Guam transportation

Shell jacked their gas up on Guam to $4.42/gallon -- which means that Mobil and 76 will probably follow in a few hours.

And really, other than stay home, there is not much people can do about it. It's not safe to ride a bike here and things are so spread out that for most people walking isn't an option. And the bus doesn't seem to go where we need to go.

I'm thinking of buying a carabao and cart (I've been looking for an excuse to get one since we first visited Guam in 2005). But I'd have to find someone to feed him while we're in the States for six weeks and he really needs some mud to sit in when he's not working -- and there is the smell -- none of which would make the condo-owners association happy. So, I'm fairly certain that Cheryl won't let me do it.

Another complication to this whole runaway fuel phenomena is that all of our electricity on Guam is produced in diesel burning plants. At the time of installation diesel was the cheapest way to generate the power. The island leaders couldn't imagine that the price of diesel would ever go up -- let alone jump into the outrageous zone. Island thinking.

Guam Public Works has already started removing the bulbs from the street lights.

Then there is that little matter of skyrocketing jet fuel prices. And, of course, everyone has to fly if they want to leave the island. Although this may be a great entrepreneurial opportunity for the people who build the traditional proa outriggers.

That which isn't flown onto Guam comes in cargo containers by ship -- everything from produce to washers and gaskets. Retailers are going to increase prices to compensate.

So it's at least a quadruple whammy for Guam.