Oh, because I love this sign...

My friend Angela posted a picture of this sign on her blog awhile back and I have been trying to get a photo of it since we moved here! By far, one of my favorite signs on the island...

I have yet to see a warthog.. but am curious to know if they are out there....

To the place with the BIG fish.. oh yeah, and that cool play area.

Yes, I know what you are thinking... "WOW, LOOK - another post by Kelly, this girl is on a roll!!"

Today we decided to celebrate Dr. King, we would take a trip north on the island to the Churaumi Aquarium. (really I decided and the kids thought it would be fun too). We headed up north and ALMOST didn't make it.

To get to the aquarium, the quickest route is to take the Toll Road. So, here we are crusing along (at a speedy 80 km/hr) and just enjoying the sites, the girls are snacking in the back and plaing with their Leapster... Out of the entry ramp comes this black car "flying" and then cruising right across the road in front of us and spins twice and runs into the guard rail. NOW, thankfully, we were driving on Okinawa (so not driving fast) and I saw the guy moving a little quick and slowed down before we got too close. I stopped the car in front of him and got out to make sure he was okay - he was very shaken up, but okay (thankfully). I got out my trusty Driver's License (complete with base phone numbers) and called the MP's - at the same time a Japanese driver stopped and pulled out a flare to direct traffic. I pulled the car around to the back of the accident guy (who ended up being a Marine Corps Corporal...) and waited until some other people could stay with him (since I did have the kids in the car...). It was enough to keep my shaking... and THEN as I was getting ready to pull out, a guy says to me that my left tire looks low... SO, here I am shaking anyway and now I am nervous that my tire is going to blow... (mind you, I am now in Brad's Nissan Cube and not in our big van). SO, I pull off at the next gas station/rest station and the nice man at the gas station checked all of my tires and filled them. Yes, Breathe in... breathe out.

At this point we were over 1/2 way to the Aquarium AND because I had remained totally stealthy and calm under pressure (like to the point that Olivia was still playing her leapster), I decided to keep on keeping on.

We made it safely and without further incident. Enjoyed the aquarium, eating lunch by the big tank and then went to the play area outside (which really was the think the kids like the most...)

Alessandra thinks the touch pool is so much fun... I couldn't get a photo of her with the starfish (I had to help her hold it) but imagine that it looked like she was going to pull 2 of it's legs off... I had to keep explaining that she had to put her hand under him... she didn't quite want to.

The BIG tank. The largest panel of glass in the world (I think). There are 3 Whale Sharks in here (you can see the bottom of one at the top of the photo), they were way up in the tank today, so no good shots...

This came out a little blurry... in the Shark room. Olivia would go NO WHERE NEAR these jaws.. but guess who had no issue whatsoever...

(oh yes, and she had her photo taken by about 15 Japanese people too.. they thought it was SO funny)

At the play area outside... this is the girls climbing like crazy

Our friend Angela (and Sage and Sophia) joined us at the park. Here is Alessandra with Sophia

Here is a shot of Sage and Sophia. No big smiles, but cute as buttons anyway!

And you thought the last one was big...

And off we went to another fantastic roller slide. Ironically, THIS was the slide I had been meaning to go to yesterday, and found the other one intead. Happily though, because as you can see, this one was a tad bit larger than the last one! (the white tower is actually a look out point)

Here are the girls walking up the steps for a run. (Don't worry, I did go down with Alessandra... once...and then she would have no more of me...

Now here they are on the steps when I haven't zoomed in on them... can you see them? Up ther eon the right?

Here they are coming around the bend...

The first ride Olivia took down

Here comes Alessandra with Olivia close behind...

I love the knee riding...

Alessandra just LOVES these things... she especially loves the steep and fast parts.

Alessandra with her cardboard and Caden walking with her up the steps.

Another great park, another beautiful day! THANK GOODNESS FOR BEAUTIFUL DAYS ON LONG WEEKENDS!! Wish you were here.

Roller Slide... here we come!

One of the things you may or may not know about Japan is the love of recreation. They love the outdoors (particularly Okinawans), they love their baseball and they love their parks.

We had heard about the infamous "roller slides" around Okinawa. Yes, you know, remember your playground at elementary school and getting your fingers pinched.. OH YES, that is what I am talking about! (only bigger... really big!)

Today the girls and I (and one of their surrogate big brother's Cooper) headed to one of the parks closest to our house that we had yet to visit.

This is Alessandra, with her new lunch box (with snacks inside) watching the slide and not sure if she is going to participate or not...

This is the stairway up to the beginning of the slide. I can see why she was a bit nervous and unsure of the whole situation. Crazy tall action.

Here is the first run by Cooper and Olivia. You can see them coming down Cooper in front and Olivia in the brown behind.

This picture cracks me up. I was trying to get to Cooper on time and only caught the side of him. I had to share it though, it cracked me up. Olivia is up behind him and she was a little weary the first time, but quickly became a pro.

Here are Alessandra and I. We hit the slide and Cooper ran to get the camera. It came out a little blurry, but I am trying to get in more photos, so it had to be shared. Oh yes, and Alessandra loved it.

Here is Cooper with Alessandra and Olivia. After Alessandra and I had gone down twice, she wanted NOTHING to do with mommy helping her, so like the good mom that I am... I let her try it alone. She did fine until she was about 1/3 of the way down (and then Olivia came right after her). They had a little slow down issue and Cooper climbed up (yes, up) the slide and helped them out. I definitely owe him an ice cream.

Break time. Cheesy of the girls

Eating Apples - I think we take apples everywhere we go.

Here is Alessandra on one of her MANY successful slide runs. I think she may sleep really well tonight.

Here is Cooper climbing up the slide

Finally a natural, smiling shot of Alessandra. These are hard to get, so I just love this one!

And Olivia. She started saying "Rock And Roll" to me every time she came down. Not sure where that came from, but it was cute all the same.

A little while later Caden and Nicole joined us at the park, we played some more and headed out for dinner. Have I mentioned the most amazing food here? I love food.

See, another reason for you to come visit. You too can go on a really fun roller slide, and eat good food.

Naka - What?

Alas, we come to another blog entry that will tantalize your brains with more Okinawan culture and make you wish you were here to experience it for yourself!

(And before I go on, A Happy Birthday Wish to my sister Kimm!! Happy 40th big sis! - love you!)

This past Sunday the girls and I headed out with our friend Nicole and her 2 boys to The Nakamura House and The Nakagusuku Castle Ruins.

First Stop: The Nakamura House

The Nakamura House is a typical style of a rich farmer's residence of the time. The foundations of this house were set around the year 1720. The house was originally thatched roof and was re-roofed in the 7th Generation of the home in the Okinawan traditional red tiles.

The house has 8 rooms inside and was really interesting to look around.

Here is Cooper in the kitchen. He is standing next to some upright stones (I think they are actually behind him) that are on the hearth that have religious significance. This is where prayers to the fire god are said.

Here was the shisa that was on top of the roof

Alessandra climbing on some of the large stone steps.

A shot of the roof line, I loved all of the angles.

Another roof shot. In the forefront of the photo are the "Huru" or pigpens. Hogs were a very important part of the livelihood of farmers and Pork consumption on Okinawa is higher than other Japanese prefectures.

Outside the main entrance.

Next stop: The Nakagusuku Castle

This castle is believed to have been constructed in the 1st half of the 15th Century , however, recent studies have shown that the Lord before that may have set the foundations because the 3 citadels behind the North Citadel differ in structure and style.

After walking up the hill to the beginning of the Castle, this is the 3rd Citadel (behind Caden and Olivia)

A flower along the way

Walking toward the 2nd Citadel

The boys and Olivia (and Nicole) went down a long stairwell to where one of the wells for the castle was. The availability of water within the castle walls added prestige to the reputation of the castle.

Looking out at the Pork of Yagi or Nakagusuku Bay.

From this site you can also see what the locals call "The Haunted Hotel" A hotel that began building, but was never completed.

The East China Sea View

More Haunted Hotel

This was (I think ) a shrine or temple (someone correct me if I am wrong!) There was chanting going on while we were up on the hill.

Crazy Okinawa skies. The weather has been strange, chilly and lots of clouds and wind the past 2 weeks.

On out walk back out of the castle. Caden and Olivia leading the way.

So, I hope you have a little history on your brain. This culture is rich in it's background and it is wonderful that not everything was damaged during WW2. I am thankful we have the opportunity to see it. (you can to, if you want to visit!)