Adventurific: Japan 2013: Episode 8

June 12

Ryukyu Mura

The day began with a short trip northward for zip lining, however when we arrived we discovered the place was closed for the day to make repairs on the course. Liv was decidedly disappointed, and feeling worn out by that. On the drive up we spotted a place I had found interesting in our search for things to do. It is a village much like Okinawa World, both had old houses/buildings and an intention of teaching about Okinawan culture. We thought Ryukyu Mura was a little more attentive to the history part.

Giant Tug o War rope

This house is about 200 years old

Olivia made a Bingata, a piece of fabric painted with a starch dye.

We also watched an Okinawan dance, and Olivia joined in!

This amazing lady is 93 years old

Figurines depicting Okinawan festivals

Okinawan instruments

Lunch! Okinawan noodles with sea lettuce and sea grapes, and a bamboo wrapped rice dumpling.

After the Ryukyu Mura, we came back to Torii Station for a swim. The tide was very low, so we walked out on the coral and found all kinds of amazing creatures in the pools on the coral. We were careful where we stepped, and left all these creatures in their habitat. We used a disposable waterproof camera, so will need to find a place to get these photos developed. Hope some of them turned out well! Some things we saw include sea cucumbers, sea urchins, starfish (three varieties), lots of tiny fishes, crabs that hid themselves very well in the surroundings, and some live corals/anemones. Jim and I got a pretty good sunburn. We probably stayed out too long without re-applying, but with steady application of after-sun lotion I think we might survive.