Home and Gone.

We have returned home. It is surprising how tired one can become while "relaxing." I suppose if I were honest of it, we spent little time relaxing. There were too many castles to see and tree houses to eat in.

The last one gained your attention. Yes? In Naha. there is a restaurant called Gajumaru. Interesting to see is it not? Of course, it is not a real tree but the sensation of it is probably no different than if it were. On a windy day, such as the one when we visited, if you sit still you can feel the entire restaurant sway in the breeze.

If you are easily breathless, entering the restaurant may challenge you. There is no elevator. There is only the spiral stairs .

The specialty of this restaurant is shabu-shabu. What is shabu-shabu you ask? Shabu-shabu is a meal that you cook at your table. Instead of a grill in the middle of the table like yakiniku, there is a glass-top cooking surface. Still, one must be careful as it is very hot. I found it humorous they even provided English instructions on how to eat this way. The choices are only of your type of shabu-shabu. The lunch choices were pork rib and chicken.

Since we were at the docks (why is it Navy people always go to docks?) we decided to see the fish markets. I was surprised at what I saw. Never have I seen a market that was as colorful as this one. More surprising, all colors were natural color of the fish.

Have you ever seen such color in a fish market? I wondered that people would even buy fish for fear of ruining the beauty.

Outside of the fish market was another small market that was for those less inclined to fish. It may be that it is not for the faint of heart though. Some things there may unsettle or even frighten some.

Yes. Those are real frogs made into coin purses.

This was Chao lei's favorite place. I believe it to be more the color that entranced him rather than the toys. He could not settle for only one or two. As we thought he decided for one, another would fall into his gaze and that is the one he now preferred.




 
It is surprising what some believe to be acceptable. According to the vendor, these frogs (yes, they are real) are very popular. Given the frequency Japanese girls were purchasing them, I must conclude he was not lying.





After the markets was Shuri Castle.
The entry is deceptive. When you first approach it seems only gray stone and trees. You must be patient though. You will be rewarded with much more colorful views soon.

If you are to visit, it is important to wear proper, comfortable shoes. The park is quite large. At the bottom there is a rest center in the event you become too tired. There is also a restaurant (which we discovered too late.).

This is the approach to the castle. It is what you will see moments before seeing the castle proper. We were fortunate the flowers had begun to bloom though we were told if we had waited only a few weeks, the colors would have been much brighter. It did not matter to me. I was impressed even with the muted colors.

This is the castle proper. It is a striking sight after passing through so much grey stone. What is interesting of it more than its age is that it survived the devastation of war. It seems America to great care to leave it intact even though the surrounding areas were completely destroyed. The pictures are astounding to me especially given the Japanese were not so careful with Chinese temples during that war.

It was a good week for us but as with all good things, it had to end. I wish it had not ended as it did. It ended with bad news, good new, and I am not sure news.

As we arrived home, Lt was sure to check in at which time he was informed they would get under way the following day. Bad news. Then he was given good news. It seems Lt will no longer be Lt but instead he will be LtCdr. He has received the promotion he hoped for. His "wetting-down" will be in June. I am informed I may not attend this particular ceremony. Not sure news? Lt will finish at least one more year here but our next home is a question. Lt has been told Pearl Harbor, Norfolk, and San Diego are all possibilities but others may present themselves. Lt hopes for Pearl Harbor.

It was an interesting end to the week. Now it is again Chao lei and I at home and Lt underway. The adventure continues!

Okinawa - Arrival

Our flight to Okinawa was uneventful. It was a beautiful day to fly. Chao lei flew comfortably with only a little disturbance of the noise of take-off. He giggled uncontrollably from the sensation of leaving the ground. Lt though me to be tickling him to distract him. There was only a few times he was not happy and those were when his ears would adjust. After the beginning events, he was happy to nap for most of the 2 hours of flying.

 This was what we saw as we approached the airport. I must say the approach was unlike any I have ever flown. Usually they are a simple straight landing or a long left 180° turn. This one was flown over the airport and then a left 280° turn. It was different than any I have ever experienced.

The advantage was Chao lei had extra time for his ears to adjust to lower altitude. Coming down was more to worry of than going up. Thankfully, he slept through most of it and when he did awake, his bottle was enough to keep him calm and allow his ears to adjust.

Landing was as uneventful as take-off. We did see Japanese Air Force planes. I was not aware they were here. Lt told me they once shared a base with the USAF at Kadena AFB. I suppose it could be crowded with so many airplanes and two air forces competing for the same runway.

Even though they are utilitarian airplanes they have a beauty all their own. Of course they could not compare to the airline planes and their colorful art.

It is not often you see such style on airplanes. I believe more airlines should practice this type of painting.

Tomorrow we will begin touring. I will take more pictures and share.

It is the Day!

As I write this from my phone, Lt, Chao lei, and I sit in the terminal awaiting our departure time. Okinawa is not a long flight away from us so this will be a first time for me; a short flight time. lol

I have my camera (cell cameras are adequate but not as good as real cameras) and everything I will need while we are away. I have also brought my laptop since there is some little amount of work for school I must complete.

I may even discover I have time to update.

It is Closer! Lt. is Home!

It is only six days until I will be in Okinawa with Lt. and Chao lei. It is our first holiday as a family. Now I must spend my days thinking of what I may have forgotten. lol

Lt. is finally home. I am afraid he returned to a weepy wife. Just before I left to greet him at the dock, I saw a video on Facebook by military men about military men returning home. If you have Facebook it can be viewed HERE. I warn you though. If your husband is military you will become weepy as I did.

Lt was more tender at this return than the last. I believe he is becoming accustomed to it. I wish I could do the same. I will never care for his departures, though I will accept them as necessary. Even so, I cannot help myself but to blush with such pride for him. I think this may be more common than some will admit.

Lt. is before the promotion boards this year. A promotion would be nice. Lt has been told he has very good chances for it. I only have questions of it. Should he be promoted, will he stay here? I have been told that rank is dependent of billet (please speak Greek to me... I will understand it as much). I only ask if he is promoted will we move so soon? Where will we go? When? ARG!

I suppose I will discover these things in time. *sigh*

Holiday is coming. Only happy thoughts are permitted.