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  3. TRAVEL: 2007 through 2011
  4. JULY AND AUGUST, 2009. NEW MEXICO

THE JOURNEY BEGINS! SAIPAN TO NEW MEXICO

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Rivers and rice paddies as we approach Narita International Airport. The angled corner near center photo is mapped.
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Rivers and rice paddies as we approach Narita International Airport. The angled corner near center photo is mapped.

riversricepaddiesnarita

  • The Japanese envisioned Saipan as a land where they could create an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" to protect their homeland. With this dream, they built Aslito Airfield. Because they had signed treaties promising to not build war-related facilities on the island, they told the rest of the world that they were building a baseball field. It is now our departure point to visit the rest of the world, and our welcome mat for those coming to visit or become a part of our community. Press "Map This" above for a Google-type map of the points in this album. Zoom in on Saipan, and you will be able to find Saipan International Airport as the first photo of this album. Also, as you view photos, remember that the "Add Comment" button is to your lower left.
  • Here you see Mt. Tapochau, the highest point on the island of saipan (elevation 1554 feet). Might be ski-able in the next ice age. Any long-term investors out there?
  • Here we are looking at Lau Lau Bay. You can see that there are a few flame trees in bloom at this time. Because this little bay is well-protected and usually calm, it is Saipan's busiest dive site. This photo is marked with the "Map This" function above (you'll need to zoom in on Saipan to see it).
  • Closer shot of the dive sites.
  • For those of you who dive here (or have in the past), here are the various entries labeled.
  • Lau Lau Bay to your left. Lau Lau golf course lower left. Kagman to your right. Marine Beach is the beach to your lower right.
  • A stray bomb during WW II created a crater in the reef off Marine Beach which is now one of Saipan's most popular swimming holes. This photo is on the mapping feature ("Map This" above).
  • Lau Lau Bay to your upper left. Saipan International Airport partially hidden by the clouds at the top (left of center). This is the island I call home.
  • We are over the northern half of Saipan, looking south. The next photo is the same photo, with labels for those of you who may remember landmarks.
  • Microbeach is on the mapping function ("Map This").
  • The little jewel we call Managaha (on the "Map This" feature) you can see here in the lower part of the photo, right of center. You can also see the protecting reef just to the right of that. The water you see here varies from a few feet to probably about 40 or so (maybe more in the channel: I'm not sure how deep they keep it, but it is deep enough for deep-port ships). As you may have heard, Google Japan recently named Managaha (yep, this very one) as the third best beach in the world for vacationers. So, just sit back for a moment and imagine yourself decked out on that nice, white beach you see jutting out to your right from this enchanting little island.
  • I know, some people (correctly, I'm sure) think I'm crazy, but I do like clouds.
  • After a short lay over, departing Centrair Airport in Nagoya (see "Map This").
  • Rivers and rice paddies as we approach Narita International Airport. The angled corner near center photo is mapped.
  • There are several HUGE golf courses one flies over on approach to Narita.
  • Mom and Dad were kind enough to meet me in Albuquerque. Dad asked if I wanted to eat at this eclectic little restaurant. When I asked how it was, he said "The food is different but it won't hurt you." With that recommendation, I decided to go for it! And, I'm glad I did. Embudo Station is a pleasant little restaurant along the Rio Grande. It is near the location where, in 1881, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad opened a depot. You can see the Rio Grande in the background, which runs quietly along, adding considerably to the ambiance. I highly recommend this place. If you plan to be between Taos and Santa Fe in the future, see <a href="http://www.embudostation.com/">http://www.embudostation.com/</a> and make your reservation! This photo is on the map function (you will need to zoom in on New Mexico) so that you can find your way there.
  • Rail service discontinued years ago, but there are still interesting artifacts from that period. Here you see a water tower which use to be used to re-fill the mighty steam engines pulling people and freight through this valley.
  • Looking up at the water tank. Still to come: Exploring the area around Red River, New Mexico! Don't miss it!
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