Our planned time in Okinawa of a few days turned into 8 days as we waited for strong winds to abate. According to locals it is never that windy at this time of the year but how many times have we heard that before? We busied ourselves the first couple of days doing laundry, cleaning the boat and endeavouring to source an internet modem. This last started out hopeful but in the end we were unable to get one which has been a bit frustrating. Two days after our arrival we had our first thunderstorm since leaving Sabah!! It was right over the marina with vivid flashes of lightning and very loud thunder followed by very heavy rain. We had another one before we left as well.
So, what else to do but some sightseeing.
Tweed was moored in the marina at Ginowan about 15 km out of the main city of Naha - a bit far for a bike ride but we caught the bus in a few times. Naha was flattened by Allied bombing during the war and has been completely rebuilt and new buildings and construction is happening all around. We visited the pottery museum and walked along the Tsuboya Pottery road in Naha which is lined with pottery shops. Several kilns have been unearthed and some are still in use in this area which has been making pottery since the late 1600s when it was part of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom.
One night we went to an Okonomiyaki restaurant with our yachtie friends from Alishan, Sea Rover and Bannister. Okonomiyaki can be described as a pancake batter mixed or topped with a variety of fillings - meat, seafood, vegetables, egg or whatever you want almost. It is all cooked at the table on a large hot plate which you can do yourself or have the staff do for you.
We also hired a car to drive up to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium to see the whale sharks. They have three in the largest tank along with various rays and lots of other fishes. It was pretty stunning to see such large fish up close.
