6 months Abroad

We have officially been in Okinawa now a little over 6 months - January 14th to be exact.

So What have we done in our 6 months away from America?  Well so far we have:

• Learned 300 new Japanese words (including the Okinawan language)
• Eaten at 67 restaurants (31 around Okinawa and 36 abroad)
• Drank at 25 bars (13 on island, 12 abroad including the top 2 breweries in China)
• Visited 20 different temples
• Gone scuba diving/snorkeling 10 times
• Attended 6 festivals
• Golfed at 4 different golf courses
• Taken 3 cooking classes (2 in Okinawa, 1 in Thailand)
• Traveled to 3 new countries (Thailand, China, and Japan (Okinawa/Kyoto))
• Visited 2 castles
• Experienced 2 weak typhoons
• Attended an Okinawa bull fight
• I got scuba certified (Nate already was)
• Camped on the beach 
• Gone hiking/cave exploring

So far I think we've done pretty well exploring and the adventures will just continue!  Let's see if we can do as much in the next 6 months.  

So in honor of our 6 month anniversary with Okinawa, I'll write about our visit to the famous Shuri Castle on the island.  We did this back in October but I haven't had time to post with school and all our trips abroad in the last 2 months.

We started our day by heading off to Makishi Public market in Naha.  Here you can purchase fresh fish from vendors on the first floor, then they bring your selection upstairs to one of the restaurants where they cook it for you just how you like it.  #nowthatswhatIcallservice #andfresh  We chose a few shrimp, oysters, and scallops.  We ate these with a side of okinawan stirfry.  Hit the spot and now we were full to head to the castle and start exploring.

The fish is too pretty to eat

Can I get those sunglasses fried?

Next we headed over to Shuri Castle.  This castle was built anywhere between 1322-1429.  This place was used by King Sho Hashi who established the Ryukyu Kingdom and united the three principalities of Okinawa.  Until 1880, this was the royal court and administrative center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, as well as the focal point of foreign trade.  It was the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Ryukyus.  Apparently this castles has burned down several times but was rebuilt each time (1609, 1879, and 1945).  #gettineducated #thankswikipedia

There are 3 world heritage sites on the premises; the Sonohyan-utaki Stone Gate; this is where the king would pray for a safe journey whenever he left the castle, the Tamadun; a resting place for kings and their families within the 3 chambers of this tomb, and lastly Shurijo Castle itself.

At the entrance to the grounds

How the grounds would look on New Years Day

Map of the castle area

#panoramic

Me being artsy #soartistic ;)

Panoramic view from the top #Naha

Original foundation of castle

King's Throne

Castle grounds

Cool looking tree

During our tour of exploring the castle and it's grounds, we stopped and had traditional tea and desserts inside one of the buildings overlooking the gardens.  Okinawans are big on Sanpin tea, which is jasmine tea brought over from China.  We got to try 4 different desserts: Hanabouru, Kinsokou (both similar to shortbread cookies), Kunpen (pastry filled with soy bean), and Chiirunkou (a light fluffy cake dessert).

Sanpin tea and desserts

Where we had tea and desserts

Until next time folks!

Follow in our Footsteps:

Makishi Public Market
〒900-0014 Okinawa Prefecture, Naha, Matsuo, 2 Chome−10−1
Hours: 8am-9pm

Shuri Castle
1 Chome-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 903-0815
Hours:  8am-6:30pm
Price:  820 yen (adults), 310 yen (children)
​Website