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buadhai · 12-07-2006, 09:07 AM

I spent most of my adult life (1979 through 2005) living and working on the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Thanks to some recently uploaded high-res images you can now see Saipan in all its beauty on Google Earth:

For more about Saipan, including a Google Earth KMZ file, look here:

Saipan

(KMZ file is under "Where the Heck is Saipan?")

Marmite the Dog · 12-07-2006, 09:43 AM

I know you've got your own website, but is there any chance of picking some of the best photos and anecdotes and putting them on here?

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 09:47 AM

My old house on Saipan:

Chinese shopkeeper and local kid:

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 09:49 AM

Beach near my house:

"Action Asia" magazine called this stretch of beach one of the ten best beaches in Asia....

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 09:52 AM

Sunset:

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 09:55 AM

Japanese bunker from WWII:

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 09:58 AM

Windsurfers with Managaha Island in the background:

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 09:59 AM

WWII graffiti inside an old Japanese shrine:

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 10:00 AM

Garapan massage girls:

klongmaster · 12-07-2006, 10:10 AM

1000 posts deserves some congrats...

looking at the piccies one wonders why you would ever leave?

ChiangMai noon · 12-07-2006, 10:14 AM

Yes, hearty congratulations on the 1000.
May i ask what you were doing there Buadhai.

Looks lovely.

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klongmaster

looking at the piccies one wonders why you would ever leave?

26 years was enough. Plus, with what's left of my retirement (after a divorce) I really couldn't afford to stay.

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

May i ask what you were doing there Buadhai.

I worked for the US Government; the Social Security Office. I originally went there in January of 1979 on a 90 day detail. I liked it and told them I was staying and challenged them to open a permanent office. They did. I stayed until I retired last year.

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 10:32 AM

I'll upload some more photos later. Doesn't seem to be working now....

ChiangMai noon · 12-07-2006, 10:35 AM

Just been looking at your web site.
Is English the official language?

aging one · 12-07-2006, 02:31 PM

Its American, you use US dollars dont you?

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 02:55 PM

English is the official language, but the indigenous people speak Chamorro, which is widely used.

And, US dollars are the official currency. Almost all US laws apply.

<edit> Damn, can't load photos to the Gallery, so I'll throw 'em up on my own web site and post from there.</edit>

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 03:04 PM

Forbidden Island, Saipan:

Ms. B at Forbidden Island

Beach at Forbidden Island

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 03:15 PM

Managaha Island off Saipan

Japanese artillery from WWII:

Ms. B, ready to dive:

In the shade:

buadhai · 12-07-2006, 03:16 PM

Farewell to Saipan. The last Sunset:

Taken at the Seaside Grill at the Pacific Islands Club, where Ms. B used to work before we retired....

12-07-2006, 09:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands I spent most of my adult life (1979 through 2005) living and working on the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Thanks to some recently uploaded high-res images you can now see Saipan in all its beauty on Google Earth: For more about Saipan, including a Google Earth KMZ file, look here: Saipan (KMZ file is under "Where the Heck is Saipan?")

12-07-2006, 09:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Beach near my house: "Action Asia" magazine called this stretch of beach one of the ten best beaches in Asia.... Last edited by buadhai : 12-07-2006 at 09:52 AM.

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12-07-2006, 09:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Marmite the Dog ผู้เชี่ยวชาญเปล่า Last Online: Today 11:31 AM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Simian Islands Posts: 31,882	I know you've got your own website, but is there any chance of picking some of the best photos and anecdotes and putting them on here?

12-07-2006, 09:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	My old house on Saipan: Chinese shopkeeper and local kid:

12-07-2006, 09:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Sunset:

12-07-2006, 09:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Japanese bunker from WWII:

12-07-2006, 09:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Windsurfers with Managaha Island in the background:

12-07-2006, 09:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	WWII graffiti inside an old Japanese shrine:

12-07-2006, 10:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Garapan massage girls:

12-07-2006, 10:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
klongmaster Thailand Forum Last Online: Today 11:58 AM Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nonthaburi Posts: 4,198	1000 posts deserves some congrats... looking at the piccies one wonders why you would ever leave?

12-07-2006, 10:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
ChiangMai noon punk douche bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: o dan y bryn Posts: 28,056	Yes, hearty congratulations on the 1000. May i ask what you were doing there Buadhai. Looks lovely.

12-07-2006, 10:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	I'll upload some more photos later. Doesn't seem to be working now....

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12-07-2006, 10:35 AM	#15 (permalink)
ChiangMai noon punk douche bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: o dan y bryn Posts: 28,056	Just been looking at your web site. Is English the official language?

12-07-2006, 02:31 PM	#16 (permalink)
aging one Elite Member Last Online: Yesterday 07:24 PM Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,745	Its American, you use US dollars dont you?

12-07-2006, 02:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	English is the official language, but the indigenous people speak Chamorro, which is widely used. And, US dollars are the official currency. Almost all US laws apply. <edit> Damn, can't load photos to the Gallery, so I'll throw 'em up on my own web site and post from there.</edit>

12-07-2006, 03:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Forbidden Island, Saipan: Ms. B at Forbidden Island Beach at Forbidden Island

12-07-2006, 03:15 PM	#19 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Managaha Island off Saipan Japanese artillery from WWII: Ms. B, ready to dive: In the shade:

12-07-2006, 03:16 PM	#20 (permalink)
buadhai Elite Member Last Online: 27-11-2006 08:00 AM Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,898	Farewell to Saipan. The last Sunset: Taken at the Seaside Grill at the Pacific Islands Club, where Ms. B used to work before we retired....