A trip to Saipan

Terri had to go to Saipan for some meetings, so I tagged along. Our flight there was a new experience for us...an even smaller plane than any we had flown before! It was a four seater with the wing on top of the plane rather than under.

As usual, the small planes fly slow enough, and low enough, to get a great look at the islands. It is always amazing how a 'bird's-eye-view' gives one such a different perspective on the world one lives in! While on the ground, with the jungle massed around you, everything seems so secluded, and separate, and isolated. But once you are in the air, the isolation disappears, and you can see how close everything really is to each other.
Here is a view of Runway Able and the bomb pits at the north end of the island.
Here is the north point of the island of Tinian

Once we were on Saipan, one of the errands we ran was to the Youth Correctional Center to give some books to one of Terri's patients who happened to be 'stationed' there for the summer...

Here is Terri heading in to get cleared to visit. I stayed outside and read a book... I've had the privilege of being in prison before (don't jump to conclusions!) and never relish the idea of putting myself behind iron doors.

Here is a view of Saipan as we headed back to Tinian with a patient in tow. Another of our 'errands' while in Saipan was to pick up a patient who had gone to Saipan for treatment, and be with him for his trip back to Tinian.

Here is another view of the north fields on Tinian from the air

The West coast of Tinian

A view of the work being done at the airport-- another runway is being built to help with the growing air traffic on the island. Right now we have one runway for landing, take-off, and for plane taxi to the terminal. When more than one plane is trying to land or take-off, it gets rather crowded. By making another runway, even just for plane taxi, it leaves the runway open for what it's best for: landing and take-offs.

Here Terri and her patient arrive safely on Tinian. As you can see by Terri's expression, flying is always fun! It is one of the best parts of living on a small island.


On a recent walk around the village I came across more 'bus stops'. I always find these amusing. I have never seen anyone use them, but they are all over the island-- perhaps emergency shelters for the frequent rain?

Here is a little 'patch of heaven' someone has been working on in their yard. A small shelter, and lots of plants and flowers.

The flowers are slowly being placed along the edge of the property to surround them with beauty
They have used the coconuts in an unusual way to decorate one of their trees

This weekend we will be having a lot of visitors on Tinian. A youth group from our church on Saipan is coming to Tinian for a couple of days to experience the beaches. I'm sure our four scooters will be put to good use by them.