Tinian, the Reno of the Marianas

 

In one of the more random weekends we've had since living in Saipan, and mostly because we got a package deal that was too good to pass up, Colleen and I and a handful of friends headed to our friendly neighbor to the south, Tinian, for another weekend of stark contrasts (see prior Tinian blog post below).  However, to raise the bar from my previous guys trip to Tinian, which included scooter rides to the atomic bomb pits followed by gambling, this weekend added in a Mixed Martial Arts fight and a Texas Hold 'Em tournament.  Why not?!

Colleen and Kaitlyn about to board the six-man air taxi

We started our day aboard one of the sky-shuttle "Lil Planes That Could" and headed south.  There's something oddly comforting (or terrifying for some) about these six minute flights.  There is really no distinction between our pilot and a cab driver:  turning around in his seat to chat with you and ask where you're from, leaving the door ajar to give you some air until the very second before takeoff.  Even more oddly comforting (terrifying) is flying over water so low that, not only can you truly see and appreciate the beauty of the islands, but you begin to seriously consider your route to swim to shore, just in case.

Not quite 30,000 feet

Tiberius (who had just found out that morning he passed the bar)
rides shotgun with our friendly Russian pilot

Colleen flashes an obligatory hang loose sign in front of the Tinian Dynasty

Upon arrival, we checked into the always eerily vacant Tinian Dynasty Resort and Casino and proceeded to rent scooters for the afternoon.  We then compiled our scooter gang of nine and headed north in search of a little history.  

View from our hotel room at the Dynasty

The gang assembles and prepares for rowdy troublemaking

  

Cousin Brian hits up the blow hole on the way to the WWII runway and bomb pits

What better way to follow up a great afternoon soaking in a beautiful day on a tropical island and taking in arguably the most significant sites in American history than watching our first ever MMA fight?  Even better (or worse) than that, as with everything out here, the rules aren't all that important, making the fights almost primal.  

Another Tinian road trip success!