Kobe Burgers in Paradise: Okinawa

Matcha!

Matcha means green tea. Steph and I went to a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Naha. It was interesting to learn all the customs!

Steph purifying herself by washing her hands and mouth before entering the tea house

Entering the tea house through a tiny door.
It symbolizes humbling yourself.

The Sensei

Mochi desserts to go with the tea

posing with the tour group

Over the summer, Ryan and I found ourselves in a quandary - a gorgeous weekend with nothing to do! For once, Ryan didn't have to work and it wasn't raining. We had heard about Fukushen gardens, so we (along with our friend Lindsay) decided to check it out!

We were thirsty after our afternoon exploring so we went to Kokusai Dori for some beer flights at Helios Brewery.

Our own private beach

I love living here!

Sabina visits Okinawa!

Ryan and I were so excited to have our first visitor last May - my sister, Sabina! I had lots of things planned for her trip and I hope she loved Okinawa as much as we loved having her here.

We went to the restaurant, En Okinawa, so she could see taiko drummers and a shisa dog dance. If you get bit, it's good luck!

Sabina stuffing her face with sushi

Then we went to Okinawa World to see the Gyokusendo caves. She got to even dress up in traditional kimono, and Ryan tried out Dr. Fish!

While Ryan was at work, Sabina and I went to see the dragon boat races. Every boat I thought would win always ended up losing! We also got Japanese street fair food and saw creepy kid sumo wrestlers.

We got pedicures at Cocok's where Sabina got strawberries on her toes and lunch at Transit cafe overlooking the East China Sea.

We went to the Pineapple Park in Nago. "Puh puh puh puh Pine-apooo"

and the Churaumi Aquarium!

We also got a yummy seafood dinner at Sam's by the Sea!

We hope she will come back and visit us again!

Biking around Ie island

Ie island is a small island off the coast of Okinawa, accessible by a 45 minute ferry ride. Our friends, Tim and Christa, wanted to bike around the island before the moved from Okinawa and invited us to join them. While it wasn't an easy bike ride, it was lots of fun and it was a great way to fall in love with living here all over again!