On the Beach Lue Okinawa

... it in my previous entry) was the original name of the Okinawan archipelago (it used to be known as the Ryukyu Kingdom which was a tributary state of Imperial China). Although commercial in almost all respects, this village was a very beautiful place to visit. We even saw numerous examples of the local poisonous snake (the "Habu") as well as a mongoose. Unfortunately there was no mongoose/snake fight today! I did get to feed a large number of carp as well as a couple of very ...

... carnage that took place here -- basically a city the size of Regina wiped out during a battle that lasted several months. Let's hope that nothing like that ever happens again in this beautiful place.<br><br>To close out the day, we did something quite strange. As we were walking home we came across a small Russian restaurant called Perestroika. The sign on the front had a picture of Mikhail Gorbachev on it -- cheesy but strangely enticing nonetheless. We decided ...

... next couple of days as we go on two guided tours. One will be up to the north end of the island to an aquarium and a pineapple farm. I am sure that once we get outside of Naha City that we will see the true tropical paradise aspects of this island. We will also be spending some time outside of the city on the south of the island. There is a lot of World War Two history here as this south end of the island is ...

On Sunday, we woke up early again to drive to Shuri Castle, down in Naha. Shuri Castle today is a recreation from memory of the 14th century castle that was destroyed during the battle of Okinawa. Chinese envoys used to come to the castle to crown the Ryukuan king, and there are many portraits and artifacts from these kings inside. You have to take off your shoes to walk around in the museum. We were happy to do so, since it ...

... from the Chinese Fu dogs. They are a pair or lion-like dogs that sit on top of houses or in front of them. The one on the left, the female, has its mouth shut to keep in all of the good things. The one on the right, the male, is roaring to scare away the bad. Shisa dogs are everywhere; many of my souvenirs are shisa-themed.<br><br>After walking through the village, we made a pitstop at the Oceanic Cultures Museum, which ...

... her home. About a week after that, Ava, Samuel and I had to say see ya later to Trevor. We were able to do some family stuff before he left, like go to our favorite place the AQ. The rest of the month we hung out with our neighbors and I started counting down to the last day of school!

... the past part was hanging out and being able to spend time and a holiday with family! It was hard to say goodbye, but luckily they had a play area for the kids at the airport. That helped keep our mind off of them leaving until it was finally time for them to get on the plane. Manna came 10 days after them, but that is another blog entry!

... stays clean, but then I find more stuff to do. I really have to hand it to all those single parents out there cause it is really hard. Mom I don't know how you did it, and survied! Last Saturday, Noah and i went to the grocery store. Being the day after payday, it was PACKED. Between keeping Noah in the cart and pushing past the rude people, i thought i was gonna loose it. We were almost ready to check out after he spilled a whole bag ...

... family party for Sam, it was just us 4. We went out for dinner and had cake. He got his present from us and one from his sister. He seem to like them, but I think his sister liked them just as much. We have had few travels in town, but of course I have been forgetting my camera, but it is going to be glued to me from here on out.

... htiessä odoteltiin bussipysäkillä sateessa ja kolme kertaa kävi sama taksiäijä houkuttelemassa kyytiin ...ja joka kerta laski hinta edellisestä tarjouksesta :-) Viimeisellä kerralla äijä oli jo ihan hajalla ja naureskeli, että mistäs te oikein olette, kun sitkeästi vaan istutte sateessa odottamassa bussia? ...no Suomesta *kele! :-) Suomalainenhan istuu pysäkillä pimeydessä, sormet sinisenä, turpa jäässä, räkä poskella roikkuen, vaikka tuomiopäivään asti jos tarve vaatii. Joku 1 ...