Shurijo Castle

Dick and Brandon in the courtyard of Shurijo Castle. The castle is under repair...again.

We took a trip down to Shurijo Castle Park in Naha at the beginning of the week.  According to the pamphlet, "Shurijo Castle functioned as the central structure of Ryukyu Kingdom over a period of approximately 500 years, and was restored in 1992."  The castle is a three story wooden structure.  We paid a small fee to do the walking tour of the inside of the castle.  This was my first museum-type place where we had to take off and carry our shoes in bags they provided.  It's a typical Japanese custom to take off your shoes before entering a house, so I suppose it makes sense that we'd take off our shoes before entering the king's "house."

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Dick and I explore the Island

A group of Japanese school girls that ran up to us and wanted our picture.

Dick and I went to the Japanese Underground Naval base where: 

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Memorial Park

1,000 paper cranes as a prayer for peace

We visited the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Museum & Memorial Park Thursday afternoon, Dick's last full-day with us.  It was a bit rainy outside, but the Memorial Park was beautiful despite the slight drizzle. 

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Fresh Fruit

Apples and tangerines! Delicious!

Today was a chilly 59F outside with low humidity.  I've been bundled up in a long sleeve shirt, tee, and jacket, not to mention socks and slippers.  Brandon and I have been laughing at each other thinking 59F is cold.  We were both raised in cold winter climates, but we've clearly adjusted to the higher humidity of the island.  Needless to say, we had low humidity today and were definitely feeling it.

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Hiji Falls

The three of us made it! Now, who's going to carry me back to the car? :)

We drove up north to hike the Hiji Falls woods trail and bask in the beauty of the great outdoors Sunday.  We weren't sure what we were in for, but were all looking forward to the hike.  Stopped at the restaurant in front of the park for some yummy curry rice and yakisoba before we set out on the trail.

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