nagoya-guam-saipan

Satoshi has some mileage on Continental airlines. I didn't realize it, but I do too. He got word from a newsletter that there was a special campaign on Continental travelling from Nagoya to Guam or Nagoya to Saipan going through Guam. The outrageous oil surcharge would also be waived AND you could go using half the needed mileage. (I think a regular flight would have been 30,000 miles for one person but we went for 15,000 each instead). So, Satoshi seeing this, just couldn't pass it up.

We took the 20:30 flight from Nagoya to Guam. It is only 3 hours to Guam. (A lot of Japanese choose Guam as a place to vacation, because it is like going to Hawaii without having to travel for 8 hours to get there.) We arrived there at about 0:40. (The time difference is about an hour ahead of Japan)

At that time of night, no one is around--well, just the immigrations/customs and security. (Satoshi loves travelling with me especially when we can go through the U.S. Citizens line and he doesn't have to stand in the long Foreigners line.) After going through Immigrations, we had to be escorted back around to the Security line to check-in for our flight to Saipan.

Our flight to Saipan was at 2:40 (yes, in the morning). There were 2 people waiting at the gate, which turned out to be the only other passengers besides us on our flight. As soon as the staff realized we were all accounted for, they boarded us and we took off about 15 minutes earlier.

It was kind of funny because they passed out water and cookies just before we boarded. The plane was a 30 or 40 seater with propellers--too small to have a cart running down the aisleway, plus there were only 4 of us. What was also funny was that the stewardess ran through the speech about sitting by the exit and how you would need to help in case of an emergency--it was funny because none of us were sitting there.

The ride was noisy and kind of bumpy. This was my second time riding this type of plane. The other 2 passengers wanted to sit other than where they were assigned, but the stewardess said they have the weight thing all figured out so they should sit where they were assigned.

Landing in Saipan reminded me of the outer island airports in Hawaii. After going through Immigrations and Customs, a taxi was waiting to take us to our hotel, Hyatt Regency Saipan. From the airport, it is about a 10 minute ride to a town called Garapan, where the Hyatt Regency is located.

The property is well kept and is is near the ocean. They have several restaurants, a spa, fitness room and pool. The staff is also friendly and knowledgeable--many speak more than one language.

We stayed on the Regency Club floor. Staying on this floor gave us priviledges to use the Club lounge.

The lounge serves a continental breakfast every morning, ice tea and cookies during the daytime and cocktails every evening.

I was quite impressed with their continental breakfast. My idea of a continental breakfast was just some pastries, juice and coffee, but their service in the lounge included salads, different sausages, cheeses, fruit, as well as pastries, breads, cereals and coffee/tea--this kind of life is something one could really get used to.


Hyatt Regency Saipan
Garapan
Phone: +1.670.234.1234