Guam, God Bless America!

Well, here we are, halfway around the world, and in the United States of America! Yes, that's right, Guam is owned by the U.S.A. and it certainly shows! After nearly 7 full months of sailing around the South Pacific, and seeing small, remote villages, people living in huts, under thatched roofs, and not seeing a commercial city or town for a very long time, Guam seems like "the land of promise" for all of us onboard the Pacific Grace. It took us almost a week to travel to Guam from Chuuk, Micronesia (our first stop after leaving Madang, PNG in the beginning of January), and although it's only about 1200nm from Chuuk, Guam is so drastically different, that we may as well be on mainland North America, or rather Hawaii (as the two are more similar than the States itself). But I have certainly enjoyed Guam, since Gillian and I have been able to find everything and anything we could ever want or need here, in terms of groceries for the boat! It's incredible! Fresh fruit and vegetables that are so big and bright and juicy looking, huge cans, cheese, eggs, meat, EVERYTHING! They even have a Cost-U-Less here, which is like a Costco, as well as many other supermarkets and grocery stores, and of course the typical shopping centers, movie theatres, and main Hotel strip right by the water. It's very touristy in this city, and mainly populated by U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, Japanese tourists, and then the people that live in Guam (many have come from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China). So, we are definitely a very small minority here, as white people, which isn't that out-of-the-ordinary from our previous 7 months of travel, but it is weird being in America, and barely seeing any Americans.
Anyway, it has been a wonderful 5 days here, but all I have really done is shopping, mostly for groceries, which can get a bit exhuasting after a while, especially after having to stow everything every day. But the car rental is a real bonus! Gillian and I rented an Outlander for 3 days, and that has allowed us to drive all over, pick up groceries, and cart everything back to the boat. Nice and easy! It's awesome! We have also had a bit of time on our own, to go see a few movies (National Treasure 2 and The Bucket List), as well as do some personal shopping and visit the spa! (Waxing, facials, and pedicures!) I really needed those! I feel like a girl again! But everything here is really expensive, and I will be glad to be out on the Ocean again, probably by Wednesday early morning (Jan. 23rd), and then we are sailing to Okinawa, before heading into Shanghai! I am so excited for that! I have been most looking forward to China and Japan, and this Leg has definitely proven to be the best in terms of places we get to visit. It is amazing at how far we've travelled, and all the amazing people we have met and places we've been, and things we've done! Really, it IS the trip of a lifetime, with experiences that I will never forget! And there is still more to come!
Well, I am happy that Guam has late-night high-speed, humongous internet places (open until 3am!), as well as grocery stores open 24/7, and laundromats open until 10pm! (Gillian, Sarah, and I just finished doing our laundry.) It's too bad that I have to be back on the boat by 1am; our curfew time. But that's fine, as I have to be up by 5:30 to start breakfast. It's Noah Anderson's 10th birthday tomorrow, and I am going to make a big meal of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. We have been very lucky with being able to get fresh food for all our meals, and so I have enjoyed being in port because of that. I am really looking forward to the markets in China, and being able to just walk down the street and buy any fresh food item I want! How pleasantly convenient! Oh, the luxuries we so take for granted back home, but that I'm coming to really appreciate out here!
I am doing well, and enjoying the cooler temperatures (very nice to sleep up on deck while we're at dock, except for the loud, noisy generator that the neighbouring fishing boat has on 24hours a day to keep their fish frozen). I guess it will only continue to get colder from here, but it is still as hot as the hottest summer day in Canada, and I am wearing shorts and tank tops all day long, even at night! So, it is still quite warm over here, however breezy and rainy it may get.
I love and miss you all so much, and I think about you very often! I hope you are all doing well, and enjoying a lovely winter back home. (I saw a picture of the snowfall in Vancouver - incredible!) I miss that! Be safe, and have a wonderful time working, going to school, skiing/snowboarding, and just enjoying the rest of winter!
I love you, Matt! But I'm sure you already knew that! I miss you too! That's equally as obvious. I can't wait to see you!!!
Love always,
Sailor Katie :)