‘Geocaching’ may be NMI’s newest tourist attraction

(First published at the Marianas Variety)

HAVE you ever heard of the word “geocaching”? Marianas Trekking, Saipan’s adventure company says it may attract more tourists to the CNMI.

The Barracuda team composed of children who joined the Eco Camp poses at the entrance of Suicide Cliff before going on a geocaching adventure. Contributed photo

Geocaching, according to Marianas Trekking general manager Elly Stoilova, is a fun high-tech treasure hunt game in which participants use GPS to discover hidden caches.

“This game is a great motivation to get outdoors with family and friends and discover new places, as usually the caches are hidden in beautiful locations such as sightseeing spots or educational sites like those related to history, architecture, and more,” Stoilova said.

She said she has been doing research on how geocaching can boost tourism.

Stoilova said  geocaching is very popular in Japan, Korea and Guam. There are 8,424 hidden caches in Japan, 5,502 in Korea, 640 on Guam, 4 on Saipan, 3 on Tinian and 4 on Rota.

“There are close to 2 million caches hidden around the world  (1,851,666) and the total registered participants in this high-tech treasure hunting game have already reached over 5 million worldwide,” Stoilova said.

She said Marianas Trekking introduced geocaching last July 1 at Eco Camp.

Stoilova  earlier searched online for some new activities that would be interesting for children.

“I found ‘geocaching’ listed as activity in several camps and I was intrigued to learn more about it. As soon as I registered online and learned more, I was hooked to this fun idea,” Stoilova said.

She said her team, the Barracudas, searched for one of the only four hidden treasures on Saipan near Suicide Cliff and found it.

“It was our first geocaching and we were so excited about! I revisited the place where the cache is hidden and added a few bo-jo-bo dolls there for off-island visitors to take,” Stoilova said.

Mechanics

Stoilova said in geocaching, those who find the caches do not take them but just log that they have found them. This way each geocache can attract many hunters for years. She said  occasionally people leave tradable items there, which can be taken if replaced with other items of the same value.

One can find items in the cache that can be trackable.

“These items have their own unique number and a purpose to travel around the world, to which geocachers can contribute,” she said.

Stoilova cited as example the cache near Suicide Cliff where there is a trackable lucky clover and the goal is to visit a brewery in Dublin, Ireland, and to take picture there that shall be shared with the clover owner. She added that the family that sent this trackable around the world lives in Orange, Michigan. The trackable has travelled already over 12,000 kms.

Stoilova said that geocaching is not only for tourists but for locals too.

“Geocaching is for everyone. Tourists involved in the game will be happy to add to their logs to more caches in exotic destinations or places they haven’t been before while traveling for business or leisure. Local families can enjoy this activity as a fun outdoor activity for the entire family,” Stoilova said.

She said  she has been watching the Saipan caches and from the logs so far she saw that those finding them are Saipan tourists who have visited the island as tourists and for business purpose.

Behind the fun the treasure hunting can give to the participants, Stoilova said geocaching promotes eco-tourism and outdoor activities, educate people about nature and give them a reason to travel, explore and be happier.

Impact on Tourism

Stoilova said  geocaching is a new niche market and the CNMI is ideal for it: beautiful nature, caves, beaches, trail in the jungles, amazing sightseeing and historic spots.

“Having caches hidden in all these areas would be the next step. There are serious hunters out there looking for new places to visit. There are geocachers in Guam, Japan and Korea and I would be great to create more reasons for them to visit Saipan, Tinian and Rota,” Stoilova said.

She is planning to place a few new caches in the next months and cannot wait to see who will be the one to find them. She is also looking at presenting geocaching to the Marianas Visitors Authority if they will be interested to support geocaching tours and challenges.

CNMI gets over $1.7M estimated ad value in 2009

A view of Garapan as seen from Mt. Tapuchao. Photo by Raqs

THEY came at different times of the year: photographers and writers from, newspapers, broadcasters from radio stations, reporters from television stations, web site representatives, tour operators and travel agencies.

They all share a common goal and that is to visit the sights, feel and see the famous attractions of Saipan, Tinian and Rota and go back to their own places to produce articles and commercials to let the whole world know that the CNMI is a place worth visiting.
The visitors went to the famed locations such as the white sand beaches of Managaha Island, the scenic natural sites of the Grotto, Bird Island, Suicide Cliff and Banzai Cliff, the Korean Peace Memorial on Saipan, to the historical sites on Tinian and Rota. They sampled the optional tours available tours including arts and culture, dinner cruise, diving, eco/outdoor adventure, family activities, fishing, movie theatre, shopping, spa/fitness, sightseeing historical tours, water activities, wedding and honeymoon, and others.
They all experienced the uniqueness that spells the totality of the CNMI, and in return they have done their part in providing exposure to the islands to the rest of the world.
The success of all these fam tours are due to the efforts of the Marianas Visitors Authority through its managing director Perry Tenorio and the island’s tour agencies, hotel and restaurant operators and other sponsors who have worked with MVA to facilitate a smooth stay for the visitors.
From January to December this year, the CNMI has received over $1.7 million value of media exposure on TV, newspapers, magazines, radio and web site promotions. The products of the familiarization tours were targetted at millions of viewers, readers and listeners in the with the aim of attracting them to come and visit the CNMI.
With the visitor arrival figures steadily decreasing over the past years,
Here’s a glimpse of the exposures for this year based on information released by the MVA.

January

The popular East Asia boy band “TVXQ” was here from Jan. 13-17 to videotape an upcoming music video and SBS TV, one of the three major channels in Korea.

February

On Feb. 13, MVA hosted a familiarization tour from Asahi News Star, a cable and satellite news channel to introduce Tinian and Saipan as a destination for the senior market. It was also targeted to air on Yahoo! Japan. The estimated exposure value is $132,000.
On Feb.19, a tour group from from Busan, Korea packed in the sights of both Saipan and Rota. The group was composed of 12 tour agents and one representative each from newspaper Busan Ilbo, Saipan World Resort Korea office, Asiana Airlines, and the MVA Korea office.

March

CNMI was featured on air to 12 million radio listeners in Russia following a familiarization tour from representatives of Pevoe Popularnoe Radio in Moscow. The radio feature is valued at up to $100,000.
On March 13-17, an eight-member production team of the tourism channel “4S Charming” was here to produce 5-minute segments for the month of April. The show was targeted at over half a million viewers in 20 cities in China.
On March 21-26, a writer and photographer from Weekly Shinchou, a magazine reaching nearly 500,000 readers in Japan were here on a fam tour. The estimated value of the coverage is $54,000-$90,000
On March 23-27, reporters from Cosmopolitan, a monthly fashion magazine experienced numerous attractions for a supplement in Cosmopolitan Travel. The estimated value of the coverage is $102,000.

April

A six-member team from Brutus, a high-class fashion and lifestyle magazine in Japan visited Saipan for coverage introducing Saipan as a famous location for shooting covers. The approximate ad exposure value is $120,000.
Japan’s Body+ magazine, published monthly and reaches 70,000 readers, did a coverage of the January 2009 Winter Festival of Runs on Saipan and came back in April to do another 4-6 page feature with a publicity value of up to $76,000.

May

A 10-page coverage at an estimate ad exposure value of $45,000 was slated for Korea’s Singles Magazine in the Summer Special Travel Guide featuring destination travel information.
On May 29, the Housewives’ Life, a trend-setting Korean magazine targeting housewives slated four pages of coverage at an estimated exposure value of US$8,000.

June

Shape Magazine, a major Russian magazine reaching eight million readers was here to do a 6-page feature and an article on the magazine’s website. The estimated value of the article is US$250,000
From June 15-19, a five-member team from Japan’s Monthly Diving magazine was set to feature 10 pages of the CNMI’s year-round diving available sites at an estimated ad value of over $60,000.
Marine Diving, a monthly magazine with a circulation of 170,000 in Japan covered the first Flipper Race held at Managaha on June 20. The estimated exposure value of the article is over $39,000.

July

On July 3-7, 28 media outlet representatives from Guangzhou, China were here on a fam tour.

August

Nine media outlets from China were here on a fam tour on Aug. 8, including the Shanghai TV Station with a viewership of over 100 million, website integrated CCTV channel U.CCTV.com, Sina.com, video sharing website Youku.com, travel guidebook Gootrip Magazine, magazine Elite Traveler, newspaper journal The Labor Daily, Metro DM, and flight magazine The Moment. The total estimated value of exposure from this fam tour was over $58,000.

September

Six Russian media outlets visited CNMI on a 10-day fam tour last Sept. with an estimated ad value of US$458,000.

October

NS Homeshopping cable station and JAUTOUR of Korea visited the NMI to film a TV commercial advertising travel packages to this tropical resort destination. The one-hour commercial and interactive buying program, set to air on Oct. 31 has an estimated ad exposure value of $40,000.

November

Writers and photographers from the Chinese Kunming TV Tourist Channel were here to do a coverage set to air this month. The station reaching over one million households which was set to air this month.
The CNMI was slated to receive 15 minutes of prime time TV coverage each week last month on the Yel-Arna TV channel, owned by the Khabar Agency. The coverage was targetted to reach an audience of 13 million potential travelers, with an estimated exposure value of over USD $67,000.
Last month, MVA also hosted two media personnel from Delta Airline’s in-flight magazine SKY. Saipan will be featured in the January/February 2010 issue of SKY, with an estimated total ad value of $65,000.

December

MVA and the Japan Saipan Travel Association hosted the annual Marianas Tourism Academy 2009 for 56 travel agents and media representatives from major cities across Japan recently attended the annual from Dec. 7-11. The Marianas Tourism Academy aims to give the travel industry affiliates a chance to familiarize themselves with attractions, activities and facilities in the islands.
MVA and the rest of the community hopes that the seeds sown through hosting numerous fam tours will grow and will result to more tourists here in the future.

(This article was first published HERE)

A look at CNMI’s real estate

This is a photo I took of the ruins of La Fiesta Mall in Tanapag which remains as a mute witness to
Saipan's days of glory. Photo taken from the 15th floor lobby of Palms Resort hotel.

MORE than a decade ago, Saipan was an island bustling with activity. Economy was at its peak, with new buildings and establishments sprouting all over the island. Houses, apartments and commercial buildings were filled and bursting at the seams.

About ten years after, the last of over 30 garment factories closed its doors and ended the era of what can be considered as Saipan’s “glory days.”
People are leaving the island in droves looking for better opportunities in other places, leaving residential and commercial buildings to ruins.
For the past years, “For RENT” signs mushroomed in buildings all over the island, adding glumness to the already bleak economic atmosphere.
Ronnie Hodges, a licensed real estate broker and auctioneer in the commonwealth said that the CNMI has “crumbled to the worst real estate in America, and arguably among the world’s worst, possibly edging out Antarctica for the title.”

Downward factors

Hodges said that the real estate market is considerably worse than five years ago although it’s tough to gauge in such a stagnant market.
“We have worsened economically for a myriad of factors that are well known by everyone here,” Hodges said.

Financing issues

He pointed out that financing issues is one factor, with the local banks taking depositor’s money and reinvesting it in Hawaii and Guam to stimulate their economies with commercial and residential developments.
“Perhaps the banks are jaded with our land alienation laws and history of protectionism,” he said.
Citing an example, Hodges said that when a bank does loan money here, and the borrower doesn’t pay his mortgage, there is a right of redemption.
In other words, this means no one can buy the land to start with, and if they loan money on it, the lending institution will have an incredibly long and expensive ordeal to repossess the property. He added that the lack of accurate appraisal may also be a factor in banks apprehensions about lending. Hodges added that maybe the banks are fed up and have now wised up.

Abundance of junk housing

Hodges said that the islands have a huge glut of junk housing that could be considered somewhere “between cheap and free” and most should be condemned and destroyed.
“We have limited quality housing and most of that is owner occupied and either not for sale, or very expensive,” he said.
On Saipan, Hodges said the ANAKS apartments in Puerto Rico may be the most expensive residential units or condos that offers long term lease between 75k and 250k depending on size and view angle. Residents of these apartments pay a monthly rate somewhere between $1,000 to $1,700, not including power and utilities from $700 to $1,000 but they have the advantages of security, potable water, location, and other amenities.

Risky investments

Hodges said that these factors and more make it difficult to build and make your investment productive as well.
He said that for example, when an individual borrows $200,000 to lease land and build a home, the general formula means his monthly payment is $1,000 per $100,000 borrowed. This means that he would need to rent that house at $2,000 per month to break even for time, trouble, and risk he spent on the investment.
“That is why we have little construction here,” Hodges said.
He added that Article 12, the controversial land ownership issue, is the most sensitive economic obstacle to success.
“Our economy will never improve until it is changed,” he said.

Declining homestead values

Hodges said that another local real estate concern is the steep decline in values in our homestead areas.
He said that wealthy people or affluent tourists generally will not reside in problem areas.
“Between the stray dog problems, crime and poor aesthetic appeal of our impoverished homesteads, the values have gone down,” Hodges said.
He added that the local people who have been penalized by the island’s protectionism are the locals who did the right thing by building nice improvements and maintaining their property. But these improvements suffered because their neighbors built tin shacks and plummeted every property in the areas value.
“Until that is addressed, our homestead residents will suffer from low property values,” Hodges said.

Chance to recover

But Hodges said that although the CNMI’s real estate portrays a bleak picture, there’s still a chance to recover.
“The future is in our own hands, now more than ever before. We have a few advantages – our uniqueness, geographical location, being small, and some degree of autonomy,” Hodges said, adding that some, like Bermuda for instance, have managed those same qualities into unimaginable wealth for their indigenous populace by exploiting their strengths.
He added that those qualities can be explosive but bureaucracy, corruption, and protectionism never create prosperity.
He said that the commonwealth’s strength should be an ability to adapt and change quickly to a rapidly changing world.

(First published HERE)

Parasailing up, up and away!

(This article was originally published HERE)
Photos courtesy of Dan Westphal

THE sight of multi-colored parachutes floating hundreds of feet above the ocean while being towed by a speeding boat has caught my interest for a long time, and I vowed I would not leave the island without trying this amusement ride that had tourists coming back for more. My chance at parasailing finally came early this month when my officemates planned a trip to Managaha Island.

Tasi Tours supervisor for Managaha Yuka Saito booked me and our advertising in-charge Jeanette for a parasailing trip and warned us not to take any alcohol.

At 2 p.m., we were already onboard a boat and speeding toward the middle of the ocean. A couple, then a mother and daughter were ahead of us to go up. We were to be the last. I watched with fascination as the huge parachute unfurled and those ahead of us flew into the skies by two’s.

I watched them as the boat captain, Dan Westphal lowered them into the water a few minutes later to get their feet wet then released them back into the air.

Before we knew it, our turn came. I examined the contraption tied around my body and struggled to drive away the fear that started to gnaw at my guts. I don’t have fear of heights but I don’t know how to swim.

I decided to think of the hereafter later if something happens and we get disconnected from the boat. Tightening my lifejacket, I looked down and saw the warning on the harness which says “the use of the device puts life and limb to risk. Use at your own risk” or something to that effect!

Uh-uh, some assurance indeed!

Before long, we were soaring high above the clouds. Capt. Dan set off at an average speed and I began to enjoy parasailing.

It was exhilarating to float over 150 feet above the clouds and enjoy the view of the islands which looked like tiny globs and the clear blue waters below. Suddenly we were plummeting down at full speed! I nervously looked down to check if we were disconnected from the boat.

I was expecting Capt. Dan to dip our feet slowly in the water but everything was going so fast before I knew it water was up to my neck and I took my first, second and third gulp of sea water.

Before I could think again take my fourth gulp of the ocean, we were soaring up and away again at such a speed I could only hold my breath as I held on for life. Soon it was over and we were gently lowered back to the boat. What I expected to be an ordeal I have to survive turned out to be a very enjoyable yet safe adrenaline-pumping activity.

Although not for the weak of heart or for those who suffer from acrophobia, parasailing is an addictive form of recreation once you get the hang of it.

Capt. Dan said that they get an average of 20 clients who go parasailing in one day, and up to 40 during the peak season.

Parasailing in Managaha costs $65 for adults and $45 for kids and available for people from six to 70 years old. For more information, please call Tasi Tours & Transportation Inc. at (670) 234-7148, fax (670) 235-7141, email managahatasi@tasitours.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.tasi-tours.com.

Island in Flames

Sometime between March and July each year, Saipan seems like an island in flames when seen from a distance.

This is the time when the Flame Trees are at its full bloom, displaying a brilliance that resembles flames and giving the whole island a spectacular look.

I arrived on Saipan on a February and did not pay much attention to the first few orange blossoms that peeped out from the seemingly dead twigs along Beach Road, but one morning, I looked around with wonder. It was as though somebody went around in the night, touched all the twigs and branches with a magic wand and sprayed the streets with the colorful blooms that I was to learn later as CNMI’s national tree.

If you had been here on island for eternity, you may just take it for granted but for the newcomers, it’s a whole new world.

the leafless twigs before the flame tree blossoms

For two years now, driving from the Flame Tree Avenue at the airport down to Garapan along Beach Road and to Marpi during these months has been wonderful and I just can’t seem to get enough photos. The vivid red and orange flowers stand in total contrast to the backdrop of bright green foliage, blue skies and seas that would make a photographer’s hand itch.

Try going up to the balcony of the 15th floor of the Palms Resort Saipan facing the road and you will see a spectacular panorama that will take your breath away.

I learned from the internet that the first Flame Trees or “Tronkun At’but” were brought to Saipan by Francisco Borja Kaipat when he worked for the Marianas agriculture program in the 1960s. I read that the Flame Tree has been described as the most colorful tree in the world. Somebody told me there is also a yellow variety of the Flame Trees but it is something that I still have to see. If you know of one, feel free to email me. Meanwhile, here are some of my flame tree favorite photos...

up close and personal

an idyllic spot at Smiling Cove made much more attractive by a sprinkling of flame tree flowers

The first few flame tree flowers create a huge difference to the ordinarily eerie atmosphere at the Suicide Cliffs in Marpi

This article was originally published HERE

for more flame tree PHOTOS CLICK ME

Taste of the Forbidden Island

The name Forbidden Island alone is more than enough to trigger anyone’s curiosity, just like anything else that is forbidden. I became intrigued by the place even before I set foot on Saipan 14 months ago, but I have yet to find the origin of why this beautiful island located at the end of the southeastern part of Kagman village is named so.

Awe struck me the first time I stepped on the lookout of Forbidden Island during a search and rescue drill with the Department of Public Safety last year.
For individuals who suffer from acrophobia or fear of heights, standing at the edge of the lookout while viewing the Forbidden Island way down is a stomach-wrenching ordeal.
But for the adventurous, the exhilaration you get even as you are driving on the rough road amid thick foliage and finally as you gaze at the endless stretch of ocean extending from Tank Beach on the north side the Laolao Bay Golf Resort on the south side is boundless.
The designation of the Forbidden Island as a sanctuary for the conservation of wildlife in April 2001 through Public Law 12-46 helps maintain and conserve the beauty of the place.
I have been at the lookout site of the Forbidden Island twice but alas, those two times were just a taste of what the place has to offer. It is just like licking your lips from a distance while looking at a plate of your favorite food sizzling and emitting mouth-watering aromas.
I have yet to go hiking and sweat myself in that 45-minute grueling downhill and uphill hike and transform all the tales and colorful accounts of the beauty of the place from those who have huffed and puffed along its rocky downward trail into first hand experience.
I still have to find a chance to go down the Forbidden Island and I know I will be singing a different tune in describing one of the most beautiful places on earth and dip my feet in the clear waters of something that’s forbidden—the Forbidden Island.

This article was first published HERE

More photos HERE

Lazing away at Laulau Beach

I first visited this gem of a beach in San Vicente late in the afternoon a few months back. Dark clouds hung in the skies, threatening to let loose a dam of water anytime.

When I downloaded the contents of my memory stick, all I got were bleak-looking photos. I vowed to return and my next chance came last Friday.

Deadbeat on the way back from an unplanned hike to Mt. Tapochao, my buddies and I decided to drop by Laulau Beach to catch our breath, and it was a good decision.
Laulau Beach is not your ordinary, everyday beach where people can easily gain access to and picnic anytime of the day. The distance and accessibility makes it remote and you have to really allot time to be there, hence the absence of the usual crowds.
You should also prepare to rough it out there, because there are no bathrooms, no telephone, and no man-made facilities to save for a couple of cottages with benches and barbeque pits.
But Laulau Beach is a popular attraction and one of the best dive spots on Saipan. Nothing beats the pleasure of wading in the warm and shallow waters of the beach.
Interesting lava rock outcroppings provide an added attraction to Laulau Beach. Standing on the shore facing the ocean, you can see Naftan point at the far end to your right. On the left, the ongoing construction of the Laulau Bay Resort can be seen from a distance.
Prepare for a slow, rough ride if you plan to go to Laulau Beach. You have to navigate several bumpy twists and turns amid bushes and trees, but a treasure await you at the end of the road.
The rough road to Laulau Beach from San Vicente snakes its way all the way to Kagman, traveled much easier if you board a four-wheel drive, or an all- terrain vehicle. The drive to Laulau beach is an attraction by itself where you have to pass by huge rock formations, hanging vines and thick foliage. Got a day to spare? This is an ideal place to laze away.

This article was first published HERE.
More fotos HERE

Tinian blow hole

I finally had the chance to visit the famous Blow Hole located at the Northeast part of Tinian, on the Pacific Ocean side last Sunday. This is one place I had always wanted to visit but never got the chance to do so, and i have Kiri Jackson, Tinian Dynasty's casino marketing and promotions to thank for arranging a quick tour for me.

The noonday heat did not deter me from going down to the limestone cliff that ran the full length of the side of the island (I won't mention that I was wearing 2-inch heels) just to snap photos and catch an amateur video using my ever-handy Sony point and shoot. From the Blow Hole, you can see Saipan at the back drop. I felt so alone in the vast stretch of sea, limestone and grasslands, a solitary being snapping fotos under the sweltering heat of the sun.

The vertical hole, a little bigger than a basketball is something that mother nature has carved in the rocks, spews out a geyser when waves roll in. I stood at a distance of about 8 meters away and got wet when a particularly huge wave rolled in. If I was only wearing slippers and prepared to get wet, I wouldn't have missed the chance to really go as near as I can to the hole but alas, I had to think of the ferry trip back to Saipan ( ughhh thinking of it is starting to make me dizzy) and I had to go straight to the office to file my stories. The one hour tour was not enough and I had to really hurry to grab some lunch from One Broadway before boarding the ferry. I had to put something in my stomach just in case the waves decided to get any bigger and I wouldn't want to vomit my intestines out.

ANyways, luck was with me and the ferry trip back was bearable. More about my solo trip to Tinian later. Enjoy the amateur video!