Last weekend we ventured to the Northern part of the island. Hedo Point is the northern most tip of the island and where the only limestone mountain/rocks are located in Okinawa. It took us close to three hours to get there. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then walked around the trail. We then drove down to the beach and spent over and hour picking through rocks, shells, and coral that had washed ashore. We saw so many different things that we hadn't seen before at beaches back in the states. It was like a treasure hunt! We brought home a whole bag of our favorites. We then went to Dai Sekirinzan national park and hiked the "strange & big rocks course" -(honestly that is what they called the one trail), saw panoramic views of Hedo point and saw a huge Gajumaru (Banyan) tree. After we left the park we were determined to find the 30 foot bird that we saw from both of the previous locations. In typical fashion, we got lost, we could see it several times, but couldn't figure out how to get to it. We drove up this one path "road" and I swear we were going to lose the bottom of our car as it scraped and made terrible noises as we drove along. At the end of this path we arrived at a pig farm and sewage plant!? We eventually found the bird after I flapped my arms to an elderly Japanese man who pointed us in the correct direction. We then set off for Okuma - the military resort. As we are driving up to the hotel, we were both impressed at how beautiful the place was! When we pulled up, we told them we had a reservation and the lady said, "Military? Further down the road..." So we leave this beautiful resort and a half mile later arrive at the chain link fence and concrete guard station. HA! The accommodations were not fancy, but in the summer it would be great to spend time on the beaches and participate in all of the water sports/activities that are available there. One of our favorite things about our room though was TV. Since we don't have one at our apartment, we were happy to watch American TV and Jake even got to watch a football game! The next day we hiked Hiji Falls - the tallest waterfall on the island. Despite the rain, we had a good time and they even provided us with a loaner umbrella for use on the trail. At all of the parks we have been to here, you find rocks, shrines and other places were people place coins. We do not know the significance, but reminds us of wishing wells and fountains that we have seen in the states and other places where people toss coins.
On the way home from Okuma we decided to stop at a Japanese Mall to walk around. We tend to find unique things and can spend hours just browsing. Well, the most unique thing we found at the mall this time was in the bathroom! Let me start by saying that many times here in Okinawa, the bathrooms are very primitive and many times there is only a hole in the floor to squat over. So as I went to sit on the toilet, "courtesy" music started playing from the toilet seat! Of course it first made me jump up off the seat. After I finished and went to wash my hands someone else's seat started to play and I just started laughing! It was the weekend for strange bathroom facilities because earlier in the weekend I had used a squatting port-a-john. I told Jake it was good he didn't have to go b/c he never would have fit since he is so tall. Also at the mall we found a store that had 1980's memorabilia - ET, Gizmo, Garbage Pail Kids trading cards and so much more! Of course, Jake didn't recognize half of the things I remembered from my childhood!
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Until Next week,
Natasha and Jake
Banyan Tree at Dai Sekirinzan National Park:
Two video clips from of Hedo Point - One from Dai Sekirinzan National Park and one from the Bird:
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