Day 8 From Iromonte to Naha Okinawa

Day 8

It rained during the night. In the morning we got up and did Yoga and Tai Chi on the lawn overlooking the South China Sea. It seemed appropriate. We then had breakfast and left for the ferry to return us from Iromonte Island. The ferry was a local, and made a stop at another island before eventually arriving back in Ishigaki.

When we arrived we went on a pilgrimage for Ishigaki Gelato. The Gelato was exceptionally good. I am glad we went there. They had very unusual flavors, as you would expect the Japanese to have. Seaweed Gelato, Sea Salt Gelato, Dark Cane Sugar Gelato, Hibiscus Gelato etc. We all enjoyed the Gelato. From there we drove to the airport and a farewell to the island of Ishigaki.

We landed in Naha the capital of Okinawa. The island has a major US Armed Forces presence, and is not particularly charming. We went to a weaver who has been declared as the Japanese do, A Living Cultural Treasure. She is very old and ill, and we were greeted by her stepson who showed us through the weaving center.

From there we drove away from Naha along the East China Sea. The area is reminded us of driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. The homes and restaurants and stores all were far nicer than in Naha. This was definitely a nice area.

We then went to a spectacular store that sold Kimono fabrics and pottery. The quality of the Kimono fabric was amazing, the material alone for a Kimono could easily run $10,000. The gallery was located high on a hill side over looking the South China Sea, and was gorgeous: marbled floored room, Beautiful Teak Floors in other rooms and soaring ceilings. We all would have been happy to live there.

From there we drove to our hotel. A giant Renaissance Hotel. It is right on the beach and would be perfect except: NO INTERNET in the room, no way to BLOG! So if you are reading this it ain’t from the hotel! I thought the Japanese we way advanced in Telecommunications, but I now have my doubts.

We checked in, had a drink at the bar and headed out for dinner. It was a multiple course Japanese dinner, accompanied by the local Sake. This is a high proof Sake, more like Vodka then wine. Several glasses later we decided it a very high ration of drink to buzz.

Cabs back to the Hotel and to bed.