Okinawa 沖縄 (3rd - 7th Feb)

A short trip without the girls! 

It was a red eyed flight, and should I rephrase it as dark-eyed flight - I couldn't sleep well coz the guy behind me was snoring so loudly. A note to self that I should remember to pack earplugs next time I travel on a budget airline. Jetstar never change their menu at all! Although I'm glad their soya chicken is still on the menu. Our orders were taken in the beginning of the flight and can let them know when we'd liked our meals to be served. Macam like First Class like that - meal on demand.  

2nd Feb (Sun)    

睡起来就吃 - the short flight made it somewhat comfortable (tho it would have been more comfortable without the snoring from behind and the sides, like a symphony like that)

I ordered a nasi lemak while hubby ordered soya chicken

Nasi Lemak is nice tho must admit the spice level is a little high for me 

Hubby's Soya chicken

Twilight

Arrived in Naha airport. It's a small modern-looking airport, much smaller than our Terminal 4 and much much smaller than Male Airport.  

Took the Yui monorail from airport to our hotel @ Makishi station. It's only a two carriage monorail, but fortunately there was no high human traffic so it's ok. 

It's 300¥ for a single trip, 800¥ for a day pass (exactly 24hrs) 

Somewhat makes me feel like I'm in Narita village .... and I'm beginning to like Okinawa now

That's our hotel, right next to the station connected by an overhead bridge.

Dropped the luggage and took the monorail to Shuri Castle. 

Shops were not opened as it was still early. But somehow there's that unique feeling, I know I'm in Japan but it doesn't feel like Japan, I just don't know how to describe the feeling. Even the language sounds a little different. More for me to discover this interesting place.

The man pointing to where we are. On the way to see what remains of the burnt Shuri Castle.  

To my delight, this tree greeted me. My first sakura for the year, my first sakura sighted in Japan soil. Really excited what lies ahead of this trip as Okinawa is the first place where sakuras will bloom every year. 

Such a pity my handphone camera took such ugly pictures. I didn't bring my DSLR as it would be too cumbersome. Hmm..... I should perhaps get a smaller digital camera again?

Such beauty!

Sad that this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been reduced to this 

We left Shuri Castle and saw this cute shisa on our walk to the monorail station 

Japan - I love going into their pharmacies as if I was in a wonderland filled with candies. Just days ago my Japanese girlfriend was telling me they have trouble finding masks in FUK and so we kapo-ed to see what's happening here. Afterall I haven't seen anyone wearing masks here since we arrived. 

This was what I saw.  Even if you can't read japanese, you'll know what's missing.  

Made our way back to the hotel vicinity - Kokusai dori, otherwise known as International Street. It's a place where tourists are promised a shopping street, you'll be disappointed to know that it's

unlike our tall air-conditioned buildings lining up Orchard Road  

Certain parts of the road in Kokusaidori were closed to vehicles, so pedestrians were walking everywhere. 

At first the shops look interesting but after awhile you realised that there's a repetition in the souvenirs, you'll just want to breeze through the shops. We saw a Calbee shop, and the snacks looked different. I'm not sure if the flavours was just for the Okinawa tourists or if they changed their flavours through the years.

Food looks different. And the reason is that Okinawa’s unique culture was formed by the dynamic mix of characteristics from various countries through trade with China, Japan, Korea and other Southeast Asian countries in the Ryukyu era. Most of the food has chinese influence. 

Different but unique part of Japan. Day 1 and I'm beginning to like Okinawa and we should bring the girls here one day 

 After our hearty lunch, we  made our way back to hotel for check-in and a snooze. Mind's a blur now. 

View from our room

Woke up about 4 hrs later and had a quick meal just opposite our hotel. It was already dark and rainy. Helps that we do not have 2 fussy girls with us, looking for a place to eat was so easy.  

Hub's dinner : Okinawa Noodles with mini beef rice bowl

Trying out their beer

My dinner : chicken karaage with curry

I didn't pack any thick clothes, just normal wear and brought along my scarf which can keep me warm should the need arises. I'm so bad in taking selfies. 

Sweet potato : the beni imo is the celebrity of the main island, there are sweets and ice cream using this violet sweet potato

This is a must try - garlic lobster. We waited for this for more than 20 mins

3rd Feb (Mon)

Had our breakfast. It's the best! A great selection of delicious Okinawan flair. Took many pictures but lazy to load them into the blog. 

Checked out and left our luggage at the concierge while we walked around. We saw this pig's trotters and pork belly - it's so chinese! Hubby bought this but I clearly told him I wasn't going to eat this, so he has to be wary of the expiry date, in simple terms - can buy but don't buy too much. 

Oh my! All the cutesy Anpanman stuffs and .... bento tools

Stationeries. Thank goodness the girls are not with us, if not we'll be dragging crying kids out of the shop

I have more pictures in my handphone at the moment, I haven't had the time to transfer them over and can only blog the rests of our leisure walk without any pictures. 

We went to the Makishi Public Market which is at a temporary site and saw some really unique seafood -

 

1) sea grapes (a type of seaweed). I didn't try it as wasn't allowed and I wouldn't want to have a plastic container full of umibudo if I didn't like it. And it reminds me of frog eggs.. yeeks!   

2) 夜光贝 (yakogai) giant sea snail 

imo the looks is disgusting. You may like to know that the meat is really small. 

3) coconut crab : though I love crabs but the sight put me off coz they look like tarantulas

If one must go and would like to enjoy the food, you must make sure that everyone eats seafood. Coz each person has to buy something to that amount, even when we said I don't eat they wouldn't entertain. So the man was rather pitiful, he wanted to try but coz I didn't want to eat and I can't eat so much he had to drop the idea.     

After walking around for close to 4hrs, we made our way to the bus terminal to our next stop. We booked the 3.50pm bus and should arrive in ANA Manza at 5.17pm.Although the bus came late we still managed to arrive on schedule. 

View from our room  

A small wedding chapel which is closed

4th Feb (Tues)

Sea stacks. It's starkingly small in comparison to Oregon's giant sea stacks

@ Cape Manzamo 万座毛 -  A elephant shaped rock formation, with the trunk dipping into East China Sea to stay hydrated 

More sakuras along the way

Went Kouri Island (a circular island surrounded by emerald green sea measuring 1km in radius), Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Nakijin Castle

My dinner!

Cherry Blossom (Sakura) 桜 at Nakijin Castle 今帰仁城 in Okinawa, Japan. 

Stargazing - a few stars from Auriga constellation and Pollux (Gemini) on the far right

5th Feb (Wed) - Highlights of Southern Okinawa

Explored Gyokusendo Cave which is a stunningly beautiful limestone cave grown on a coral reed. Discovered in 1967, this underground cave has been around for 300,000 years and stretches 5km from end to end. 

Love this! But it's the blue lights that made it so beautiful.

6th Feb (Thu)  

Was having breakfast at the cafe when I looked at this and thought it resembles an animal

Can you see it? Does it look like a hedgehog

A day filled with lots of walking and walking. But seriously doesn't burn as much calories as my FightDo class. The only reward I got from those walks are the sights and being enveloped in mother nature. And did I mention no mozzies at all? 

Trail #1 - Hiji Falls

This trail is an easy one. But lots of steps to climb up, some are rather steep. Although I'm a little fitter than before with my twice a week class, my right knee is giving me pain as I climb up the stairs. I trodded along, at the back not wanting to stop. Oh well, I'm glad it's a slow relaxing walk for me.

26m tall Hiji Waterfall. Was tempted to jump into the water after the walk to cool myself 

Then it was time to walk back via the same route

Sakuras

Trail #2 - Wonder of Rocks trail @ Daisekirinzan 

After the water trail, it's time to see rocks

Goku-Iwa "Monkey King" Rock : named after the famous rock of "Journey to the West", the monkey king Son Goku's birth place.

There are many rock formations, which I took plenty of photos but too lazy to upload everything in blog

Cape Hedo in the far distance 

Picasso's paint

Lion King

Sakuras

#3 - Cape Hedo

Cape Hedo is Okinawa's northern most point, overlooking both the South China Sea to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. It is a great vantage point for being where these two bodies of water collide in a harmony of azures and beryl. Haha! I was too lazy to write so copied and paste the liner. 

There are many statues and monuments here and this caught my attention, maybe coz it's the cutest looking one. 

The odd little bird is a friendship monument to commemorate the camaraderie between Kunigami Village (where Cape Hedo is located) and Yoronjima (jima means island). It’s known as “Kariyushi”, a legendary animal native to the area with the head of a rooster and the body of a fish. 

Back hotel and then it was time to get ready for event

7th Feb (Fri)

Our flight departs at 9.10am but since we are not near the airport or in Nara we had to leave the hotel with tired sleepy eyes at early hours. 

Managed to get a first row seat, feeling like First Class. Haha! Slept in plane like a baby after that. 

On the whole, this trip was a good getaway without noisy kids. I used to say I will miss the girls if they're not with me. Well, not this time round. This trip is long overdue. I too managed to do some stargazing this trip, though it wasn't that dark but because our room was facing the sea so I had a "bigger space" to look up into the sky.   

  

Freshening up

I went for 3 morning walks from Tanjong Rhu to Flower Dome in October. I haven't done this for quite a while as I had some family commitment. Should resume this soon. 

12 Benefits of Morning Walk You Should Know

For many people who hate to get out of bed early, walking in the morning may seem to be a real challenge. However, with all these benefits of morning walk, you might as well try it.

1. It’s a Great Way to Start the Day

Everyone who walks in the morning will tell you that it is a great way to start the day. Whether you are going to your office or doing some chores at home, waking up early and starting your day with a morning walk will surely energize you and get you in the mood to start the day. So, next time, instead of jumping out of the bed and hurrying off to work, start the day early with an easy morning walk.

2. It Freshens Up Your Mind

This is actually one of the best benefits of morning walk. Whether you had a good night’s sleep or not, waking up for a morning walk is guaranteed to help you start the day with a fresh mind. The morning sun and cool air will boost your mood and prevent stress from setting in before all the worries of the day begin.

3. It Counts as Physical Exercise

If you don’t have the time to go to the gym, a morning walk will give you the chance to do some exercise. It can also be a form of a warm-up exercise before you start your routines. With this, you don’t need special equipment or club memberships and you can adjust your time and pace according to your needs.

As physical exercise, morning walks can help you burn calories, strengthen your bones and muscles, and keep you in shape. It can help promote physical well-being and prevent disease, which are usually related to a sedentary lifestyle. Many experts recommend regular walking to promote good circulation and to prevent heart disease.

4. It Helps Beat Stress

The mental and emotional benefits of morning walk include reducing stress by increasing your body’s production of “feel good” hormones. To achieve this, try to walk briskly, until you feel sweaty. Physical exertion helps release brain chemicals that help reduce anxiety – an effect that is better than all the pills other people might take.

5. You Get Some Time to Plan Your Day

The best time to plan your day is when your mind is clear and you feel good physically. You can do this while taking your morning walk. It helps you think clearly during the day. It gives you time to be alone with your thoughts before all the chaos of the day begin.

So instead of rushing to work with no clear sense of direction on how to conduct the affairs of the day, take a few minutes to walk in the morning and lay out in your mind which tasks you must prioritize. You will be surprised how well your activities may go on smoothly with a little planning in the morning.

6. It Prevents Mental Deterioration

Studies suggest that one long-term benefit of walking regularly in the morning is that it helps prevent mental deterioration as you age. Dementia is common in the elderly, but studies show that regular exercise, such as walking reduces your risk of the disease and helps preserve your brain function as you age.

7. It Helps You Socialize

You do not have to walk alone all the time. Sometimes, walking is more fun and energizing if you do it with a friend, a family member, or a group of people. This can help you keep up the habit of getting regular exercise and can give you the chance to socialize before starting a long day at work.

8. It Gives You Energy All the Day

Early morning walks can help improve your circulation and give you energy to begin a long day. Most people who wake up late and go straight to work feel lethargic during the day and very tired towards the end of the day. But those who walk regularly in the morning usually feel energized all day because of the boost in circulation and good hormones that keep the body fit.

9. It Improves Your Appetite

It gives you a good appetite for the most important meal of the day – breakfast. While most people would wake up late and hurry off to work without a good breakfast, you must try to eat a healthy breakfast after a morning walk. The combination of physical exercise and a healthy breakfast will help you maintain proper weight because it will help keep you full longer before lunch.

10. It Helps You Stay Positive

What can make you positive, but a great morning walk followed by a healthy breakfast? The benefits of morning walk make you think positive during the day. Even if you meet some trials at work, starting your day in a positive way can help you manage these challenges and prevent overwhelming stress. Whether you are walking alone and enjoying the fresh air and scenery or walking with a group of friends, you are bound to forget any feelings of loneliness or anxiety when the “feel good” hormones kick in.

11. It Helps You Lose Weight

One of the important benefits of regular exercise is weight loss. If you want your morning walk to help you burn calories, try walking as briskly as you can. You burn more calories by increasing your speed, so challenge yourself by walking faster than a stroll. You will not only burn calories but reduce your blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. However, you must also remember to eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

12. It Helps You Sleep Soundly

Finally, one of the important benefits of morning walk is that it helps you get a good night’s sleep. Yes, it helps you start the day right and end it right as well. Walking exercises the body while relaxing the mind. With a properly functioning circulatory system, strong muscles and positive attitude, it is easy to see why you will undoubtedly get a good quality sleep every night.

My first trip to the nail salon

长到这么大我还是第一次去美甲屋。虽然以前在新航当空中服务员、我也觉得去美甲屋太浪费钱了。何况我的技术还比美甲师跟厉害，我可以在摇动的车擦指甲油。

It was an unplanned trip as I had broken one nail while doing housework. In frustration, I trimmed off the rests of the nails, only to realise CNY is a week away. OMG! There was no way my nails can grow that fast. In desperation to look a little presentable, I went to a nail salon at Parkway Parade. Usually, I’ll paint my nails on the eve after colouring my hair. All the last minute to “beautify myself”. So this year would be me pampering myself.

I’m such a boring person. My nail polish colours are either light brown or maroon red - SQ nail colour. So when I chose my nail colour, I went back to choosing SQ colour.

But after that I regret... regretted that $80+ went down the drain. Sim tia.. no more visits to the nail salon anymore.