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Monday, April 11, 2011

Araha Beach, Okinawa Japan

Araha park beach is conveniently tucked behind the Hamby Town San A in Chatan. This Okinawa beach is a family spot that many refer to as Pirate Ship Park because of the giant wooden play structure fashioned after an old ship. The zip slide and climbing ropes offer fun for the kids. The beach features soft sand with a roped-off swimming area, restrooms, and picnic tables. Araha park beach is near a shopping area featuring snacks, drinks and air conditioning.

Directions from Kadena Gate 1:

-Take a LEFT to head South on 58 from KAB Gate 1.
-Pass the Camp Lester hospital gate and take a RIGHT at the 2nd light onto 130.-Take a LEFT at the next traffic signal.
-Pass Nishimatsuya (pink and white building with a White Rabbit on the sign) on your left.
-Look out on your right side for a pink diamond shaped sign that says Arapana on it. Take a RIGHT just after the Arapana sign for beach parking. (If you pass San-A on your left you have gone too far.)

Note: If the parking lots here are full there is an additional parking lot. You will have to go back the road you just came on passing Nishimatsuya on your right. Shortly afterwards you will see a canal with white guardrails. Make a LEFT on the far side of the canal, proceed to the end of the road, and make a RIGHT into the parking lot.












Kaeleigh Likes to Sing Shout at the Devil

Kaeleigh loves to sing Shout at the Devil. This is so funny and she is only two years old.  I wonder why she acts like the devil...now I know why.

Okinawa Cherry Blossom Festival

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Lc4l1KuQY  Check out my video of the cherry blossom festival!


Best known for its cherry blossoms Nago Okinawa hosts the earliest Sakura (cherry blossoms) and hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Japan. There is plenty of action, and numerous photo opportunities, at the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place at several locations. Nago Chuo Park is the festival’s open space, while other activities take place at the special stage in Sakura Park, the Nago Main Crossroad, and at Nago Fishing Port.



Some of the festival highlights include performances by local schools brass bands and cultural performers such as Eisa dancers and taiko drummers. Parades, karaoke competitions, carnival games, and food vendors are also part of the attractions.

Nago central park is filled with 20,000 Taiwan cherry trees that bloom deep rosy-pink flowers causing the celebrations to start. Many festivals goers climb high up the observatory where an amazing view of the emerald green ocean together with the pink cheery blossoms can be taken in.

Other people simply spread out a picnic blanket or tarp under the trees that resemble cotton candy and have a few drinks and some food with friends or family. In most parts of Japan hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years, it represents the end of winter and the new life of spring. The cherry blossom only last for one week or sometimes less depending on the weather, this short lived beauty is of great cultural importance to the Japanese and serves as a main reason for the festivities.

Directions: From Naha Airport take the Okinawa Expressway, exit at Kyoda the last exit. Continue north toward Nago. Once in Nago, turn right onto Route 84 under the walkway. On your right you will see Orion Brewery. Turn left at the brewery and take an immediate right. During cherry blossom season and on the days of the festival it is advised to park well away from the park both for cost and to allow for an easy escape when leaving.

Roller Derby in Okinawa

I started playing roller derby in Okinawa in October 2010.  We started a team called the Kokeshi Roller Dolls.  Since then, we have grew tremendously.  Check us out at http://www.kokeshirollerdolls.com/!
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