Now that I've proven that I do in fact work, more from the Adventures of Katie Jones. We last left our fearless traveler at the scene of her 1st automotive crisis (unfortunately this story is not yet complete....insurance companies are still duking it out).
First stop, Tonan Shokubutsu Rakuen (Southeast Botanical Gardens). A beautiful oasis in the middle of the city not far from where I live. The around the area doesn't take long but a nice stroll none the less complete with meditation music playing over a load speaker and a hammock to catch a nap in (although your ass drags on the ground).
Next stop, Okinawa Heiwa Kinen Koen and Heiwa no Ishiji (Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and the Cornerstone of Peace). The monuments at Peace Prayer Park (as it's known) were built in remembrance of the victims from the Battle of Okinawa. The museum has a lot of information about the battle and is complete with English translations. This 1st picture is of the Peace Prayer Memorial Hall. It houses the world's largest lacquer image of Buddha. The Cornerstone of Peace are stone monuments that hold the names of the more than 230,000 lives lost a the Battle of Okinawa, including Okianwans, Japanese and Americans. The park is designed so the sun shines down the Cornerstone of Peace's center path on June 23, the day the Battle of Okianwa ended.
After my tour of Peace Prayer Park I found myself on the southern most tip of Okinawa visiting Cape Kyan. Another site closely linked to the Battle of Okinawa. The site of many suicides as the Japanese troops and Okinawan civilians found themselves trapped on the southern coast, many jumped from the cliffs edge to escape capture by the United States military. Near by are the Gushikawa Gusuku (Cushikwaw Castle Ruins). So in case you haven't noticed yet, there are many castle ruins all over Okinawa. It'll probably take me the next 1 1/2 yrs to find them all. And tell me what finishes off a good day of Okinawan adventure seeking? Kinpa Ginpa...the greatest ramen house in all of Okinawa. My friends tell me I have a problem, or an addiction if you will. I just can't help myself, it's like crack cocaine. In fact my mouth is watering right now just writing about it.
Ok, fast forward to my next day off. Yes, there was work in between but again you don't want to see this. My friend Danielle and I headed off in search of Beach Rock Village, the hippy campground of Okinawa. In true Okinawan adventure fashion (or perhaps because Danielle was driving and everytime Danielle drives we manage to get a little lost...shout out to Danielle!) it took us a few U-turns but we found it tucked away in the Nakijin hills. Once there, it's actually quite easy to find. For all those eager to go, take 58N to Nago, then 72N and follow the little brown signs along the side of the road. There really are no words to accurately describe this place. There are tents, tepees, yurts (20 pts to those who know what a yurt is), etc for sleeping, a cafe that serves pretty tasty pizza (and you're free to sit anywhere including the tree house, the roof of the cafe or sitting next to the horses that run around freely...we were almost trampled a couple times), a very sketchy observation tower (no railing, a sign that states "you are responsible for your own death", and a floor made of plywood and plastic 1/2" thick) and the greatest swing EVER. Danielle and I found this giant chair swing hanging from a tree as we were exploring the camping area. The swing was equipped with seat belts and a ladder off to the side where we could only assume you were supposed to haul the swing up to, strap yourself it and throw yourself off. So I did just that. I'm not gonna lie, I thought I might fall to my death (my own responsibility of course). Flashback to my childhood swing incident. Remember those old swing sets with the plastic seats and chain link? I used to swing with my fingers intertwined in the holes of the chain link as I was swinging until that dreaded day the plastic swing broke ripping my fingers to shreds. Hence my fear of now throwing myself of a ledge and hoping the wire didn't snap and toss me into the ravine of trees to be impaled. I reminded Danielle that I am "full code" and jumped. I would have like to get this 1st flight on video but we didn't think of it until the 2nd go around. To see this fun in action please see my facebook site.
Leaving the hippie commune, we made our way to 2 of the local islands accessible by bridge, Yagaji Island and Kohri Island where we were able to get our obligatory jump shot.
It should also be noted that while on our travels we visited the Hinpun Gajimaru Tree (Banyan Tree) which is apparently Nago's most famous landmark and estimated to be over 300 yrs old.
We also found Shinzan Soba which is known for making the best Okinawan soba for the past 60 years. Being a sucker for noodles, we had to stop and I must say it was totally worth it. So you see, I really do work. :) Until next time....
