People ask why Saipan? Why not Guam? Join me on a quick run to Guam to take care of some personal business, and I’ll share a few of the travel costs and offer another point of comparison between the two islands!
From the air, I couldn’t quite make out what I was looking at. With the recent military contracts in effect and the proposed repaving of Tinian’s historic runways underway, I knew that each successive visit to the island (for my tour clients) might result in a few surprises and possibly even denial of access. From what I could see, however, these dark objects appeared evenly spaced and ran along both edges of Runway Able–the runway from which the Enola Gay took off in 1945 to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Once I landed, I found out what they in fact were…
It’s always a treat meeting the folks who pass through Saipan as tourists! Meet Keith Schmitt! For 40 years, Keith was Facilities Manager of the Chautauqua Amphitheater in upstate New York–host to an annual series of concerts, lectures and performances by a wide range of artists. During that time he met, catered to, chatted with and got an insider’s peek into celebrity life behind the scenes…and he’s got stories! Enjoy this “premier” episode, and if this goes well (i.e., if we reach 1,500 subscribers), I’ll invite him back on this or my https://www.youtube.com/@waltfjgoodridge channel for more celebrity stories from Chautauqua!
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Historic Tinian Runways Blocked?
From my most recent visit to Tinian on Friday, January 24, 2025. See for yourself!
More questions? More answers!
Inspired by a viewer’s comment on the “Q&A on the Beach” video: @michealdean3963 • 2 days ago “Love the sound of the waves in the background. Relaxing. This will be my sleep video now to listen before i sleep.”
So, the next day I created this:
Check it out! Actual sounds. Continuous video (no loops).along with accidental guest appearances at 28:35 and 55:40 Escape to the serene beauty of Saipan with this one-hour video of soothing sea sounds by the seashore. Recorded on a peaceful Sunday morning at Micro Beach, the gentle rhythm of the waves creates the perfect ambiance for relaxation, meditation, work, or sleep. Let the tranquil sounds transport you to this tropical paradise, whether you’re longing for a connection to home, considering relocating to Saipan, or simply seeking a calming escape from the day’s stresses. Immerse yourself in a soothing, serene, Sunday sanctuary while you work or drift off to sleep.
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360° Fly-Around of Tinian’s North Field!
Join me and recent tour guests on a 360° Fly-Around of Tinian’s North Field which features historic WWII Runway Able from which the B-29 Bomber, Enola Gay, took off to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. See what it looks like 80 years later.
Subscriber Michael D is considering moving to Saipan from the states and wants to know if his favorite foods and other products are available here! Let’s help him discover the reality as we shop around Saipan!
A LETTER FROM THE FONT. A father and son from stateside (my tour clients) made a pilgrimage to visit the sites of the Battle of Saipan in which a relative (Joseph Crnkovic) died. Here’s the story I provided to one of the local English-language papers with copies of the 3-page letter from a frontline 2nd Marines combatant who was with Joseph in his last moments:
Marianas Variety:
https://www.mvariety.com/lifestyle/a-letter-from-the-front-honoring-corporal-crnkovic-and-the-battle-of-saipan/article_a6d4600c-c0ed-11ef-9e5a-d3071b7dfeb0.html
Also in the Saipan Tribune:
https://www.saipantribune.com/news/local/honoring-corp-crnkovic-and-the-battle-of-saipan/article_7538bdc8-c0ec-11ef-9e27-831d53c95b82.html
Recent tour clients Alex & Ryan experienced Saipan as well as Tinian ealier this month. One of the highlights of my “Tinian to Hiroshima” tour involves driving on this historic runway activities from which changed the course of World War II and human history.
As a result of planned renovation and repaving of the runways for an increased military presence on the island, public access may likely be restricted in the near future.
This is a unique drone’s eye perspective of the runways filmed by Alex and graciously shared with followers of the DiscoverSaipan blog and Youtube channel!