Finding the right combination of fast and slow during last days in Okinawa — 08.21.16
My second (and last) day in the Okinawan Islands was spent quietly under the sun’s soft heat before AHAREN BEACH then off I was to revisit the ‘peak season’ version of FURUZAMAMI IN ZAMAMI ISLAND. While I would have loved to beach all day, I had to catch the ferry back to NAHA for my last night filled with more aimless wandering which led me to discover this vibrant nightlife compressed in a compound of yatais.
This wandering resumed the following day, with quick pauses to grab some quick breakfast over news of storm in Tokyo and buy last-minute take-homes from the shopping stalls near the inn.
Charming beach town in one day and night – 08.20.16
Slept for only night in NAHA then the following day I went aboard a ferry to explore nearby island TOKASHIKI to beach and (for the first outside my home country) camp.In this entry, I share a day an ironically full day in the quiet town near AHAREN BEACH – from encounters with friendly strangers from the old lady at the campground entrance to fellow campers to this welcome of a stretch of fine sand, clear water to a town pinned with just the right amount of quirky restaurants for beer and fast food.
Revisiting Naha’s streets of shops, food and beer take two – 08.19-21.16
Months after my birthday trip, I find myself again aimlessly walking around the streets of KOKUSAI – a lot of which spent getting lost in search of my guesthouse located in a place I’ve been in before. Different for this trip was visiting AHAREN BEACH IN TOKASHIKI and re-visiting and wading in FURUZAMAMI IN ZAMAMI. Last night then spent with more aimless walking, taking photos of izakayas I oddly now miss.
In this entry I first share my experience getting back to Naha from my home and a kick-off to a day back to its nearby islands.
Sometimes all you have to do is jump and enjoy as much as what you can at sea – 05.21-23.16
Skydive was the highlight for this trip but memorable extras would be spending a stormy night as lone guest in the resort and swimming in most number of fish so far in that shallow water.
It’s not in my natural tendency to share details when writing about my travel but I am going off what’s natural for now as I would share as much as I could learning from this recent trip I had to yey-another-continent Europe!
While I sound perky as I write this, this has just to be so far my most stressful trip because 1) I am not solo and hence, somewhat responsible for other souls; and 2) I’ve always thought of Europe as challenging from visa application to bookings, etc.
Here then is my attempt to be of help to whoever who might across this who may be in the same place that I was prior to the trip.
Oh time in this city, how do I maximize thee? – 03.26-27.16
Prior to Macau this year, this is probably the shortest that I have been somewhere else. Squeezed in as much in the evening despite my airbnb hosts’ 11PM curfew – from trying out the only ramen that did not leave me feeling guilty full to some awkward but memorable beer-drinking at a cramped food stall called yatai. Next morning about parks, almost sakura in a temple, lunch with danger-if-not-properly-prepared fugu with day and trip ending with realization that hey, those face masks actually help with the cold.
Repeat wander on Naha’s busiest streets – 03.25-26.16
Spent my remaining day in the city (late afternoon after ZAMAMIday trip and half morning before my flight to Fukuoka) revisiting the areas of KOKUSAI and MITSUMIBASHI and in this entry I share with you my random discoveries on souvenirs, beer and food.
Having missed my scheduled trip to ZAMAMI ISLAND the day before due to bad weather, the following day I took my chance at a ride to the island. It was off the original plan of having the night to stay but I was still happy with this decision as I got myself an entire strip of beach with one of the best kind of blue. It was off-season for swimming so I just walked around with my coat on and played with cats who were approaching me as they were probably hungry.
I told myself I would come back and fortunately had the chance a few months after this trip – same spot but totally different vibe as that was summer.
~ First in one Japan’s less busy cities – 03.24.2016
After my Manila misadventure which led to spending the night in Taipei Airport, it was finally Okinawa early the following morning. Trying to make most of an already shortened trip, I was out as soon as I checked in bag in my capsule hotel. My day then mostly spent walking around shopping strip KOKUSAI DORI (also called International Road) until that discovery of a monument of a GIANT ROPE used during the city’s yearly tug-of-war event. Unhappy with a cancelled ferry ride to Zamami, I pushed for a quick trip to the nearest beach in the city called NAMINOUE.
Airport beyond departures and arrivals – 03.23-24.16
With Japan being more known for things other than beaches, my trip to Okinawa last year was something I looked forward to more. It was also a gift to self as I turn 3-0. But life sometimes has an odd play with us that this trip had its rough parts – from being a shortened one to unexpected delays and mishaps as I was checking in at the airport which made me miss my flight that I had to take a reroute.
That reroute took me back to Taiwan for a night – the very same airport I was in just the previous month – except that I had more time to discover that there can be more to this space beyond departures and arrivals.
![[Japan] ~ Making most of rest of days in Okinawa](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/35963255300_b639ff6314_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Okinawa] ~ More laidback Japan in Tokashiki](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/36360312275_a4f134683d_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Japan] ~ Okinawa in (more humid) the second time around](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/36191366512_c2a98b0741_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Cebu] ~ Bantayan in Sky and Sea](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/36153467686_c60e167705_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Europe] ~ Surviving Italy and France](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/paris.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Japan] ~ Fukuoka in Night and Day](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/30768253521_51a4490b50_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Okinawa] ~ Finding Naha](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/30222966424_74bf311520_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Okinawa] ~ Hours to and in Zamami Island](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/30766722551_156a3d5dbf_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Okinawa] ~ Discoveries within Naha City](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/30218909393_ecbfd275b2_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Philippines x Taiwan] ~ Airport (Mis)adventures](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/30817833256_13c2f72fc8_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
I am no travel planner. 