A trip to the secret latte stones

I mentioned a while ago that Terri and I went on a Saturday walk with 'Hike Tinian' guide Howard Cole, a local expert on Tinian island. He took us to some ancient latte stones hidden in the jungle on the south end of the island. On that day, I had forgotten my camera, so today I decided to see if I could find this site myself, and take some pictures.

It should be noted that there is no way to accurately describe how to get to this site--it is easy to get to, but if you haven't been guided there previously, you are bound to get lost. I have discovered that once you enter the jungle, everything looks the same. There are few landmarks that can be used (even though there are high hills around the island, the trees and jungle prevent you from seeing these landmarks). Once in the jungle, if you get disoriented, your are sunk. You could walk for a long time in the wrong direction and not know it. However, the island is small, so you couldn't get lost for long, but I wouldn't go exploring near the end of the day!

You start by heading down to Tachogna beach. I found people already playing volleyball. Then you can either continue down the beach to the SE, or there is a small road that you can follow part way. In either case, you eventually end up walking on the beach, heading SE, until the beach ends.

Once you can go no further on the sandy beach, you look to your left and there is a small opening under and overhanging tree, and you head into the jungle. Of course, here is the problem. All the trees look the same, the 'opening' into the jungle doesn't look like much, and the trail you follow isn't really a trail, it is just 'less jungle' than everything else around you!

Now that you are heading into the jungle (remembering your spider stick!), you need to keep your eyes open for an unusual site: a fox hole built by the Japanese before the US invasion of the island. Concrete sacks (now long turned to actual concrete) were used as protection around the sides of the fox hole. At first, they just look like rocks. But if you look closely, you can tell that they were once sacks, as they are smooth, and the right shape.

Just past this fox hole, there is a small clearing where the jungle seems to recede just a little and the light from above lights us the area much better (up until now it was almost dark in the shadows of the trees). The first thing you see is a slightly rounded stone with a large dimple in it, where women would have ground flour.

To the left of this stone is a group of small latte stones, about 2' high. To the right of this stone is a group of large latte stones, about 6' high. It is difficult to see the pattern of the large latte stones in the jungle, with the trees that have grown around (and actually over) the stones, but there is a pattern there.

Once you have finished inspecting the latte stones and site, it is time to find your way out of the jungle. After re-finding the round stone at the head of the trail into the site, you head back out to the beach. Since you cannot see the beach until you are almost on top of it, it is just hoping you are on the right trail back.

On my way back I noticed that the work on a new project along Broadway was coming along quite well. Rumor has it that it will be like a farmers market, where the locals can bring their goods to sell, as well as a picnic area.

I also found a new flower.

The walk to the site only takes about a half an hour. It is worth the trip.