Kuwaiti tourists discover Saipan
I had a unique opportunity to meet, tour and interview Wesam (WEE-sam) Behbehani and her sister, Weam (WEE-am), from Kuwait. Wesam, who focuses on off-the-beaten-path destinations, provides vicarious travel enjoyment to her 15,000 mostly Kuwaiti Instagram followers who are unable to travel due to prohibitive logistics and/or expense. This is the transcript from a short interview.
Q: Tell us what brings you to this side of the world.
WB: My sister and I are on a trip through [the] Micronesia islands. We started from Palau, and this is our current stop here on Saipan. And then, we are heading to Guam, and then to Marshall [Islands].
Q: And you are from?
WB: Kuwait.
Q: I can almost assure you that we’ve never gotten many visitors from Kuwait. Why Saipan?
WB: I am interested in history [and] culture. I heard about the beautiful nature of this island, so I knew it would be a pleasure for me to focus on the history part and see it in reality.
Q: And you just completed your tour of Saipan.
WB: Yes, with the best guide [on] Saipan, because it was not only touristic parts, it was nature, a lot of documentary, sightseeing and [it] gave me a meaning for my trip.
Q: Now, you’re not simply doing this for your own enjoyment and education, correct? You have an Instagram channel that’s popular in Kuwait.
WB: Yes, I post all my travel experience to my channel, which is @rosy_path. I’ve been to Africa, Asia. …Every year, I spend my time going to new destinations.
I don’t want to repeat destinations.
Q: Now that you’ve seen it in person, what do you think of Saipan?
WB: Beautiful island! Nice people. Very rich in nature, sightseeing, history…[you can find] everything [on] Saipan!
Q: Any words for the people of Saipan?
WB: I wish a prosperous life for everybody. Oh, and I say, “Hafa Adai!” and…I love Saipan!
P.S. from Wesam: I would ask the people of Saipan to come to Kuwait. You are very welcome to my homeland, and see and discover Kuwait. You will enjoy it very much! حياكم الله بالكويت : “Come to Kuwait!”
Wesam Behbehani, right, seen here with sister, Weam, is a Kuwaiti travel blogger (Instagram @rosy_path) who focuses on off-the-beaten-path destinations and provides vicarious travel enjoyment to her 15,000 mostly Kuwaiti followers who are unable to travel due to prohibitive logistics and expense.
-WALT GOODRIDGE
Wesam, third from left, and Weam Behbehani, fourth from left, of Kuwait pose with author Walt Goodridge, fifth from left, and cultural dancers at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. Photo provided by Walt Goodridge.
-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Wesam, left, and Weam Behbehani, center, of Kuwait pose with author Walt Goodridge at the Grotto.
-WALT GOODRIDGE
Photo shows Wesam Behbehani from Kuwait being interviewed by the author.
-WALT GOODRIDGE
Walt F.J. Goodridge, originally from the island of Jamaica, is an author residing on Saipan.
