Today, I drove off base! Today, we went west, as yesterday we went east. We stopped by a dam that had a large park and walking paths included! We saw a sign for snake warnings (we assumed it was for the poisonous Habu snake!), so we stayed away from those areas! After the dam, we drove to Zakimi-jo castle ruins. These ruins were more curved and had curved archways leading inside. We were aloud to go up on some of the castle walls, and from there we saw beautiful sights! We could see the East China Sea on almost all sides of the castle!
From the castle ruins, we continued northwest, and ended at Cape Zanpa. A popular place to photograph, we saw many locals there, and took a little rock climbing expedition. At first, it was a little scary to go up, as there was much wind! However, the rocks were really pretty easy to maneuver around, and in no time, we we made our way up to see a beautiful sight. There was even a man fishing from the top of the cliffs -- he was really fearless! We walked all around the rocks and then went down closer to sea. From there, we stayed to watch a beautiful sunset.
On our way back to the base, we stopped at a very small beach to take more pictures and dip our feet in the East China Sea!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
To Ikei Island
Today we went on a 40 mile trek all the way to Ikei Island. We stopped by many water sights, a port full of boats, and a bridge overlooking beautiful blue water! We saw another castle ruin, and village ruins as well! Gregg to Ikei Island, and I drove a little back. :-)
Driving through the city to get to the Island was a little stressful! Not only are we trying to remember to stay on the left side of the road (and not use our windshield wipers to let people know we're turning a corner), but cars will randomly stop on the side (barely) of the road to drop off, pick up, or just park for an errand! There really is little room for many places! Our map was not as detailed as we had hoped -- there were many roads missing! The roads would change numbers and interchanges happened when least expected as well!
We stopped to take in some of the Pacific, and have a restroom break. I wasn't sure how to use the squatting restrooms, so.... I didn't! We reached Ikei Island and found there was a large resort right on the end of the island. We found village ruins -- with many snails included! We roamed around a little in a small town -- very close houses and teeny tiny streets! We stopped for another look at the water and came back down the hills. We made a short stop at a connecting bridge, and then back down from Ikei Island, through Miyagi Island, and Henza Island. Henza is mainly filled with petroleum plants.
We stopped at Katsuren Castle ruins right after we got back on the main island of Okinawa, and explored there. It was almost dark when we got home -- another fun, full day!
Driving through the city to get to the Island was a little stressful! Not only are we trying to remember to stay on the left side of the road (and not use our windshield wipers to let people know we're turning a corner), but cars will randomly stop on the side (barely) of the road to drop off, pick up, or just park for an errand! There really is little room for many places! Our map was not as detailed as we had hoped -- there were many roads missing! The roads would change numbers and interchanges happened when least expected as well!
We stopped to take in some of the Pacific, and have a restroom break. I wasn't sure how to use the squatting restrooms, so.... I didn't! We reached Ikei Island and found there was a large resort right on the end of the island. We found village ruins -- with many snails included! We roamed around a little in a small town -- very close houses and teeny tiny streets! We stopped for another look at the water and came back down the hills. We made a short stop at a connecting bridge, and then back down from Ikei Island, through Miyagi Island, and Henza Island. Henza is mainly filled with petroleum plants.
We stopped at Katsuren Castle ruins right after we got back on the main island of Okinawa, and explored there. It was almost dark when we got home -- another fun, full day!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
American Village
Despite a rainy, rainy day, we went to American Village! Full of many shops, restaurants, a ferris wheel and wall full of paintings, it was very busy -- even though it was raining! The rain came in downpours, and let up, but I don't think it ever fully stopped!
We started off by getting some Starbucks :-), and then started walking! We went in a mall, and were surprised to find it similar, yet different than our malls! Clothes stores, an arcade, and appliances/electronics. We walked down to the beach and along a boardwalk that had a long cement wall covered with paintings and graffiti. There were apartments and housing being built close to the water, too.
It was a long, wet day, but fun indeed!
We started off by getting some Starbucks :-), and then started walking! We went in a mall, and were surprised to find it similar, yet different than our malls! Clothes stores, an arcade, and appliances/electronics. We walked down to the beach and along a boardwalk that had a long cement wall covered with paintings and graffiti. There were apartments and housing being built close to the water, too.
It was a long, wet day, but fun indeed!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
First Day in 沖縄 (Okinawa)!
Today was our first full day in Okinawa. Carl (the lead tech that Gregg will be working with) and his wife Leiko took us around the base and helped us find where things were! We started our morning off switching the car rental from Carl's name to ours. Then, we went to brunch at the Officer's Club. (Better known as the "O Club".) All you can eat crab legs, mmmm!! AND they're local -- so they're extra yummy! They had a huge variety of food including sushi, local fruit and all-American food! We were so stuffed afterwards.
Carl then took us to the BX and Commissary and we bought groceries. The BX is the size of a 2-story Walmart! It has everything you need, including little Japanese trinket kiosks and a food court with Taco Bell, Subway, Popeyes, etc. Then, Carl took us around a little more to see parts of the base. The airstrip is huge and shows just how large the actual base is! Sometimes, from a hill, you can round the corner and see part of the East China Sea. It was very cloudy today, and drizzled at times, so it wasn't as clear. However, you could still see that it was ocean!
It's very Americanized here on base, and there are not many local restaurants or shops. We definitely want to explore outside of base sometime, but we need to get used to driving on the left side of the road first, haha! Gregg's been doing a great job so far!
Next Sunday, we are going to see the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium that is farther north on the island. It is also near the Ryugujo Butterfly Garden, so we may go there too. Carl said he'd like to show us Shuri castle, he says it's beautiful. I'd to visit the beach at least once, too, so we have a lot of adventures awaiting us! Gregg works everyday 5-1, so we will have the evening to explore. :-)
~Gretchen~
Carl then took us to the BX and Commissary and we bought groceries. The BX is the size of a 2-story Walmart! It has everything you need, including little Japanese trinket kiosks and a food court with Taco Bell, Subway, Popeyes, etc. Then, Carl took us around a little more to see parts of the base. The airstrip is huge and shows just how large the actual base is! Sometimes, from a hill, you can round the corner and see part of the East China Sea. It was very cloudy today, and drizzled at times, so it wasn't as clear. However, you could still see that it was ocean!
It's very Americanized here on base, and there are not many local restaurants or shops. We definitely want to explore outside of base sometime, but we need to get used to driving on the left side of the road first, haha! Gregg's been doing a great job so far!
Next Sunday, we are going to see the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium that is farther north on the island. It is also near the Ryugujo Butterfly Garden, so we may go there too. Carl said he'd like to show us Shuri castle, he says it's beautiful. I'd to visit the beach at least once, too, so we have a lot of adventures awaiting us! Gregg works everyday 5-1, so we will have the evening to explore. :-)
~Gretchen~
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