Schrager's Visit Okinawa

Well we must have been "pictured out" after Tokyo. By the time Jeff and Carol got here, we took very few pictures and didn't take ONE picture of the four of us. But, we enjoyed their stay all the same. Unfortunately I didn't keep up with the Japanese holidays and offered to take them to an antique store north on the island, but the traffic was horrible because it was the start of the 3 day Obon celebration. Due to an unexpected call from my boss in regards to a random drug test- we cut the day short and never made it to do antique shopping. Just as well-- since I learned Sacchi's was closed for Obon anyway.

Our first stop on Saturday was the Japanese Underground Naval headquarters. It's where the Japanese hid and coordinated their attacks before the battle of Okinawa. It was pretty impressive to see the tunnels that were dug- but unbelievable so many people were living down there. Later, we spent a HOT afternoon at the Peace Prayer Park, dedicated to all those who died in WWII Battle of Okinawa. Next- the Ryuku Glass factory/shop and I finally invested in some nice glass pieces (thanks Jeff). Finally we had a late lunch at an "off the beaten path" restaurant nicknamed by us American's as "Thai in the Sky".

We got to share all our favorite restaraunts and a nice little coffee place, the Hearth Cafe that serves great coffee, salads, and deserts. I'll have to order the "Double Cream Hearth Toast" the next time I'm there after I took a taste of Carols and it was so good!

Jason is in Tokyo now. He's with a tour group to climb Mt Fuji, but they have a few days in Tokyo first. He had one of the doctors he works with (who is Japanese) buy tickets to a minor league baseball game, but after a couple of innings the game was rained out. He's climbing Mt Fuji on Sunday. He has the camera, so I'll be sure to post some pictures from the top once he gets back. The pictures posted below are the view from Thai in the Sky, the Japanese Naval Underground headquarters and the memorial wall at the Peace Prayer park and Jason and I in front of one of the monuments.