Overjoyed to have had the opportunity to travel to Okinawa, Japan for the Summer holidays. The flight of 2 hours was spent reading " 魔法使いの猫 - The Magician's Cat" and the landing was 7/10 (upgraded from 6.5 the moment rain was evident on the wing). Dinner of lobster and check-in to hostel Kerema were graciously paid for by Emily after realizing the Post Offices closed hours ago. 
Kooky best describes Okinawan style which is reflected everywhere on the islands, though nowhere more so than the Shisa displayed at most shop front. 座間味島 Zamami , a smaller island which we visit on the second day, had such a large collection of such Shisa in this style lining the fences. After purchasing a set (you need the set) and Laura and Jeeon collecting their free snorkels and flippers from the shop of a friends dad (helps to have connections) we headed to the beach called Furuzamami.
Incredibly beautiful and colourful were the fish of the reef and the view from the shore across paradise. Spent the remainder of the second day floating above the underwater wonderland with my hired snorkel and managed to see many fish that were previously only viewable at aquariums. Lunch was Okinawa's famous Soki Soba and Tako-rice and dessert was kaki-zenzai and Blue Seal Benimo and Mango ice-cream. Unfortunatly the day was tainted by sunburn. Mine on my back and Chloe's so much that she collapsed on the pier from heat stroke, twice!. 
Inter-National influences are clearly evident in Okinawas culture with the American occupation continuing still (for better or worse (probably more worse. GTFO America)). The evening of the second and most of the third day were spent perusing Kokusai Douri, the street where markets were held to encourage the exchange of goods between countries and cultures. There were many souvanere shops where omiaga (gifts) were purchased and it was here at a shop called Wargo that my Okinawa exclusive, complete with makers mark Oroborous flower ring was purchased. Breakfast was Blue Seal strawberry cheesecake crepe and the Okinawan doughnut sata andagi.
Adventurous was the mood of the evening of the third night as Emily, Lisa, Cloe and myself wandered down to the beach after purchasing some fireworks.We had initially intended to walk to a Chinese garden, though after becoming a little lost and not arriving until after close, we settled for fireworks on the beach. Lighting them was tricky, though once they sparked we all marveled for those brief moments as were enveloped in that free and vibrant moment.
Warmhearted Okinawans, friends and staff at Kerema helped in the panic of losing my phone only hours before departure on the final day. That morning we had headed to the Museum of Okinawa to view the Museum and Art Museum which exposed me to some local artists as well as key themes that shaped Okinawan culture and society. Despite being almost too uncomfortable to view one portrait detailing animosity during the war, the artwork "A south seas tale" by Koya Ochiro really took my fancy as it depicts unique local cultural and ritual practices. (Phone found after being handed in by the restaurant we had lunch at. There were tears. So many thanks to Emily for standing by me in this ordeal)
Abundant are the memories from these precious days. The places, the people, the food. Arriving back in Nagoya with a landing score of 7, we have all come to realize that there truly is no other place on earth like Okinawa. We all hope of course to visit again (Possibly will when Nuki-sama comes to visit in January). Chloe, Lisa, Emily, Laura and Jeeon thank-you for being part of my wonderful experience of Okinawa and though you will all be heading home to your respectful countries, the memories that we made together will always remain special to me and will be visited often through the many pictures from my camera and on Facebook.
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