Day 2 of Saipan was a blast! I was finally able to hang out with Mark and Andrew for the first time since cruise started. Some other friends that are seniors had rented a car so we were able to see most of the island during the day. We started by going south and visited a beach called Lau Lau, famous for snorkeling it was a bit off the beaten path down a very bad dirt road which was nothing short of painful with 5 guys crammed into a Toyota Yaris. We hung out there for a bit and enjoyed some shell collecting. We looped up the east side of the island and through the jungles and ended up back near the ship at a restaurant called Coffee Care. The captain had recommended we go there for good food and a great view. The restaurant sat on a hill and overlooked the island with our ship right in the middle of the panorama; the food was unbelievable and Andrew was treated to a happy birthday dance and some AMAZING homemade cheesecake. After lunch we headed to the North end of the island. Our first stop was a place called Banzai cliff, it was where thousands of Japanese families committed suicide rather than be captured by the Americans. The cliff was very high off the water and carved in by years of waves made for a breathtaking experience. Suicide cliff was our next stop, much more spectacular than the last the cliff is very high (1,000feet +) and suddenly drops straight down, also used for suicides hence the name. In those days when whole families would commit suicide the youngest was pushed off first, and the next oldest next and so on until the father jumped off. After the cliffs we made our way to the Grotto. The grotto was probably the coolest sight on cruise so far. The grotto was like a sinkhole in the bluff that went straight down into the ocean. Surrounded by land the dive spot has underwater tunnels that lead to open ocean, the cave like structure was open to the north and had a great spot to jump in and enjoy the warm cobalt blue water that were lit from beneath. Words cannot do justice to the Grotto. After swimming and snorkeling we headed for town and stopped to do a go-kart track which was a blast! We got back and went to the Hyatt beach as before and then headed to the Pacific Islands Club (PIC). All of the seniors had the opportunity to stay off the ship one night in this port and the school had deals with the PIC. The PIC was a big hotel with a huge water park in the center of it; beach side, this hotel made for a great hangout spot for the rest of the night putting a cap on an otherwise amazing and wonderful port stay.
After day 2 I came down with food poisoning and was not able to enjoy my 3rd day of liberty, instead my body got rest and after sleeping all day was able to combat the sickness in one day.
Enjoy some more pictures from Saipan.
V/R,
CDT Jonathan Anderson
Squad Leader, Division 6 MT
Corps of Cadets
California Maritime Academy
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