Kobe: Day One

When Douglas got back from Australia, we decided that we were both in need of a break and wanted to go somewhere to celebrate our anniversary. We decided on Kobe after hearing rave reviews from some friends. All I really knew about Kobe was that that's where Kobe beef was from and that it was located OFF island.

Okinawa is a beautiful island. Meaning, after a while, you start day dreaming about new scenery. I also wanted to experience more of Mainland than just the airport. My goals were to eat Kobe beef, go up in the Kobe Port Tower, see some shrines, and check out the hot springs! So, we dropped Annie off at Doggie Camp and headed to the airport! 

Our airline, ANA. Also the airline I came to Oki on!

Wee! Leg room!

We were served lunch on the plane. Turns out, I accidentally ate octopus. I didn't hate it.

We landed and quickly had to catch the ferry that would take us to Kobe. The ferry took us across the bay to Kobe! It was definitely the most nauseous I've ever felt!

Leaving the dock!

I wonder if taking pictures inside the ferry is rude? Probably.

We finally ended up in the big city (6th largest in Japan!) of Kobe. I didn't realize how rural Oki actually was until we hit the very cosmopolitan Kobe. 

 We checked into our hotel and immediately headed off to the Herb Gardens. The Herb Gardens are quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. They provided awesome views of the city. We had a good time and took a TON of pictures!

Our mode of transportation up the mountains to the Herb Gardens! So fun!

 

 

 

Beautiful view of Kobe!

 

  We finally made it to the top of the mountain and enjoyed a beautiful, flower-filled walk down the mountain. 

museum and shops!

Loved this.

 

 

 

We ended the evening by roaming around the city. Kobe is a port city, so we had some of the most interesting dinner choices: French, Swiss, Italian, Mexican, American, German, English, Chinese, Thai, Indian, African, and, of course, Japanese! We settled on Mexican. I have zero shame. It was a delicious way to end our first day in Kobe!

Fukushu-En Chinese Garden

  What I like most about Okinawa is that there is always something new to explore and go do. I don't think we'll ever be able to see everything and I find that strangely comforting. One of the places I'd been wanting to check out was Fukushu-En Garden. 
  Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go. This quiet, peaceful Chinese garden is located right in the heart of Naha. I love the idea of a lush garden hidden in the middle of the city. It was a pretty fun outing!

Beautiful garden...surrounded by city!

The steep steps up to where I was taking pictures from.

Holy Toledo! The steps on the way down.

I loved the dragons. I thought they were so cool!

You can feed the turtles and the fish! I loved it!

Behind the waterfall. :)

So beautiful!

 

Kokusai Street

Yesterday, I got an offer I couldn't refuse. My neighbors invited me to tag along with them and to check out Naha, Okinawa's capital, via the Monorail. I'd seen the Monorail at the airport, but I hadn't ridden it yet. I figured it'd be an exciting way to see the city.

 We ended up at Kokusai Street. Kokusai Street is always in action. It's absolutely bursting with people, music, food, shops, and all sorts of smells. I loved it. There's always something interesting (or hilarious) to eat, try, and see. Anyway, here's my pictures from Sunday. Enjoy!

WooHoo! Monorail, here I come! :)

So fresh and so clean, clean. Not like the Metro AT ALL.

Leaving the airport behind and heading for Kokusai Street!

At the Monorail stop. I was telling Mom how the Japanese tend to build one building practically on top of the other. Anyway, here's the picture proof. Everything's covered in concrete.

Okinawan doughnut. Not the most delicious thing I've ever tasted, but not too bad.

Dear Husband, I am always thinking of you. :)

Kokusai Street is A LOT of walking and what better way to cool off than with Mango Beer? Soo yummy! 

Jonathan wanted in on the action.

Kokusai Street!

Street performers. Sadly, only caught the end of their dance.

My companions for the day! :)

The lady that owned this shop was SO nice and sweet that I couldn't help but wonder if she knew what the shirt she had hanging out front said. I almost choked I was laughing so hard.

Habushu (Habu Sake!) This is a BIG Okinawan thing. The pit viper is either put on ice until it's dead THEN added to the awamori or they just stick it in the awamori and let it drown. I haven't tried it yet, but I fully intend to before I leave. I promise to let anyone who comes visit try it! Don't act like you don't want to...

A Habu Sake How-To

Shisha are EVERYWHERE in Okinawa. They're considered guardians and are always found in pairs. Normally, one Shisha has their mouth open to ward off evil spirits and another has their mouth closed to keep good spirits in. They're all over roofs and in front of doorways.

Dear visitors, after we drink dead snake in awamori, we can go for an ear cleaning. Sounds fun, yes?

A lot of the shops are decorated LOUDLY.

Sitting on a Goya bench. :)

Australia!

 I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday and she asked me why I haven't updated my blog lately. I couldn't really come up with a reason why I hadn't been motivated to write then and there, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized a simple truth: I haven't been that interesting lately. In all honesty, I've spent the past couple weeks teaching summer school and while I like it, it's not exactly newsworthy.

 So, what to write in the blog? I'm getting there, I promise. 

 For the past week, Douglas has been in Australia. He's having a good time and has informed me that he has NOT spotted any koalas, kangaroos, or Keith Urban. I'm pretty jealous that he gets to go, even though I know this doesn't exactly count as vacation time for him. Anyway, he's sent me some great pictures, so I figured I could pass that off as a blog and appease my mom. Enjoy. :)

Beautiful, isn't it?

Yeppoon Beach

Singing Ship Monument at Emu Park, Queensland

The view from his trip

  Not to be outdone and or let him forget just all the Japanese wonderment he was missing, I decided to send him a few snapshots of some of the local scenery.

I think he's really jealous.