Well, it sort of feels like a lifetime ago, back in May we hopped a ferry to one of the
Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa, Kumejima.
This was shortly after our big trip and super busy visit from Becca and Julie,
so we were still a bit exhausted but exited to spend a couple of days relaxing
at our beach hotel. We booked this trip through ITT so they did all of the
transportation work for us and even took us on a tour of the island. Upon
arrival, we had lunch at a local restaurant then immediately started our tour.
First site was these super cool rock formation.
“Hey, Arabella, smile and be normal for this picture, ok?”
Shisa have seriously become my favorite! They are such an
important part of Okinawan culture that I just love.
Map of the island and some of the sites of interest we would be
stopping to see. Also, our ride.
They took us to a temple ruin where there really wasn’t anything
but we had to take a picture anyways.
Our next stop was my favorite and most impressive.
There were coral and shell impressions in the rocks.
The theory behind this formation is that if
Family pic!
Next stop was this freaky slope. Here's an excerpt I found online about it:
Known as a “ghost slope” in Japan and as a “magnetic hill” in other parts of the world this natural phenomenon is fun activity to do while exploring Kumejima Island. Obakesaka is easy to try just look for the sign “おばけ坂” go to the “bottom” of the hill and put your car in neutral. Magically your car will start to roll “up” hill or so it would seem.
In reality the reason Obakesaka works is because the trees and shape of the landscape create an optical illusion of an up hill slope, when it actually slopes downwards.
Known as a “ghost slope” in Japan and as a “magnetic hill” in other parts of the world this natural phenomenon is fun activity to do while exploring Kumejima Island. Obakesaka is easy to try just look for the sign “おばけ坂” go to the “bottom” of the hill and put your car in neutral. Magically your car will start to roll “up” hill or so it would seem.
In reality the reason Obakesaka works is because the trees and shape of the landscape create an optical illusion of an up hill slope, when it actually slopes downwards.
Lastly, we went to see this 5 trunk tree. Another excerpt:
One of Kume Island's most beautiful natural landmarks is an Ancient Pine tree that is so large and so old that it has five separate trunks all feeding into the same tree. Records indicate the Ryukyu Pine (Pinus Iuchuenis) was planted in 1839 and is a designated natural treasure of Japan.
One of Kume Island's most beautiful natural landmarks is an Ancient Pine tree that is so large and so old that it has five separate trunks all feeding into the same tree. Records indicate the Ryukyu Pine (Pinus Iuchuenis) was planted in 1839 and is a designated natural treasure of Japan.
After the tour of the main sites to see on the island, we went
to our hotel. We spent the next day and a half just relaxing at the pool, only
leaving the hotel to go grab a bite to eat. The kids LOVED getting to do nothing
but play in the pool all day and I loved doing nothing but chill. Rich is a big
kid so he pretty much played with the kids the whole time.
We did go down to the beach during low tide to explore a little bit.
Aidan practiced some karate.
The night lighting down the hallway to our room was so pretty.
Some of my favorite shisa I've ever seen.
We didn't have a car and we didn't really need one so we got around on foot.
It was a good, laid back, getaway.
It was a good, laid back, getaway.
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