Where in the world is Ishigaki Island?

So, here we are, through another week and I have yet to post anything that I have been planning on in the past few days. IF I have the chance, you will get some video of the International Festival we went to this weekend AND a video of Olivia and Alessandra. AND, if not, you will have to wait until next week. When we get back...

FROM - Ishigaki Island. Yes, that is right, we have been on this little island paradise for about 4 months and we already need a vacation. :) No really, it is just a way to spend a little family time - pre-deployment and check out some of the great things these islands have to offer. AND - for those of you who don't know, Brad broke his ribs, so it will be a nice place for him to sit, read, drink and recuperate (not necessarily in that order).

So, here is where we take off to on thanksgiving day (I will now try to embed a map from google for you..)



View Larger Map

We are location A and Ishigaki is B. (Note Taiwan off to the west - apparentely Ishigaki is about 1/2 way between the two)

Now, usually I research vacation items till the end of time (most likely because we never take vacations...), however, when someone gives you a heads up that there is a Club Med, that offers decent deals AND child care... well, I didn't research a bit.

So, here is one of the links about Ishigaki. We hope to check out a lot of the local sites and maybe take in some snorkeling (Brad said, if Manta Rays were on the agenda, he will likely go WITH pain... that would be amazing). Otherwise, the plan is some great R&R, family time and lots of memories to share with all!

Wish you were here. We could go together. Happy Thanksgiving.

Weekend up North

Hello again! It has been awhile since I have been on here, so sorry for the delay. I have no excuse, just simple laziness, and finally, for you.. an update.

This weekend we headed up to Camp Schwab. This is another Marine Corps installation that is home to many of our unmarried and young Marines (think Recon, Infantary etc.). It is a gorgeous place on the island (but one that would definitely be tough for a single guy with no car). On Camp Schwab they have cottages that they rent out to SOFA status personel (that is us and many others like us). We decided to give it a go, and if nothing else it owuld put us another hour north and closer to that part of the island.

The first day out, we were planning on hiking Hiji Falls (a waterfall), however, once we got to the location, the trail was closed (or so we think, the nice gentlemen there couldn't speak english and our Japanese is well.. BAD, so from what we gathered (and from watching the other Japanese visitors leave too) the trail was closed, we will have to do it again at another time.

SO, we ended up at Cape Hedo (or Hedo point.. I forget which). It is the northernmost point on the island and the water is deep, blue and dangerous! The sign above (I am sure) tells you that we are at Cape Hedo...

This photo is looking down the East side of the island, (Pacific Ocean side).

This is straight out/down from the point

These are 2 girls that went with us. Suprisingly they are both smiling AND facing the camera... that never happens.

Another shot looking inland. It was a lovely day. Cool (think 76 degrees or so) and breezy.

We ate Okinawan Soba (Brad's favorite island dish) at the snack bar there and enjoyed watching the girls play. They truly have NO idea where they are in relation to everyone we love or how lucky they are to be here. They just think that you know, trekking around "our island" it perfectly normal. Ahh, to be 5 and 2 again.

I don't remember where I took this photo, but i think it was heading back south and on the East side of the island. We headed down on the east side and then cut across back to the west side.

On Saturday we decided to hit the Churaumi Aquarium. Brad and I have been interested in visiting this place since we saw a special on Modern Marvels about it last spring. They have one of the largest tanks in the world! AND Whale Sharks. I had never seen a whale shark, it was totally worth the visit.

Here are Brad and the girls outside of the main entrance area. The Aquarium sits in a location that is part of the Ocean Expo Park. A gorgeous area and a high spot for Japanese tourists.

Inside the aquarium at the touch pool. Olivia actually held the starfish - she gets so startled by creatures of ANY sort... oh, except for the baby gecko she befriended at our cottage for about an hour... ahhh, to know when things are scary and when they aren't. That would certainly help mom.

The view from the dolphin show tank. I don't know why I downloaded this one, but here it is. It was a great show (aside for the fact that we still don't speak Japanese...)
Here is a shot of the Aquarium building from the dolphin tank. It is fairly large (4 stories high) and a very interesting place.

One of the highlights for the girls (after the ice cream of course) was the huge Kid's Adventure Area that is outside of the Aquarium in the park. The girls played for HOURS and loved every minute! Here is Alessandra on one of the climbing net areas (tagged for 3-6 year olds, but we couldn't keep her off of it... that girl is tough.

Olivia on the nets. These go on forEVER - they all connect together and go all over the park. I had never seen anything quite like it.

Here we are on the way out. Our girls were the center of attention for a HUGE number of Japanese school girls that must have been on a school trip (it was Saturday, so we assume they were from mainland). This was the first group that posed with us (many more followed) all in uniform and probably 100 girls or so.

I liked this photo because of the girl in front trying to get Alessandra to do the peace sign. They were so sweet and excited to be with the girls.

In the end, we stayed at Schwab for 2 nights (we had reserved 3) and came home a day early since none of us were sleeping very well (let me correctly say that the girls were not sleeping well, in turn, NONE of us were sleeping well). The cottages at Oura Wan were nice (and big) and we look forward for a little getaway again sometime (maybe when we aren't recovering from ear infections and colds...)

Signs We Love I

I stole the name of this post from Sara and Kevan (and there are definitely more to come) There are so many things to look at when we are out and about and here are a few from this week.

My FAVORITE sign. I saw one the first week we were here and haven't seen one since.

Now everyone should want one of these cars!

This doesn't really count as a "sign" per se, but this was a t-shirt someone was wearing in front of me. I'm not sure if you can read it, but it made my day.

Tonight

Yes, it is another sunset. I just can't help myself, they are really something amazing.

Okinawa World

Today we hit another tourist attraction in Okinawa. Okinawa World (or Gyokusendo Kingdom Village). It is home to one of the islands largest caves (second largest I believe) and has all sort of local artisans set up to watch as well as have you participate if you want.

The day began in the RAIN. We met our friends Juan, Angela, Sage and Sophia down there (after many interesting driving directions and turns). We all got out of the cars, ready to go and it POURED!

Here is Brad in the downpour in the parking lot.

Here are Juan, Angela and Sage (Sophia is in the front pack covered up). Again, in the really, rainy, rain)

Inside the cave (yes, I have a way to go on getting good pictures in bad lighting... It took us about 40 minutes to walk from end to end).
After the Eisa Drummers. A Family Photo op. Olivia got down on her knees, so of course, Alessandra followed suit. I think that was so funny!

Olivia banging on the big drum!

Alessandra got a turn too!

My own personal Shisa's - Olivia directed this shot.

It was a great day. Soggy, but fun! More to tell on this adventure later.

Halloween week.. aka.. week of costumes

So, when I was a kid, you planned your Halloween costume and enjoyed it thoroughly for the evening of Halloween (and maybe a party) and that was all.

It seems that our kids have more Halloween committments than any other even combined, AND in our case, they changed their mind on costumes for each event (gotta love that dress up box).

Last week: Halloween Party for Nix Dojo - Olivia: Tinkerbell Alessandra: Purple Fairy
Thursday: Olivia's Storybook Parade: her choice: Sacajewea
Friday: Trick-or-Treat Olivia: Flamingo Alessandra: Dog
Saturday: No events, just plain dress up. See below.

I love Candy.

Olivia's Kindergarten Class at EC Killin Elementary. SO CUTE!