Okinawa's Churaumi Aquarium

Okinawa is home to one of the largest Aquariums in the world. It was the largest when it was built, but I think is now the second largest, but still holds the record for the largest viewing window. I will include a photo with people standing in front of the window so you can get the perspective and realize how truly large it is. It is one of our favorite places to visit, and has been the favorite of most of those who have visited us.

The aquarium is located in Okinawa's Expo park, a very large park that also includes a large children's playground, 2 dolphin pools where you can attend free dolphin shows several times a day, an old okinawan village with examples of okinawan architecture, the water steps, the tropical dream center where you can see tropical flowers and plants, and also a beautiful beach. Also lots of beautiful tropical scenery where you can just relax and take in the sites, or have a picnic.

Anyway.........here are some photos from the aquarium

Higashi People's Forest

This post contains a photo of one of my scrapbook pages. Scrapbooking is my hobby, my passion. It is what keeps me happy, relaxed and sane.

The second photo in the "Rain" post is of a place called "Higashi People's Forest." It is a hillside in Higashi Village that is planted with over 50,000 Azalea bushes. Every year in March when the Azaleas are in bloom, a festival is held on this spot with traditional dancers, music, and drum performances. These photos were taken last year, March 2007, at that festival. It was raining the whole time we were there so the photos are not all clear, but it is a beautiful place!

Rain

It's been rainy and depressing here for weeks. I have to keep telling myself that the green jungle life that I love in Okinawa is a result of this rain. It is sooooo green and beautiful here! Wherever there is not a building, there is jungle. Thought I'd post a few pics of the green that is Okinawa.

Valentines Day in Japan

Valentines Day in Japan is a lot the same as in the US. Stores full of chocolates and assorted goodies for giving. The big difference, ladies, is that Men aren't the ones buying the chocolates. Valentines Day is a day when Women buy chocolates for the men. It has evolved not only to include your sweetheart, but co-workers and family as well. Japanese people love giving gifts. Ladies, there is an upside to this though...................On March 14th, the tables are turned. Any man who received chocolates from someone on Valentines Day is expected to return the gesture........only bigger and better!! So buy up on Valentines Day, and reap your rewards a month later!!!

Stuff

Ok, I'm finally getting around to posting something. I am a military wife living in Okinawa, Japan. We have been here for about a year and a half, and have another 2 and a half to go. I love living in Okinawa, and love sharing the culture and my experiences with others. So you will see a lot of that here on my blog. This is our second time living in Okinawa, the first time being Dec. 1990-Dec. 1993. My youngest child, Alex, was born here. He is 16 now.

Okinawa is an island, the largest in the chain of Islands known as the Ryukyu Islands. It is 67 miles long, and anywhere from 2-12 miles long. It is bordered on one side by the pacific ocean, and the East China Sea on the other. Although Okinawa is a part of Japan, their customs and traditions are influenced by a lot of the Asian countries. It is a very colorful and beautiful culture. The Okinawan people are a very friendly and happy people. They are also a very proud people. The crime rate here is very, very low, and unfortunately most of the crimes committed here are carried out by American Servicemen which doesn't reflect well on America. Although the island is very small, there is a LOT to do here. The children's parks here are amazing, and during the summer months you can find a festival of some sort somewhere on the island every weekend. These usually include traditional dancing, drumming, and singing. I love learning about the traditional celebrations and will be sharing some of them here as they occur.

I guess that's all for now, will post more later!!