One of the many reasons I was looking forward to having grandparents visit was the opportunity to do some things that grown-ups would enjoy. Visiting the Yomitan Pottery Village was on this list. It was also on the list of places not to take Zoe. So after dropping Zoe at school, we headed to look at some pottery. Pottery, along with glassblowing, textiles, and lacquerware, is one of the traditional crafts for which Okinawa is known. Maggie bought a lovely serving plate and Poppy bought necklaces with pottery pendants for the girls. Then it was off to find a mid-morning snack to sustain us!
Living in Okinawa has been made immeasurably easier by the presence of some incredible online resources and by social networking. The main go-to site for anyone moving here is Okinawa Hai (created by my talented friend Meredith during her first go-round on this island). Oki Hai is incredibly useful for many things, especially restaurant reviews. I had scoped out Cafe Milkhall Iramina on Oki Hai, and armed with written directions, and a deep interest in finding fresh popovers, we made our way to this delightful cafe. (I do love finding a restaurant when the directions use instructions like "turn right at the tombs.") Maddox had a mango smoothie and I had this monstrous popover, fresh from the oven.
The waitress was very kind and we were able to communicate well enough. She was very concerned about making sure Maddox had something to do so she brought books for her, and then brought this collection of costume hats. She placed a couple on Poppy. Uncle Samurai?
We completed our morning with a little more sightseeing in Yomitan. We drove to Cape Zanpa and climbed on the lava rocks towards the cliffs. We can see this lighthouse in the distance from our apartment, although unfortunately it is not open for visitors to climb. Maddox is fearless on these rocks.
I love spotting fishermen in locations like this. Someday I hope to see one actually climbing down to his spot for the day.
Although Okinawa has some beautiful beaches, there are many miles of the coast that look like this. The water below swirls in so many shades of blue, and is at times deceivingly calm. Although I miss home and feel ready to head to the U.S. soon, it is pretty cool to be less than 30 minutes from a site like this one.
For any history buffs, the U.S. troops landed just south of this location on April 1, 1945. I can't really get my head around the history most times. There are so many layers to this island and to the stories it holds.
Thus ends the retelling of another day of adventuring. Next up: aquarium redux.
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