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! 

 Bus stopping & city hoppin

This past weekend was exactly what I needed. I got to reunite with my friends on Camp Foster after a long first week of Camp for all of us. The goal of the weekend was to spend as much time off base in areas with the least English as possible, and we were pretty successful with it! We have been using the green line, which is a bus that runs from Camp Kinser through Camp Futenma to Camp Foster, which has been extremely useful in getting us at least half way to places (for free). Friday night we took the green line to Camp Foster and walked to American Village. The village is adorable and filled with great Japanese restaurants, little shops including a great 100 yen store and the infamous ferris wheel. We had dinner at a very authentic Japanese restaurant where we got to sit on the floor, and we had to take our shoes off (which you pretty much have to do at any restaurant here). We got to barbeque our own food and finally try some traditional udon noodles, it was all delicious, despite the fact that everything has egg in it!

The next morning my friends from Camp Foster came over to Kinser and we all took cabs to Shuri Castle, located in the main town of Naha. The castle is nestled in a village, which has all been restored since 1992 after World War II. We got to take a tour of the inside and it was so nice to finally have exposure to some Japanese history. The gardens surrounding the castle and the views from them were incredible. After the castle we managed to maneuver our way onto the Japanese bus system, with help from some local Japanese students that we met. They offered us their bento box and in return we gave them a nutri-grain bar and a PB&J, they replied with “delicious!” The buses in Okinawa are affordable and pretty nice for public transportation. We went to Kokusai street, which is known for it’s massive amounts of traditional Asian stores and some strange shopping. It was so much fun looking into the different stores and seeing what each one had to offer. There are not many American tourists around, and the few that are have some sort of affiliation with the American military on the island, therefore Okinawans don’t know much English. We had dinner at a restaurant named Ohana, overlooking part of Kokusai street and ordered traditional Okinawan food, which meant pointing to a picture that we decided looked good, since there was absolutely no English on the menu. We were served meals from pig ears, to pig stomach to tomato baked over cheese.

Shuri Castle

View of Naha from the Chinese Gardens at Shuri Castle

Japanese bus stop!

Our new Japanese friends

Sunday we were lucky to once again have a nice and sunny day, with 97% humidity of course. We went to the pool on Kinser for a bit, and then took the green line back to Camp Foster and took a cab to the Sunset beach on American village. It was a great and lively beach, the water was nothing compared to the resort we had gone to last weekend, but it was nice to be out and experience something new. We found the best sushi boat place that night, and finally got to taste the Okinawan sushi. My mind was blown and sushi cravings fulfilled. Definitely planning on becoming a regular there!

Kokusai street!

Sunset Beach 

Delicious sushi boat restaurant!

Now we are back to another week of camp, Earth Friendly Extravaganza it is! Hoping to check out a local Japanese grocery store during the week and start planning another weekend of continuing exploring all that this amazing island has to offer! Until then, OKI ALL DAY

The daily sunset from my window

Hey all you Camp A Fans!

Today was our first day of work! It was everything from nervous, to exciting to overwhelming, but overall a great first day at the youth center. Meeting the kids was great, not all of them were there yet, because of the typhoon warning, so we had around 35 kids in the center, and our usual expected number is 54. This first week is pretty much all over the place with getting used to the schedule at the youth center and figuring out how to correctly implement our programming. The kids all range between 5 and 10 years of age, and are absolutely adorable and so much fun, it was so great getting to know them and start getting their names down! All of the counselors and our director go by camp names that the kids and staff call us by while at work, mine being Ms. RolliPolli, and the rest of our Camp A staff being Ms. Bumblebee, Ms. Ladybug, Ms. Spider and Ms. Kiwi.

 Kinser day camp & aquatics staff!

 Themed camp sign that I made!

Beginnings of the Typhoon on Camp Kinser 

We are currently in TCCOR 1 and experiencing a full on typhoon outside, with crazy wind gusts, rain and huge waves. We’re hoping for a day off tomorrow, but the storm is supposedly supposed to pass by the morning. Until then, we’re enjoying some drinks and soba noodles while storytelling and watching She’s The Man. I could get used to this typhoon lifestyle J