Guam National Wildlife Refuge

A few weeks ago, I called the Guam National Wildlife Refuge and set an appointment for a cave tour. Since they can tour groups up to 20, I asked if any of the other wardroom (boat Officer) spouses wanted to come along. I got a few yeses and we all agreed to meet up at the point, which rests at the northernmost point on the island (Ritidian), nestled between the Air Force base and a small Navy base. 

The drive out was interesting, there where points in the road I wasn't sure pavement existed any more, and I got to play "dodge the pothole" to the extreme. This game is common on Guam (I've already had my tires taken out more than once), but this was like nothing I've ever seen before. The wide wheel base on the van and truck frame made it quite manageable, however, and I made it a fun addition to my day. The oldest (correctly) ascertained that I was showing off. 

I always love views along cliffsides here

We made it down the cliff and into the parking lot where we met our friends, and I ran inside to get our guides. I'm glad we arranged the guides. While most of the refuge and the beach are accessible to the public, the caves containing pictographs are not. The guides led us through a gate and made sure to brief the kids on what to expect and preservation requirements. In the caves, we saw drawings that have existed for many, many years. No one knows for sure what the symbols mean, but our guides made sure to let the kids have a few guesses. :)!

Kinda hard to see, but there are drawings on there

one of the guides showing us a piece of pottery

Our guides were amazing. Not only did they show us the caves and drawings, but took the time to point out wildlife to the kids and made sure to talk about the Serianthes nelsonii tree, a native variety that exists only here on Guam and in Rota. The population is being monitored closely, and there is fear that it may become extinct as another island species impacted by importation. According to our guides, trees are being infected by a non-native bug (they think possibly brought in by resistant ornamental varieties of the same tree shipped to the island and used in landscaping) and withering away. They are trying to figure out how to combat the issue with limited success. It's amazing to me how one tiny bug can cause so many issues, but it's another example of how not being careful about what you're shipping and transferring can cause large issues down the road.

This is the first refuge I've been to where you are allowed to take things out. You can register for a permit to pick things like papayas and take them home (something to remember for next time). 

After leaving our guide we had a quick snack and started through the jungle on the nature trail. We never completed the trail, as the sounds of the ocean lured us away from the trail and down to the beach. I can't say I was upset by this, the beach was amazingly beautiful and amazingly quiet. We met a work study group from Japan that was full of some very amazingly friendly people (who made us the subject of many pictures) and very eager to play and have fun. The kids excited them by knowing how to say a few simple Japanese words, which I think helped bridge the language barrier. 

Ritidian Beach

Baby is now a pro at hamming it up for foreigners

After a few hours we had to leave and head home, exhausted, sandy, wet, and very happy. Another day that made me remember how blessed we are to be here.