ONE OF THE frustrations of Hong Kong is finding the perfect short break from its shores. Sure, there are plenty of great destinations within what should be easy reach - but airline schedules and monopolies mean you often don't get enough time on the ground to justify the expense.
Welcome to the stunning and often underrated Micronesian island of Guam. Smart scheduling, direct flights and the two-hour time difference mean you can squeeze the most out of a long weekend. You can leave Chek Lap Kok late on Friday night, be relaxing on the beach in Guam by 7am the next morning ... and be back home by about 10pm on Monday.
The four-hour flight is relatively long, but you'll forget all about it once you step outside Agana airport: it's set on a hill overlooking the sea, and offers a first fabulous glimpse of the island's famously clear, coral-filled waters. The airport is only 10 minutes from the main tourist area of Tumon Bay, which means no traffic jams enroute to the hotel. So, within 40 minutes of touching down, you can already have marked out your sun lounge and be opening your holiday novel.
Unlike the incessant flurry of activity that marks many Southeast Asian destinations, Guam - with a population of just 150,000 people - is relaxed and mellow. It's a dichotomy of modern tourist haven, with all the mod cons (large, modern hotels, top luxury brands and amusement parks) and laid-back Pacific island.
Guam is the largest of the Mariana archipelago - but it takes only four hours to drive around. And it's definitely worth hiring a car. The cost of a 15-minute taxi ride - despite the novelty of cruising in an old Cadillac or Chevrolet - can be the same as a day's rental (from US$25).
The island - blessed with year-round temperatures of about 27 degrees Celsius - has an unusual history that's reflected in its people. The original inhabitants, the Chamorro, make up the majority of the population, despite a turbulent history marked by more than 200 years of Spanish rule and more than 100 years as a US territory. Today, residents hail from Spain, the Philippines, Mexico and the US. During the second world war, Guam was the only part of the US that was occupied by Japan. There's not much in the way of old architecture or ruins, but nature provides plenty to be in awe of.
