Awa-dake

I wanted to use my hiking equipment (that was sadly not utilized while living in DC).  A co-worker mentioned Awa-dake as a good hike.  Looking at www.mapitokinawa.com, I got detailed instructions on parking, hiking map, and estimated time.

I gathered my hiking equipment (hiking pack, 4L of water, sunscreen stick, bug spray, rain jacket, small first aid kit, poles, and printed map) and drove to the Katsuyama Community Center.  This took me just shy of one hour to drive to. 

Awa-dake is the range on the left

Upon arriving, I parked in a parking spot and, fingers crossed, hoped that my car would still be there when I returned.  My fear of parking somewhere and getting ticketed or towed is strong.  It happens often here if we park where we shouldn't.  I had faith in the directions on the website though which stated I should park here vs at the trail head; this was to ensure the locals would not be blocked from accessing the orchards.  A local family lived at one of the buildings and came out and waved at me; another good sign.  Heading up the road to the trailhead was a bathroom.  My first encounter with the local bathroom layout.  It was very clean!  I think it's more hygienic than the "western style toilet".

Local bathroom

I had to walk up a road, past local farms and orchids to the trailhead.  This is what you will see when you get to the trailhead:


Trailhead

Trailhead.  Looking at the orchards.

You walk about 500m amongst the orchards before arriving to the T intersection.  At this point you can go left or straight to get to the top of Awa.  The website recommended taking the left, thus, this is what I did.  If you go right you will go to Furushi-dake.  That is a trail I will come back to complete another day!

The T intersection

The trail is a consistent upwards climb.  This is not for the faint-of-heart.  This is a challenging climb for the novice+ hiker.  This is not for a beginner hiker, someone with back, knee, or hip issues, or someone who is not in physical shape.  You will need hiking shoes.  You will need to cart at least 4L of water with you, along with basic supplies.  If, within the first 20ish minutes of your upward climb you debate whether you can make it for the next few hours, you should stop and turn around.  The trail gets more difficult.  In addition, if you are allergic to bees or wasps stay far away.  I ran into multiple hives along the way.

You are rewarded with a cave about halfway to the first peak.  I didn't get in and explore.  I was hiking by myself.  The rim of the cave is fragile and I wanted to take no chances of hurting myself or getting stuck.  However, I did stop to take some pictures and visually inspect the parts I could see.

Cave used by WWII soldiers

There was supposed to be another cave as I headed up to the first peak.  However, I missed it.  I'll have to look for it next time I go hiking in this area.



 

Your first view outside the jungle...at this point you are just a few minutes away from the peak

I made it to the first peak, which is at 290m.  It took me about 45 minutes to reach this point from the parking lot where I started.  I stopped and enjoyed a relaxing 30 minute break for my mid-morning snack.  Looking at the view was just amazing. 



Panoramic view from the first peak

First peak!

290m tall



One of those rocks looks like a turle

I then headed along the ridgeline until I got to the jungle path to take me to the second peak. 



That peak is the first peak. 
I'm looking down at it when halfway to the second peak

The rocks are very sharp and take careful maneuvering.  After another thirty minutes or so I came to the second peak.  This one was 432m.

View from the second peak

View from the second peak

I'm 432m high

Then I started on the downhill trek around to the T intersection.  This took me another 45 minutes.  Some sections were extremely downhill.  Multiple times I had to crouch down, hold onto a tree with one hand, and then leap down to the next rock.  Some areas were extremely overgrown...as long as you remain aware of the trail markers on the trees you should be fine.  At one point in time the trail markers were becoming extremely thinned out.  I went a bit before coming to the conclusion that I think I'd gotten off the trail.  Being a smart hiker, I backtracked until the last marker and took the other way that seemed to be a possible trail.  About 5 minutes later I found another trail marker and then was back on the path.  During the descent I came across (actually scared) 3 local young adults who were hiking up.  They were making tons of noise, however, I was not.  I turned the corner and "ta-da!".  My good morning must have been so convincing that they not only returned the greeting but then started a conversation.  I think they were asking how much farther to the top, however, they did not speak English and I can't speak Japanese beyond the basic sayings.  We parted ways with smiles and bows instead.

Once I reached the trailhead and started down the road back to my car I ran across the local farmers and orchard workers who were grouped around that area.  Again, my good morning in Japanese must be spot on because they started up in conversation with me.  Luckily, this time one of them in the group spoke basic English.  They asked me if I was doing fine, did I need any more drink, how was the mountain, etc.  After parting ways, I walked the 5 minutes back to the car.  Which, was still there :)


They have very big leaves here

 

 

From the time I departed my car, hiked the entire path, and took my break on the first peak, approximately 2 1/2 hours had elapsed.  Now the website stated it would take 5-6 hours to complete.  I'm guessing I was just a "trailblazer" and plowed through at a quick pace.  I believe it would be slower with a group of people as your pace is generally slower.

I am glad I went and experienced this amazing hike.  The jungle is soothing to walk through and the views I got to experience were awe-inspiring.  I will not be taking Caleb and have warned Jack that he might want to stay away due to his history with his knees.  I will be back to attempt this again before leaving the island in a few years!




Awa-dake
I climbed to the top of all of that!



Shopping

Shopping here is such an enjoyment!  There is such a variety of items to look at.  The advertisements here are very "eye-catching" (bright colors, funny cartoon pictures, lights, etc.).  They also sell quality items that cannot be found in the states.

First store I visited was Natori.  This is a mix between an Ikea and a Target.  They have very nice household items.  I came here for a purpose...that was to buy my recycle bins.  Recycling is mandatory on the island; they are very strict about it.  I of course, came out with a bit more than just my recycle bins.  I've learned to expect this and always bring extra yen with me.  So many items I realize I don't need until I see them...  Speaking of which, a local chair (ground level) caught my eye.  I might just go back to get it another day.  Didn't have room in my car as the recycle bins took up most of the space in my little vehicle. 

Natori

Next up was an Aeon Mall.  This is a chain of malls throughout Japan.  The mall here is a bit different than the ones in the US.  It's like one big store split up into sections (electronics, clothing, etc.).  You can walk from area to area as there are no walls.  I wasn't sure what the exact rules were so I just made sure to buy my items for each level of the store before moving upward/downward.  Multiple food courts were present.  I even found an arcade...I will wait until I have Caleb with me to go play there ;)

Aeon Mall

 

As with most stores I visit, I feel as if I miss large sections of the store.  It's so full of sections and non-linear aisles.  But that is part of the fun!  Always something to look forward to...finding a new section!

Next to the Aeon Mall is a Cinema.  I was sorely tempted to see Star Wars again (though in Japanese with English subtitling).  However, I was getting tired at this point.  I might go back...

My last store of the day was Makeman.  I have been to this store a few times and it is one of my favorites.  There is a small 100yen section, pet section, household items section, and an outdoor section.  I went to buy rocks to spice up my outdoor area.  However, by the time I got to this store my car was quite full and I was hungry and tired.  I picked up a few small items on my shopping list.  I'll go back another day to buy the supplies to decorate the outside of my house.

Makeman "Monkey Store"

Getting Our House

The one thing I have been dreaming and hoping for: a house!  A quick run-down of how housing works:

1.  When you get to the island you attend a mandatory housing brief at the Housing Office.  At this meeting you will find out how full housing is for your rank group and bedroom allocations.  For me, I am a CGO which automatically qualifies me for a 3 bedroom even though I only have a spouse and one child.  If housing for your primary, secondary, and tertiary bases is over 98% then you can have the option of living off-base.  Since I am assigned to Kadena AB my locations were: Kadena, Camp Foster, and Camp Lester.  As previously discussed in a prior post, when I attended my primary was over 98% and my other two locations were at 100%.  I wanted on-base though so I turned down my off-base option. 

2.  I got a call a few days ago with my 2 house offers.  You will have, randomly assigned by the computer, 2 house offers.  These house offers can be on any of the three base locations and can be various floor plans.  You cannot request a specific base, specific neighborhood, or a specific layout.  You get what you get.  At least you get a choice between 2 options instead of being assigned your house without seeing it.  When the Housing Office called they asked me to stop by to pick up my 2 house keys.  This was very quick.  I went in, my assignments counselor grabbed me and took me to the place to get the keys.  All I got was the 2 addresses and a map with directions to each.

3.  I went and looked at both houses.  I attempted to GoPro each, however, my GoPro sim card reached its max capacity before all the video I took could be recorded.  I didn't realize this until after I had turned the keys back into housing later in the day. 

• The first house was located in the Jennings neighborhood on Kadena.  It was a 4-plex (4, 2 story homes attached to each other).  I had one of the middle units.  Now, having visited multiple other CGO houses in this neighborhood I was very excited.  Huge floor plans, fully renovated, etc  This neighborhood is close to all the amenities.  Was I in for a shocker!  The house they offered me in this neighborhood was very small (could not fit our king in the biggest bedroom), not renovated, the tub was so tiny and short in height I couldn't even take a bath, had 4 types of flooring that did not match, carpet squares were just installed but already peeling and did not line up to one another.  A bit of a disappointment.  Now, I can overcome anything with a little (okay, a lot in this case) decorating and laying stick on flooring to cover the unpleasantness that was the current floor.

• Time to check out the second house offer.  I was lucky in that I got another offering on Kadena.  This time in the Terrace Heights neighborhood.  It was a 4-plex (4, 2 story homes attached to each other).  I had one of the middle units.  Wow!  This house was amazing!  Archways, wide hallways, renovated, almost twice the size as the first offering, etc.  This house is farther from amenities (10 minute drive).  Hands down this was the house I wanted!

4.  I went back to the Housing Office and informed them of my decision (you have 24 hours to decide, if you want the time to think it over).  I gave them the keys back.  They scheduled me for my assignment appointment for a few days later.  They told me that the house needed no other work or cleaning so I would be able to get my keys the same day as my appointment (usually you pick up the next day after your appointment).

5.  I called and set up shipment of our HHG (house hold goods) to be delivered the day after I got the keys.

6.  I had my assignment appointment.  At this time, I signed the paperwork for the house.  Got the radon information (3.9 for the house I selected).  If it's over 4.0 they will put radon mitigation equipment in the house, if it's not there already.  I was notified that no renovation is expected during my three years on island.  I got the proof of housing letter that is needed to enroll a child in school.  If you need temporary furniture, you set it up at this time. 

7.  They will schedule a housing inspection within a few days after you get the residence.  It takes about 1 hour.  This is when the inspector will go through the house with you and mark any discrepancies.  Important, because when you move out you don't want to be charged for damage that was there before you moved in!  Also, the inspector will answer any questions you have about the house.

Here are pictures of the house I selected:



View walking in the house (living room down the hallway)
Walkway to dining room on right
Next doorway on right is to laundry room
Third doorway on right is to half bath
Door to left after electrical panel is under stair storage
 



Coat closet on the left
Pantry #1 ahead
Dining room to the right



Dining room



From dining room looking into kitchen
There is a swinging door between kitchen and living room
Pantry #2 is on the far right (directly before the swinging door)



Living room
Sliding door to backyard



Living room
Open arch on the left heads back to the front door



Backyard



In living room looking back to front door
Front door is a typhoon door (very heavy metal)
All the glass in the house is very thick (for typhoon protection)



Downstairs half bath



Stairs to second floor (this is located directly left when you walk in the house)



Stairway turns and looks onto second floor
First door on left goes into the smallest room
Second door on the left goes into a large bedroom
Door straight ahead is the full bathroom



Smallest room (does have a closet on the left wall)



Big bedroom
Closet is to the right



Upstairs full bathroom



Master bedroom (same size as the big bedroom)



Master bathroom and closet
One sink to the left, with a large counter space
Walk-in closet straight ahead
Toilet and tub/shower to the right
Each section has a door



Master bathroom tub/shower and toilet

Arts & Crafts: Sea Glass Wreath

I thought I would check out one of the classes offered at the Arts & Craft Center.  There were many to choose from, however, making a sea glass wreath caught my eye.  I've wanted to see sea glass in person.  Plus with it being the holidays, I figured another wreath around the house couldn't hurt!  The facility and staff were extremely nice.  They also sell arts and crafts material; very nice to know I can get some staple items without ordering in.  Now I wouldn't compare it to a Michaels, Hobby Lobby, JoAnns, etc. but it'll work. 

The instructor was very accommodating, especially with my lack of knowledge regarding wreath decorating and with sea glass.  She collected the sea glass herself with a local friend at various beaches around the island.  There was a good selection of green, brown, and white pieces.  A few light blue pieces were also available; these were my favorite!  She gave me a basic knowledge of what was unique in a sea glass piece.  Now I know when I go sea glass hunting myself.

What exactly is sea glass?   Sea glass is physically and chemically weathered glass found on  beaches along bodies of salt water. These weathering processes produce natural frosted glass.  The best pieces have no clearness to them!

You will see circle colorful pieces on the wreath; these are not sea glass.  They are part of a local game that is played, similar to marbles.

The finished product

ITT Tour: Shurijo Castle & Shikinaen Royal Garden

I decided to try a ITT (Information, Ticket, & Travel) tour to Shurijo Castle and Shikinaen Royal Garden.  This is a tour through the military that offers transportation to/from each location and an English/Japanese speaking tour guide.  The day started off by meeting the tour bus.  Most of these tours sell out so ensure you buy tickets ahead of time.  You can try for space-a the day of the tour, in case someone doesn't show up.  The trip to Shurijo Castle took about 40 minutes (we had construction along the way that brought the road down to one lane for a bit).  One plus of going on the tour...no need for me to find parking!  I felt as if the Shurijo Castle was a "quick walk" with brief periods of time to take pictures.  Perhaps "speed walking tour" would have been more appropriate.  Now, part of this was due to the fact that the last 30 minutes of my available time at the Castle I wanted to spend watching a local dance routine.  It was free and at the front of the Castle.  If I had chosen not to watch the dancing, I could have enjoyed a more leisurely walk.  However, I couldn't pass up a chance to see the local custom in the form of dance.  I was very happy with my decision.  Over a period of 30 minutes, I watched 4 types of dances.  My favorite was the Tanchame; a dance depicting the joy young men and women in a fishing village have in their work and their zest for life. 


Shurijo Castle
This was the royal seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom for about 500 years



Tanchame
Created after the collapse of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1879



Next stop was an Aeon (Japan mall), about 30 minutes away, for lunch and shopping.  We only had one hour at this location.  There were restaurants on the first floor and a food court on the second floor.  I ate at A&W.  Having never eaten at an A&W in the states, I randomly selected my food from the pictures as it was all in Konji and the employees did not speak English.  Ended up with a hamburger with a slice of ham on it and some curly fries; very delicious.  I devoured my food so I would have time to take a quick stroll around the mall.  Very interesting things for sell...I will go back when I have the time to shop.

Hopped back on the bus, 15 minutes later ended up at the Shikinaen Royal Garden.  This is a World Heritage Site.  The Shikina-En was the largest second residence for the Ryukyu royal families and was used to entertain royal family members and foreign guests.  We had an hour to walk around, which was a perfect amount of time to walk slowly, stop to gaze at the beauty around me, and take lots of pictures. 



Rokkaku-Do
A bower (place of rest) built in the Chinese style
The arched bridge was made from a single block of Ryukyu limestone



Ishi-Bashi
Designed in the Chinese style

Took about 25 minutes to drive back to our starting point and end the tour.  What a wonderful trip!

Thanksgiving Day: Sunabe Seawall Visit

It's Thanksgiving Day here on the island (though not quite time for turkey day in the US)!

I decided to start my day off by running and exploring the Sunabe Seawall.  A storm was out at sea, the clouds were heavy, and the wind was strong.  It was a very enjoyable experience even though the sky and the sea were very grey.  Started off prior to sunrise and stayed around to watch the sun rise (it rises on the other side of the island, therefore, I saw it through the buildings).  Many locals walk the seawall.  Some were even enjoying a stretch group/yoga group.  Parking along the seawall is banned from 2200-0500; you will get a ticket during this time.  I got to the seawall at about 0530, so no worries!  I parked right next to one of the stairway access points to the seawall. 

Water too high to go down to the lower section

The Seawall is the upper section.  It is a very wide path. 
The lower part is available at select intervals along the Seawall.

High surf today due to the storm

Panoramic view for part of the Sunabe Seawall