15th Anniversary Getaway -- the Beach: Day 1

Following our early afternoon arrival and check-in, we decided that despite the overcast sky and sprinkles, we wanted to go ahead and go to the beach. After all, what's the difference of getting wet in the ocean or getting wet in the rain! So, we donned our swimwear and headed on down....

This statue stands above the beach. I'm not sure what it means or what it's for, but, it is very cool looking!

And the skies were very cool looking, too, that afternoon!!
It was fascinating to watch the clouds roll over the mountain across the bay.

The cottages sit on that hill above the beach. Those two cottages have quite the view!!

Rodney spent his time seashelling and seaglassing...

...while I did a little picture taking :)
This pic turned out as one of those 'cool accidents'! This flower was on a bank of sand about 3 feet tall. I stepped up into the bank and as I snapped, I slipped! I also ended up with 3-4 mosquito bites in the process!

These were taken the next day on another beach, but you can see what they normally look like. I think the purple flowers are lovely! This natural ground cover seems to really like the sand and salt water!

 

Back to our rainy day beach visit....

As we made our way to the right end of the beach, we discovered this little inlet. The little white specks growing on the rock walls...

...are wild lilies!!!
I have on my bucket list to visit one of the smaller neighboring islands, Ie Island, for the Yuri Matsuri (Lily Festival)!!

These red ocean flowers are cool! I'd never seen them before.

We made our way to the other end of the beach...
(Can you spy Rodney's head??)

 

By the time we made it to the other end, the drizzle had pretty much turned to straight up rain!

So, dripping wet, we headed back to the car and to the cottage for an evening in, looking forward to a sunny day at the beach tomorrow!!

15th Anniversary Getaway -- the Cottage

In honor of our 15th anniversary, we decided to take a little 'getaway' up the island to Camp Schwab....

...and stay in a Cottage at Oura Wan Beach :)

 

Our cottage -- Cane Cutter
The pictures and accessories were focused around the cutting and harvesting of cane.
That wash area (over my right shoulder) was perfect for rinsing the sand and salt water off us and our beach stuff!!

Front Porch
Complete with gas grill and the gas to use it!!

Living Area
Looking back toward the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.

Kitchen
More counter and cabinet space than my Japanese place!! Not to mention a bigger frig!!!
The kitchen was complete with dishes, utensils (even for the grill), coffee/maker, cookware, towels, and dish soap. All we needed to bring was the food!!!

Bathroom
Just like a hotel, it had towels and a small soap and shampoo.

Bedroom
The wardrobe had a tv and dvd player.

Unfortunately, the Weaver cottage was already booked .... maybe next time!!

We had a beautiful anniversary sunset!!

 

The porch was perfect for watching the sun go down....

...while grilling a couple of burgers and baked beans!!!

This guy was out on the sidewalk in front of our cottage.... not sure what exactly he is....???

 

The view of the beach from the cottage area :)

Beach pics up next!!

ECO Japan

ECO Japan is a program that hosts students from mainland Japan. As a "host family" for the day, it is our main goal to converse with the students to allow them to practice their conversational English. That can happen any way the host chooses. On my first outing with ECO Japan, my friend, Diane, and I joined our groups for the day's outing.

Our first stop was at the beni-imo factory where they make and sell treats from the Okinawan purple sweet potato.

Then it was on down the road to Zanpa Point to see the lighthouse and the cliffs. I think my group of 14 year old boys thought I was a little crazy for "making" them imitate the statue ;o)

I was a little bummed to not be able to go up in the lighthouse "because of a rainy day" but, I did "understand the situation" ;o)

They were amazed by the cliffs and the brave fishermen out on ledges!!

 

 

Then it was time for a picnic. It's amazing the things we take for granted... Since sandwiches are not a typical meal for them, we had to show them how to make a turkey and cheese sandwich!

But, they seemed to enjoy them! They also seemed to LOVE the little brownies and fruit roll-ups, although, we did have to show them how to peel the roll-ups off the plastic ;o)

Our last stop of the day was American Village for a little shopping!!

Then, it was time to head to the buses...

One of Diane's sweet girls was all teary eyed when she got on the bus!!

At the end of the day, we send them off with waves!!!

A beautiful day in the neighborhood....

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in the neighborhood...

To sit out on the balcony...

 

With our feet propped up...

 

Watching the fishermen on the dock...

The kayakers on the water...

The crabbers on the banks...

The walkers and bikers on the sea wall...

 

And a perfect day to hang the bedding out to air!!!