Road tax

As many of you know my husband is a bit of a procrastinator. Roa tax has to be paid June 1 or they won't let you on base. So this afternoon we found out local city office and attempted to pay the tax. At first we were at the wrong office, but finally we found the correct place. We filled out the form all in kanji finding similar looking symbols on the papers for the car. Even though we were in a government building, the Japanese take great pride in their job and were very helpful. We paid the road tax without either party speaking either language. There was a lot of pointing. Whew...now Bill can get onto base. He likes to point out that his car costs $35 and mine costs $200. Oh well. We are good for another year!

Dragon Boat Races

This past weekend we went to the Dragon Boat races at Tomari Wharf. It was pretty cool to watch. They only practiced twice in a boat and in the water. Otherwise they just practiced rowing in a pool. It is serious business. They have practiced four hours a day for three months.

Diving with whale sharks is AWESOME!!!

Pictures courtesy Ryan Krebsbach

Today we experienced a once in a life time scuba dive. We met and rented gear at Torii beach and then drive to Yomitan and caught a boat out to a net located ten mins off shore. Here there were three whale sharks hanging out.
We back rolled off the boat and into the water. Dove 15ft down and entered the netting. After a quick feeding it was free swimming with the whale sharks. It was really cool. They are gentle giants, swimming in and around you like it is no big deal.
At one point I was watching two swim towards me, they were following the guy with the food. And the next thing I know a shark swims up, skims my belly and his fin went through my legs. When it first began, I looked down to see what was happening and his mouth was wide open headed straight for my face. At the same moment, Bill was in between the two following the food, being shoved to the side by one. Just as the one swimming between my legs goes over and around him. He was surrounded by the three whale sharks.

I did have the opportunity to look down the sharks mouth, it is very deep with no teeth, still a little scary.
This was a great experience. Loved it! What a memorable first dive after certification!

Field Trip to Okinawa World

Today my class and I went to Okinawa world. It is a theme park that has all the Okinawa has to offer in one place. First we went into a cave, then we walked through a fruit orchard, then we went to a Eisa Dance performance. Next we had lunch and lastly we saw some native turtles and snakes. Ending the day with a snake show.

Only in a military base...

And an island that was pummeled with bombs and artillery.... Do we have signs posted about finding bullets and bombs.