I explored the bunkers along Airport Road a few months back with some friends and crawled into one to see what the it looked like inside.
I learned from historical accounts that these bunkers saw a lot of action because the Japanese airfield had been one of the first targets of the Americans during the Battle of Saipan.
Standing inside the bunker, I tried to imagine how many men had taken shelter there as bombs exploded and bullets flew outside. The walls of the bunkers bore large holes.
The bunkers near the soccer field are among the island’s attractions that draw thousands of tourists each year.
Sadly, you can also see soda cans, food wrappers and other proofs of a more recent invasion scattered in these historic relics.
During daytime, whenever you pass by Airport Road from March to July, you will see the area glowing with brilliant flame trees in full bloom, a merging of history and nature.
For more of the CNMI’s attractions, visit http://wanderlustontheraks.wordpress.com.
