Adventures in Okinawa

At the end of March we took a trip to the island of Okinawa, Japan.  We decided to try Space A for our flight which was a first time for us.  Its convenient because it is free and right out of base but it is also risky because flights can get cancelled last minute or can be filled up.  Eric took a special leave that gave us higher priority but it was still quite an ordeal.  We woke the boys at 3:30am the day we were trying to fly out to make a 5:00am roll call.  We made it on the flight but as we were checking our bags the flight was cancelled so we headed home to wait for the next roll call which happened at 11:30am.  We made it on that flight but had a delayed layover at Iwakuni Marine base on the way.  We finally made it onto Kadena Air Force Base on Okinawa around 10:30pm.

Made it to the airport on Kadena where we were greeted by the USO with snacks and drinks which was so helpful after not having much of a dinner.

Since we got in so late we couldn't get our rental car to make it to our rental property so we booked a room on base last minute.  We made it to our room at midnight so by the time we got the boys to bed they were exhausted....and so were we.

I slept until 10:00am and had donuts waiting for me.  Let vaca begin!

We did some grocery shopping on base and then headed to our rental property to stay one night instead of two.  It was a traditional Japanese cabin with a view of the Ocean in Onna.  It was about 30 minutes from base.  We really enjoyed the stay except for the tub which was an oversized plastic container with hose.  I was the only one who bathed that night and the boys thought it was quite funny to see me in the little tub. 

The cabin had a loft with two full beds that the boys slept on.  Eric gave me the downstairs bed and he slept on mats nearby.

That afternoon we walked to the nearby beach

A & E

It was a cool and windy afternoon but we enjoyed the beautiful scenery

View out our back door.  We loved the ocean sounds nearby at night.

We checked out a local Japanese restaurant called Sea Story that night for dinner.  The decor was very cool!

Brothers

We all found something we liked but Eric's dish was the most visually appealing.

The next day we were headed to our cabin on Okuma.  We pre-booked the cabin for five nights but had allowed extra days in case we didn't get on the Friday flight.  Since we couldn't check in until the afternoon we checked out a cute place called Pineapple Park.  We spent a couple hours there and the boys really enjoyed it.  I enjoyed the gift shop that went on and on.  I was able to sample Pineapple Wine, Pineapple Champagne, and other Pineapple snacks. 

Pineapple Trolley from the Parking Lot

Pineapples everywhere!

Pineapple Park Entrance

Mommy!

Family Photo...this was the only one Lincoln did not have his tongue sticking out

Exploring the grounds

These two finally realized they do like Pineapple....because it is on a stick

Caught making out

We made it to Okuma Beach Resort that afternoon where we waited a bit for our cabin to be ready.  Okuma is a military recreation center and its location and beach were perfect.  We were all so excited to get settled in and know we had 5 days to relax and enjoy the area.  The cabin had two queen bedrooms and a loft with too large pullout beds.  Lincoln had his own room and Hayden had the whole loft to himself.  That first day we had lunch at their restaurant, spent some time on the beach,  and took a short hike around the grounds. 

Turtle's Nest...Cabin E of course

View from the front door

First thing Hayden wanted to do was snorkel.  The water was very cool so wet suits were a must.  You could rent just about anything for cheap right on site for water fun.

Here we go!

Lincoln was content playing in the sand

I think we are going to like this place!

The next day was a little overcast and cool so we decided it was a good day to visit the Aquarium.  It was about a 45 minute drive but we had heard it was worth a visit.  The grounds were beautiful and the Aquarium was probably the best we have ever been to.  Everything seemed much grander in scale and the highlight was seeing Whale Sharks.

Awesome play area before the entrance of the Aquarium

H & L ready to explore

Little Bo with the Big Whale Shark

Best family photo from the trip.  So nice they have someone working just to take your photo with your camera.

Feeling star fish

Linc was mesmerized by the fish

And he found lots of Dory's

Lunch with the Whale Sharks swimming by was awesome

Out the back of the Aquarium they had sea turtles and a dolphin show.  We skipped the dolphin show because of timing.  Check out this view coming back up the escalator.

We played some more in the park before leaving.  Love my boys!

The next day we had beautiful weather so we stayed on the resort.  We had fun exploring the base on their rental buggies.

Hayden had his own ride

Lincoln enjoyed a front row seat while Mommy and Daddy did all the work.

Private beach on other side of Okuma.  They have a cute couples only cabin there.

Getting buried in the sand

Most nights we grilled out

And sat by the fire and made smores

Best sunset of the week

Always the goofball

My happy place

We made another day trip off base to do a glass bottom boat tour.  It was only about a 20 minute ride out and back but the boys enjoyed it.  There was also an underwater observatory that we could tour after the boat ride.

The boats coming back in

The boys on the boat

One with mommy

We saw lots of coral and a few fish

Love this pic of Hayden & Lincoln

Checking out the fish at the underwater observatory

We found a cute little cafe afterwards for lunch

Ang and Eric on the rooftop

We spent our last day on Okuma.  There were no flights going out the day we planned to leave so we checked out and enjoyed one last beach day before driving back to Kadena to stay another night at the hotel on base.

Mini golf was a hit

Eric and Hayden rented a jet ski

Lincoln happily played on the beach for hours most days

While I watched from my beach chair

Sweet brothers on the last day

Last hurrah on the go cart track

Lincoln smiled ear to ear the entire time!

We were able to catch a flight on Saturday...a day later than expected.  We were delayed again at our layover at Iwakuni but made it back to Yokota around 2:00pm.  The trip ended up being 8 days instead of 7 but it was a free flight and it was all worth it in the end.  We both agreed it was our favorite family vacation we have ever done.  We loved it so much we booked a trip to go back in October.  The water will be much warmer and we should all be able to enjoy swimming in the ocean...without wet-suits.  :)