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Today it is about 86 degrees outside and partly cloudy. We just got back from a swim in the pool. Of course the water temperature was warm, because even at night it doesn't get below about 76 degrees.
The ocean life here is amazing. Snorkeling is awesome, although you must be very careful. In the last couple of months 4 people were swept off the island to their deaths, several more were saved. Fish life of almost every variety abounds, as well as corals of almost every color. This is a snorkelers paradise, and the diving is world class. This is the only place in the world where you can dive a German WWI ship and a Japanese WWII ship on top of each other. The WWII battle had here was very rough, and evidence of it is everywhere. There are a couple of WWII museums, and the War in the Pacific Park is amazing.
The island is very beautiful physically. Virtually impenetrable jungle just steps off the road, 1500 foot mountains never very far away.
The Military presence here is pervasive. They participate in the search for lost people, and we are very grateful for that. Lots of Naval ships in the harbor, and many helicopters and Jets in the air. Just yesterday I watched 4 advanced fighters come in, wagging their wings. Guam has one of the most patriotic populations, with the highest level per capita of enlistees to the American Military anywhere. Friday all 900 of the schoolchildren at the school where my wife teaches were just treated to new Kahki's and school uniform shirts thanks to a visiting Admiral and the American Military.
Of course being a very small island, there are many things we miss here. Most of the stores are small and don't carry much of what is available stateside. The people are pretty friendly here, although there are problems as there are anywhere. The economy is in a downturn, although perhaps not as hard hit as the mainland, and pay rates are very low, due to my mind to the fact that low wage workers from elsewhere are readily available. Island prices are very high, but property taxes are almost non existent. Gas is $412.9 per gallon. Electricity and water are very expensive too. Housing prices are fairly high, but very dependent on location.
All in all I love the place, but am also lonely for my life stateside. It's hard to get good beer here, with only one microbrewery on the whole island.
Hope this helps with your understanding of what it is like here.
Scuba
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