For Thanksgiving this year we decided to do our 3rd trip to Okinawa. Instead of doing a Space A flight this time we booked a commercial flight out of Tokyo to save some leave time for Eric. We had 4 full days in Okinawa to enjoy the beach, hike, and just spend quality time together. We also did a mini birthday celebration for Lincoln since we were there for his real birthday on the 20th. This trip we planned to check out a couple new places and visit some locations we had been to and loved on previous trips. We also chose to stay in a traditional Japanese home the entire time instead of on the military resort. We flew out of Tokyo on the 19th, arrived on Okinawa at 3:45, got a rental car at the airport, checked in to the Air B & B office, and then headed to Kadena Air Base to grab dinner and groceries for our house. Since Thanksgiving was two days away, the commissary was a mad house with only 30 minutes to spare before it closed. We finally made it to our rental home in Onna around 8:00pm to get settled. We were all a bit tired but excited for all we had planned in the upcoming days.
Day 1 we headed to Kouri Island to play on the beach, followed by lunch at the Kouri Shrimp Truck, a quick trip to see Heart Rock, and finished with dessert at Blue Seal Ice cream. Lincoln also officially turned 6 years old so we had a birthday dinner celebration for him. He requested corn on the cob and cupcakes.
Brothers on Kouri Beach
The water was still warm enough for swimming!
My big boy playing on the beach
Hayden trying out his new snorkel.
We enjoyed the shrimp and the views from the Kouri Shrimp Truck
Heart Rock
My little love
and Big love
Rolling around in the sand
He's still crazy
Boys in front of the Okinawa Shisa Dogs
Blue Seal Ice cream was started in Okinawa
Corn on the cob for my birthday!
We cooked out and enjoyed dinner on the house patio
6 cupcakes for the 6 year old
Day 2 we went back to Mermaid's Grotto, which was one of our favorite spots from our 2nd visit to Okinawa. The big boys went out snorkeling and Eric said it was the best he had seen from any trip in Asia. From there we surprised the boys with a trip to a Water Obstacle Course. I watched from the beach while they ran, jumped, and played for 3 hours.
Me and Linc exploring Mermaid's Grotto
My boys
H and E heading out to snorkel
Playing on the beach with Linc
Taking the plunge in the grotto
Family selfie
Obstacle park on the water near the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort
Hayden considers this his training for America Ninja Warrior
Day 3 - Thanksgiving Day was a little cooler and breezy so we made a trip back to Tadake Falls for a hike in the morning. The boys remembered the awesome rope swing and water falls and had requested we go back. The water was a little chilly but that didn't stop Eric and Hayden from swinging into the water. Lincoln was a little more hesitant but ventured under the falls with Eric. After our hike we headed to the military resort on Okuma to eat at their Thanksgiving Buffet. We enjoyed the buffet and live music and then headed home to relax for the rest of the night. Eric and I even snuck out to the beach near our home to check out the sunset.
Lincoln learned what the word treacherous meant on our hike to the falls.
Hayden after his first swing in
The boys carefully walking out to the falls
This was as far as Lincoln was going!
Happy Thanksgiving 2018!
Mini golf at Okuma
Lincoln listening to some local Okinawan tunes
Hayden enjoying some meat and bread
Views outside Okuma restaurant
A & E solo selfie - didn't quite get the sunset view
Day 4 - Our last full day on Okinawa we headed out early to grab breakfast at Hale Noa Cafe which served Hawaiian breakfast. From there we headed back to a beach near the obstacle park we had scoped out when we were there. We pretty much had the whole beach to ourselves except for a few newly married couples taking photos in the distance. It was a cooler day but the sun made it warm enough to enjoy one last day on the beach. We also collected a lot of Okinawan Sea Glass and coral on this beach. Later we grabbed dinner from a family mart near our house for an easy night in. We all took a walk back down to the beach near the house to see our last sunset in Okinawa and it was a great one!
Our table at Hale Noa cafe
Soaking in the sun on our last beach day
Some pics of our Japanese Air B & B - Keyaki House
Keyaki House in Onna
Living area
Boys had a room downstairs with tatami mats and pads on the floor.
While mom and dad had 4 full beds upstairs to choose from. :)
Our last sunset in Okinawa
My boys
One with Mommy
One crazy one for Linc
King Eric
Day 5 we chilled at the house until it was time to check out and head to the airport. We flew Vanilla Air which is a budget airline so our terminal was more of a warehouse we had to bus to. I had one last Orion beer before we flew. As we approached Tokyo we could see Mt. Fuji in the distance which is always a nice welcome back home!
Orion Draft Beer's Clear Mild Taste Is Widely Loved As An Okinawan Original
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