September 29, 2021

Anniversary at Okuma Ai Cottage

September 29, 2021/ Brandy C.

We waited 6 months to stay at Ai Cottage! And I waited another 6 months to write this post! :P Located in the northern part of Okinawa, the Ai Cottage at military resort in Okuma is perfect for couple (Ai means love in Japanese), and also known for its long wait time (average is 6 months). There’s only one like this in the entire resort, it comes with a private beach, an outdoor jacuzzi, and a gas grill. Because it’s tucked in at a relative remote part of the resort, it’s very quiet, and the reservation includes a golf cart to help you commute to and from the cottage. Definitely worth the 6-month wait!

In the evening, UN and I bought some groceries from a nearby market and barbecued on the grill. We read books while watching Okinawa sunset, had dinner by the beach, and fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves. After we woke up, we swam in the ocean. I got some sunburn during my stay, but I love this place so much! Happy anniversary!

Chinese Translation

等了六個月，終於住到Ai Cottage，然後拖了六個月，這篇文章終於出產了！沖繩北邊的美軍附設度假飯店Okuma Beach裡，Ai Cottage是大家眾所皆知，需六個月前預訂，也是Okuma Beach裡面最適合情侶的住宿。Ai Cottage位在Okuma Beach最角落，有私人海灘和烤肉爐。房間外有浴池能看著海泡澡，環境也比Okuma其他的住宿安靜。由於Ai Cottage位置關係，飯店會附加高爾夫球車，方便客人行動。六個月的等待真的滿值得的！

傍晚時我和UN在附近超市買了些烤肉用品，在海灘旁烤肉。全沖繩最美的夕陽下看書，月光下吃晚餐，聽著海聲入睡，沖繩北邊的景色真的好美！起床後，立刻跳進海裡游泳，雖然三天下來我又大曬傷，但我們還是很愛這裡！結婚紀念日快樂！

May 20, 2021

First Time Deep Sea Fishing

May 20, 2021/ Brandy C.

Since my first time raft fishing I got hooked! A big thank you to my friends A&W for teaching me and UN how to fish. Fishing is a bit like gambling. My first time fishing we caught a lot of fish, but my second time I came home empty-handed. The gambler in me refuses to give up, I am for reel about fishing.

This was my first time going deep sea fishing. I was so excited I barely slept the night before. I kept waking up in the middle of the night to re-check my packing list, make sure my motion sickness medication is on my nightstand, and my cooler is ready. Deep sea fishing is a whole ‘nother level of fun!

Deep Sea Fishing Company

Salty Rod’s Fishing And Tackle
https://m.facebook.com/saltyrods/

Time Frame

We met at the dock at 5:45 am, the fishing boat left the dock at 6:00 am, and returned shortly before 6:00 pm. Once we docked, the deckhands and captain helped us clean the fish. Depending on how much fish were caught, you can spend quite a bit of time there at the dock.

Capacity

Our group reserved the entire fishing boat, a total of 10 people (13 including captain and two deckhands.) Some fishing boats do not have a restroom, some have just a toilet directly behind the captain’s seat. My friend A made sure this fishing boat had a private, separate restroom.

Location

Fishing company will notify you of the meeting location a few days before. Last time UN and his friends left from northeast Okinawa, this time we went out from Naha.

Cost

Cost per person is $140, including the charter, deckhands, fishing rod rental, and baits. If you want to fish for marlin, you will want to pay $40 extra for trolling or jigging. Jigging is a foolproof way of fishing, with high success rates, but is quite a workout.

Packing List

The fishing company sends out a packing list before the trip. You need to bring lunch, water, and cash. The most important thing is to remember to take motion sickness medication. Highly recommend Aneron (Japanese Dramamine)! Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, ones that you can easily throw away afterwards. Fish blood will splatter everywhere.

I remember going to the fish market with my mom. We always tried to pick out the freshest fish with the brightest eyes. The fish that we caught all had crystalline eyes. My first fish weighed almost 30 lbs! I reeled it in with every muscle fiber I have in my body.

When we arrived back at the dock the captain made fresh sashimi for us from fish that we caught! It does not get any fresher than this. Umami! We caught so much fish that I had to clean out other stuff in my fridge. I have fish to eat for days!

Thank you A&W for preparing us for this deep sea fishing trip and letting us know what to expect. I was mentally prepared for the smell, fish blood, and how dirty my clothes would get. But in reality, it’s not as bad as I expected. I wish the fishing company has an annual pass or something, I want to go deep sea fishing every month!

P.S. The trip ended when we had a massive tangle that took down everybody’s fishing lines. Captain said he has never seen something like this before. They helped us untangle by cutting most of the fishing lines. I hope this doesn’t get us blacklisted.

Chinese Translation

自從第一次筏釣就覺得釣魚是件好玩的事！感謝我們的好朋友A&W教我和UN如何釣魚，當我們的專屬家教！釣魚這事就像賭博，人生第一次釣魚（筏釣文章）就滿載而歸，結果第二次大摃龜！讓我賭性上升，開始對釣魚有興趣！這次我們一群人出海釣魚，可能是人生第一次，前一晚緊張到沒睡好。一直起床確認早上起床動線圖是對的（暈船藥在床旁、冷藏箱在門口⋯），但出海釣魚也太好玩了吧！

釣魚公司

Salty Rod’s Fishing And Tackle
https://m.facebook.com/saltyrods/

時間

5:45分漁港集合，六點開船，約下午五點多回到港口。到港後船長和工作人員會幫大家處理魚，時間以魚量為主。

需帶物品

釣魚公司出發前會有需帶物品清單，像是午餐、水、現金。最重要的事，一定要聽話記得吃暈船藥！特別推薦日本大白兔！服裝的話，照著朋友A&W說的：穿最破、準備丟的衣服！雖然沒有我想像的髒亂，但海水魚血全部都會沾到身上！

人數和船

這次我們包船，一共10人（加船長和工作人員共13人）。有些船廁所位在船長開船的地方，或船上沒廁所，朋友A特別確認這艘船有密閉廁所。https://m.facebook.com/saltyrods/

地點

釣魚公司會在出發前幾天通知集合地點。之前UN從沖繩東北邊出海，這次我們從那霸出發。

費用

一人費用為140美金，包括船費、工作人員、釣具和餌。如果想釣馬林（trolling）或jigging（這次出海幾乎每釣必中，但非常累的釣法）需另加40美金。

記得以前和媽咪去市場買魚，一定要挑眼睛最亮最有神的。出海釣魚，天啊每條魚眼睛炯炯有神。這次第一條魚直接是大約30磅的大魚，用盡全身力量把魚釣回來，感覺以前運動長的肌肉全都用在這條大魚了！到港後船長當場處理讓我們吃生魚片，沒錯就是自己釣回來的魚兒們變成生魚片！口感和鮮味直接爆表，好吃到不行！這次真的是滿載而歸，現在冰箱滿滿的魚，天天有魚吃！

感謝A&W和UN事前幫我打了強心劑，已經先把整個深海釣魚過程解釋一遍，還順便警告我這是一個髒亂到不行的行程。可能是我想像的太嚴重，當天覺得輕鬆又整齊（除了釣到大魚的尖叫和興奮）。深海釣魚公司能出年票嗎？真的好想每個月都去！

P.S. 最後我們大家全部魚線纏在一起收場！船長說這是他第一次看到這個畫面！（希望我們不要被列入黑名單）

May 13, 2021

4 Days in Ishigaki

May 13, 2021/ Brandy C.

Our 4 days 3 night itinerary in Ishigaki is finally available on Brandy’s List! The flight is less than an hour from mainland Okinawa to Ishigaki. UN described Ishigaki as summer and mini version of Iceland. How can you miss this place when you visit? This post, I have the complete itinerary of our 4 days trip, include Taketomi Island and Iriomote Island!

P.S. Make restaurant reservation in advance!

各位，石垣島的四天三夜行（終於）在此大公開！從沖繩本島坐飛機不到一小時時間就能抵達，被UN形容為沒有雪的小型版冰島！水好藍，潛點又能馬上看到鬼蝠魟，這麼漂亮的地方怎麼能不來呢？這次直接列表四天三夜石垣島行程（往下滑就能截圖），還包括必去的竹富島和必須有導遊帶領的西表島！一開放觀光後，記得來這裡玩！

P.S. 記得要提前餐廳訂位！

Information | 旅遊資訊

Umicoza Diving School
- https://umicoza.com/en/
- 21,450 yen for 3 fun dives
- include lunch, boat fee, guide, and tanks
- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Direct Ferries
- https://www.directferries.com
- Tickets to/from Taketomi Island, and Iriomote Island
Iriomote Osanpo Kibun
- https://english.iriomote-osanpo.com/index.html
- Price: around 11000 yen
- Tour guide is required to visit Iriomote Island