Japanese Parks

The story continues even though we are home.

I have a few more posts left in me about our trip.

The playgrounds on island were incredible.

I think the favorite were roller slides that look like this

or sometimes were really pretty like this

Either way they were all long and fun!

There were the rope jungle gyms 

Cement slides (that were HOT on bare bums)

Drop slides!

Yep, drop, as in hold onto the bar and drop or hold onto your daughter and drop.

Mini zip-lines

Waterfalls and rivers!

Serious fun in some serious heat! 

(i wonder why we were alone most of the time)

Shuri Castle

Shuri (Shurijo) Castle was built as the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom sometime during the 13th century.  It served as the center and residence for the Ryukyu Kings for several centuries.  The castle has been destroyed multiple times by fires and warfare.  Most recently in 1945 in the Battle of Okinawa.

Shureimon Gate

Sydney looking up at the Kankaimon Gate.

The Shisa lions keep away evil spirits.

This is the Nichiei-dai Sundial which supplemented the water clock.

The Una forecourt is the center of the castle.

They were working on the other half so I just cropped out the construction.

From here we went inside the Nanden and Bandokoro buildings.

We had to take our shoes off and carry them in a plastic bag.

These buildings were sort of an exhibition hall for artifacts.

The upstairs portion displayed what living quarters might have looked like...very simple and elegant.

Pam treated us to a little tea treat served in traditional style.

This was an awesome tour.

I'm glad we took the time to go back after finding it closed the first time.

 For better descriptions than I am giving go here

Okinawa Toe Art

The good news is that pedicure days finally came.

The bad news is that we won't be hitting the beaches any more.

We have been waiting for the end of the trip to get our toes done.

The girls got theirs done yesterday.

Here are all five sets of toes:

Kyndra got dolphins, Morgan candy, Syd, Avery and Brenna all got beautiful flowers.

Today was our turn, Pam, Melissa and I sat and got pampered for an hour or so.

It was wonderful.

This was  my view.

There were pages and pages of books to look through.

Too many choices of colors to pick.

We both choose flowers.

Pams:

Mine:

This was well worth the wait.

I just wish I could get it done all the time!

Fish

We have spent so much time in the water

swimming

snorkeling

playing

exploring.

I have shot picture after picture of sea life but have got just a handful of good ones to share.

This is the gang at the tide pools at Okuma.

My favorite Puffer and Box fish

The creature that lives in these shells are poisonous but pretty.

A cute crab.

We found this Clown fish guarding his anomie today.

They are very territorial.

Humas are also territorial.

This is a horrible picture but he came right up to my mask and scared me!

This is some unidentified fish...oh, it's just Pam.

These are cool.

They are called Cushionfish, sort of like a Starfish without the arms.

And the Hermies, aren't they cute?

Bats!

Stellaluna lives here!

Since the second night I have been dying to get a picture of the fruit bats.

Last night the fireworks were scaring them out of the trees.

I didn't get any pics of fireworks because I was too busy trying to capture these neat animals.

Oh wait, that's Avery.

We were at a bbq at their friends Carrie and Steve's house.

I have found their friends to be the most outgoing and friendly people.

I suppose it's out of necessity that they all help each other out and become quick friends with their neighbors but still...I'm amazed at the sense of community all around us.

I wonder who we would talk to about a job!!

OH wait, I almost forgot, on the 3rd we got to go watch a concert with Lieutenant Dan!

Recognize him??

Forest Adventure Park

The course at Forest Adventure Park was so fun we had to do it twice!

Getting harnessed up. Pam went first.

Brenna was the only "child" tall enough to go.

The others stayed home with a sitter.

I'm too tired to do much writing so I'll let the pictures tell the story.