On the 2nd and 3rd days that we were in Okinawa, we did a little bit of site seeing around the island. Rieko and her mother took us into the country and went to see her brothers farm and vacation home. Then we went to the northern end of the island and visited the botanical garden there, and got a personal tour from one of the groundskeepers there who was Rieko's cousin. We also went to see Shurijo - a castle in Naha that was part of the Ryuku lineage that ruled over the islands from the 15th century. The island was very driveable and everyone was very laid back and friendly. The weather was much like it is in Hawaii this time of year. We had one night where it poured sheets of rain (so much so that we went out to get food with our umbrellas, and came back sufficiently soaked to the bone), but otherwise the weather was sunny and temperate.
(Dad and Marie in front of the building inside the botanical garden on the northern part of the island. There is a wonderful aquarium that is also in the same complex, but we didn't have the time to visit there. It is supposed to be one of the best aquariums in the world)
(An example of some of the gorgeous orchids that were in the garden. There were also tons of tropical plants and hibiscus on exhibit)
(The family in front of a flower crab that greeted you at the entrance to the park)
(The main building in the Shurin Castle complex. It had an interesting and informative exhibit on the Ryukyu culture that used to rule over the islands. It was also the site of one of the G8 summits when Japan was the host country)
(Fukushuen garden in Naha city. It is a chinese garden that was supposed to symbolize the friendship between Okinawa and the chinese culture. It was a beautiful garden, but it started raining while we were there. We frantically had to go to the convenience store to get some $5 umbrellas...which we eventually left in our hotel room in Fukuoka =)
(Marie and I along the coastline of Okinawa. It was a little blustery, but the sea was clear and blue and very nice!)
(Dad and Marie in front of the building inside the botanical garden on the northern part of the island. There is a wonderful aquarium that is also in the same complex, but we didn't have the time to visit there. It is supposed to be one of the best aquariums in the world)
(An example of some of the gorgeous orchids that were in the garden. There were also tons of tropical plants and hibiscus on exhibit)
(The family in front of a flower crab that greeted you at the entrance to the park)
(The main building in the Shurin Castle complex. It had an interesting and informative exhibit on the Ryukyu culture that used to rule over the islands. It was also the site of one of the G8 summits when Japan was the host country)
(Fukushuen garden in Naha city. It is a chinese garden that was supposed to symbolize the friendship between Okinawa and the chinese culture. It was a beautiful garden, but it started raining while we were there. We frantically had to go to the convenience store to get some $5 umbrellas...which we eventually left in our hotel room in Fukuoka =)
(Marie and I along the coastline of Okinawa. It was a little blustery, but the sea was clear and blue and very nice!)
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