Tadeke Falls & Gardens

This weekend I got to check one of the top things that I have wanted to do here in Okinawa off my list – river trekking to the Tadeke Falls! We drove an hour and a half up north where we were able to enter the river that would lead us to the falls. The trek had its difficulties, the hardest part being the lack of visibility of the rocks in the water, and the occasional ropes that we had to use to carry ourselves over some large rocks. We trekked about a half hour through the river, stopping to swing on tree vines and then reached Tadeke Falls. It was absolutely breathtaking! We were the only ones there in the morning and had the entire swimming area to ourselves. Swimming beneath the falls and climbing behind it was amazing. Surrounding us was the Okinawan forest, it was one of those moments that reminded me of how lucky I am to be able to experience all of this here in Japan. After swimming in the falls we climbed up through an incredibly steep and narrow path of rocks, and proceeded to trek through the forest and down a straight shoot of rocks which led us to the top of the falls, where we could look down into the area that we had just swam in. Looking out at the jungles of Okinawa was absolutely unreal. I am so glad that we got to experience this!

We also visited some traditional Japanese-Chinese gardens this weekend, called Fukushu-en Gardens. They were so beautiful and serene, and had little paths leading to different areas of the gardens. The gardens are there to create a cultural and peaceful bond between the two countries after the battles they fought against each other, leaving a lot of tension between the two nations.

Once again got to eat some more delicious meals at some great restaurants including Cocos Curry, an Udon-noodle cafeteria and some amazing sushi from a little hole in the wall restaurant.

We now have only three more weekends left, and am making the absolute best of every last minute that I spend here in Okinawa, because words cannot describe how much I am going to miss this place and all of the wonderful people that I have met!  

From Naha to Nago 

5 weeks down and 5 to go, we are at the halfway point of our summer! It is absolutely crazy how time flies. I can now count on one hand how many weekends I have left here in Okinawa, and am making the most of it. This weekend we explored through Naha, since it was Bianca's 21st birthday, and got to experience what a Japanese hostel was like. We had a room of bunk beds to ourselves at a place called The Shell House which was right on the main part of Kokusai street. It was nice to stay off base for a night and experience some of Naha's night life. 

Shell house hostel

On Sunday we took a MCCS tour (Marine Corps Community Services) which highlighted all the main spots up north in Nago. Our first stop was the Glass Factory where we got to see people hand blow glass. After that we went to Fruit Land where we had a traditional yakiniku style lunch, which is where you get to grill vegetables and meat on your own stove. Fruit land had lots of tropical vegetation, birds and fruits throughout, my favorite was seeing the banana bunches on the trees. Pineapple Park and the Pineapple Winery were our next stops. We took a tour through the pineapple plantations on a pineapple cart that drove itself. After we got to go wine tasting through the winery and sample various pineapple cookies and cakes. Our last stop for the day was the Orion Beer Factory, which is the name-brand beer here in Okinawa. Our tour was in Japanese only, but it was still really interesting to walk through the factory and then sample the beers at the end. 

Glass Blowing Factory

Yakiniku lunch

Fruits Land

Pineapple Park

We are supposedly getting a typhoon this week, but hopefully it will pass before the weekend, because we're hoping to go river trekking up north at Tadeke Falls. 

Peace & love from Oki as always! 

KONICHIWA KERAMAS

I can hands down say that the Kerama Islands are the most gorgeous place I have ever visited in my lifetime so far. I have never been so breath taken by such natural beauty and absolutely picturesque views everywhere you look. The clear, light blue waters and white sandy beaches were straight out of a postcard. We got to go snorkeling around some of the most gorgeous coral reefs, seeing all sorts of multi-colored fish. 

Leaving the Naha Port 

Aharen Beach on Tokashiki Island

Driving through the Island 

We had an amazing panoramic view of the surrounding islands from a hike that we went on near our camping site, and also took a glass-bottom boat out to see the various coral reefs and fish, and spotted a shark laying at the bottom of the water. Since we were on the opposite side from the ferry port of Tokashiki island, we assumed it would be completely deserted, but we were pleasantly surprised when we actually had the chance to go out to dinner Saturday night at a small local restaurant. That night we had a bonfire on the beach, s'mores and all, stargazing at the most beautiful night sky I have seen in awhile. The moon was crystal clear, and we finished off the night with some fireworks in honor of the fourth of July earlier that week.

Part of the view from the lookout point

Keleigh and I at the top of our hike

 The little restaurant we found for dinner

Coral Reefs 

The nicest little man driving the glass-bottom boat

Regardless of the crazy humidity and snake infested camping area that we over-nighted in, it has definitely been the highlight of my summer so far! 

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY FROM OKI

It was so nice to have the day off work for July 4th, and a much needed break! Spent the past two days seeing fireworks, experiencing sword fish and sea urchin sushi, going to a karaoke bar and spending the day with some great people on Tropical beach, finishing off the day with an amazing dinner at the Arin Crin Garlic House. Back to work tomorrow to finish off the week and then headed to the Kerama Islands this weekend for some camping! Murrrica! 

American Village from the ferris wheel

Fireworks!

At Tropical Beach

Let's go to the beach! 

My time in Okinawa is flying by. My fellow staff and I are starting to fall into a routine with work, and before we know it, Friday rolls around, and we can't wait to start exploring something new on the island. This past weekend we had a staff farewell dinner for our Chef Miss Miwa, who is leaving the center after having run the kitchen there for the past few years. She is the most adorable Japanese lady, cooks amazing food, and is so loved by everyone at the center, especially the kids. We went to a popular restaurant outside of base called Arin Crin, known for its delicious garlic dishes, and it definitely met its expectations. 

Saturday, a few of my friends and I partook on our first MCCS tour an hour and a half up north to the Ocean Expo Park with the Churami Aquarium is located. The aquarium is the second largest in the world, and home to some rare whale sharks. I am usually not the type to visit an aquarium on a trip, but this place was absolutely incredible. The types of fish they house in the aquarium come from all the different seas surrounding Okinawa, and half way through the tour you step into a large dark room, and are merely baffled at what is infront of you. The tank that fills up what is probably two regular classroom sizes is filled with crazy huge whale sharks, sea urchins, eels and countless amounts of other fish. We had lunch at the cafe right next to it, literally eating with the sharks. The dolphin show was next, and it was the best one I have seen yet, even topping Sea World. The great thing about this aquarium is that it is surrounded by multiple other attractions, my favorite one being Emerald Beach. It was the best East China Sea swimming experience we have had so far, with the water being clearer than ever. The ride up and back down the coast was incredible, and I cannot wait to go back up to the tip of the island to explore the other attractions it has to offer. 

The ride up north along the coast to Motobu Point

Entrance to the Ocean Expo Park

Whale sharks!

Amazing dolphin show!

Emerald Beach at the Churami Aquarium

Sunday we spent the day at Araha beach, about a 15 minute walk from Camp Foster. I had heard that this beach was one of the best at the southern tip of the island, and I wasn't proven wrong. We rented umbrellas and layed out all day until the sunset, listening to music, reading magazines and continuous dips in the water. It was the perfect way to have a relaxing Sunday, but yet still experience another one of Okinawa's great treasures. 

We are all excited to have this coming Wednesday off for the fourth of July, and are planning on spending the day at Tropical Beach, watching some fireworks at the Kadena Air Force Base and of course indulging in some more delicious Japanese meals. Have a Fabulous Fourth Freedom Fest!