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Chammoro Food & Places to Eat in Guam

Try out traditional kelaguen, made with meat marinated with lemons and hot peppers, on the side of red rice infused with achote seeds, onions and garlic. Spicy stewed marinated chicken, or kadon pika, goes well with red rice.

The Chammoros know their marinades well, so their barbecued meats grilled atop blazing tangan-tangan wood fires are a must-try too and you can end your meal with a bite of Chammoro caramelised coconut candy.

While the island has a variety of cuisine including American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino and Mexican dining options available, it is highly recommended that you keep a lookout for traditional Chammoro restaurants when you are dining out in Guam.

Places to Visit In Guam

Visit beautiful limestone forests unique to Guam and view the indigenous plants, like the pahong, used for its waxy lining and edible seeds that the Chamorro people still use today.

Go on a river tour to experience Guam’s native culture and lush jungle or take a trip back in time to visit Guam’s six historical parks. Abandoned tanks, pillboxes, guns and bomb and shell craters, some being reclaimed by the jungle, stand as somber testaments to the Guam’s violent past in the World Wars I and II.

Guam has plenty to offer the adventurous explorer – from kayaking, hiking, windsurfing, parasailing, jet-skiing to dolphin watching. You can also tee off at its world-renowned golf resorts.

Diving & Snorkeling in Guam
Stunning coral reefs and clear crystalline blue lagoons, teeming with colorful aquatic life ring Guam’s white sand coastline.

With its military history and significance in the World War I and II, Guam’s appeal to scuba divers is especially strong in its shipwrecks. Wreck dive the Tokai Maru and SMS Cormoran where you can get to touch a shipwreck from World War I at the same time as another from World War II.

Guam’s proximity to the Mariana Trench, the deepest portion of the Earth’s oceans, also brings with it a mind-blowing variety of marine life and terrain for divers and snorkelers to explore.

Turtles, spotted eagle rays, and white tip reef sharks abound as octopus, large tuna, and unicorn fish come out to play with giant eels and spinner dolphins giving divers a spectacular visual treat that often comes just once in a lifetime.

Shopping in Guam

The Chamorros are skilled craftsmen known for their intricate weaving of accessories and trap. Bring a piece of Guam home with you when you pick up traditional woven bags, hats, boxes and such at Gef Pa’go, Inajaran, where you can also learn to weave.

Apart from souvenirs, duty-free shopping is a delight at the Tumon Bay area, where a gleaming DFS Galleria is located a short distance away from Tumon Sands Plaza, a shopping haven filled with luxury labels.

Factory outlet shopping can also be done at the Guam Premier Outlets and Ross Dress for Less, where plenty of bargains await you.

Another must-go is the Kmart in Guam – touted to be the largest in the world.

People in Guam

History and geography have given Guam a vibrant cosmopolitan population of 167,000.

Guam’s earliest settlers, the Chamorros, who now make up 37% of the population, are thought to have arrived by canoe from South-East Asia, living isolated from the rest of the world as an advanced fishing, horticultural, and hunting society for centuries.

In 1521, Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on Guam and forged a link between Spain and the Chamorros lasting over 300 years until the island became a US Territory in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. The Japanese briefly occupied Guam until 1944 when it was liberated by American forces.

As such, Guamanian charm and warmth is an eclectic blend of Spanish, indigenous Chamorro, Pacific, Asian and Western cultures and traditions.

Languages in Guam

The two official languages in Guam are English and Chamorro. You can get by perfectly by conversing with the locals in English.

Culture & Beliefs

The Guamanian people are a genuinely friendly lot, so be sure to return the “Hafa Adai!” greetings that come your way.

While years of Spanish and American influence has converted most of the island’s population to Christianity, traditional superstitious beliefs still abound.

Chamorros believe that ancestral spirits, or TaoTao Mona, still roam the island’s forests and jungles. As a sign of respect to the ancestors, it is prudent to first seek permission from the spirits before entering the jungle.

While the Guamanian population is now a diverse range of ethnicities, the Chamorros are the native people of Guam, so do take note of whom (and how) to address a Chamorro.

On the subject of food, one of the places that truly deserve a shout out is the New Hope restaurant in Siem Reap. The surprising and heartening fact is that this is a trade school where former sex workers learn life skills. There is also a school for at-risk kids here. The food is delicious and you come away knowing that you have helped encourage a good cause!

If out-of- the-ordinary cuisine is what you are looking for, then maybe you would enjoy some spiders or a couple of tarantulas? At Eat a Spider, these are the special dishes you should expect to find. Does that make your stomach turn? Well, Cambodia is famous for its mangoes and bananas too so help your stomach settle down with these delicious fruits.

Traditional Cambodian food is characterized by surprising contrasts in flavor. To taste the true Khmer flavor, a good start is the Bai sach chrouk which are a dish that combines rice and pork. This simple dish is something you will find on street corners too. Fish amok is another traditional dish which also shows the influence of Thai and Vietnamese cooking on Cambodia’s cuisine. Khmer noodles or Nom banh chok makes for a filling breakfast especially if you like the typical Asian combination of flavors and spices. On the beverages front, the Chinese tea, tika Lok (fruit smoothie) are good options.

Despite its unfortunate association with the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia is today, one of the most tranquil vacation spots you might ever see. The beguiling Angkor is a fixture on every holiday maker’s itinerary and with good reason. The massive religious complex with the Angkor Wat temple still standing guard over the ruins is truly an awe-inspiring sight. Don’t rush your visit because the magical beauty of the intricately designed Banteay Srei or the magnificent faces of the Bayon will surely make you lose track of time.

In the capital city, the Silver Pagoda, as well as the Royal Palace, are great attractions for all tourists. If you want to take in all of the Khmer temples in one sweeping panorama, the Preah Vihear situated on a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains is the perfect spot. The floating villages around the Tonle Sap, Cambodia’s large freshwater lake is another interesting sight to see. The lake may look dramatically different at different times of the year as the volume of water increases and depletes. If you love sea life then a visit to Kratie should be on your list. If you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of the Irrawaddy dolphin which is, sadly, dwindling down to extinction. Finish up your visit at Koh Ker, an ancient capital of the Khmer empire where you will find the imposing, pyramid-like Prasat Thom that dominates the landscape.

Although Khmers dominate the ethnic groups in Cambodia, Vietnamese and Chinese do make their home here too albeit in much smaller numbers. In terms of religion, you will find a predominance of Buddhism here. The language used is modern Khmer although you might find quite a few French words peppering any conversation, a remnant of the years of French colonial ruling. Thankfully, English is spoken and understood by many, particularly in the locations where tourists tend to throng. French and Mandarin are also spoken, although primarily by the older generation of Cambodians.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Cambodian society is that individuals are always secondary to the groups they belong to. That is, the people traditionally put their family, their society and their country ahead of their own needs.

For foreigners in Cambodia, etiquette is a very critical aspect of brushing up on before heading out here. Causing offense to others inadvertently or deliberately can cause serious problems and it is very important to avoid embarrassing or criticizing others, especially in public. On the other hand, complimenting someone in public on their hospitality is a simple way to add to their honor and show them respect or appreciation.

You will need a passport and visa to get in Hong Kong, even if you are entering via mainland China. You can apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy or at Hong Kong’s Immigration Department. Details of the entry requirement can be found at the Immigration Department’s website as well.

The official currency of the city is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), denoted by “$”. So if you see a dollar sign, consider it HKD and not USD. Prices listed in US dollars have the “USD $” sign before them. The standard exchange rate is USD1 = HKD0.80 but banks may offer some slight variations. And airports, as well as hotels, will offer the least competitive exchange rates of all.

The best place to exchange large amounts is banks and to exchange small amounts is an independent exchange shop. Such shops abound in the tourist places and do not charge the fixed commission as banks do. However, use these shops well within the banking hours to get the best rates. If you have accounts with the HSBC, Standard Chartered or Hang Seng, you may safely and profitably use your ATM debit card instead.

Apart from sightseeing, Hong Kong excels in offering a multitude of activities for travelers of all tastes. These include shopping, clubbing, hiking, trailing and even gambling. Among other things, Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise.

Shops in the city are marked by zero VAT, zero sales tax and fierce competition, which make it easier for shoppers to find quality items. However, don’t expect the costs to be cheap everywhere and be ready to put up your fiercest bargain if you want cheap shopping. Mong Kok in Kowloon is the major shopping district in the city. Shopping malls are abundant and the most popular ones include Landmark, City Plaza, IFC Mall, Pacific Place, APM, Festival Walk and Times Square.

Hong Kong holds the much-deserved title of “World’s Fair of Food” and “Gourmet Paradise” and it spoils you for choice. The city’s unique east-meets-west style reflects in its cuisine as well and you can see popular global fast food joints or hot pot and dim sum restaurants flourishing alongside traditional Chinese Haute Cuisine establishments as well.

This makes it a good place to eat for both – travelers who want to experience the traditional Chinese cuisines and those that are homesick and have had enough of the Chinese food. It is also a good place to eat for travelers who want a premium dining experience. Four among the world’s best 100 restaurants are in Hong Kong, as per the Restaurant Magazine. And you can easily use the Michelin Guide or Open Rice to find and locate other great places to eat.

Hong Kong is known for its tall buildings and one-of-kind activities for tourists. The most popular attractions include:
Victoria Peak Tower: Commonly called just “The Peak”, the tower is stylish, entertaining and thrilling to say the least. It is home to The Sky Terrace – city’s highest 360-degree viewing platform, among other fascinating things.

Ozone Bar, Ritz-Carlton: The highest bar in the world, Ozone sits on the 118th floor of the building and offers unmissable views of the vibrant city.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center: The building is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in Hong Kong. If you have watched the Jackie Chan starred New Police Story, you may remember the center from the epic finale of the movie. When there, be sure to visit the Golden Bauhinia Square as well.

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In addition, Hong Kong’s local markets, temples, and gardens offer great experiences that are characteristic of Hong Kong. Popular attractions include:

Local Markets – Temple Street Night Market and Cat Street for jade, antiques, and bric-a-brac; Ladies’ Market for inexpensive souvenirs and Stanley Market for the more premium ones. The Fa Yuen Street Market and Jade Market for some authentic Hong Kong-style shopping.

Temples – The Big Buddha and Wong Tai Sin Temple are two of Hong Kong’s most popular destinations for tourists who would like to make prayers while in the city.

Gardens – Nan Lian and Chi Lin Nunnery, two spectacular gardens right in the middle of soaring skyscrapers are ideal for some peaceful reflection and introspection. The Hong Kong Wet Land Park, though not technically a garden, is another calm and serene destination that will get you thinking.