Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Okinawa Zoo


I took advantage of a sunny day to join some friends on a visit to the Okinawa Zoo....
 

The entry plaza
 

They have some fun topiary here!!
 
 

TEXAS!!!

In the petting zoo area, you can hold and pet guinea pigs and chicks.

This little chick seemed to enjoy sleeping on its back!!

A couple of cutie patooties we saw that day!!
 

Feeding the fish and ducks :)

And, of course, there's a stick-your-face-in-the-hole picture spot!!
In the Japanese calendar, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon.

I really have no idea what kind of bird this is......

I'd heard about these toilets, but hadn't seen one until here.....
When you flush the toilet, the water automatically runs in the faucet on the top!!!
 

An adorable shisa water fountain!!
 

Come back soon!!!
Posted by Picasa

Friday, June 15, 2012

Kimono Luncheon

Our Chaplain Spouse group is a coffee group under the umbrella of NOSCO (Naval Officer Spouses' Club of Okinawa). Our coffee group, similar to the others, in addition to different volunteer opportunities, gathers monthly for a time to socialize and support each other. Quarterly, each coffee group or pair of groups hosts an event for all NOSCO members. Bunco seemed to be the event of choice this year. But, when it came our group's turn to host the Spring event (and the final event for the year), we decided to take it up a notch!!

We put a committee together (above :) to undertake this challenge! We chose to put a Japanese spin on the event and have a kimono presentation!!

Dining Hall
The average turn out for the quarterly functions had been about 15. Our goal was 30!

Each attendee got to take home the little Japanese dish and Japanese cookies at their place setting. One lucky person at each table found a sticker on their chair which gave them the rights to that center piece!!

While we were eating, we had some ladies demonstrate and discuss obi making.
(An obi is the bow and sash worn over the kimono.)

Then these lovely ladies dressed six lucky winners in kimono!!

We had to admit, the drawing was rigged for our token male spouse ;o}
The lady in the black and white Kimono is a master 'dresser.' It takes years to make that level!! There are formal and informal Kimono. The more formal, the more layers, each with its own meaning.

This was an exciting way for Katie (a pregnant fellow Chaplain spouse!) to experience her last NOSCO gathering!!
And there they are, our six lucky winners all dressed in Kimono!!


Our dressers, winners and committee 

A good time seemed to be had by all!!

Oh! Remember our goal of 30?? We almost doubled it!!!

Footnote: Thank you to my fellow CHSpouse, Polly, for the pictures!!! ;o)
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Araha Beach

Our neighborhood beach.....

Here are some of my favorite snapshots taken between mid-March and mid-May.
 
 
 
 

My view one afternoon looking into the swimming area.
The netting keeps out the box jellyfish which are mean creatures!

Outside the netted swimming area, when driftwood washes up, they simply gather it up into piles, dig holes, put in the driftwood, break it up with the shovel, then cover it up!
 
 

This boat carries people over to the fishing dock in front of our apartment. I believe they supply all you need to go fishing.

The double banana being pulled by a jet ski....
I so want to do that!!

The beach was quite busy during Golden Week when the Japanese all take vacation and have many different celebrations.
 
 

I find it fascinating-- these Japanese ladies enjoying the beach completely covered and sitting under their sunbrellas to avoid freckles!!
 
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Jaclyn's Adventures with Starbucks!

After visiting our second or third different Starbucks, I decided we needed to do pictures!!

Starbucks at American Village

When we stopped at Starbucks outside Lester, it was POURING!!! So, we came back a little later to get our picture of...

Starbucks outside Lester

Starbucks in Main City shopping center

Typical Japanese attention to detail--- presentation is everything!! It not only includes a little cup holder, there's also a wrapped wet wipe!! The sandwich is two different halves on two different breads-- hard boiled egg slices with lettuce (and a dab of potato salad, yes, ON the sandwich!) on a dark wheat type bread, and a BLT on multi-grain bread.

Then, last but not least~
Starbucks on Kokusai Street

So, as you can tell, we had a great almost two week visit!! Not too shabby for someone who always told me she doesn't leave the continental U.S.!!!!
Thanks for the fabulous birthday surprise, Jaclyn!!!
And, thanks for keeping the surprise so well, Rodney!!!
Posted by Picasa