Belated First Post

Hi everyone! My dear mother has been telling me that I should start a blog for years, and frankly I feel I have been remiss in waiting so long. I keep wanting to detail the trips I have taken, if only for my future memory, and haven't for whatever reason. So... no better time to start than the present!

On Sunday it was my 2 year anniversary of dating Matthew. Last year we really went all out for our one year anniversary/ Valentine's day, but we decided to keep it low-key this year. We planned a boat trip with a group of really fun friends here on Guam. Our friend Bernie organized it. Matt, Devin and I were on a boat Bernie, her husband Mike and their 12 year old daughter Izzi. There were also 2 other boats going out that contained our friends Nicole and Brad, Charlie (and Chris in absentia), Joe and Jen, Erin and Jake and all their kids.

This was Erin, Jake, Joe and Jen's boat 

It was gorgeous outside when we left! The sun was burning brightly, illuminating the crystal clear azure water and the verdant shoreline we were passing. Speeding out of the harbor, passing beach and trees, mountains and rocky islands, really made me appreciate the beauty of Guam. It is a gorgeous tropical island... a fact that you sometimes take for granted when living the "daily grind." A boat ride is the perfect way to truly appreciate Guam's natural beauty.

It was a rough ride out to sea. Bernie and I stayed comfy on the cushioned seats while the kids were maintaining a squat position to stop their behinds from slamming into the hard surface of the front of the boat! The ocean spray in our faces cooled us down while we tried to fend off sea-sickness long enough to reach our destination.

The first place we stopped was a pretty cove with huge amounts of diverse, unspoiled coral leaf. Most of us got off the boat and snorkeled, checking out the reef and sea-life. Some of the more adventurous of us found a hole in the reef and swam through it to emerge out a crack in the other side. Matt was one of the people to do this and he came out of it with a bloody hand, and a cut on his stomach! The reef is very sharp and if you so much as brush against it, it will cut you. He was fine, but it was a good warning for the kids! Snorkeling here was a lot of fun, but after a half hour or so I was ready to dry off so I climbed back up on the boat for lunch. After a brief respite we rallied the troops to head off toward our second destination.

The view from inside the bridge

The second place we stopped was "The Spanish Bridge." A popular hiking destination I had heard of but never been to. It was built during the period of Guam's occupation by the Spanish. Ever since then, whatever roads connecting to it had deteriorated and the jungle had grown up around it. We pulled into the cove and anchored our boat, then got out to swim/walk up to the bridge. Some of us stayed around the bridge, while others went off to explore the jungle. I stayed around the bridge... it was surrounded by  slippery mud and giant mosquitos, and I was already pretty worn out from the days adventures.

Standing underneath the bridge

After checking out the bridge we took some of the kids out on one of the boats to try kneeboarding. It was Devin's first time trying it, and I was worried he'd have a hard time, but he picked it up right away! He held on for a really long time and was having a blast. After he finally let go of the rope we picked him up and he wanted to go again right away. Unfortunately, we had to head back so the kids just got one turn a-piece, but they all had a great run!

Devin Boardin' It! 

We took the tumultuous ride back to shore, holding on for dear life as the boat flew up and down over the choppy sea. We made it back to dry land safe and sound. It was a great day out on the ocean. We are so grateful to have wonderful friends to go on fun adventures with!

Here is a funny pic of Devin, Izzi, and 2 of the kids on top of the bridge!

Until next time...