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The Northern Mariana's is the fastest growing area in Micronesia. The population has shot from just under 10,000 in 1970 to over 50,000 today, about half of which are resident aliens, mostly from the Philippines, China and Korea. Roughly 75% of the native population is Chamorro, the rest Carolinian. The local culture is a hybrid of native and Spanish colonial influences, with a powerful overlay of popular American trends. English is the official language, though Chamorro and Carolinian are the native tongues and are widely spoken. You'll hear Japanese in most hotels and some shops. Hafa adai is the traditional greeting, though the slang term howzit is becoming nearly as common. The predominant religion of the Northern Mariana's is Roman Catholic, especially among the Chamorros and Filipino immigrants. Most cultural activities center around the Catholic church and religious festivities, including annual fiestas in honour of each village's patron saint. There are also Baptist, Methodist, Mormon, Korean Presbyterian, Evangelical and Seventh-Day Adventist churches. Dance in the Mariana's ranges from a Spanish-influenced cha-cha popular among the Chamorros to the 'stick dance,' a Carolinian import combining stick beating and foot shuffling. This sleepy one-village island, just 3 miles (2km) south of Saipan, has escaped major tourism development and makes a good getaway if Saipan's bustle gets to be too much. It's hard to imagine that such a peaceful place could have been involved in one of the most violent events in history: Tinian is infamous for being the take-off site for the aircraft that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. San Jose, home to the island's 2100 residents, is the site of an ancient Chamorro village. Those early settlers left the village's best sight: Taga House, a large collection of latte stones said to be the foundations of the home of Taga the Great, legendary king of the ancient Chamorros. There are some good
beaches on Tinian, including Kammer Beach, in San Jose, and Taga Beach, There's excellent diving and snorkelling on the islands. On Saipan, the most interesting spot is the Grotto, a natural cavern with waters 50ft (15m) deep and tunnels to the open sea. You can check out WWII wrecks in Tanapag Harbour, caves and garden eels at Obyan Beach and a huge coral head offshore from the Saipan Grand Hotel. Saipan's best snorkelling spot is Managaha Island, Tinian's is Tachogna Beach and Rota's is the Coral Gardens in Sasanhaya Bay. Rota also has good cave, tunnel and wreck dives, including dives to see the Shoun Maru, a Japanese freighter in 90ft (27m) of water. All three islands have good hiking. On Saipan, the highlight is the Laderan Tangke Trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. There's a fine trail along Kammer and Taga Beaches south of San Jose on Tinian. The views from the hills on either side of Songsong Village on Rota are short hikes. Other ways to workout include windsurfing, popular off Micro Beach on Saipan; tennis; and a non-aerobic midget- submarine ride in the lagoon between Saipan and Managaha Islands, where you can see wrecks such as a Japanese freighter and an American B-29. |
Oceania,
islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way
from Hawaii to the Philippines 
just south of the village. Both have good swimming, turquoise waters and
white sand. Chulu Beach, on Tinian's north-western shore, is the site of a
WWII landing by US forces and a massive ongoing archaeological dig. As you
wander about the small island, which you can do in less than a day, be
sure to look out for several Japanese shrines. The airport is located a
few miles north of San Jose.