We checked out the lounge, from the previous night, and sure enough there was a breakfast in the display case.  The waitress was a little surprised seeing us as she gave us a menu in Japanese.  We were the only "round-eyes" in the hotel. We ordered the breakfast as in the display and got a salad, ham/bacon (square), egg, large toast, orange juice, and a pot of hot tea all for 600¥ each ($4.60). 

After a nice breakfast, we proceeded to the bus terminal and boarded the bus to Okinawa City (Koza).  We got off between Gate 2 and BC (Chuo Park Avenue) Streets. As we got off we met a man (Tom) that was back visiting family and was filling in time before his flight left.  He showed us around BC street.  Since he use to live there (in the early 70's) he collaborated what I knew.  We walked down to the end, where the taxis use to drop us off.  At the end (or beginning) of the street was a Computown which I thought was neat as far as computer stores go. Tom bid us farewell and we continued our stroll around BC/Gate 2.

For lunch I had to go to Charlie's Tacos.  I walked in and told the lady at the counter (Charlie's daughter) that I waited 30 years and traveled 8000 miles for one his tacos.  Off to the side was an elderly gentleman that turned out to be Charlie himself.  We ordered a taco basket and he sat with us and we talked.  He was quite amazed that someone would travel so far for some of his tacos.  He is now 82 and his tacos were just as good as ever.  After we had our fill of tacos, Charlie's daughter got a camera and took pictures of us.  The wife really loved the tacos as they were a little different than what she was use to.

After leaving Charlie's, we walked on down the street looking for the coveted Beanies Joyce (the wife) was wanting.  We finally found some at a good price.  We also went in, and out, of the side streets, and back alley's,  which are all covered now.  Instead of the type of bars and places, some of us use to remember, there are now some pretty nice shops.  BC really changed since the early 70's.

As we were walking through the alleys, (markets) we came out onto Gate 2 street.  Here, there were a few more clubs, but still nothing like it was a long time ago.  Near Gate 2, of Kadena,  you can see the "Okinawa Expressway".

Near the end of Gate 2 street is the Goya/Miromi (4 corners) pedestrian bridge.  We walked along Miromi street, for a while, trying to find Hotel Kyoto (which we did find).  It was set back from the street just as I remembered it. I decided to go in to see if the restaurant was still there.  Sgt Henry use to take us there for Kobe steaks (my first introduction).    I thought that if they still did that then I might have another meal there, later, for "old times".  I talked to the people at the front desk and they informed me that the restaurant was taken out 5 years ago. Oh well!...

We walked back up Miromi to BC street and back to Computown (still shopping).  We walked in several embroidery shops trying to see if they still might, per chance, have some old "Sobe Ranger" patches (none to be found).  I then thought about taking a cab to the Ryukyumura (village theme park) north of Kadena Circle near Onna. The cab driver and I had a little harder time communicating the flat fare.  He, finally, got inventive and took some money out, counted, and pointed.  I understood and we accepted.

Ryukyumura was a very interesting place  The entry fee was 840¥ each ($6.50US) . It is about 15 minutes north of Torii Station.   I, almost, passed this up, but decided to give it a go.  It is a theme park of recreated houses, food , life style, of old traditional Okinawa.  In a way it was a little like the Gyokusendo village we went to the day before. 

Here, we got to see another Habu/Mongoose fun show.  The curator handed out a small spoon-full of yellow powder at the entrance to the show.  It turned out to be powdered Habu.  He instructed me to eat it (which I did).  Talk about bitter.  He said "Okinawan Viagara".  Oh WOW!!!  We got there just in time for the show and afterwards went through the snake museum.  What struck me funny was one exhibit that said "Habu drunk a cat".

After the show, we walked around looking at the different exhibits.  At one point, at the Nakasone house,  we saw some elderly women playing their stringed instruments, dancing, and singing (mura-ashibi).  One came up to me and pointed at herself and said "83".  She showed me that she liked to dance and she seemed to be pretty fit for her age.  She even shook hands with me (to show how good a grip she had) and I was amazed.  She danced around balancing a sake bottle on her head.

We then walked over to the water garden and fed the fish.  Those carp started coming from everywhere.  When you throw in a few pellets of food they climbed all over each other in a feeding frenzy.  There were, also, some ducks that wanted to be fed (along with some ducklings).

We walked by several craft shops (pottery, bingata, and sugar cane processing.  I stopped and got me a "sata-andagie" Okinawan donut  (another "must do"), along with some coconut juice. Yummy!

We stopped at a place where you can, for a small fee, rent a traditional kimono costume and take your own picture.  I tried to get the wife to to do it, but she declined. So I ended up taking some one else's picture.

About this time we heard drumming, not too far away, and went over to see the "Okinawan Dance".  They have several different dance exhibits there each day at the Festival Square..

After the show, we walked over towards the "water wheel" cabin and the sugar factory. Here you can see the process of grinding raw sugar cane (the old way).  One person took the old "water buffalo", hooked him up and started putting him to work.

We then walked through the gift shop.  Near the main gate we looked at the remnants, of the knot, of the giant rope they use at the annual "Tug-of-War", held in Naha.

We walked out to the bus stop to wait for the #20 bus back to Naha.  I missed the first one because I was on the wrong side of the road.  Fortunately, the #20 comes around every 10 minutes (Naha to Nago).  While waiting for the bus, I decided to try a drink, in the vending machine, that looked interesting.  I don't know what it was, but it seemed to be some sort of unsweetened (bitter) tea with a kick.  Joyce and I shared it.

Back at Naha, we rested up, and decided to go back to Sam's Anchor Inn, for our last Teppan-yaki, before we left the island.  We, also, did some last minute shopping on the Kokusai-dori.  At one shop, I tried to talk with the salesperson who promptly said "no speaky English".  I pointed at certain things and tried to converse with what skoshi GI Japanese I remembered (from 30 years ago), and she then took me behind the counter and gave me some tea.  As we were walking around the shop, and making some purchases, I stopped by the Sake area, of the shop, and pointed to the Habu Sake.  She then took me behind the counter, again, and gave me a shot of  sake.

After  walking around the streets of downtown Naha, we went back to the hotel, and proceeded to pack for the return trip home.

next day

Departure

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6