Northern Marianas Island - Saipan: Day 1

I've been feeling ecstatic ever since i found out that I was chosen to be part of the Blogapalooza's trip to the Northern Marianas Islands in partnership with the Marianas Visitors Authority. It has always been a dream to set foot into the Marianas Islands, and finally it's happening to me. Well, dreams really do come true at the right time, even if you ain't expecting it.

[September 7, 2016] Around 10 o'clock in the evening, we took off from Manila going to Saipan via Philippines Airlines. I'm too excited for this trip because it's my first time to visit the Northern Marianas Islands. And it's going to be interesting because i'll be traveling with total strangers haha

There are  9 of us together for this trip; The 4 winners for the Blogapalooza Contest - Valerie Tan, Lyka Tan, Jazmin Reyes and myself; then we are also joined by the blogger and photographer duo Kimi Juan and Thomas Caja of http://www.escapejournal.co/, the Marianas Visitors Authority's Abraham "Abs" Ong is also with us during this trip together with the Expat Travel and Lifestyle Magazine contributor Catherine Angela "Angie" Duarte with her daughter Andie Sy Yap.

We arrived in Saipan around 4 o'clock in the morning and we went directly to the hotel- Fiesta Resort and Spa - from the airport to check in and take some rest so that we would have enough energy to sustain us the whole day. haha

Here are the things we did on or first day in Saipan:

- We rode a limo stretch hummer to lunch. What a great thing to start our adventures in Saipan! haha It was really an awesome experience.

- On our first day, we went to Himawari Specialty Japanese Store and Restaurant for lunch. Its a convenience store and restaurant in one. It was really an interesting place and the food was really nice and fresh! You gotta eat here when you visit Saipan.

- Bird Island Lookout. Bird Island is perhaps the most breathtaking view in Saipan. A short walk down stairs from the road will take you to the high cliff overlooking Bird Island. You get to enjoy the clear blue waters and very wonderful nature view.

From the lookout, we then went to the Northern part of Saipan where we visited some of the historic tourist spots in the Island.

- The Last Command Post. It is a half cave, half bunker where the last Japanese commanding officer in Saipan led his battle. Here, you'll see some of the machines and tanks that the Japanese used during the war against the United States.

- Just across the Last Command Post, a large Peace Park that is dedicated to the people who died during the war. There's the The Monument to the War Dead in the Mid-Pacific, the Japanese and Korean Peace Memorial Parks. It is really worth stopping at these places to gain knowledge and be able to know a bit of the history of the place.

-Suicide Cliff-

Mt. Marpi or commonly known as the Suicide Cliff. It is the location where the scene of a horrible event that occured near the end of the Battle of Saipan. It is a location where hundreds of Japanese civilians and Japanese soldiers committed suicide by jumping to their deaths in 1944 in order to avoid being captured by the United States.

The Suicide cliff lies within the Marpi Point National Historic Landmark that was established in 1985. The Landmark includes Banzai Cliff and Peace memorials. Today many tourist visit the place to leave offerings, and say prayers to honor those who departed in the area.

 - Banzai Cliff - overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is a historic site at the northern tip of Saipan island in the Northern Mariana Islands. Just like the Suicide Cliff, hundreds of Japanese civilians and soldiers jumped off the cliff to their deaths in the ocean and rocks below, to avoid being captured by the Americans.

- The Grotto. It is a sunken pool where underwater passages lead to the ocean. The Grotto has been rated as one of the World's best diving spots, but you don't have to be a diver to go there. Many people just go there for a quick swim.

The place is quite dangerous so you need a guide and a lifeguard when you want to take a dip in the Grotto.

After a day touring around the Northern part of Saipan and learn a bit of its history, it's now time to witness the JOYFUL DINNER SHOW at Fiesta Resort. It is considered to be one of Saipan's Best Cultural Dinner shows.

more photos of my trip on my official facebook page. 

https://web.facebook.com/klydejarabeloblog/

Hafa Adai!

#DBSxMarianas #DBSAroundTheWorld #MyMarianasPH #Blogapalooza

xxx