{"id":190977,"date":"2015-02-04T04:00:20","date_gmt":"2015-02-03T18:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=190977"},"modified":"2015-02-04T04:00:20","modified_gmt":"2015-02-03T18:00:20","slug":"experience-mt-tapochau-like-youve-never","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/experience-mt-tapochau-like-youve-never\/","title":{"rendered":"Experience Mt. Tapochau like you\u2019ve never before"},"content":{"rendered":"

The bumpy roads and the hidden sights around Mt. Tapochau are made more accessible on a Let\u2019s Go Polaris RZR. Saipan Tribune recently took a ride on one of these high-powered ATVs up to the island\u2019s highest point, for a rollicking, muddy, and fun outdoor experience.<\/p>\n

\"Tan<\/a>
Tan Holdings’ Ed Arriola chats with a biker during a break in the bamboo forest around the Mt. Tapochao area (Dennis B. Chan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tan Holdings\u2019 Ed Arriola took the wheel for this media trip, making sure our harnesses, helmets, and hands were in the right spot for the safest ride possible.<\/p>\n

On top of this, a short lesson on safety was given in a classroom-like part of the Let\u2019s Go Lower Base office. A tour guide played a video, explaining safety tips, road rules, and some of the sights we\u2019d eventually see.<\/p>\n

A Polaris RZR does pack some power, and Mt. Tapochau is known for some treacherous roads\u2014but don\u2019t worry, the vehicle is well-equipped with multiple harness and bars, and the accommodating Let\u2019s Go staff makes sure you are kept comfortable, fit, and safe for the journey.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t stick your hand or lean an arm on the side of the vehicle is one tip Arriola and other guides will share with you.<\/p>\n

Once secure, we were off. And just a few seconds out from their Lower Base garage, you could already feel the power these vehicles were packing. It seemed to surge from under you like a go-kart on steroids as we drove up Capital Hill.<\/p>\n

We left paved road soon enough and rolled onto some of Mt. Tapochau\u2019s rocky and bumpy roads.<\/p>\n

And while Arriola was sure to remind us that these vehicles could get to the top of the mountain in less than a couple of minutes, Let\u2019s Go tour guides make sure that doesn\u2019t happen, he said, out of concern for the residents in the area.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Go tour guides are respectful of the people in the area, he said, and also are strict on customer safety, making sure that customer drivers are licensed and each patron-driven vehicle is led and followed by one of their tour guides.<\/p>\n

But before the top, we took a trip down a side that cut through tangan tangan trees and some cold, cold, cold mud puddles.<\/p>\n

How did we know they were cold? Well, Arriola asked to see if were down to splashing through one. We were.<\/p>\n

We sped through a puddle and were soon wet and laughing afterwards\u2014but no regrets! Mountain juice! That\u2019s what you call an outdoor adventure.<\/p>\n

The ride stopped at the beginning of a bamboo forest; where the trees seemed to reach out to touch each other, forming a beautiful, sturdy canopy above and granting us some cool, cool shade.<\/p>\n

We stopped for some pictures, noticing a ladder lying on a path with roots and grass growing over like some industrial fossil from generations ago.<\/p>\n

We took more pictures among the trees taller than some several NBA centers combined\u2026 Awed at the serene, calm feeling we got in the company of these deeply rooted and entrenched, breathing and living things.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a wonderful spot on island all should see.<\/p>\n

Then we were off, back out the road, and to the top of a misty Mt. Tapochau.<\/p>\n

It had been raining that day but the view up there and the feeling of getting to the top felt just as good as ever.<\/p>\n

Overall, it was a great experience, and for all the potholes, bumps, and curving roads, also a safe one.<\/p>\n

The Mt. Tapochau ride is only a small part of what the Let\u2019s Go tour experience can offer, as more extensive trips to the northern and southern parts of the island are available.<\/p>\n

So why not give it a try? The ride is a secure and fun, thrilling and powerful, and will have you experiencing this beautiful island in a way you\u2019ve never.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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