Picking up the pieces in Japan.

[drron]

Time for some non confronting experience.I noted we would be passing the factory outlets on our way home.asked mrsdrron if she would like to stop.I think you know the answer.First one for the train enthusiasts!

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Mrsdrron was happy with the decision.

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Though waiting behind at least a hundred Chinese shoppers to get the tax refund wasn't one of the highlights.
I just wonder what they were thinking of with some of the business names-

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So back to the DT.Again decided to eat in.We chose their Japanese restaurant.The food was good and the price quite reasonable.Mrsdrron had the BBQ set and I the tempura set.

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Back to the room to enjoy the night view.

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Mrsdrron noticed an extra light switch on her side of the bed.Wondered what it was so naturally flicked it.This appeared on the ceiling.

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[drron]

We woke early enough to catch a part of the sunrise.

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We didn't leave the DT until after 1000 as the shops don't open until then.When we drove to the DT we passed a shopping centre that had Daiso,Muji and Uni qlo side by side.Mrsdrron's trifecta of Japanese shops.Retracing our route the day before we couldn't find them.That morning I did a bit of Sleuthing on Google and thought I knew where they were.Surprise I got it right and when found I realised it was when we made a wrong turn-Delihah on the GPS sometimes got turns wrong saying Turn Right when the correct way was basically straight ahead.
So there were more examples of funny Japanese ideas on snacks.Lightly salted sweet corn or sugared beans with ginger.

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We then headed to Chatan Town which is between the largest US Air base in the Pacific and a Marine camp.Because we were missing our stays in Hawaii and the US we headed for Tony Romas and had their lunch special of a half rack of ribs with fries and slaw.Loved it.

 

[drron]

It wasn't far to the Sheraton Sunmarina so we made a few detours.Went out to Cape Zanpa and strolled an Okinawan beach.

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Nearby a park.

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No not Chinese.These are the Okinawan Shiisaa or dog lion but in reality seen throughout East Asia.An interesting loo.

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[drron]

We continued on and saw a sign for the Zakimi castle ruins so took another detour.Again free parking.

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Newly weds were having their photos taken so mrsdrron asked if she could take their photo.No problems.

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So we couldn't turn them down when they wanted ours.so thir photographer used their camera then mrsdrrons.

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I then set out to look at the castle whilst mrsdrron stayed on the one level and found more shiisaa.

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[drron]

It was a pleasant walk with a very familiar sound.

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Yes cicadas.The type we called black princes.Probably Politically incorrect these days.

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Stairs were a little steep and rough to get inside.

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[drron]

I climbed up on to the top of the walls.As castles were built on the highest point of land there were great views.

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That is sugar cane.

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The day had very heavy downpours which would stop as we did.Once again very lucky.

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[drron]

We got to the Sheraton Sunmarina at 1445.No long lines for check in but we had to wait for our room to be ready.By 1500 there were very long queues.In the lobby is a pond with a good array of sea creatures.No need to snorkel.

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Various lights enhanced the colours.

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[drron]

We were then asked if we would like to sit in the bar and have a drink whilst we waited.Didn't have to be asked twice.

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Only time for 1 drink before our room was ready.tremendous upgrade to a 2 floor suite-1 of 2 Ocean suites.Review here-
Okinawa-Sheraton Sunmarina.

Was also a great place for watching the sunset.

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[drron]

I do love sunsets.

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We weren't feeling very hungry and a bit tired so just had a room service pizza and I a complimentary beer from the mini bar.Only 1 pizza choice-cheese and bacon.But it was nice.

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[drron]

There is no club lounge at this Sheraton but you do get to use the Sunset Bar each evening between 1700-1800.Here is the complimentary drinks list.

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So mrsdrron had her sav blanc and I my G&T.

We then had a little wander around their shops.Now Okinawans have the highest percentage of their population over 100.So a bit surprising to see all their traditional sweets are based on brown sugar.

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then these which are just pure brown sugar.

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Or pick up your coke in an Okinawan souvenir can.

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But this was my favourite.

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But mrsdrron reckoned I wouldn't get it through Customs.

 

[drron]

Breakfast.not the greatest variety but adequate.I really liked the sardines.

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went for a walk after breakfast and an extended Japanese family all in the same shirts were having their photo taken.done slightly differently these days.

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Mrsdrron got stuck in the chair.

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I decided to help her out after a few minutes.
Not great beach weather but a few hardy souls out.

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mrsdrron found another shiisaa.

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The spa and activity centre then looking back at the hotel.

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[drron]

If the weather was favourable this would be a great resort for families.

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They have a zipline that I may have tried.There was a Chinese group being escorted around by the suits.They got to try the zipline.

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Once they had finished the line was closed due to increasing winds with Typhoon Trami approaching.
A couple of waterslides also closed.

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You can see from the pics that the rain had started.

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And nothing happening at the beach.time to go back to the room.

 

[Captain Halliday]

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Is the building curved? In a kind of wave shape? Or am I seeing things?

 

[drron]

Is the building curved? In a kind of wave shape? Or am I seeing things?

It certainly is curved-you are looking at 1 side.The other side is a mirror image.They meet at the front.

 

[drron]

Back inside we once again watched the fish for a while.

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Now there is a fish in this pic.

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And a fish i do not want to stand on.

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The rain looked set in so it wasn't going to be a beach day so we decided to drive to the northern tip of the island-Cape Hedo.That next.

 

[drron]

One of the things that strike you are the impressive tombs.They can be anywhere,maybe just one or a group and sometimes a large collection.Many are seen by the roadside like this.

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They are believed to originate in Fujian province in China where they are called turtle back tombs as turtles have longevity.some think also good feng shui with 3 sides protecting the grave from strong winds.
In Okinawa the japanese call them haka and some say the shape is a woman's womb so the deceased are returning from whence they came.

A lot of small fishing ports.

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This one possibly after crustaceans.

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more tombs.

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Then there were these signs.

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Tsunami levels.

 

[drron]

Many small islands/rocks off the coast.

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A slight break in the rain so a quick stop.note the stinger net in the second pic.

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And a massive quarry in the distance.

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[drron]

Some islands are larger and inhabited.Some close enough that they can be reached by bridge.

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Others need to be reached by ferry.This one has an interesting peak.

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Where we found free parking for these pics was a small commercial centre.Mrsdrron was happy as it had a Daiso.No one could tell me what was the magic.

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Daiso is a 100 yen shop-actually 108 yen after tax.

 

[drron]

We neared the Cape and the environment began to change.

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The car park looking back.

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The volcanic origin of the island is obvious.

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[RooFlyer]

Yes cicadas.The type we called black princes.Probably Politically incorrect these days.

Cicadas on cycads