Okinawa Part 2

After my first night in Sora House I was excited to meet up again with everyone and talk about the days adventures and tomorrows plans (a common starting point). However there was a concept going on that I never quite grasped. People were coming and going on a daily basis and if I was lucky I would be up in time to say goodbye if not they would just disappear forever. There were a few particular scenarios where I got along with someone very well, saw them off in the morning, expecting their return only to find they had checked out to be replaced with a whole new batch of (equally friendly) faces. One of the girls who works at Sora House has the best way of illustrating this point with her hobby of collecting pictures of everyone who stays. It makes for an impressive montage (one in which I play a small cameo part in) and is a great nostalgic trip for anyone who has stayed. Click here for the love of humanity!!!!





So once I had finished my slightly overdue party period I decided it was time to do something a little more constructive.



Shuri Castle lies at the top of the city, It is amazing how many times this thing has been burnt down and reconstructed. Four times: twice seemingly accidentally, twice in wars, the latest being in the particularly violent battle of Okinawa in WW2. Fairly interesting but still a bit too near the city for my liking.

The next day saw my new found french friend (Amyeric) and myself skipping over to a neighbouring island on a ferry. Tokashiki island took my breath away. It was like one of those paradise islands people dream about. Strangely enough the real allure for me wasn't the beautiful scenery or the gentle waves lapping against my feet but what was lying below the surface of the glorious turquoise pacific ocean. We hired some snorkelling gear and after a few moments of fumbling around and looking like a couple of amateur idiots (being knocked over by waves whilst trying to put on flippers and losing masks to the current and the like), Amyeric and I finally managed to head of into the great unknown.

Except it wasn't that unknown. The water was as clear as glass and within seconds we were hovering above coral reefs and amazingly coloured tropical fish. It is incredibly difficult to put into words how much I enjoyed swimming (although sometimes it felt more like flying) within inches of some of the most impressive fish I have ever seen. But lets just say that my first dip in the pacific ocean left a lasting impression. I have always been a fan of 'Blue Planet' but I never thought actually experiencing it first hand would be as amazing as it was. Even if I did come across a Sea Snake, one of the more dangerous inhabitants of Okinawas seas.

Speaking of Okinawas seas (and firsts), I also saw flying fish for the first time. They truly are marvelous creatures. I always used to think they got their name because they jump slightly higher than other fish and have pectoral fins that resemble wings. But these guys are incredible. They can fly for 50 meters or more and sound more like giant dragonflies!!!Superb!!!

Continuing the fishy mood. I decided to visit the main Okinawan aquarium which conveniently houses the worlds largest fish tank and even more impressively the worlds largest fish. The whale shark can grow to 7 meters long and there was enough room for 3 of these gentle giants to swim around as well as a large number of manta rays, with rough diameters of 2 meters! Yet again I was truly amazed. It was also interesting to get some info on some of the exact fish I was swimming with just a day before. My plan was to take pictures of the same fish that I swam with, but unfortunately I used a camera function which isn't allowing me to show these pictures. As a result some of these pics have been "borrowed", but if I ever work out how to present them properly I will put them up.

OK that is enough marine biology for one day.

I will try and finish Okinawa tomorrow but to be honest the place has worked its way into my brainbox!!!!

Final Brucy Bonus:

This is Nahas only beach it is not widely publicised (or populated) and it is easy to see why I wanted to get away!