Guest House and Motobu port

The more things stay the same, the more they change.  How quickly things change in Okinawa.

The earlier version seemed slightly confused and a little funny. Maybe they were trying to give the impression of 'fusion cuisine'?

                             Entrance to the Hostel for the evening 

My comfy alcove for the evening.

Sunset at Motobu port

Waiting in line behind cars and motorcycles to ride onto the ferry.

The ferry from Okinawa to the southern island of Kyushu would take about 24 hours. I timed it so that I could sleep on board (Economy entails a common, open room sleeping on a cushioned carpeted floor in an assigned designated space.) and wake in the AM to disembark in Kagoshima. The ferries in Japan are some of the best maintained and up kept ships I have seen and sailed on. Every one seems to have lines, chocks and sometimes cushions to secure your bicycle. On long overnight sailings, the vehicle bays are sometimes secured so be ready with the things you'll need and take them with you.

There are a few places I didn't visit in 2017, but I would highly recommend. One is the Churaumi Aquarium.  The Churaumi Aquarium is just north of Motobu port and easily accessible via local bus or taxi-cab. 

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Naha to Nago

Back at my hostel, I slept off my jet lag and assembled my bicycle when it arrived.

This was the view out one of the windows of the hostel looking down one of the covered street malls. I really love these malls as there are local retail places, inexpensive clothing shops, restaurants, Japanese sweet shops and stalls for fresh produce from local farms. The freshness of the vegetables here are delectable with cherry tomatoes tasting like little balls of ketchup!

Anyone into unique cars will enjoy the variety you can see in Japan. On the left I saw this cool mini in a parking lot. Before I started rolling, I wanted to see that Shisa again and get it's blessing for the start of my trip.

Okinawa Route

My route on the West Coast of Okinawa. The path was so scenic, I couldn't understand why there weren't more people riding here. The eastern side looks to have it's own nice paths and views as well.

Okinawa is considered an ideal vacation spot in Asia. There were many mainland Chinese vacationers there enjoying the beaches and weather.

A covered rest stop with a very scenic view of the coast.

Cycling through Okinawa.


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Okinawa

Arriving at Okinawa, I got my boxed bike and rolled it over to the TA-Q-BIN counter and started flexing my rusty, basic Japanese. The representative at the counter knew little english but was able to figure out what I was asking (they tend to be nicer if you at least make an effort).  Filling out the numerous fields on the form, the woman stated it would take at least a day to get to it's destination which was fine since I had booked 3 days at the hostel to shake off the jet lag.

UPDATE 9/2020: Kuro Neko/TA-Q-BIN acceptance of bicycle boxes varies depending on the city in Japan and policies can change as well as the delivery van (size). Nicely ask your host/hostess to see if the local service will take your parcel (measuring tape comes in handy).

Riding the Naha Monorail

I walked outside the terminal and followed the signs to the Naha monorail.  Boarding the clean, upholstered monorail, I put my lashed panniers next to me and sat down as I overheard someone across the way comment about foreigners in Japanese. Looking around I came to realize that my panniers was the only set of luggage on the seats. I placed my panniers on the floor blushing slightly as my thoughts voiced through my head: "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore.."

That evening I set of on a small exploration of the area around the local streets. As with most anywhere in Japan, evenings are quiet and safe. The animal on the right is an Okinawan Shisa. Two small ones usually adorn the entrance of most Okinawan households to keep evil away and happiness in.

The next day my friend Henry and his gracious waifu whom both live and work in Okinawa treated me to a delicious meal. 

On the right is the peanut tofu for dessert. Mmmm, oishi!

After the meal we walked around through a street festival replete with children and families enjoying themselves and later went for coffee at one of the Seattle Coffee chain cafe's. I'm not sure if it's a combination of the coffee and the clean water here that gives beverages and even cold green tea it's  great flavor.

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