Tinian with Grami

Well the pictures are a bit out of order - but the mini-vacation was fabulous and everything fell into place to give Grami a good idea of what the Island of Tinian is and was like. The history of the island is everywhere - from the ancient Chamorro Latte Stones to the intense World War II memorials...and the natural beauty of the island keeps you coming back for more.
This Aug., Grami came to Saipan for her 4th visit...the previous 3 visits didn't allow for a trip to Tinian (various reasons like the ferry was broken or a typhoon was headed our way) - so we were determined to get her there this time...and I think we all agree that it was a trip worth waiting for!
Mom and I at a memorial for all the people who lost their lives on Tinian during WWII. My mom was impressed at how well they are kept and at the offerings of flowers and candles that people still make.
It was a close call, but I must say that seeing these sea turtles up so close was the highlight of my trip. There were two turtles and they were playing in the waters near where the Tinian Ferry docks. While we were waiting to board the ferry, the turtles repeatedly surfaced and swam around a bit on the top of the water...allowing us to get some wonderful views of them.
It is days like this that I remember just how lucky I am to live here!

Tinian with Grami

Grami at one of two covered holes where the Atomic Bombs were kept and then loaded into the Enola Gay. Inside the glass domes are pictures of the Bombs being loaded into the belly of the plane. It is really quite an amazing place to visit and to experience the incredible history of the Island.
Max at one of the Japanese shrines built pre-World War II...
Sera Ann staring in wonder at one of the lions guarding the shrine...
At the House of Taga on Tinian. This is an amazing site to see as these Latte Stones date back to ancient Chamorro times. They would build houses or important structures in the village on top of these pillars. The one here is 16 feet high...however they varied in size depending on the importance of the house/structure.

Tinian with Grami

Watching for a sea turtle (we have seen them in the waters off this beach before)...
This is a view of Saipan from the shores of Tinian.
The Tinian 'blow hole'. If you look in the background at the horizon, you will see a faint rainbow. The spray from the blow hole was minimal because the larger waves were on the other side of the island this day. Normally the blow hole's spray is enormous and spectacular.
Grami, Tayah and Max at the Japenese Air Raid Shelters near the air strip where the Enola Gay took off.

Tinian with Grami

This is the 'pier' where the kids and Nate like to 'cliff jump' off of. However, we couldn't jump this time as the waves were HUGH! This picture was taken inbetween hugh splashes that were totally engulfing the pier.
A little bit of paradise...
Playing in the waves...
Grami with the kids...

Tinian with Grami

This is the airplane we took on our way over to Tinian from Saipan.
The ferry was not available on Sat. morning (the only time we could go) so we decided to fly over on Sat. and take the ferry back on Sunday. I had never flown to Tinian before so I really enjoyed the 10 min. flight over - seeing both islands from 'not so high up' in the air!
The famous Tinian Dynasty slide! We spend a large part of our time in Tinian 'flying' down this slide! Even Grami went down it a few times...
Sera Ann keeping up with the 'big' kids...
backwards (and up-side-down) was her favorite...