From the Airport leaving Japan...

The day has come that I had to leave this fab island of Yonaguni and I just realized at the airport that I become more gentle and nicer person after staying at Yonaguni….Maybe it is the Japanese culture that everyone is nice and polite and thanks are said after every time as part of  social interaction, what may have or certainly have influence on persons psyche after few days. Just talking to a stranger who arrived at airport and looked for a taxi is a nice experience as no one is rushing anywhere, taking time to say thanks and you are welcome. I will certainly miss the island but that is always the case when you are leaving something that made such positive impression on you and this Island had made it on me for sure. As we spoke with this stranger who was looking for a taxi to Ailand Hotel it came clear that Ishigaki could be my next destination since the island is much bigger, diving is there nice too “not as nice as at Yonaguni” and they just had finished new runway to be able service international flights. This is good but as we agreed with this man, this way the island will loose the appeal of tranquility and I do understand and agree with them, since tourism is changing the world and not always for better.  I have not travelled too much as some people do but when I do I try to get in the local culture and way of life to see what is it like and not seeking this tourist paradise of five star hotels with all the services focusing on “feel like home” experience. In my opinion, what is the point to travel somewhere where you feel like home and not experience the difference. Ahh getting too serious on this 😊 well now going to Naha for short stop to sleep in Cabin i.e box hotel, got a bit of walkabout around Naha and hoping to get this Hello Kitty cutlery for Angelina as her previous set is falling apart and as possibly any child i.e. be precise girl at her age want to have the Hello Kitty things. It is a national holiday here in Japan so I hope that some shops will be open…. ,might need to post it from Taiwan since the post office is closed in Japan. Another experience is waiting for me now and for much longer now as I will spend a month in Taiwan woo hoo….diving and touring so bring it on.

              Now Naha here I come again 😊 this time I had a bit of time and plan so after dropping bags to hotel I went to Monorail and took the journey all the way to last stop 19 as cheep sightseen tour for 830 Yen “daily ticket” and looked around from elevated position of monorail, looking into windows and streets from above is interesting hobby. I could see the streets, with their electrical, phone wires hanging on pylons in narrow streets of Naha. Some time in the ride we went a little bit up and there was the castle in short distance, so after reaching the last stop I took the same train back to stop 15 and walked towards this castle with few other locals and one gajin since in Japan it was national holiday  “Health & Sports Day” so the city was buzzing with people and mostly around the river, where tents were set up with sports games and food as usual but also few lost souls went to see Castle too. Shurijo Castle is quit big and interesting sitting on top of the hill above Naha with nice view of the city and also refreshing breeze since it is not obstructed. No wonder that king was living there, the best for the best. The caste was rebuilt few times as probably most of things in Japan were since the wood is great material but not everlasting and therefore need to be repaired from time to time. Building is impressive, beautiful and simple, even the room where King received visitors and dignitaries is simple with raised platform for tatami where king would sit and two lower platforms on each side where  the king son and grandson would sit. No point to described in detail as you can do use the big brother aka internet and see for yourself or even better take a flight to Naha and enjoy the warm weather, great food and have to admit fashion as I had to buy a new shirt as they are so nice and different than anything I saw until now. Since I had plenty of time and quite heavy lunch consisting of local sweet and sour pastries, what I needed to absorb into energy instead of another kilogram of fat I start walk to hotel from Castle cca 7km in nice little overcast afternoon through narrow streets and local neighborhoods meeting few locals walking too, mainly older than me. Also I have found a EUROPEAN car “VW Beetle” in one of the streets, unbelievable ! I know, that must be defo the black sheep of town who have balls to purchase such car or better said imported as I do not know if you could buy it there ….. Anyhow  few streets later I found the papa VW beetle from seventies too so maybe the beetle is something like cult over here…. It was so nice to walk the town as I saw some really nice tiny houses and some really shack style houses in a narrow streets and still building was going on, Sunday or Holiday the cranes and people were still pouring concrete and did what needed to be done. I have only limited time to see the Naha but I was happy to get my legs stretched and muscles a bit workout since diving is not really muscular sport . Walked all the way to the hotel when I joined the generation internet and responded to what’s up and emails before heading to my cell i.e room / cabin to drop down on bed after shower and try to manage get some nice sleep before the alarm clock will go off at 5:30am. Thank you Japan and Japanese girls as their laugh and smile on blond tall fella is something to live for 😊 especially if you see them in traditional kimono ahh yeah ….. Sayonara.