Weekly List: Camp Hansen Festival

With the weather getting nicer, I just want to spend every minute outside. Water activities are starting up again, and I have stocked up on the sunscreen supply I need for the summer. Can’t wait to go snorkeling at beautiful Okinawa beaches!

MWR Paddle Board

Website: https://www.navymwrokinawa.com

Every Tuesday Navy MWR will offer different itineraries, such as SUP, kayak, hiking, etc. It costs only around $10. The cost includes transportation and equipment rental, what a deal! My friends and I did SUP at White Beach. I’m so tempted to buy a SUP now! The water was calm that day, perfect for learning how to stand up. You can find all relevant information on the website, reservation can be made via phone or filling out an online form. Pay when you show up, in USD only!

Nago Pineapple Park

http://www.nagopain.com/
Address: 1195 Biimata, Nago, Okinawa 905-0005

The newly renovated gift shop is stunning! Totally different than when we first visited it almost two years ago. I am digging the new design, and they even have a wine tasting area! If you only intend on buying from the gift shop, you don’t need to purchase a ticket, customer service will direct you straight to the gift shop.

Camp Hansen Festival

This is not your typical festival. Like every festival, there is a performance stage, a beer tent, food vendors, game shops, an area with pirate ship and other carnival rides. But there is a very special area! On the far end of the festival, there are a row of parked military vehicles for all to check out. You can try on the newest bomb suit, touch a grenade, and sit inside the brand new Joint Light Tactical Vehicles! The marines are very patient at explaining everything to us, and I’ve learned a few new military lingos. This is definitely the best part of Camp Hansen Festival!

Hotel Collective- Kyo Garden

Website: https://hotelcollective.jp
Address: 2 Chome-5-7 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa 900-0014

Finally an authentic Chinese restaurant in Okinawa! Highly recommend the dim sum set here. For 2500 yen, you get appetizers, desserts, and everything in between. Every dish is delicious, they remind me of Taiwan. Hotel Collective is Taiwanese-owned. They also sell meal vouchers. Lunch and use of their gym and spa for the whole day only costs 3200 yen. Afternoon tea is only 1600 yen, you must try it!

It looks like COVID cases are climbing in Okinawa again. Can the rest of 2021 be better please? Stay safe everyone! Until next week!

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MWR Paddle Board

Website: https://www.navymwrokinawa.com

每週二海軍基地MWR會提供不同行程，像是SUP、獨木舟、爬山，約美金十元。費用包括車子接送和租器具，非常划算。和朋友們一起玩SUP，老師帶我們到White Beach附近海岸，讓我好想買SUP！那天海很平靜，剛好能讓我們學習站起來。網站上有海軍提供的活動資訊，訂位只要電話預約或網上填表格，到場時付費即可。全部費用以美金為主。

Nago Pineapple Park

http://www.nagopain.com/
地址：〒905-0005 沖縄県名護市為又1195

哇，販賣區整修變得好美，和我們剛搬來時完全不一樣。整齊且有設計感，還多加了品酒區，實在讓我有點驚訝。如果只想到販賣區買鳳梨園的周邊商品，不需買入場卷，店員會帶你到販賣部。

Camp Hansen Festival

這絕對不是你所想像的一般園遊會！進去時左邊有表演舞台，前方有賣啤酒，左前方有海盜船和園遊會裡常見的遊樂設施，看似普通平凡的園遊會裡卻暗藏最特別的一區！遠方有一排軍方的大卡車開放給大家參觀，大家能試穿拆炸彈的防彈服，摸手榴彈（好緊張），還有坐進軍用吉普車（好帥）。協助的軍人很耐心的解釋，讓我這個平民老百姓學到好多軍中用語。這絕對是Camp Hansen Festival最棒最特別的地方！

Hotel Collective 居易園

網站: https://hotelcollective.jp
地址: 2 Chome-5-7 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa 900-0014

我們終於吃到沒變調的中華料理，好推這裡的飲茶套餐。一人2500日幣，從前菜到甜點，每道都很棒，非常有台灣味。Hotel Collective是台灣嘉新水泥推出的第一家飯店，去年四月開幕，，位在每個觀光客必去的國際通上，是整條路上少數大型且有規模的飯店。飯店有推出折價卷，居易園午餐和一整天的健身房和SPA只要3200日幣。這裡的下午茶只要1600日幣，下次一定要來試一下！

怎麼辦，最近沖繩疫情又開始變嚴重了。已經2021年了，能讓我們好好過嗎？大家要注意安全，我們下週見！

Weekly List: Indoor Dining

You read it right! This week features a restaurant list, because we can finally dine in again after one year! YAY!!!! On Friday at 12pm, the restrictions relaxed, and what followed was an American invasion of the yakiniku and conveyor belt sushi restaurants near military bases. Lines that stretch for blocks, instagram feed flooded with gluttonous, I mean satisfied, faces. UN and I weren’t any different. We shut down our kitchen for the whole weekend. Even on Monday when UN came home from work, he asked if we were still going out for dinner.

The Lobby Lounge at Ritz Carlton Okinawa

Reservation & Afternoon Tea Information

Hey friends, you should stay here for your next Okinawa visit! At the time, we could only do outdoor dining, the staff was concerned we would be cold, so they offered us blankets and hot tea. Afternoon tea is reservation only from 1pm to 6pm, and has a 2 hour limit. If you have special dietary needs, the chef will customize your food for you (must inform ahead of time). Costs 3,900 yen per person, and Marriott members enjoy a discount. 

Hey friends, you should stay here for your next Okinawa visit! At the time, we could only do outdoor dining, the staff was concerned we would be cold, so they offered us blankets and hot tea. Afternoon tea is reservation only from 1pm to 6pm, and has a 2 hour limit. If you have special dietary needs, the chef will customize your food for you (must inform ahead of time). Costs 3,900 yen per person, and Marriott members enjoy a discount.

Onna Glass Workshop

http://onna-glass-okinawa.co.jp
Address: 85 Fuchaku, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0413

Make your own ryukyu glass. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and pants. It takes only 30 minutes, very hands on instructions to ensure no glass is damaged or broken in the process. The teacher is the renowned glass craftsman Tsuguo Miyaguni, his work is featured in many luxury hotels. There are many types of glass products you can choose to make, the price differs by the colors and levels of difficulty. The ones that we were interested in making were priced around 8000 yen. You can pick up the finished product after three days.

Smile Spoon

Website: smilespoon.business.site
Address: 2795-1 Izumi, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0221
Facebook & Instagram

Smile Spoon is No. 1 on my list of restaurants to dine in when restrictions are relaxed. I made the reservation as fast as I could. This cute barn house restaurant is run by a middle aged couple. They welcome everyone with the warmest smile while keeping busy running in and out of the kitchen. There are two menus to choose from every day. We had the options of Yanbaru pork or white fish. Set menu includes appetizer, dessert, and a drink. The cost per person is 1900 yen and cash only, and reservation is required.

Fifi Parlor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fifi_parlor/
Address: 〒905-1154 Okinawa, Nago, Goga, 大真利原1335-4

Perfect spot for the gram! Located on the 505 freeway, the silver pumpkin shaped shop is hard to miss. The view of Yagaji island and Ojima is spectacular. Great spot for a nice cup of joe and light afternoon reading.

Azalea Festival in Higashi Village

Website: www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp/
Address: 766-1 Taira, Higashi, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-1204, Japan

Blossoms of different color azalea can be found here. This festival in Higashi Village will last till 3/21, great for a weekend stroll. Adults pay 300 yen for entry while kids get in for free. They have very safe COVID measures in place, taking your temperature and having you fill out a health questionnaire, along with hand sanitizers before you enter the park. Vendors right outside sell plants that claim to cure headaches, diabetes, liver and heart problems. We bought a couple plants home, who would like to come to our pharmacy?!

Posillipo Cucina Meridionale

Website: www.huge.co.jp/restaurant/posillipo/posillipo
Address: 174-5 Senaga, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0233, Japan

Happy (Legal) Anniversary! This is our first indoor dining date night in almost a year! Highly recommend their pizzas and homemade bresaola. You can watch airplanes landing here. Perfect for date night. Be sure to take a stroll by the water and enjoy the view! 

With the relaxed restrictions, I just want to dine out every meal. Next week’s list will also feature many restaurants. Tune in! Until next time…..

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Chinese Translation

本週清單裡有許多餐廳，因為我們終於能在室內吃飯啦！整整一年的疫情禁足令，終於在星期五12:00時放寬。基地附近的燒烤店、旋轉壽司店被美軍佔據，店門口大排長龍，好多朋友們也紛紛在網上分享照片。我和UN一知道消息，堅決這週末不開火，拒絕在家用餐（就是這麼激烈）！連星期一UN回家時，第一句話馬上問”要不要出去吃飯“，我們都悶太久了！

The Lobby Lounge at Ritz Carlton Okinawa

預約網站 & 下午茶資訊

朋友們，下次來沖繩玩可以住這裡！即使當時只能在室外用餐，飯店人員貼心送上毛毯，幫我們的茶加熱，怕我們冷到。下午茶目前僅限預約制，從下午一點到六點，用餐時間為兩小時。如果有特殊飲食習慣，廚師能幫你訂做不同的食物（需事先預定）。一人定價為3900日幣，Marriot會員有特別優惠。

恩納玻璃工房

http://onna-glass-okinawa.co.jp
地址: 85 Fuchaku, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0413

琉球玻璃製作體驗，切記要穿包腳鞋子和長褲。過程約30分鐘，但製作時非常快速。老師會在旁邊輔助我們，也確保玻璃不會在製作過程損換。教課老師是沖繩相當有名的宮國次男(Tsuguo Miyaguni)，許多沖繩飯店都有擺放老師的作品。店裡非常多選擇款式，價錢會因顏色和製作難易度而有不同價格，我們想做的玻璃器皿都約8000日幣上下。製作完後，約三天能拿到成品。後來我們去了幾家製作沖繩玻璃工廠，雖然價錢便宜許多，但這家的成品材質比較明顯厚實許多（比較耐摔/適合搬家？）

森的食堂

網站: smilespoon.business.site
地址: 2795-1 Izumi, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0221
Facebook & Instagram

解放前，每當大家聊到放寬禁足令要去哪吃飯時，我的答案應絕對是Smile Spoon。一聽到風聲能在室內用餐後，立刻打電話訂位。店裡是很可愛的日本爺爺奶奶，兩人在餐廳裡忙進忙出，客人進來時會用親切笑容迎接大家。Smile Spoon提供兩種洋食菜色，當天有山原豬和白身魚，套餐有附前菜、主食、甜點、和飲料。店裡只收現金，一份為1900日幣。需要提前預訂，能從Facebook或Instagram或電話預約。這裡非常適合全家一起用餐，餐廳有完全無違和感的嬰兒搖籃和給小孩玩的玩具。可以在Facebook、Instagram、電話預約。

Fifi Parlor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fifi_parlor/
Address: 〒905-1154 Okinawa, Nago, Goga, 大真利原1335-4

網美們快來這裡唷！開車在505公路上，你會看到長得像銀色南瓜的Fifi Parlor。位在鹽屋這帶，有著沖繩瀨戶內海之名，風景是屋我地島（yagaji island)和北邊的奧武島(Ojima)。即使當天陰天，我和UN一致認同很有台灣網美打卡景點的水準。我們點了兩杯飲料（只收現金）在那裡看書，非常安靜度過我們的下午。

Azalea Festival in Higashi Village

網站: www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp/
地址: 766-1 Taira, Higashi, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-1204, Japan

花園裡有滿滿的不同顏色的杜鵑花盛開，沖繩東村杜鵑花季一路到3月21號，是週末踏青的好景點。大人只要300日幣，小孩免費。入園前防疫做得非常徹底，量體溫、填表格、消毒液全部到位。外面有賣能治頭痛、顧肝肺心臟的植物（很好奇功效如何），我們買了幾盆回家種，誰想讓我們做實驗呢！

Posillipo Cucina Meridionale

網站 www.huge.co.jp/restaurant/posillipo/posillipo
地址: 174-5 Senaga, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0233, Japan

結婚紀念日快樂！經過一年，我們終於能在室內date night了！很推薦這裡的薄皮比薩和生牛肉，還有這裡景色非常美，能看到飛機降落。適合情侶約會，飯前還能在海邊附近走走。

突如其來的解禁讓我們每餐都想外食，下個“本週清單”也會包含很多餐廳介紹。各位敬請期待，我們下次見囉！

Swim with Whales

I don’t even know where to begin! When we swam above the whale, it was pure bliss. Magnificent probably is a better way to describe this snorkeling experience! In summer of 2019, we went to Alaska for whale watching, and now we see them in Okinawa. I wondered if I saw the same whale family. All I can say is this was THE BEST SNORKELING EXPERIENCE EVER!

We booked this swimming with whales trip last year, and even then, many of the spots for this season have already been reserved by those who have gone before. Thankfully we got a reservation. My friend E was the VIP, she watched the whales from the boat and made sure our GoPros had enough battery, that we were well-fed and hydrated. She was our photographer/translator. I’m so glad UN pushed me to get my Open Water diving certificate when we first came to Okinawa, without which I wouldn’t be able to swim with whales. When UN’s arm is fully healed, we will return!

Prior to the Trip:

• Get Aneron (アネロン) from Japanese drug store for motion sickness (it works like magic)

• Put hot water in a Thermos the day before to help you stay warm

• Prepare extra camera batteries

• Wear swimsuit underneath before you leave, it’s easier to change on the boat

What to Bring:

• Motion sickness Medication

• Lunch (I brought onigiri, tamago, and vitamin jello)

• Snorkeling gears (mask, dry snorkel, fins, boots)

• 5mm Wetsuit

• GoPro and extra batteries

• Toiletries and personal items

• Hat and sunglasses

Essential Tips:

• You can rent all the equipments from Hong Star Dive

• PADI license required

• Mandatory orientation a week before to learn guidelines

• Take Aneron the day before and early morning day of the trip

• Shower, toilet, and changing area are available on the boat

• Have a snug yet tight fit fins

• Short lunch time (or maybe I ate too slow)

The experience is quite exhausting. We got on and off the boat at least 20 times. Our guide encouraged us to rest but we didn’t want to miss any opportunity to swim with whales and see them from a stone’s throw distance. The boat prepares weights and defogging solutions for your mask. Our guide was very thoughtful, made sure that we don’t look like crazy people in the water, and checked our gears before we got off. Getting off the boat requires speed and minimizes splashing. The most difficult task is climbing the ladders in fins. Many fins were lost in the deep blue sea. Once you’re in the water it’s actually quite easy. Look for the guide waving a red flag, swim towards them, and listen for commands (or just follow what everyone else is doing). Doing so will maximize your chance of seeing whales.

I thought I was going to be swallowed by a whale like Pinnochio or Jonah from the Bible during our last swim. They were swimming around us in circles, so close that it felt like I was watching them on an 80 inch 8K OLED TV. When we got back to the port, we were still in awe and disbelief of our experience that day. So close, yet felt so surreal.

Information

Company: Hong Star Dive
Website: www.facebook.com/Hongstardive or http://hongstardive.com
Price: 20000 yen, included boat and instructor 

Chinese Translation

該從哪裡說起呢？第一場下水，立刻看到鯨魚在我們下面游泳，感覺像是你見到心儀已久的人突然出現在你面前，我興奮到不知道如何表達！現在想起還是意猶未盡，好想再一次和鯨魚游泳。2019年時，我和UN一起到阿拉斯加看鯨魚，現在鯨魚遷移到沖繩，很好奇我有沒有看到同戶家族。這次的賞鯨浮潛是我史上最棒的浮潛經驗，感官全被震撼到！（大推！）

這次的浮潛行程我們去年底就報名了（感謝朋友A&W立刻訂位），許多位置已經被去年參加過的人先報名，但好險我們還是搶到很棒的時間。非常謝謝朋友E在船上身兼多職，準備下水時他幫我們確認相機夠電、我們不脫水不餓，當我們下水時他是攝影師幫我們拍攝海面上活動，還兼職翻譯官這個重要角色，幫我們翻譯船長的指令。還要謝謝UN當時我們剛來沖繩時，立刻幫我報名潛水執照課，讓我能和鯨魚游泳。等UN手傷好後，一定要再一起去！

事前準備：

• 買日本超有名白兔暈船藥（很有效）

• 前一天將保溫瓶裡放熱水，當天從海裡起來時能只接喝水保暖

• 準備相機備用電池

• 事先穿好泳衣，方便在船上更換

必帶用品：

• 暈船藥

• 午餐（便利商店買的御飯糰、玉子燒、運動飲料）

• 浮潛配備（蛙鏡、呼吸管、蛙鞋、潛水鞋）

• 5mm 潛水衣（船上有保暖外套）

• GoPro和備用電池

• 保養品和個人物品

• 帽子和太陽眼鏡

重要事項：

• 潛店能租浮潛配備

• 必須有潛水或自由潛水執照

• 需要上orientation，學習海上規則

• 出海前晚和出海當天早上一定要吃暈船藥（教練會一再強調）

• 船上有淋浴的地方、廁所、更衣區（船上乾燥區和浴巾）

• 下水前確定蛙鞋有穿緊，防止爬梯時蛙鞋掉進海裡

• 吃午餐時間非常短（可能我吃飯慢）

非常耗體力的行程，我們大概上下船至少超過20次，但還是甘之如飴。教練幾度叫我們休息，但我們不想錯過任何能看到鯨魚的機會，深怕錯失最棒的畫面。就像許多船潛一樣，船上有配防霧肥皂水和配重。教練很貼心，會確保你下水時長得不像瘋子，等下海時也會幫你注意配備都齊全。整個過程最困難的則是穿蛙鞋爬梯子，下船時要快狠準又不濺水，上船時需要用非常外八的方式爬梯子。過程蛙鞋非常容易卡到而掉進大海裡（親眼看到團員的蛙鞋救不回來），但在海裡時非常輕鬆。帶頭教練會帶著紅旗，只要跟著教練游，且仔細聽好指令（或盲從跟著大家的方向）就有很大的機率看到鯨魚。

那天最後一次下水，一度認為自己即將變成木偶奇遇記或是聖經裡的約拿，一張口我們就被吞進嘴裡。鯨魚在我們周圍來回環繞，近到吐出來的氣都成為鯨魚游泳的一部份。船到港時，大夥把裝備拿上車，但我們依然意猶未盡的討論，好近，好不真實。

鯨魚浮潛店家

潛店：Hong Star Dive
網站：www.facebook.com/Hongstardive 或 http://hongstardive.com
價錢：20000日幣，含船費和教練（原價21000日幣，感謝老闆）