Fun with Gaffneys, Pt. 3

The thrilling conclusion . . .

This one’s for the grandparents because, between Logan and Elena, 7 out of 8 grandparents have some tie to NY (sorry Dad).  The shirt reads, in typical Japanese fashion, “Grandness, Various People, 1956, Live Nicely, It’s Our Hope”.   Umm . . . ????

Sarah and I loved the Botanical Gardens.  Until now, we’d only been here for the Christmas light show so I included a few extra pics of this particular adventure.  

Beautiful, vivid colors.

Take time to stop and smell the roses.

The kids enjoyed themselves at the playground.  Oh wait . . . :)

Just a small taste--I’m trying to go easy on you.

They have a lily pond that is just enormous, give me another month or so and I’ll give you . . .

acres of these!

Another Saturday brings fun at Torii Beach.

Sarah was ecstatic because Torii Beach has a wealth of sea glass—one of her favorite things.

Sunday, this sign in the church parking lot always makes me smile.  You can bet I’ll be making use of it at least once, just because I can.  I have to wait until I’m at least as big as the picture before I feel I deserve it though.

Another new adventure for us, Gyokusendo Cave.  This was one of the most majestic things I’ve seen on the island; too bad in order to see it you also have to pay for the tickets to the ultra-touristy Okinawa World (no pictures of that).  The cave was worth it though!

 

After just over a month of being in Japan, it was time for the Gaffney’s to head back to Hawaii.  The house still seems quiet . . .  It was great to have them here and they gave us a good test run, working out all the kinks for future visitors.  Who’s next?  :)

Fun with Gaffneys, Pt. 2

The day after we got back from Okuma, we tucked Luke away nicely on a plane, but kept the girls here with us.  Thankfully, Sarah and Elena didn’t mind sticking to our regular schedule of casual mornings (exercise/park and nap) and afternoon adventures.

We hit Futenma Shrine where Sarah’s camera was able to capture a much better shot of the interior of the Buddhist side.

Another day, another adventure--Nakagusuku Castle.

 

Of course, we introduced our guests to our favorite park--the one with the REALLY big roller slide and the drop slide that Elena almost made it down.

  A ferris wheel ride and ice cream accompanied a day of souvenir shopping. 

On Saturday, Jake took the gang down to the Peace Memorial Park while I stayed behind to work on another paper. 

Unfortunately, my paper wasn’t nearly as brilliant as these origami chains, but I bet it didn’t take nearly as long to do!

 

We got the sitter over so we could have some quality adult-time with sushi (complete with while-you-wait origami) . . .

and nightlife in Mihama.  The ferris wheel provides a pretty impressive light show, and we topped the evening off with more ice cream!  (We managed to find an excuse to eat ice cream probably half the days that they were here!)

At this point, the Gaffney ladies STARTED trying to get back to Hawaii, but since it took them a while to catch a plane (flying Space-A), we were able to have quite a few more adventures.  I’ll finish up the Gaffney fun next time . . .  Have a great week!

Fun with Gaffneys, Pt. 1

Guests gone, paper done, it’s finally time to get everyone caught up here.  Between our cameras and the Gaffney cameras, we have a TON of pictures from the month they were here, so I’ll only be doing highlights and I can’t claim photo credit for all of these.

First up, we have Shuri Castle, the Wonder Museum, and our weekend in Okuma, including excursions to the aquarium, Neo Park, and a hike up to Hiji Falls.

Shuri Castle courtyard

Logan spreading a little international goodwill

Luke and Sarah looking lovely in Shuri Castle gardens

    Zoo animals :)

It was suggested I come back to the Wonder Museum and do this at various stages of the pregnancy . . .

  More Wonder Museum fun

 

Off to the aquarium

Elena and fish

  Logan and turtles

Us and . . . well, 3 whale sharks, a dozen or more rays, and LOTS and LOTS of fish

Neo Park petting zoo

Llama love

 

Spectacular scenery on the hike up to Hiji Falls

Hiji Falls

Friendly fellow we met at the falls

Some beach shots from Okuma to close things out

 

This is only the first week they were here!  I’ll be back with more soon.  Hope everyone is doing really, really well!

MIA

Yes, we’re still here, but our guests (SG & E) are still here too.  Between that and class starting up again, my evenings have been full.  I do have LOTS of new pictures coming soon though!  Hang in there and I’ll be back soon—really!

Young and Old

Gray day, still no visitors . . . looks like it’s time for another park.  We can no longer go more than two consecutive days without some sort of adventure; I think we are seriously getting spoiled.  What are we going to do when we are back in the States??? 

I’m not quite sure how I’ve gone this long without showing you a tomb.  These things are EVERYWHERE (even more than parks are everywhere)!  You’ll see them randomly stuck into hillsides, usually overlooking the ocean.  There are two main styles; the one you see here is the older style, called a “turtle-back tomb” and is said to represent a women’s womb. 

Newer tombs are generally this “house-style” which is cheaper (even being made out of solid marble) and uses less land.  They are frequently found grouped together in little “villages”.  Generations of families are interred here, cremated and put in urns, and living family members gather at the tombs on sacred days to leave offerings of food, sake, and flowers.

The tombs were just down the hill from a baseball field and playground . . .

This is actually only half of the giant log structure/obstacle course.

Swings and a roller slide round out the fun.

Logan and Jake catch a view of the baseball game from the top of the play structure.

On the way over to get a closer look at the game, I spotted these flowers growing on the side of a small shrine and thought they made a pretty picture :)

These kids were GOOD!  I was also impressed by the fact that they (the kids, not the coaches, not the parents) were completely involved in cheering each other on.  Notice #15 in the picture even has a drum!

  Jake tried explaining the finer points of the game to Logan.  Logan said “ball” and “oooh” when he saw someone get a hit—I think he’s got the basics down :)

Little of this, lot of that

I’d heard so many good things about a place called Cocok Spa, but somehow it took 8 months for me to get there.  It lived up to the hype!  Their (relatively inexpensive) pedicure included an hour long foot and leg massage and this exquisite toenail painting! 

In other, non-foot related news . . .

Logan checks out a shisa at the Nakamura Old House.

This illustrates several of Logan’s favorite themes: pushing things, trucks, and stuffed animals.  (Yes Grammie, he’s related to you!)

Bathtime fun!

This one is for Uncle Jonathan.  Do you remember giving us this for Christmas several years ago?

Then we took the tent down and Jake built Logan a box castle, complete with a shield for defense.

Sarah and E haven’t gotten here yet; they are flying Space-A (trans: stand-by on a military flight).  But tomorrow is looking hopeful for their arrival.  When they get here you’ll certainly see lots more adventures!  Until then . . .