

Cedrick’s Magic Show culminated with the arrival of Santa Claus. Chilren and adults got the chance to have their pictures taken with Cedrick and Santa Claus in the Visitor Center lobby after the show.

“I was a little bit nervous at first but after the first few minutes, I began to relax and was happy to see the audience enjoying the show,” Cedrick said.

Cedrick is the fourth of seven siblings. Cedrick’s mother Joji, a teacher of Grace Christian Academy on Tinian, said she had never watched any of Cedrick’s shows before.

“His father always comes with him but this time, I decided to come out and watch. I was more nervous than he was during the first few moments of the show but later on, I started to enjoy it,” Joji said.

She wanted Cedrick to be an engineer, but added that their family will always support him in his endeavors.

Cedrick’s father Conrad Libut said: “Doing magic is what he wants, and we are here for him.”

Cedrick became interested in the world of magic at 9 after he watched a special TV marathon show titled “World’s Greatest Magic.” He devoured every episode and decided then and there what he wanted to do in life — magic.

He now performs for various occasions such as birthday parties, baby showers, cocktail parties or even business get-togethers.

Cedrick the Magician also performed during the Brilliant Star School bazaar at the multi-purpose center on Dec. 9. For more information, call 789-9197, email contact@cedrickmagic.com or visit http://cedrickmagic.com.

First published at the Marianas Variety

Tourism from the students’ viewpoint

THE images of blue skies and white sand beaches flashed on the huge white screen mounted on the wall. Lively music filled the room as over 250 students from different schools have their eyes riveted on the screen watching familiar scenes come to life.

Jinky Kintaro of Saipan Southern High school shares her experiences of traveling to Japan as a My WAVE Club member.

In a few minutes, the screen was filled with life and laughter as students and other people were caught on video enjoying the beautiful scenery that a lot of people from here just take for granted.

Seen from the eyes of these high school students, ordinary scenes from everyday life became more interesting and colorful, and that’s how the members of the Marianas Tourism Education Council’s MY WAVE club from Saipan Southern High School want to promote Saipan to the rest of the world.  

The video which was shown during the annual MTEC Summit held at the Pacific Islands Club last month was produced in a DVD called “I Love Saipan” by members of the SSHS MY WAVE Club. Aside from entertaining the other MY WAVE Club members from elementary, junior high and high schools in the island, it also inspired them to think of ways to promote tourism.

MTEC president Vicky Benavente earlier commended the SSHS MY WAVE Club for the DVD production and appreciated their understanding of the importance of tourism as the island’s prime industry.

SSHS MY WAVE Club is led by its energetic president Bertran Palacios who encouraged the students to keep their ears and eyes open to see what they can contribute to bring more tourists to the island.

Officers of MY WAVE Clubs from other schools also did their presentations on how they plan to promote tourism.

Here are some of the plans and projects of the MY WAVE Club members:

·  Beach and roadside clean ups

Saipan Southern High School My WAVE Club president Bertran Palacios answers questions. Photos by Raquel C. Bagnol

·  Reaching out to the visitors

·  Having a sunny disposition toward the island and its visitors

·  Advertise Saipan to a greater level through the internet, TV, radio and print

·  Preserve the beautiful sites and attractions throughout the islands

·  Improve health services and accommodations

·  Improve the attitudes of hotel staff and those in the tourism industry toward everybody, not just tourists

·  Make it easier for tourists to move around like having more manageable hotel bookings, bus schedules, etc.

·  Work toward a cleaner environment.

MY WAVE, which stands for Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically is one of MTEC’s way of promoting tourism among students and get active involvement.

MTEC is a non-profit organization which aims to educate the public on the importance of the tourism industry. MTEC and the Marianas Visitors Authority began its annual outreach to the different private and public schools last month.

Online Pagan petition now has over 3,000 signatures

THE online petition that opposes using the island of Pagan as a dumpsite for Japan’s tsunami debris already has 3,161 signatures from supporters from Hawaii, Australia, the CNMI, Guam and the states.

The controversial proposal has apparently been abandoned already, but supporters of the petition are still aiming for 10,000 signatures.

The supporters of the petition said the remote volcanic island should be preserved to conserve its wilderness habitat for future generations.

They said Pagan is “sacred” and should not be desecrated with toxic debris.

“Land and soil to the people are precious and people have to protect their paradise,” they added.

They said the CNMI should “avoid the tragedy of Pagan falling into ruin” and that “no island should be turned into a dumpsite.”

The Facebook group “No to Dumping Trash on Pagan”  has already 4,446 members.

It states that Pagan has one of the best top soils in the Mariana chain and it should be used for agricultural purposes.

According to the petition, which is addressed to the commonwealth’s leaders,  the “uniqueness of the CNMI and its culture should be celebrated and protected, not desecrated with a wealthy country’s garbage.”

By signing the online petition, an individual shows that he/she supports protecting Pagan against the potential environmental impacts of leeching chemicals, loose debris, and sedimentation of the reefs and surrounding waters.

To sign the online petition or get more information, go to http://www.change.org/petitions/don-t-turn-pagan-island-into-a-garbage-dump or  http://savepaganisland.org.

To read comments and share your views or interact with other supporters, join the “No to Dumping Trash on Pagan” group on Facebook.
(First published at the Marianas Variety)

Marianas Made opens at Thursday street market

First published at the Marianas Variety
THE community is invited to check out Marianas Made, a new consignment store displaying locally made products at the Garapan Fishing Base street market tonight.

Debra Kay, owner of Marianas Made, said the store “will specialize in locally made art and crafts as well as packaged specialty foods.”

Vendors have answered her call for products that were screened in Garapan on Tuesday afternoon. These included coconut oil, recycled goods, banuelos, necklaces and fashion jewelry from seashells and beads.

Kay said she came up with the idea of a consignment store because she saw the need for a place for vendors to showcase their products made in the Mariana islands.

The store will be a cross between an art gallery and a cultural gift shop, and will carry an assortment of prints, note cards, small stone and wood sculptures, beadwork, jewelry, candles, woven mats, coconut art, ceramics, wood carvings and music — all made in the Marianas.

“We will be displaying the products at the Thursday street market for the time being, until we find a suitable location for a permanent store,” Kay said.

She is encouraging other vendors and manufacturers of local products to contact her and have their products displayed at Marianas Made on a consignment basis.

She said Marianas Made will provide vendors a chance to introduce and sell their products and for consumers to buy them.

“It will be like a one-stop shop to create a link between vendors and buyers of local products,” Kay said.

In 2009, the Made in the Marianas festival was held at the CNMI Museum of Culture & History compound where entrepreneurs manufacturing local products showed up and sold local products to spectators including local wine, artwork, fashion jewelry, beads products, ceramics, preserved foods, and more.

For more information about Marianas Made, call 287-0772 or e-mail changebuilding@gmail.com

Wish upon a pair of Bojobo dolls

LEGEND has it that these little dolls resided in the woods and used to peep out from Bo Jo Bo vines in the village of San Roque, Saipan  hundreds of years ago.
Now, fashioned into dolls from coconut husk and fiber, the Bojobo dolls populate the stores in pairs to make any visit to Saipan, Tinian and Rota complete.
Bojobo dolls are always sold in pairs, a male and a female, sporting a variety of skirt colors are available in various sizes which you could conveniently hang in your car, room, with your keys or anywhere you want to.
Believed to bring good luck in love, money, prosperity and make other wishes come true, the Bojobo dolls have become one of the most-sought and must-not-leave-CNMI-without-it gift item.
From Saipan, Tinian and Rota, the Bojobo dolls have spread out to all parts of the world where tourists come from to serve as a souvenir and remind them that they that they had been to the CNMI.
“Faith can move mountains, and all you have to do is follow the instructions. Entwine the dolls according to what you wish for, hang them in a place where you can see them often and believe in your wish,” a tourist told the Variety in Garapan one day.
“There’s no harm in believing, and besides, the dolls are perfect gift items and decorations,” the tourist added.
If entwined correctly, the Bojobo dolls are believed to bring you luck in love, money and wealth, marriage, fortune, strength, happiness, long life, children, prosperity, friendship and peace.
Bojobo dolls can be bought from $4 and up from all department stores, souvenir shops and hotel gift shops on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, during the street market in Garapan every Thursday, and from online stores.
Grab a pair of these dolls which has become a significant symbol of a visit to the CNMI.
INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions on how to tie the Bojobo dolls are attached when you purchase the dolls
1. PEACE. Leave us as is
2. FRIENDSHIP. Cross his left hand and her right hand together.
3. LOVE. Cross his left hand and her right hand together. Cross his right hand and her left hand together.
4. MARRIAGE.    Cross his left hand and her right hand together. Cross his left and right hand together. Cross her left and right hand together.
5. PROSPERITY. Cross the left and right hand together.
6. HEALTH. Cross the left and right hand together.
7. STRENGTH. Cross his left and right hand together. Cross her left and right hand together.
8. FORTUNE. Cross his left and right hand together. Cross her left and right leg together.
9. WEALTH. Cross his left and right hand together. Cross her left & right leg together. Cross her left and right hand together.
10. HAPPINESS. Cross his left and right hand over her body.
11. LONG LIFE. Cross her left and right hand together. Cross his left and right hand over her body.
12. CHILDREN. Cross his left and right hand over her body. Cross her left and right hand over his body.

First published HERE

Relaxing by the beach

IF you are one of the beach bums who thinks that a day out is never complete without taking a dip in the warm waters of the sea, this beach is just the perfect place for you.

PauPau beach, located right next to Palms Resort Saipan and across the now-closed La Fiesta Mall in the northern part of Saipan is a haven for beach lovers.
The long, sandy beach provides an ideal setting where families with kids or anybody else can have fun. You can stretch and sunbathe on the sand, snorkel in the crystal clear waters, swim, fish, or just hang around.
As a bonus, trees growing on the beach offer lots of shaded areas where you can bring a beach chair and catch up with your reading. Better yet, you can experience total bliss by hanging a hammock and drifting off to dreamland to the gentle crooning of the waves.
Picnic pavilions and a playground add to the convenience of the beach.
Saipan has so many beaches you can choose from to spend your next day off. You can go to isolated beaches that you can have all to yourself or make you feel shut out from the whole world. You can also go to beaches that provide total adventure.
PauPau beach is one which gives the impression of being some place “away from it all” but it is just a few steps away from the main road.
When you get some time off, drop by PauPau beach and pamper yourself to break the monotony of work.

(Got any interesting place in the CNMI you would like to be featured for Island Explorer? Please email me.

Bird Island revisited

A BREATHTAKING view awaits anyone who drives all the way to Marpi at the north east coast of Saipan. As soon as you reach the end of the paved road, prepare to see one of the most spectacular views Saipan has to offer, the Bird Island.

I wasted no time in going down the cemented stairs to the lookout last Saturday with four officemates, not minding the droplets of rain that threatened to develop into a downpour anytime. It was my second time to visit the Bird Island. The difference was this time, I was not in a hurry.

From the view deck, the Bird Island, also called Isleta Maigo Fahang or “island of sleeping seabirds” by the locals, is a small rocky islet standing in the middle of a coral reef that looks so near yet so far.

The Bird Island is one place where you can feast your senses on the scenic spot which nature seemed to carve so perfectly years ago. The island serves as a sanctuary for thousands of birds, and that’s how it got its name.

Here is one place where you can sit and gaze for hours at the endless stretch of ocean before you. It is an idyllic spot where you can commune with nature and hear nothing but the crashing of the waves on the rocks below. This is a place where you can forget the daily pressures of work and the deadlines breathing down your neck, a glorious panorama I would exchange for the glare of the computer monitor anytime.

Gazing down, the temptation to go and wade in the waters toward the islet is very strong. I was told there is a steep hiking trail that leads down to the beach and you can head out to the Bird Island when the tide is low.

Maybe, one of these days, I will have the chance to roll up my jeans and wade in the water and hope that the tide stays out until I get back, or else that would be another story.

Stairs going down to the lookout

When you are at the lookout, just be careful to stay within the fenced area. One wrong step beyond could send you hurtling down the cliff toward the rocks below.

If you have been on Saipan for years and you haven’t been to the Bird Island yet, it’s time you check the place which has attracted thousands of visitors from all over the world. It doesn’t pay to be a stranger in your own paradise.

For more photos PRESS ME

http://www.mvarietynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8057%3Aisland-explorer&Itemid=23

The glory that was La Fiesta

I have passed the now-abandoned La Fiesta Mall several times since I arrived on Saipan in February and had always been curious about the sprawling buildings. I finally had the chance to visit the place when Mr. Sandman (aherm-now I have your attention) took me for a quick look at the place some weeks back. Twilight was falling and we just drove around the parking lot as he regaled me with stories of “The glory that was La Fiesta” more than four years ago, before the bustling mall closed its doors.

I didn’t even try to take pictures because I know my reliable camera couldn’t take any shots. Although the daring side of me was very much tempted to explore the empty halls, I didn’t give in. I didn’t exactly relish the thought of being caught by police authorities and be mistaken as a prowling robber. Nah, I wouldn’t want to hit the headlines!

The chance to really explore the ruins (or some parts of it) of La Fiesta Mall in San Roque came last Saturday when I and four ranch-mates (???) Mark, Raymond, Junhan and Moneth decided to stop by on our way to Marpi. In broad daylight, the buildings didn’t look as sinister and eery as it did when I first went there. I picked my way among the ruins, through the debris-filled hallways, peeking through the rooms and shouting “hello” into the vast emptiness. My voice ricocheted through the walls.

Now, no traces of the once-largest shopping and entertainment center on Saipan remained except for these forsaken buildings with its peeling paint, shards of broken glass from the shattered windows and dangling plywood from the cracked ceilings. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for these mute witnesses to the place

Mark playing superman up there

which once throbbed with life and laughter. The three sections-- Fiesta I, II, and III which used

to house shops, fast food restaurants, designer boutiques, movie theaters and a concert hall where performers belt out live musical renditions every night have become a thing of the glorious past.

La fiesta Mall taken from a15th floor balcony of Palms Resort Saipan.

(Who says I'm afraid of heights???)

I left the ruins with a heavy heart, sorry for the days-gone-by when La Fiesta stood in all its glory. I was not yet here to witness the non-stop activities but from the accounts of people who had contributed to the heydays of the mall, I released a huge sigh and realized I went sentimental over a past which I was not even a part of.

Taste of the Marianas 2008

All traces of the usually-quiet American Memorial Park grounds were gone and the whole place was turned into a beehive of non-stop activities as the 10^th annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden kicked off with much pomp on Saturday night.

The smell of the scrumptious and delectable food wafting from the different booths were enough to tantalize one’s taste buds the moment they step into the clearing which has been transformed into one huge village-type restaurant, and the visitors doesn’t need prodding to purchase tokens to avail of the wonderful spread all within their arm’s reach.

Here is one event nobody should miss. It’s that once-a-year affair when the island’s top chefs from the top hotels and restaurants go out from the confines of their kitchens and show themselves to the public to prepare delectable and affordable food.

It’s one of those rare nights in a year where locals, tourists and people from all walks of life rub elbows with each other and share in the fun and laughter as they sample and share the island’s diversity of culinary showcase.

Free entertainment from local artists and performers added sizzle to the festive event that is characterized by the unique warmth and hospitality in the island.

Guests had the chance to sample the widest array of local food and flowing drinks by hopping from stall to stall and partook of the specialties offered by this year’s participating vendors.

And for the night’s bestsellers:

Hyatt Regency Saipan: Chicken pajetas and the Shawarma, which made its debut to the island made an instant hit with the guests.

Aqua Resort Club: Beef Tinaktak, flat bread pockets with beef and Tinian hot peppers

3’s Hula Girl: Native delicacies and sweets

Ty & Tia: Pearl shakes, fruit mixes and chillers

Herman’s Modern Bakery: Double chocolate Oreo cake which disappeared in no time at all

Hafadai Beach Hotel: Barbeque, sushi and Oden, a Japanese delicacy consisting fish cake, raddish, eggs and garnish.

Pacific Islands Club: Banana crepes- fried banana rolled in lumpia wrapper and garnished with grapes, strawberry, cream and syrup.

Tony Roma’s Capricciosa: Pizza and rice croquette, a fried ball consisting of rice, green peas and stuffed mozzarella cheese dipped in savory meat sauce.

Saipan Grand Hotel and Fiesta Resort: Chinese and Korean combo

Thai House: Five choices of vegetable and seafood menu

D’ Elegance Café: Typical Filipino dishes and the ever-present pork lechon and dinuguan

Mariana Resort & Spa: Mixed serving of international taste from Mexican burritos, Chinese spring rolls and others.

World Resort: Tasty barbeque and other dishes

Palms Resort Saipan: Teppan-yaki and a set menu of three choices

Poon’s Restaurant: Chinese cuisine

Nothern Marianas Bartenders Association: Never-ending orders of all drinks, beers, Carlsberg, and Mangorita which for four tokens, you can avail of a tall, iced glass of fresh green mango juice with sugar and a shot of tequila.

Food lovers who flocked to have a taste of the local and international dishes and flowing drinks went home sated yet craving for more. The Taste of the Marianas is one of the much-anticipated events in the CNMI. The event is a chance to lose yourself in the “food and drink wonderland” for the four Saturdays for the month. Don’t miss it!