Sunday Afternoon at Hamahiga Island

Today we woke up to another beautiful day, even nicer than yesterday. All blue sky and a lot warmer. After lunch we headed out to Hamahiga Island to play at the beach. It was very crowded but we managed to find our own little spot. We got there at low tide but the water came back quickly. Emma loved playing in the water today because there were no waves.

The kids found so many old hermit crab shells. They had fun collecting them and arranging them. I thought they sort of smelled, but the kids didn't seem to notice.

Lots of fun in the water and in the sand.

The kids really loved it when the tide came back in. They could go pretty far out and still touch just fine. Yet it looked like they were really far away.

1st Visit to Okuma Beach Resort

After hiking to the waterfall we were all hungry and ready for lunch. Luckily, the Okuma Beach Resort is just 5 minutes from Hiji Falls. Okuma Beach Resort is a military resort. It is so beautiful with a great beach, tons of activities, and many places to stay over night or even camp. We have wanted to come up here for awhile and today was the perfect opportunity to check it out. We ate a yummy lunch then hit the beach.

Sand Angels

The kids really want to go back and stay over night. We will have to do that this summer for sure!

Hiking to Hiji Falls

We started our Saturday bright and early. We drove up north, about an hour an half, to Hiji Falls. This is the easiest and most popular hike on the island. However, i wouldn't call it an easy hike... over a mile up and a mile back, 2,000 stairs in all, and some very steep up and down. It was a beautiful hike though. With many little waterfalls and we were surrounded by jungle forest.

This was the wobbly bridge we crossed. The view down below was amazing, so green and lush.

Parker was such a trooper. He started off slow but was running on the way back to the car. Hannah was so sweet and helped him up and down the stairs. Oh the stairs, there were so many. It was like a rollercoaster, up and down, up and down.

We finally reached the Hiji Falls. We were all dripping in sweat but so happy to reach the falls. With all the rain we had last week the falls were very full and rushing wild. The sound was so peaceful.

The hike took a little over 2 hours. The kids did amazing! I think the grown ups had a harder time. Of course we were carrying backpacks and water for everyone. It was such a beautiful hike and we all loved the hike.

Kodomono Kuni Festival at the Okinawa Zoo

The rain has finally stopped, at least for now. It is Golden Week here in Japan, one of the most important holiday celebrations of the year. There are so many different festivals going on right now, mostly in celebration of Children's Day. There are so many fun things to choose from. Our first pick was the Kodomono Kuni Festival at the zoo. We headed there after school.

We got there just in time to feed the elephant. This was a first for all the kids and of course Emma just watched. The elephant was huge but so incredibly awesome! Carson and Cooper both wanted to just hop on him and go for a ride.

We met our friends Tami, Mason and Olivia, as well as some new friends at the zoo. The boys were so excited they got to hang out with Mason. Emma and Olivia had fun checking out each others jewelery. Emma loved helping little Ryan walk around the zoo.

The zoo set up a small petting zoo with bunnies, goats, turtles and baby chicks. The kids loved touching all the animals. But it was a little crazy because there were so many little kids there.

The zoo was covered in satsuki-nobori (carp banners) flying in the wind. It looked so cool. I love all the carp banners and how they are everywhere around the island right now. Families fly them at their homes with each banner representing each child. They fly them for good luck and good health. The banners are just beautiful.

We had a wonderful afternoon at the school and stayed until closing at 6. We then rushed home starving and still needing to finish homework. I just loved this picture of Cooper.

Our 10 Hour Adventure Today

Today was a very long day but so worth it. We all had so much fun. I really wish Josh would have been here to join us. The long day did help keep our minds off Daddy being gone.

5:45am Woke up, got everyone dressed and fed, packed a lunch, got myself ready
6:40am Out the door
7:00am Met the McMillan's at Starbucks and got on the expressway headed north- 700 yen
8:20am Got to the Motobu Port, bought our ferry tickets- 3340 yen
9:00am Got on the ferry to Ie Island
9:30am Got to Ie Island, got on a bus to go to the Lily Festival- 550 yen
9:45am Lily Festival
11:30am Ice cream after lunch- 1000 yen
12:20pm got on the bus back to the port- 550 yen
1:00pm Ferry back to the Motobu Port
1:30pm Said bye to the McMillan's and start driving the long way home
2:00pm Stopped at the Nakijin Castle
3:00pm Headed home- 700 yen
4:40pm Home

A fun-filled day for sure.... but I am tired!