Tinian

 Tinian is the third island north of Guam in the Marianas Arc. The Marianas are continuos with the Japan's Southern Islands (Iwo Jima...) to the North, the Marianas, then the Palau Islands to the South. These islands are formed by the subduction of the Pacific plate under the Philippine plate and run from Australia to Japan. Even more historic and significant is my Giant ATX890 mountain bike seen at left...

 Above left is the pit specially made to load "Bock's Car" (the second B-29) with the plutonium device "Fat Man", dropped on Nagasaki, August 9, 1945. Above right is an "LVU", or light vehicle utility used in the amphibious landing of the recapture of Tinian on White beach.

As unbelievable as it may seem, this sleepy little island is devoid of all signage and commercial tourism. You will find an eerie air of humility everywhere as everything still sits as it was since the war. North field is overgrown and scraps of bombs, vehicles, and planes still litter the tiny 35 million-year-old coral aircraft carrier. Tinian's airfields were the biggest undertaking the USN "Seabees" (Construction Battalion) had ever attempted. 10 million cubic meters of ground were moved and countless supporting structures were built in less than one year. This beautiful and serene tropical island was transformed into one of the most deadly war machines ever known. A four lane divided highway took munitions from port to the West and North Airfields while Eighth and Riverside took the empty transports back to port. Yes, the island's roads were named after Manhattan for the soldiers' fondness of home and their similarity to the New York island.

Today, only the stories and ruins remain.