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I’ll be real with you: building Grace hasn’t just been about coding, testing, and shipping features. It’s been about staring failure in the face and daring it to blink first. There are days where progress feels like a myth. I’ll grind for 18 hours straight, fueled by nothing but coffee and spite, only to end the day with… nothing. No breakthroughs. No wins. Just a pile of errors and the hollow feeling of time wasted. Those are the days that break you. The Feeling of Failure Nobody talks about it enough. Everyone loves to post their wins—screenshots of successful builds, product launches, funding announcements. But behind every “We did it!” post, there are months of failure that nearly killed the dream. I know that feeling too well. The crash when you’ve worked your ass off all day, and the code still won’t run. The sinking in your chest when you refresh the dashboard for the 100th time and the bug is still mocking you. It’s not just technical failure. It’s emotional. It’s the little voice in your head that whispers, “Maybe you’re not good enough. Maybe this was a mistake.” The Temptation to Quit I’ve been right on the edge of quitting more than once. There were nights where I wanted to slam the laptop shut and walk away for good. Nights where the thought of never having to debug another endless log felt like freedom. And honestly? It would’ve been easy. Nobody would’ve blamed me. Building a SaaS, especially one as ambitious as Grace, isn’t supposed to be easy. Walking away would’ve been the logical choice. But here’s the truth: logic doesn’t build legacies. Grit does. Why I Didn’t Quit Every time I thought about giving up, I imagined my future self-looking back at me with disappointment. I imagined my family, my dogs, my kids, living in a world where I had played it safe, where I had settled. That vision haunted me more than any bug or failure ever could. Because quitting isn’t just giving up on Grace. It’s giving up on the dream. The dream of building something bigger than myself. The dream of leaving this earth better than when I came into it. Grace isn’t just an app—it’s my shot at building legacy. My way of proving that no matter how many times life tries to break me, I’ll come back swinging. The Dark Side of Ambition Nobody tells you that ambition is a double-edged sword. On one side, it fuels you. It pushes you to work harder than you thought possible. It gives you the energy to put in those brutal 18-hour days. On the other side, it eats at you. It whispers that no matter how much you do, it’s not enough. That your progress is too slow. That other people are passing you by. That dark side has kept me awake at night more times than I care to admit. The Lesson in Struggle But here’s what I’ve realized: the struggle is  the story. Nobody remembers the guy who had it easy. People remember the ones who kept going when every reason to quit was staring them in the face. When I finally push Grace into the world—and she starts changing lives—the story won’t be about how smooth it was. It’ll be about how many times I failed, how close I came to quitting, and how I didn’t. And that’s the story that matters. Building Grace in the Middle of Chaos Even when nothing seems to work, I show up. I sit down at my desk, coffee in hand, dogs at my feet, and I remind myself: This is the work that will outlive me. Some days the progress is tiny. A bug fixed. A single feature working. Other days, it feels like I’m just running in circles. But as long as I don’t quit, the dream stays alive. Grace keeps moving forward. And so do I. The Legacy I’m Chasing I don’t want to just build a product. I want to build a fortress. A legacy. Grace is part of that legacy. She’s proof that I didn’t fold under pressure. Proof that I cared enough about the future to suffer through the present. When I leave this world, I don’t want people to say, “He almost made something great.”  I want them to say, “He built it. He changed things. He left his mark.” That’s what keeps me in the chair when quitting looks easier. That’s what pushes me through the endless failures. Because failure only wins if I stop. Final Thoughts If you’ve ever felt the weight of failure, if you’ve ever been tempted to quit, know this: you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I’m still there, some days. But every time I think about giving up, I remember why I started. I remember the vision of a legacy worth fighting for. And that’s why I keep showing up. That’s why I keep grinding through the failures. That’s why Grace exists. Not because I never felt like quitting. But because I never let quitting win.

I don’t wake up every morning excited. Let’s get that straight. Some days I roll out of bed, look at the screen, and think, “Here we go again—another 18-hour day staring at code and coffee stains.”  But then I remember why I started building Grace, and suddenly, the grind doesn’t feel like punishment—it feels like legacy. Grace isn’t just software. She’s not just another SaaS tool in the endless flood of “AI this, AI that.” Grace is different. She’s my proof that when you’ve been beaten down enough times, when life has chewed you up and spit you out, you can still build something beautiful. She’s my rebellion against wasted time. She’s my way of saying, “I don’t care how hard this gets, I’m not stopping.” The Dream That Became an Obsession I started Grace with one idea: creators shouldn’t spend 12 hours clipping videos just to end up with a handful of short clips. I’ve been there. The manual grind sucks the life out of you. You lose energy before you even get to the fun part—sharing your story. So I asked myself: What if I could compress all that pain into minutes? That’s when Grace was born in my head. An AI-powered clipper that doesn’t just cut randomly—it finds those viral, jaw-dropping moments you didn’t even know you had. The moments that make people stop scrolling, lean in, and feel something. The Struggle Nobody Sees Sounds glamorous, right? Well, here’s the raw truth: building Grace has been hell. I’ve pulled 18-hour days so many times I’ve lost track of what day it is. I’ve stared at error logs until my eyes burned. I’ve fought with Supabase policies, Stripe events, Docker builds, and that one bug that wouldn’t die even after I swore at it, bribed it, and threatened to delete its entire family tree. Some nights I crash at 3 a.m. with my dogs curled up next to me, only to wake up three hours later and start all over again. This isn’t hustle porn—it’s reality. And honestly? It’s brutal. But you know what keeps me going? That tiny flicker of fire inside that whispers, “You’re building something that matters.” Why Grace Matters Grace isn’t just for me. She’s for every creator drowning in files, every entrepreneur who doesn’t have time to waste, every storyteller who just wants their message heard without learning Final Cut Pro at midnight. She’s speed. She’s leverage. She’s the unfair advantage for people who don’t have teams of editors but still want to play at the highest level. And she’s personal. Every clip she finds feels like a small miracle. Like, “Damn, I didn’t even notice that moment hit that hard.”  But Grace does. The Fun Part Don’t get me wrong—there are moments of joy in this madness. That first time I saw Grace clip a video automatically? I grinned like a kid on Christmas morning. When I hit play and the clip synced perfectly with the beat? Goosebumps. When I saw Supabase actually save the right metadata for once? I literally shouted, “YES!” loud enough that my dogs thought I’d lost it. Those moments make every 18-hour day worth it. They remind me that this isn’t just struggle—it’s progress. Lessons From the Grind I’ve learned a few things through this process: Discipline beats motivation.  Motivation fades after the first week. Discipline is what drags you through the 2 a.m. debugging sessions. Don’t chase perfect, chase progress.  Every time I tried to build “perfect,” I slowed down. Every time I shipped something—even messy—it pushed Grace forward. Your energy is your currency.  Burnout is real. I’ve had to learn that working 18 hours isn’t the badge of honor—it’s the risk. The badge is waking up the next day and still giving a damn. Celebrate small wins.  A bug fixed, a test passed, a feature finally live—that’s champagne-worthy in this game. Where We’re Headed Grace is close to launch. Closer than she’s ever been. And that both terrifies me and excites me. Because this isn’t just a product launch—it’s a life launch. It’s me betting on myself, on my ideas, on the belief that people want real tools built by real people who understand the pain. Will it be perfect? Hell no. But it will be real. And it will keep getting better. Why I Keep Showing Up People ask me, “Why do you keep grinding this hard? Isn’t it exhausting?” Yes, it’s exhausting. Yes, I’ve questioned myself a hundred times. But here’s the truth: I’d rather burn out chasing something that matters than live comfortably doing something I don’t care about. Every line of code, every late night, every caffeine overdose—it’s all stacking bricks on a fortress I’m building for my future. For my family. For my legacy. Grace is more than software. She’s my stake in the ground. She’s me saying, “I was here. I built this. I mattered.” Final Thoughts If you’ve ever felt like giving up, if you’ve ever wondered whether the grind is worth it—hear me loud and clear: it is. Not because it’s easy, not because it’s fun all the time, but because there’s something magical about building something from nothing. Watching an idea go from your head to the screen to someone else’s hands—that’s pure alchemy. Grace is my alchemy. My blood, sweat, and stubbornness turned into code. So yeah, I’ll keep grinding my 18-hour days. I’ll keep battling the bugs and fighting for every inch of progress. Because one day soon, when Grace is out there changing lives, I’ll look back and say, “Damn. Every second was worth it.” Back view of a man working late at his desk, multiple screens glowing with code and video editing automation software labeled “Grace,” symbolizing startup grind, long workdays, and determination.

What’s a risk I’m glad I took? Honestly, this answer might sound strange while I’m writing it… but I’m glad I took the risk of starting a business — even though it failed. Most people celebrate success. I celebrate the failure that nearly broke me. There’s nothing like the firsthand experience of building something from scratch and watching it crash. It’s not a classroom. It’s not a YouTube video. It’s on-the-job training with no safety net. You get thrown into the fire, and you either learn or get burned. I learned. I got bruised. And I grew. That was my reality— how I crashed, burned, and came back stronger. Not because I had some master plan, but because I refused to stay down. The knowledge I picked up along the way? Priceless. The lessons? Tools I now carry with me every day — tools I’m using to build Routz  and everything I’ll build after this. How I Crashed, Burned, and Came Back Stronger You don’t forget what the pain of failure teaches you. You remember how it feels when no one shows up. You remember making a product you believe in — and watching it collect dust. You remember sleepless nights, second-guessing everything. But you also learn how to move. You learn to listen better. You learn what not  to do — which sometimes matters more than knowing what to do. You learn that your identity isn’t tied to any one idea, brand, or outcome. Failure humbles you. But it sharpens you too. Those businesses that didn’t work? They weren’t a waste. They were reps. Training rounds. Character-building workouts disguised as heartbreak. And now? I’m stronger. Sharper. Wiser. Hungrier. I went through a hell of a lot: heartache, tears, pain. But I wouldn’t trade those lows for anything. They made me stronger. They still  make me stronger. Failure isn’t something to fear. It’s part of the process — the ugly, unfiltered part that nobody wants to talk about. But the truth is, everyone fails at some point. What separates winners from everyone else is what you do  with that failure. The hardest battles? They’re in your own head. Every action, every word, every emotion — it all starts in the mind. If your mindset is weak, everything else that follows will be weak too. You have to sharpen it. You have to train it. You have to learn how to compartmentalize the negativity, box that shit in, and lock it down. Because yeah, it’ll come out. It always does. But when it does, you control it. You don’t let it hijack your emotions, your words, or your mission. That kind of mental control? That’s the difference maker. That’s what leaders are made of. That’s what I’m  becoming. And that all started with a risk I’m damn proud I took.

What I’m looking forward to this month is taking my MVP — the one I busted my ass to finish — and making it better. Right now, it works. It moves. It breathes. But it’s not where I want it to be . The UX needs polish, the code needs tightening, and the user flow just doesn’t feel intuitive yet. It’s frustrating, but also exciting — because I know the purpose  and the need  for this app are real. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it. The app I’m building is called Routz . It’s not your typical navigation app. It’s built to do more than get you from point A to point B. Routz lets you discover stories and voices tied to the places around you. It’s got a feature called Tour Mode  that plays location-based audio snippets as you move — real people, real stories, local insight. And this entire journey? It’s exactly what building an MVP with AI  looks like. The early excitement, the sleepless execution, the realization that this isn’t a sprint . It’s the long game. The real grind begins after  you ship. And the best part? I haven’t spent a dime. I built this whole thing on sweat, grit, and sleepless nights with my AI co-pilot. If this thing fails, I’m not out of cash — just time. But even that isn’t wasted. This project has opened more doors than I could’ve imagined. It taught me that the sky’s the limit if I can learn how to truly harness the power of AI. AI doesn’t sleep. Neither do I. My brain runs wild with ideas — I just need the right execution. And maybe more importantly, I need to sharpen my communication. I want to get better at saying what I mean — clearly, succinctly, powerfully. I know that when I nail that skill, I’ll be damn near unstoppable. I’ve even started a motivational video channel on YouTube called Fortaleza Motivation https://youtube.com/@fortalezamotivation?si=pCqshfWrP_LKrfiL— not to go viral, but to remind myself that the journey to greatness is a lonely road. I can't let myself get discouraged if I don't see immediate results. I just have to keep my head down and keep building. So yeah, the adrenaline may have cooled off…But this is the long game now. And I’m here for all of it. 👉 If you’ve ever had a crazy idea and thought you weren’t “qualified” — build it anyway. You don’t need permission. You need execution. Follow along as I keep building Routz. This is just the beginning.

I’m starting to understand something about discipline — and it’s this: I can’t reach the vision I see unless I train myself to show up,  even when I don’t feel like it. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working relentlessly on Routz  — a navigation app that I believe will eventually compete with Apple Maps, Google, and Waze. Not because I think I’ll out-route them… but because I’m bringing something they can’t : Tour Mode. An entire layer of community storytelling for the road. Snippets. Real-time updates. Live local knowledge. It’s like a social feed — but grounded in where you are. And none of that happens without discipline . I’ve been fighting resistance the whole way. Some days it looks like procrastination. Other days it’s just mental fog. This week? It’s a vacation with limited internet , where everything in me says “Relax. Disconnect. Chill.” But part of me can’t. Not because I don’t want rest — but because I know what this thing could be. I see the vision so clearly… Drivers sharing wild stories from their hometown Travelers discovering hidden gems from real people, not ads A new way to experience the world through the lens of community  and voice But if I don’t build it — who will? I’m learning that discipline isn’t about grinding non-stop  — it’s about showing up consistently,  even when it’s inconvenient. Even when WiFi sucks. Even when you’d rather just float through the day. If you’ve ever battled that tension — between your comfort and your calling — I see you. And if you’re building something too? Let’s keep going. Let’s finish. Build it. Or it never exists.

You’re not stuck because you lack potential. You’re stuck because you haven’t made the decision to go all in. That’s it. One decision. One decision to stop making excuses. One decision to stop letting fear run your life. One decision to stop waiting on another “sign” and start becoming who God already said you are. You’ve been stuck on the same cycle for too long. Praying for change... but not moving. And the truth is—God’s waiting on you. Faith without action is dead. And your breakthrough? It’s not in the next sermon or next post. It’s on the other side of a decision. You’re not tired of life. You’re tired of shrinking. You’re tired of silencing the fire inside you. You know  there’s more—you just keep settling for less. You weren’t built to be average. You were made for impact. For influence.For greatness. That vision that keeps bothering you? That pressure on your chest that won’t go away? That’s not just a dream. That’s God trying to wake you up. But none of it happens until you make a move. Until you finally say, “I don’t care how hard it gets—I’m not backing down.” “I don’t care who doubts me—I know what’s inside me.” Your dream doesn’t need perfect timing. It needs movement. It needs consistency. It needs fire. And if you don’t light it—nobody will. So what are you waiting on? Another sign?Another failure? Someone else to tell you it’s your time? You already have what it takes. You’ve already been through enough to know who you are. Now you need to make the call. Because one decision can break the cycle. One decision can shift your entire mindset. And one decision… can change everything. This is it. Right here. Right now. Decide to rise. Decide to go. Decide to walk in what God put in you from the start. You’re one decision away. One step. One act of faith... From a life that finally feels right. One decision can change everything. If you’re tired of feeling stuck, tired of playing small, and ready to step into who God created you to be—this is for you. Stop scrolling. Start moving. 👉 https://youtu.be/pj8i3dCLc0w?si=qHckSoQlp3w6KshS Your future doesn’t wait. Neither should you.

I thought about writing every day for the last 15 days. Every single one of those days, the urge was there. But something always stopped me. Sometimes it was the lack of motivation. Other times it was the weight of life. And honestly? A lot of times, I just didn’t want to feel what I knew would come out on the page. The pressure’s been relentless. Every day starts with a weight on my chest that doesn’t let up. There’s this invisible clock ticking louder and louder — and I can’t slow it down. No space to breathe. No pause button.Just this constant hum of stress and the sense that I’m being crushed under the expectations I’ve placed on myself. It’s like I’m stuck in a loop — trying to move forward while something keeps pulling me under. Yeah… it’s been that real. But two days ago, something shifted. That fire inside me — the one that refuses to die — started burning again. I had this urge to build something meaningful. Something that actually mattered. So I did what I do best when I’m stuck — I turned to creation . I opened ChatGPT and asked it for app ideas rooted in the things I’m drawn to: Travel. Discovery. Real connection to the world around us. It gave me five ideas. And one of them sparked something deep inside me. What is Routz? Routz  is more than just a navigation app. It’s built to help people experience the world differently — not just by getting from point A to point B, but by uncovering the voices, stories, and soul of the places around them. It’s got a feature that reveals moments and memories tied to your surroundings — told by the people who’ve actually lived them. It turns every journey into something personal, layered, and real. And as I started mapping it out, I thought — who better to build this than me? I’ve traveled. I’ve protected lives. I’ve moved through cities like a ghost with a plan.I understand the unspoken language of routes — how they shape stories, moments, and human experiences. This is my lane. And this time, I’m not letting the fire die. The last few years haven’t been easy. I launched a business around a luggage/stroller idea. When that felt too big, I pivoted to diaper bags. I went all in. Bought inventory. Branded it. Built the whole thing. And it flopped. I kept asking God “Why.” Why give me a vision, only to have it crash? But now I realize I was asking the wrong question. Instead of “why,” I should’ve been asking “ how .” Because the truth is, my purpose never left. It’s always been there — burning under the rubble, waiting to be unearthed: To create. To build. To make a difference. Yeah, if the money comes along the way — great. But the money’s not the mission. The mission is the mission. The Fire’s Back In the last two days, I’ve felt it again. Even with pressure still on my back. Even with failure nipping at my heels. Even with people counting me out. I’m still here. I never stopped getting back up. Creating an app has reignited my purpose, my mission. And if this story — this journey — one day gets told next to the ones I’ve read about… then every breakdown, every disappointment, every late-night doubt will have been worth it. Because my story isn’t over . Not even close. This time, I’m not getting swept up in the hype. I’m not rushing. I’m not making loud announcements or trying to prove anything. I’m building Routz methodically. Silently. Relentlessly. With a chip on my shoulder and a mission in my heart. Because right now? Nobody’s watching. Nobody cares. But one day… They’ll say: “Wait… what the hell? How did he do that?” #FounderJourney #PurposeDriven #RoutzApp #FaithInTheFire #BuildingInSilence #AIStartup #StartupLife

Imagine stepping off a tiny plane and landing somewhere that doesn’t feel real. The water is so clear it looks filtered. The sand? White like powdered sugar. Welcome to Coron — the kind of place that doesn’t scream for attention, but leaves a mark anyway. I’ve been here before. And even now, I catch myself wanting to go back. Again and again. Getting to Coron By Air There are multiple daily flights from Manila to Coron via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. A short ride, but trust me — it’s one worth prepping for. By Sea If you’ve got time and want to slow down, you can also take a 13-hour ferry from Manila to Coron. It’s not the most efficient way to travel, but it’s an experience in itself. Our Adventure Bright and early, our journey kicked off from Manila to the island of Coron. Boarding a snug Cebu Airlines propeller plane, designed for just about 60 people, we were airborne for a short flight lasting around an hour and a half. If you're heading out from Manila, my advice—arrive a good two hours early. The queues at the airport can stretch longer than you'd anticipate, and the terminal feels more like a bustling marketplace than a departure lounge. To save yourself from potential heartache (and missed flights), I highly recommend checking in online and keeping a screenshot or printout of your boarding pass handy. The Philippines' network can be unpredictable at best, so it's better to be prepared than sorry. Securing a window seat is a must on this flight. The aerial views of the Palawan islands are something straight out of a travel vlogger's dream—you won't want to miss it. However, my excitement took a bit of a nosedive upon landing. Despite its popularity among tourists, Coron's airport felt forgotten by time: small, aged, and in dire need of a facelift. It's the first glimpse visitors get of this paradise, and frankly, it could be a lot more inviting. Our ride from the airport, arranged by the travel agency, navigated through a mix of rugged and smooth roads to ASIA GRAND VIEW Hotel. About 35 minutes later, we were greeted by a lush garden oasis, bursting with tropical fruits and flanked by two inviting pools. The ASIA GRAND VIEW HOTEL had spacious rooms with all the essentials and a restaurant with a viewdeck overlooking the breathtaking Coron Bay. The restaurant serves up hearty Filipino favorites, such as Pancit, Sinigang, and other Filipino favorites. ASIA GRAND VIEW HOTEL  Viewdeck Pancit Mt. Tapyas & Town Life Coron town is raw, colorful, and real. You’ll pass kids playing in the street, scooters buzzing by, and storefronts blasting music. We climbed all 700 steps  to the top of Mt. Tapyas , and I won’t lie — it’s a leg workout. But the view? Worth every burning quad. The whole town opens up beneath you, wrapped in ocean and mist. Drone view of the Asia Garden Tricycle At the summit of Mt Tapyas The Ultimate Coron Boat Tour Next morning, it was time for the boat tour — the reason most people come to Coron. Our boat was docked behind a sketchy little plank bridge that looked like a tetanus shot waiting to happen, but once we were aboard, all was forgiven. First stop: Coral Garden . Unreal. The water is that  clear. The reef is that  alive. It’s like snorkeling through a living kaleidoscope — fish, coral, light all dancing around you. But then… disaster. I brought my drone to get those cinematic aerial shots — and I did — until I tried landing on the boat. A wave rocked us, and bam. The drone clipped the edge and crashed into the sea. One of the crew dove in and grabbed it, but it was toast. Just like that, $1K gone to the salt gods. Still, the tour continued. Lunch on Beach 91  was a highlight — seafood, rice, and Filipino dishes served buffet-style under palm trees. I could’ve sat in that hammock all day, letting the ocean breeze remind me to breathe. Twin Lagoon — The Hidden World If you do one thing in Coron, go to Twin Lagoon . It's tucked between sharp cliffs and feels like something out of a dream. The water shifts from warm to cold as salt and freshwater blend. You swim through a crack in the rocks to get to the second lagoon, and once you’re in — silence. Stillness. Pure magic. CYC Island + Kayangan Lake We wrapped up the day on CYC Island , where hammocks hang between trees like they’re waiting just for you. No buildings. No vendors. Just nature doing its thing. Final stop: Kayangan Lake  — often called the cleanest lake in the Philippines. You hike up a rocky trail, then back down to reach it, but the moment you hit the water, time slows down. It's deep, clear, surrounded by cliffs, and feels like swimming in a sacred place. You can’t help but respect it. Near the entrance of the Twin Lagoon Beach 91- Catching a Starfish Lounging on a hammock at the CYC Island. View from our trek to the Kayangan Lake Final Thoughts Coron isn’t polished. It’s not trying to impress you. That’s what makes it unforgettable. You’ll get scraped by coral, lose a drone, burn your shoulders under the sun — and still leave feeling more alive than you’ve felt in a while. If you ever make your way to the Philippines, don’t skip Coron . Come for the lagoons, the reefs, the history. Stay for the stillness, the stories, and the feeling that even when things don’t go perfectly… it’s still perfect.   Best Things to Do in Coron Coral Garden snorkeling Twin Lagoon exploration Kayangan Lake trek CYC Island hammocks Climb Mt. Tapyas Eat like a local in town Tips for Travelers Book flights early and check-in online Always bring backup power and cash Don’t drone over boats unless you’ve practiced it Bring reef-safe sunscreen — protect what you came to see Consider a private boat tour  if you want flexibility

Most people dream about Bali, Tulum, or Santorini when they think of travel. They scroll past the same beaches, same angles, same captions. But not this place. Saipan  isn’t loud. It’s not trending. It’s not trying to impress you. And maybe that’s why it hit differently. The Arrival: Slow, Simple, and Peaceful Getting to Saipan was easy — a 45-minute hop from Guam on United. Flight UA 174. Gate 19. Took off at 8 AM, just like that. Guam’s airport is chill. Modern. Nothing crazy, just smooth. The views of the Pacific on takeoff? Can’t fake that kind of beauty. When I landed in Saipan, I grabbed a rental car right from the airport (Enterprise made it simple). If you ever go — trust me, rent a car . You’ll want the freedom to explore. This isn’t the kind of place you Uber through. First Impressions Saipan’s not trying to be anything it’s not. It’s just… real. Quiet streets. Smiling faces. No rush, no show. Just people living life under the sun, surrounded by ridiculous beauty. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency  — 15 minutes from the airport, tucked into Micro Beach Road in Garapan (basically Saipan’s mini version of Waikiki). It’s got restaurants, shops, and a mellow vibe. You can feel the mix of island life and international roots everywhere. The Hyatt: More Than Just a Place to Crash Hyatt sits right on the sand. The beach is calm and shallow — perfect for families or just zoning out in the water without thinking. The sunsets? Unreal. I’d sit there, just watching the sky change. Red. Orange. Gold. And quiet. So much quiet. You’ve got your pool, your tennis and pickleball courts, even things like yoga and Zumba if that’s your thing. Forgot sunscreen or toothpaste? The shop near the lobby has everything. No stress. The Grotto: Deep Water, Deeper Stillness The Grotto  was the moment. Tucked along Saipan’s northern coast — past Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff — this spot is unreal. It used to be a cave until the roof collapsed. Now it’s a deep, natural pool surrounded by cliffs with electric blue water you have to see to believe. To get in, you hike down 150 steps. No flip-flops. Wear real shoes. The currents can be aggressive, so don’t play hero. Life vest recommended. No shame in being smart. Once you're in the water — it’s magic. Divers and snorkelers get an underwater playground. Just respect it. The Grotto isn’t for reckless energy. It’s powerful, and it knows it. Suicide Cliff & Banzai Cliff: Beauty With a Heavy Heart A few minutes from The Grotto are two of the most emotionally intense places I’ve ever stood — Suicide Cliff  and Banzai Cliff . During World War II, as American forces moved in, many Japanese civilians and soldiers made their final stand here. Some jumped to avoid surrender. Others were caught in the horror of war. It’s quiet now. Peaceful. You stand there, looking out at the ocean, and it’s impossible not to feel something. It’s a reminder that history lives in the land. That place carries stories, even when no one’s speaking. Drive slowly. Let the silence say what words can’t. Bird Island: One of Those Moments You Just Stop Talking You ever go somewhere and forget to pull out your phone? Bird Island  did that to me. It’s a small rock out in the ocean, home to seabirds and surrounded by some of the clearest blue water I’ve seen. There’s a lookout platform, and if you go during sunset… man. You just stand there. Not thinking. Not scrolling. Just existing. Where to Eat: Island Flavors, Real Food Saipan’s food scene is like its people — unpretentious, grounded, full of culture. Korean BBQ at Myung Ga  or BBQ Street  hits hard. Boka Boka  for Vietnamese, Miyako  or Hamakaze  if you’re craving sushi. And if you just want a burger or something easy, The Shack  or Swing-A-Long  will do the trick. The food doesn’t scream for attention. It just delivers. Final Thoughts Saipan isn’t for everyone. And that’s exactly why it’s worth going. It’s slow. It’s real. It’s layered in beauty and pain and peace. You’ll leave with more than just photos — you’ll leave with a different kind of quiet. If you’re looking for chaos, skip it. But if you’re trying to reconnect — with nature, with perspective, maybe even with yourself — this little island out in the Pacific might just surprise you.