The Seas, The Sun & The Air - The Okinawa Way Feb 2017 (I)

We decided to venture to Okinawa after being prompted a few times from shows from TVB and Channel 5. A lot of preparation works needed to be done and my dear got the most important thing to get us started - A big Okinawa map.  The map helped us in planning our routes and this was the first time that I would be driving in an overseas setting.  Couldn't help but felt a bit anxious especially with the road signs and driving patterns.  We did our International Driving Permit and one more document to take besides our travel documents. My dear did more research than me, getting the "map codes" and "phone numbers" of places that we planned to visit [These nos were the GPS] after I told her which regions that we would go.

We had a very pleasant surprise when we checked in at Airport - upgraded to premium economy seats and delighted that we joined Asiamiles membership. Haha, I was still a bit frustrated when I could not check in on the self-service kiosk cos they had upgraded our seats.  My dear thought only my seat was upgraded and she thought we would have to sit separately which I won't do so.

Cosmo Omoromachi Station 

We took Cathay to HK and transit to Okinawa & the journey was good. From flight to Okinawa from HK, we were amazed and at the same time a bit anxious flying over the deep blue seas haha (too much TVB show). We decided to relax and stay one night in Naha. We had booked our rented Toyota car near DFS and we stayed near the Omoromachi Station on Yu rail monorail. It was like a service apartment and typical small room but very clean and neat.  There was a big emporium nearby for replenishment.  To be well prepared for journey tomorrow, I was asking my dear to observe how people drive and park, and how was the parking system.  A bit too edgy.

"Ninja" WIFI

One point worth mentioning is the rental of WIFI Box - we got this Ninja WIFI rental from Naha Airport and it turned out to be a very useful tool for our WIFI on the move like "Ninja", haha. In fact, kudos to my wife for the suggestion as I was still stuck to "travel SIM" method. 

We didn't do much shopping but my dear already "targeted" her shoes and things to buy. As we would also be returning car to the same place, we could buy the stuff on way back. My wife promised me that she would help me look out traffic when I began driving tomorrow. Yup. 

Picking up the car was easy and took us about an hour including registration, short briefing on road signs and driving speed (40 km/hr) and purchase of discount tickets. We had chosen Toyota Axio - slightly smaller than Altis but still a very comfortable car which could seat 5. It was a white car and we were taught how to use the in-built GPS and off we went.  Car rental is useful and essential if you need to travel around Okinawa. With this mobility, we also managed to go Hotel Hopping daily. The first step out into the roads was quite OK though we got lost in making too early turn. After 10 minutes, we were quite used to the Okinawa Car and on our way to our first sight - Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.  It was a long drive and we were on the Expressway which allowed 80km/hr drive. We collected the toll ticket from the entrance of the Expressment and payment of toll would be done at the exit point. Very interesting feel for us. 

After driving for a while, the GPS "spoke" to us that we had been driving for nearly 2 hours and asking us to take a break! It was so funny and interesting and we drove past some eateries and decided to stop at one to try. Amazing feeling just like the show in "Japan Hour" where the hosts would drive and stop to taste nice food. You never know what to expect to eat if you have not planned  to do so. My dear asked me to order a vegetable with luncheon meat noodles soup while she tried the Okinawa pork noodles. Well, the dish was suitable for me as not much "fats". It was a pleasure makan for replenishment.  I liked this kind of feeling and impromptu stop, and I didn't know I was "addicted" to it during the journey.

The climax of the Aquarium was the big tank and seeing the big whales. Very big aquarium and largest one we had ever seen in our history of aquarium or underwater world visits.  Haha.  We wanted to see this "Kuroshio" Adventure and missed the lift to Level 4 a few times until we had to ask an auntie at the cafe.  There are fixed timings to venture into Level 4 and hence could not miss it. Surprisingly, not many people or visitors were interested. This place is where you can see and walk along bridges above the water tanks with the whales/fishes below you.  It was a big complex and you could also have a bird eye view of the seas around the Aquarium.

   

Well, we also followed the crowd to see the Dolphin Show. They were very well-trained and some were really very big. I wondered how the big ones jumped so high. Very cute dolphins and it reminded me of "Free Willy" equivalent though Willy is not a dolphin.