Picking up the pieces in Japan.

[drron]

Cicadas on cycads

And the trees.

 

[drron]

Now keep an eye on that little black dot in the middle of the first pic.

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I just love watching the action of water on rock.
Now it is windy.

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Every little nook and cranny here had money deposited.Could have got rich.

 

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Lots of plaques and statues.

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A poor lonely fellow all on his own.

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It probably was a good idea coming here when the weather wasn't good.The wind,spray and grey colour actually added to the experience.really liked the mountain overlooking the Cape.

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[drron]

The last of Cape Hedo.

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We now went south on route 70 down the east coast.A narrow winding road with very few spots where you could stop.Plenty of signs for the endangered flightless bird the Okinawan rail.We didn't however spot one.

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One of the few spots we could stop had some interesting rocks.

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We came across a short road where we could pull off.This is what it was for.

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[drron]

A couple of shots before we turned on to route 331 back to the West coast and the Sheraton.

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Back at the hotel the USAF decided to put on a show for us.

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No one at the beach today.

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[drron]

Sunset was totally different to the first night.

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[drron]

The night time view from our balcony.

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Before dinner I wandered a bit outside.

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But i need to go now.Somebody is waiting.

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[drron]

Tonight was dinner in the better restaurant-The Grill.They advertised a Mud crab Dinner.8000 yen but with our elite discount then tax added it was 7000 yen.About $A90.

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Came with flatbread and spices.

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The same species as here in QLD.

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They were beautiful.

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[drron]

Breakfast buffet the next morning.

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More to come.

 

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Now the top bowl is meant to be Bircher muesli.Didn't want to try it.

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[drron]

The final day wasn't as wet but the wind was much stronger.I did have an hour's swim in the middle of the day.There were a few brave souls that ventured out.No coral or fish in the stinger free zone.So basically we just had a rest day.
Went to dinner in the cafe.Mrsdrron wasn't feeling hungry so just had a club sandwich.I went for the buffet.A little unusual as you order a main dish plus have the buffet-it really wasn't very exciting but over 65s had the cost dropped from 4000-2800 yen.then with the discount was 2400 yen=$A33.

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I had the fish main and it was very nice.Could have had steak,chicken or a burger.
During the meal it was one of the 2 Sound and light shows they put on every night.goes for nearly 30 minutes.

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It was quite a show.

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The show ended with visual fireworks with appropriate sounds.

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The next morning we decided to miss breakfast and leave early for the airport.Just as well the traffic was horrendous.Mrsdrron said goodbye to the Sheraton and it's shiisaa.

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Didn't have to worry about filling up the car.A lot of service stations on Okinawa are full service.dropped the car off to Toyota rentals and shuttle to the airport.Arrived there about 2.5 hours before our flight.

 

[drron]

We didn't bother going to the lounge just had a pastry and coffee.These though are apparently available in the JAL premium lounge.

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Then mrsdrron wandered around the shops whilst I took orchid photos.

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[drron]

And there were plenty of orchids.

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We were now ready for our J flight OKA-HND.Fortunately on JAL J is usually just 1000 yen($A12.50) dearer than Y.In fact on this flight the J ticket was 3000 yen cheaper than the cheapest Y fare.So it was a no brainer.
Boarding though was moved from a gate to a remote pad.This is where most airlines truly botch premium boarding.Sure J pax and elites were called first and got onto the bus.There were suspiciously a lot fewer elites than usual.The hordes then descended on the bus so although first on we were last off.I suspect those elites from JAL held back and were in fact last on the bus.
Then it is the climb up the stairs.OK for you younguns but when you have metal joints and balance problems it is not that pleasant.Got to our seats-across the aisle from each other.It was a domestic B772.

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It is 2-4-2 in J and 3-4-3 in Y.As you can see in the second pic J was quite empty when we were seated but by the time the last pax were on J was full.most of the J pax did indeed board last.
So a few shots from the cameras -

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Soon after take off the plane seemed to stop climbing.We were not that high above the water.I worried at first but then noticed out the right side a couple of fighters taking off from the US air base.I guess you shouldn't play chicken with them.
After getting north of the base we started climbing again.A bumpy ride and clouds all the way.Very windy into HND and we wobbled from side to side on approach but a good landing.

The real story though is the catering.It is a 2 hour 10 minute flight and this is the total of what you get.

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You could get seconds.You did get a sweet for the descent as well.Our flight left OKA at 1130 am.

 

[drron]

Bags were out quickly and then a little wait for the shuttle to the International terminal where we stayed at the Royal Park hotel in the terminal.It is when you stay for the first time in a hotel that you have no status that you realise that there are definite benefits of loyalty programs.And we did book direct with the hotel.it was a late booking due to the changes forced by the cruise cancellation.So to our room.

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As you can see just a little bit squeezy and a view to die for.

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We booked an entry level room which can be of any type.you can put in your preferences such as 1 bed-got that.Then close to elevator.Let's see how that checked out.

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Photo taken from our room door looking at mrsdrron at the lifts.Can you see that little dot.No well here is the same view on zoom.

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Yes the room the furthest from the elevator.looking back the other way.

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Of course when leaving your room you had to get the lift 2 floors up to the lobby.
An unusual checkin.after taking your passports and getting a room before they give you the keys you are directed to one of the 2 payment machines to pay for your room before you get your keys.
But it was very convenient,quiet and we slept well.