(Above- Stacy)
(Joe, Me, Mark, Stacy)
I'm sure I'll have to go back to Okinawa to capture the rest of the experiences there, but I enjoyed the night life and all the fun I had in the short time I was there.
Woke up bright and early and went to breakfast at a local restaraunt and captured some early morning beauty on my walk.
Caught a shuttle down to the "American Villiage" to get my naviating started in Japan. American Villiage is Okinawa's take on American culture, food, and shopping. Interesting and not really close to the reality I know back home. I did order Saki Soba for lunch and was impressed!
Near the sea wall downtown.
I rode the ferris wheel and got a great glimpse of the city. Here's a rare moment where is wasn't sprinkling rain.
So "technically" I got into Japan tonight at 7:30 pm and I sort of skipped a day. After Immigration and Customs, the Marines drove us back to Kadena where we signed up for travel from Kadena and then a nice couple (who were in the group with me on the plane) drove me to Camp Foster to find lodging since Kadena was full. I camped out on the couch in the lobby for an hour or two until they "found" a room available for me. hahah! Cute little rooms with a KING size bed and all the amenities you could need. I was SOO happy to have a bed to sleep in!
Got up early this morning with Sarah's brother, Ian, and enjoyed the drive to Hilo Airport.
Caught a hop from Hilo to Oahu and a shuttle from Honolulu Airport to the AMC terminal on Hickam.
I was SUPER grateful to get on a direct flight from Hickam to Kadena (Okinawa Japan) on a C17!
About 7:30pm local time (After a 9.5 hour flight) we arrived in Okinawa and were transported to Immigration and customs.
I thought this sign was funny and the group of us were laughing about the old person being included in the restroom sign, so I took a picture. I almost got kicked out of the country for taking a picture in the immigration office, so I learned my lesson on that one...but still got to keep the picture! haha! I have a cool visa in my passport now to prove I've been to Japan! YAY!
I did some MAJOR sleeping in this morning and then we were off on our adventure for the day. This is a cute shot of Sarah Whittle on our hike at Pololu.
Sarah calls this spot the "breezeway" because after a hot and humid hike this particular spot has a fresh cool breeze and is a great place to rest before the finishing the hike.
Shaka!
Great view of the valleys and coves.
Trying for a "Zoolander look" but looking more like silly monkeys! hahah!
This hike was incredible!
After hitting a few cute shops we drove to the Marriott where Sarah will be Married August 7th! The views are incredible! Sarah's wedding and reception will be absolutely stunning.
Ian (Sarah's Brother) and I fished while Sarah and her Mom worked out some details with the hotel.
Standing in the warm water and fishing.....rough....really rough!
Caught a beautiful rainbow.
Sunset view from where Sarah will say her, "I do." What an incredible day!
Here my friend Sarah Whittle cranks through some waves!
Sarah's brother Ian surfing.
Sarah's Dad surfing.
Me celebrating my first attempt at surfing. Status: not bleeding, took some hard hits from a set of big waves and kept on tickin', caught a few waves and learned to steer the board but didn't stand up, and only got a little rash from the board on my tummy! Surfing is fun! I can't wait to do more. :o)
The whole family went out to eat at Cafe Pesto to celebrate their dad getting a job promotion he'd wanted for a long time! Seafood risotto and incredible desserts and drinks! WOW!
What a great day!
I missed all 4 possible flights to Kadena Japan this morning because I wasn't high enough on the list, so I hopped a plane to Kona to visit my college roommate Sarah! The plane only had 5 people on it including me! Wow!
Shots from the air.
Mokulele Airlines was awesome!
Cool shell ring and necklace I got from Global Creations Interiors in Haleiwa, Hawaii.
Blue Hawaii at House Without a key!
Waikiki
Beach in front of the Hale Koa.
Swimming in the ocean!