Around Ocean's Seven

So we've had some recent requests for more of what our daily life is like in Okinawa.  You've seen a lot of parks, food, beaches -- all things we would do with (and have done with) our visitors. 

So we thought we'd start this series where we live - literally the little neighborhood where our apartment (Ocean's Seven) is located - Awase.

Here's a rough sketch of our route (red on the way out, green on the way back):

We were heading towards the little beach by the restaurant, Sam's by the Sea.  This is our "neighbor's" house.

The road between our apartment & our neighbor's house.

Boat dock

Looking back at our apartment

Making our first right turn

Many homes in Okinawa are flanked with shisa.  These "guard dogs" welcome good spirits (with a smile) and scare away evil spirits (with a scowl).  Almost every home/apartment in the neighborhood has them.

Making left, to get out to the main roads.  I think the school signs are cute!

We've made another left turn, and are now heading to the beach.

Disney characters are very popular with Japanese kids!

Looking back into the sunset

More interesting Japanese signs

Finally at the beach!

Instead of returning the way we came, we decided to walk along the edge of the communication tower.  Between the restricted land and road, there are a bunch of smaller vegetable gardens.

It's not uncommon to see fighter planes, prop planes, commercial planes and helicopters fly by our home!

A local izakaya (pub).

Homes are addressed differently here.   The smaller roads are not named, so houses have very specific addresses.

The main road to our home (20).  Some of you might remember this intersection.  The NW corner has the King Kong Yakiniku.

Now we are pretty hot!  It's time to head back home.