HAMA TIME

Hey everyone. This is Lori's dog... Hama chan. He is named after a famous Japanese pottery master, called Hamada Shoji. Hama chan doesn't create as many brillian clay master pieces, but I am sure he is a much better barker, and can chew through shoes much better than his namesake.

Few More Shots From Okinawa

Here are a couple more shots from Okinawa of our trip. We had quite a nice view from the room, although it was quite windy!

Back in The Big Smoke

All right, so back in the big smoke as of Friday night. On Friday morning we checked out of the hotel after a very casual, and relaxed morning. Had some breakfast (the breakfasts were pretty good at the ANA hotel, and included in the deal), checked out and then drove to an outlet mall that Kiyomi had wanted to go to. The place was nice, but a couple of the stores that I would have liked to have gone to were closed. >_< The place was kind of empty but I think that is because most of the tours come there at night bringing in people by the bus load. That and we got there pretty soon after opening. Prices were... so so... some decent deals, but nothing that great. You can see the empty picture here.

While we were enjoying ourselves in a Sun in Okinawa the mainland (ie Tokyo)was getting hit by a typhoon, so when we got checked into the airport (which was a pain in the ass with new rules on liquids) we wound up with alomst a two hour delay on our flight. Got back in the house around 9:30 or a little later. Kiyomi had to rush directly to a friends leaving party. So I just went home, unpacked and chilled out. The weather really wasn't fit for heading out for anything anyway.

Saturday and Sunday have been great though... beautiful days, and really have enjoyed them. Got out a little bit on the bike, and hope to do so again tomorrow (it is a national holiday).

Japanese Design

Japanese are world renowned for their simple and classic designs. Usually you can see Japanese design. Well... what do you think about this??? The below is a cigarette ashtray... and well not sure of exactly what other functions this can be used for.

No one aound...

Dove for about half an hour north of our Hotel here in Okinawa (ANA hotel) and found this nice little beach. It isn't really good for swimming but it was a nice place to sit, chill out and relax for a bit (that is chilax for you Foley). Sat in the sun, and read a book for a bit. The only negative point really was that we have some really strong winds here right now. I had my swimshorts blow off the balcony where they were drying. They were even pegged down on the line.

Off to Naha for the afternoon to check out some stuff there.

Snake... In a Bottle

Forget Tequilla. This is the most impressive drink I have seen with a dead creature in it. Popular in Okinawa and know as Habu shochu. It is fairly common, and basicially is a spirit which they shove a live snake into the bottle. It then drowns and you can enjoy the tasty (er... not so tasty from what I have heard) beverage. Oh and yes... the snake is poisonous.

Fun at the Aquarium

Well we had a decnet day weather wise... little bit of clound and some rain in the early evening. But that was okay as were in the car at that time. Went up to an aquarium on the northern part of the island today. The aquarium was quite impressive, large, and also serves as a research facility. Got to see sharks, and some sting rays, still remember getting stung by one myself. Also a rather short, but fun, dolphin show.

Dolphins in their pool, not actually at the show.

Okinawa Bound!

Well, my first big trip in japan for a while. I haven't made a trip like this for many many years. I think that the last time that I did an internal flight in Japan was when I went to Kyushu to visit my friend Matt... who has now moved on many years ago. Other than that most of my trips have been to Kyoto using the Shinkansen and stuff.

Okinawa so far hasn't really struck me as much different as the rest of Japan, or at least not as much as I was hoping. Perhaps a smaller island in the area would have been a better pick for what I wanted to do and see. Although I did get here afterdark, and have pretty much just driven around. At least the streets are a reasonable size here and it is not a pain in the butt to drive.

One thing of note was we did have some Tacos for dinner. They were really great. The place that had them, only makes Tacos, nothing else. You come in and they do not even have a menu, they only ask how many portions you want. Here is a litte picture of them. I have to say that they have been the best mexican food that I have had in Japan by miles. Nothing else was really close. I also do have to admit that I have NO idea what real mexican food tastes like... but I did like these guys.



The hotel has some nice pools, and will look to having a dip in them tomorrow. More photos to follow too I hope.