From the airport, we arrive at our hotel in Naha and before we can check in we decide to go for a short walk to what is supposed to be a be a shrine with beautiful gardens.
Nice views of the Pacific with a sandy beach for families to frolic in.
And there was, of course, a cruise ship at harbor.
Rubbing the head as I need all the luck I can get.
The gardens weren't as beautiful as we had hoped, possibly because it was the dead of summer and extremely hot. The picture above is of a shrine commemorating the sinking of a Japanese ship with many children and families aboard by a U.S. submarine during the battle for Okinawa. As recorded below, it was hushed up, presumably by the U.S. Government, until years after the war. Typical!
After a nice night at our hotel in Naha, we took a 50 minute bus ride and arrived at the Beach Front Tower Mihama hotel in Chatan with a beautiful view of the Pacific. This was probably one of the nicest hotels we have stayed in and it was only about one year old. Exquisite.
Of course, it wasn't quite as beautiful yet as it was low tide. Wait until you see it during high tide.
Looking out our balcony we see American Village with its signature ferris wheel. At first, we were disappointed as the ferris wheel didn't appear to be turning. Only later did we discover that it was indeed turning, just very slowly. Finally, I'll get a ferris wheel ride in Japan.
Jody started tracking the sunset from our hotel room balcony.
Right next to us was a beach called "Sunset Beach." Now you can see why in the following pictures.
And in the last sunset picture, there was a cruise ship on the horizon.
Even though it was high tide, one was still able to walk out into the water quite a distance from the hotel.