Koala Wanderers complete Saipan, Tinian treks

Koala Wanderers International Club of Germany completed their treks on Saipan and Tinian yesterday after visiting the latter’s atomic bomb pit.

Marianas Walking Association director Mario Espeleta said a total of 40 Koala Wanderers, led by the group’s leader Manfred Trettin, and six MWA members visited the historic site where Little Boy was loaded aboard the Enola Gay more than 60 years ago.

The B-29 Superfortress dropped the first atomic bomb in the U.S. raid on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, which led to the eventual surrender of Japan that ended World War II.

Espeleta said the visit to Tinian and the atomic bomb pit was quite emotional for the group, which majority of members hail from Germany, an ally of Japan during the war.

He said Koala Wanderers is a strong advocate of peace and the group’s trek to Tinian reaffirms their commitment to worldwide friendship.

The visit to Tinian’s Northfield concluded a hectic three-day schedule for the group. Soon after arriving on Saipan Tuesday morning, Koala Wanderers attended a luncheon at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan where they exchanged pleasantries with MWA and officials of the Marianas Visitors Authority.

A couple of hours later, the group joined 54 other walkers for the Saipan phase of the Koala Wanderers IVV Saipan and Tinian Walk, a 5- and 10-km jaunt from Hafadai Beach Hotel to the Japanese Tank and Oleai Beach Bar and Grill and back.

Wednesday saw them embark on a tour of Saipan that was organized by Pacific Development, Inc.

Last night, Koala Wanderers visited the Thursday Night Market and today they are guests in Fiesta Resort’s special dinner show.

Prior to arriving on Saipan, the group took part in the IVV Olympiad. They are expected to depart the CNMI early tomorrow morning.

Trettin and company first visited the island in May 2005 for the World Walking Day organized by the Saipan Walking Association, Inc. The group also visited Saipan the following year and took part in the same event.

During their visit in 2006, the group signed an agreement with Saipan Walking Association, the former name of MWA, that in essence called on both walking associations to keep each informed about the other’s activities and help other walking association around the world to promote walking, all in the spirit of international friendship.