We opted out of showers and hit the road quickly since our plan was to go snorkeling. Kadena AFB has a dive shop. We had stopped by there yesterday and gotten the lay of the land and instructions on where to go for the best reefs.
On our way, Emma caught this big bird coming in for a landing.
There is quite a bit of air traffic around Kadena. Our plane over from Tokyo was full of servicemen headed this way.
We got our gear and headed up north a bit. The drive was very interesting and pretty.
We pulled in and had never seen so many vans with scuba gear inside. Lots of tanks and lots of bodies. The view from the top was just beautiful. The reef comes all the way inland to the cliff.
Ellie and Emma getting on their gear
We all got our gear together and walked down the 100 steps to the water. The last few were kind of difficult to navigate. Once the girls stepped into the water on the slippery rocks, I made the executive decision that Woody would NOT be going snorkeling. I could just imagine waiting for an ambulance to come get him while he was lying there with a cracked head. I think he was relieved to go back up the 100 steps and watch from the cliff.
Lunch today consisted of........
and an ice cold Coke!!
We stayed in the water for about an hour and then took a shower. We were quite impressed with the bathrooms. For Y200 you could drop two coins in a box and get a five-minute cold shower. It felt so good after being in that salt water.
We did have our first goof-up of the week. I covered myself in sunscreen - all except the part of my back that I could not reach. I'm too stupid to remember that I was going to be belly down in the water with my booty floating up. I'm beginning to feel a little sting from the sunburn I got down my back side.
The girls and I had a wonderful time looking at all the fish. The colors were incredible. Looking at all those little fisheys made us really hungry so we opted for a little calamari.
We've decided that Emma has a future as a food photographer. Maybe you'll see her credits in Bon Appetite one day. She can hardly wait until the blessing is said before she pulls out the Poloroid.
The kind lady at the hotel had told me about an area called the American Village. She drew me a map; and after we left the cove, I realized we were not too far from it. We had discussed going back to the hotel and getting a real shower; but since we were so close, we decided to check it out first.
As the name indicates, it was full of things that men and women stationed in Okinawa miss from home - a department store, restaurants with familiar-sounding names, and many activities. It draws a big Japanese crowd also.
Nobody Move, I lost me Brain!!
Coca-Cola Ferris Wheel at American Village
Woody taking a rest
The highlight of our day was stumbling upon the kimono lady at the department store. The girls picked out ones that they liked, and she helped fit them.
Would you like some tea?
After our late afternoon meal, we decided to stroll down the village and see if we could find some ice cream. As we were getting close to Baskin Robbins, we saw some young dancers setting up for a performance. After pointing at my watch and trying to ask them what time they would start, one of the young men found someone who could speak a skoshi bit of English. He said that they would begin in 45 minutes.
We ate our ice cream and waited. We were SO glad we did. They were dressed in bright costumes and performed traditional and modern dances. Our favorite on was set to "Who let the dogs out?"
Waiting for the show to begin
The young girls were so pretty!!
What interesting costumes!!
Emma with one of the dancers
And then for the interesting part.....
At the conclusion of the performance, they got on the PA system and began to thank people who helped them. I figured this out because he would call a name and people would clap. If a few minutes, a few of the dancers went into the crowd and asked those who were seated to get up and move and make a pathway into the street.
At that point a very long stretch limo pulled up and a bride and groom got out. The came to the middle of the circle and the dancers and crowd all gathered around them. The music began again and they all danced around the couple.
We could not find anyone around us who spoke English - yes, Beverly, I asked a bunch of them - to find out what this was all about. After about ten minutes, the bride and groom, helped by a lady dressed in black, ascended up the stairs headed for the arcade.
Your guess is as good as mine. The only thing I could figure is that either the groom loved pachinko or they were going for a night ride on the ferris wheel.
Bride and groom at center stage
Coca-Cola Ferris Wheel at night
Last but not least, Emma captured a shot of an all-famous karaoke bar. I rolled down my window to see if Jeff McDaniel was singing "My Way" but we were too far away!!
Not sure what we will do tomorrow, but will have to be in bed early. We have to catch the shuttle to the airport at 9 a.m on Monday. Our flight to Seoul leaves at noon. Can't wait to move to a new city!!
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