Naha Okinawa 13th April

 We woke up today as we docked in Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture. Straight after breakfast we were off on our tour – you’ll see us in raincoats as it was spitting off and on, but never really turned into rain. It was a comfortable temperature, humid early on but fresher when we were up in the hills.

Our first stop was Gangala Valley, a bit south east of the city. This is an area of subtropical rainforest and also an archaeological site as early remains have been found in a couple of places.


Our second stop was Seifa-Utaki. Again set in rainforest, it was a collection of sacred locations (a mix of the original local religion and later Shinto) which are essentially low stone platforms, often up against cliff overhangs).

Then back to the ship where we had a light lunch in the buffet. We have eaten almost exclusively in the restaurant, but that was closed by the time we got back; however we weren’t allowed to serve ourselves, reflecting that the gastro outbreak which started a couple of days ago must be getting worse. This isn’t surprising as hand sanitiser etc hasn’t been very prominent before, and barely so now.

Then we took the shuttle bus into the centre of Naha. We walked along a shopping street and browsed in a number of souvenir shops selling near-identical stuff. I bought a shirt, but that was all and it was too unremarkable to warrant a photo.

Back on the ship now, I’m writing this before we go to dinner and get underway again, at which point we’ll be at sea and without internet for a couple of days until Tokyo.

 

Location: Naha, Okinawa, Japan

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