Peace Prayer Park

As mentioned in the last post, I finally took Joe to Peace Prayer Park.  Peace Prayer Park is located at the very bottom of the island.  I had been there two previous times, to take guests from the states. 

Our guests were here in March and April, and needless to say it was rather chilly and cloudy.  It didn't diminish the power of the museum & memorial, but certainly shortened our outdoor time!

 The southern tip of the island looked like this (March with Mom & Dad Szwed).  It should be noted that this was the coldest day I have ever experienced in Okinawa.  The temperature was in the low 50s/high 40s:

And our guests looked like this (Colleen & TJ in April):

I had asked Joe if we could go on a really sunny day -- and boy am I glad he listened to me!!  It was breathtaking!  The camera almost captures the amazing colors.

So, as I said before Peace Prayer Park is a museum and memorial to for the Battle of Okinawa (WWII).  Here's the museum:

The museum doesn't allow pictures inside, but photos wouldn't do the museum justice.  The museum documents this history of Okinawa from around 1870 (when the Japanese acquired Okinawa) to present day.  It's a Japanese/English museum, so not everything is translated.  It's very interesting to be in a museum that is not American, yet focuses so heavily on events influenced by America.  The Okinawans were truly devastated and brutalized by World War II; it has been called a "Typhoon of Steel" where Japanese and Okinawans lost many, many lives.  This museum shows that in all of the devastation and hurt, the Okinawans still have a strong spirit of peace and kindness.  Each time I visit I am deeply moved.  It is a must-see for all of our visitors.

The memorial is equally as striking.  There are rows upon rows of dark stone, filled with not only the names of the Japanese, but also casualties from America and the United Kingdom.

 

Aerial view of the memorial.

Near the ocean, there is the Cornerstone of Peace - an eternal flame.

There will be additional photos in the slide show to the left.  If you click on it, it should take you to my Picasa Album.  In looking through the English names in the memorial, we found a number of family names. 

The park of Peace Prayer Park is equally as lovely - open grounds with traditional Okinawan vegetation and additional monuments.

Thai in the Sky!

Last weekend Joe and I went to the southern tip of the island.  He had never been there before and it was time for him to visit Peace Prayer Park (which will be the next post!).  While we were down there, we decided to visit "Thai in the Sky", a local Thai restaurant.  They boast of great food and a great view.  We couldn't agree more!  Thai in the Sky is located on top of a hill, overlooking the Pacific.  It was gorgeous!  (The water really did look like that!)

<-----Restaurant

<-----Restrooms (Joe was a little nervous, because there wasn't a door!)

Bugs!

As I was creating the post for our recent visit to Bios on the Hill, I noticed that Joe took quite a few pictures of all of the bugs we encountered on our visit! 
(Actually, I saw this one.  But I don't look out for bugs because I think they are cool, I look out for bugs to look out!)

Tiny island

On Sunday Joe and I explored one of the tiny islands near Okinawa.  We headed out to the White Beach area, and on the way to Hamahiga shima, Miyagi & Ikei islands, there is this little tiny island.  We're not sure what it's called, but it was pretty deserted!  There was one road (which quickly turned into a dirt road) which we followed to the end of the island.  There weren't too many houses or people here -- just a few vegetable gardens and a lot of jungle.  Once we found our way out to the end, we found this little beach.  It overlooked the main island of Okinawa - particularly the peninsula that White Beach is on.

After our picnic on that island we decided to go out to the main land bridge that leads to Hamahiga shima, Miyagi & Ikei islands.  We always see locals there and decided to see what the fuss was all about!  On the way, we saw this group of Japanese policemen marching.

Bios on the Hill

Last Saturday Joe and I ventured north to Bios on the Hill. I had been there once with Colleen & TJ, but it was a rainy day. Saturday was sunny and hot!

Bios is an unusual park. It's beautiful, but has everything from trails to boats to eating to animals to flowers. There is a little bit of something for everyone! Joe and I started with a walk through the 'jungle'.

We then found ourselves in the center of the park - an open area with a playground and a few other things.....
Bios had hula hoops and stilts and all sorts of other outdoor games.

There were large pots filled with water throughout the park that had beautiful water lilies growing in them.

Then the water buffalo came out!

As we walked further, we found goats.

And pigs!
Behind the main park area there was a water lily garden.

Behind that, Joe found a great swing!

After a frozen pink Fanta, it was then time to take our cruise. We boarded the boat and were off! The only problem was, we were the only Americans and the tour was in Japanese! We understood when he was pointing out fish or dragonflies... but that was about it!

After we got off the boat we ran into some more farm animals!

On our way out we walked through an orchid garden. It was lovely!

For more pictures from Bios on the Hill, please see the slide show to the left. If you click on the slide show of pictures, you should be allowed into my Picasa album.