For Okinawa Day 3, I planned to visit Zamami Island; one of the Kerama islands nearby accessible by express ferry in about 50minutes. The ocean around the Kerama Islands is soooo blue that it's known as the 'Kerama Blue'. It's possible to hike around the island, and snorkel from the white sandy beaches.
Tbh, the thought of snorkeling did cause me some stress, thinking how it would mess up my hair. I also worried about what to wear and what other people would be wearing. I worried so much, that I considered to skip the trip to the island and just stay around Naha. But after much thinking 💭, I decided to do it because it'd be such a waste to travel the distance and yet limit my experiences.
Woke up early the next day and walked over to the ferry terminal (I actually chose the hotel due to its proximity to the terminal, and I was srsly considering to skip the island trip the night before *hais)
I planned to purchase the 9am express ferry tix to Zamami, but the ticket office had yet to open. I just hung around waiting for it to open at 8am.
The to n fro tickets cost 6000y, 60% of my whole day allowance.
While waiting for the ferry, I bought a lunch box, and a saviour box of tam**** at the convenience shop and was just stoning around the ferry terminal. I thought that the ferry was going to stop right outside the ticket office. But close to 8.50am, I didn't see any action happening and started to get worried.
I popped out and saw signs pointing towards the ferry to Zamami and started walking... and realised it's really far away!
Group of travellers rushing towards the ferry same as me...
I was lounging away at the terminal (blue square below) for an hour and had to speedwalk like mad frm there to the ferry with just a few mins to spare.
Luckily I made it!! Most of the good seats were taken so I went up to the open air deck and got a seat near the control room. View wasn't much but better than nothing!
I was so worried about what to wear earlier, but as I checked out what everyone was wearing, I realised I was srsly thinking too much. There were all kinds of clothing, from full coverage, including the entire head and face, t shirts, shots tights, dresses, jeans shirts, you name it.
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| On e way to Zamami! |
I was happy and comfortable to stay in my seat the whole 50min journey. The sky was overcast so quite a different vibe from the sunny pictures you can see online.
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| View after getting off the ferry |
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| Making my way to the Zamami Tourist Centre |
I took a short walk to the tourist centre, in the hopes of getting some info. I also needed to buy a waterproof handphone cover. There was a caucasian boy manning the info desk, and after some consultation, I decided to visit Ama Beach first to catch sea turtles before making my way to Furuzamami Beach for corals. As you have to snorkel from the beach within a cordoned area, under a lifeguard's watch, I thought it would be quite safe.
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| Beach info |
I was also wondering where to get snorkeling gear and the guy at the info counter also solved my problem by offering to call a lady who drove a van full of to-be-rented-out snorkel equipment. I had wanted to rent the equipment, then walk to the nearby mart to get the waterproof handphone casing. But when the lady (Nozomi-san, if my memory didn't fail me) arrived, she threw open the van door and motioned for me to take a seat with other equipment renters. I was so thrown off by her brisk energy that I just jumped on the van beside the 2 persons (who btw seemed just as awkward as I felt lol).
They were stopped off at Furuzamami Beach, so I sat in the van and observed them trying on the equipment at Furuzamami before the van set off to where I wanted to visit first; Ama Beach.
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| Selfie while they tried on the equipment |
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| Furuzamami Beach ⛱️ view from van |
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| Rental prices. Not too bad right? |
After a quick and relatively bumpy ride, I was at Ama Beach! I decided on a snorkel mask and life vest, leaving out the fins thinking that snorkeling from the shore should be quite manageable.
After I got equipped, I asked if Furuzamami Beach was walking distance. Nozomi-san was like, oh it's far you can call me and I'll pick you up. She told me to take down her number and get the life guard to call her. I was legit blown away by her offer! I knew I'd be too shy to ask the life guard to help make a call, but I really appreciated it.
There were no lockers, so I carried my barang to the beach.
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It was a quiet and delightful beach. The cordoned off area was not big, and there were only about 4-5 different groups of people around. There were also 2 life guards keeping an eye on us. I put on the life vest and snorkel mask, put my phone into the water proof casing I managed to get at a little shop nearby and made my way into e water!
The water was really quite cold! And the waves stronger than I expected. As I made my way out, I found myself being thrown around and wishing I had rented fins too. I wasn't worried for my life since I had a life vest on, but I felt so weak and small in comparison with the strength of the sea. Luckily there were 2 ladies with a guide, and they allowed me to hold on to their floatation device, and even pointed out my first sea turtle sighting!! I was so eggcited and wanted to take a photo.. but alas..camera could not work underwater. Above water was fine, but underwater? Noooooo...
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| Above water success 1 |
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| Above water success 2 |
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| Above water success 3 |
But.. underwater.. fail big time.. I gave up, and just tried to keep the memory in my mind. I spent close to an hour swimming around, and saw 2 sea turtles! One was relatively younger and I had quite a lot of fun following the other around and watching it feed while following the below instructions
After chilling out at Ama Beach for a while, I went to 'clean up' at the toilet. Have to say I spent a really long time tidying up my hair, and took a commemorative pic of the outside view from inside the toilet (bottom top left) hehe I was just too insecure ><
Came across a small beach along the way to Furuzamami Beach and decided to eat my curry onigiri at this 'Nice Spot' before continuing towards and past the tourist centre, up a pretty long slope/road before reaching Furuzamami. Quite a manageable walk, and fun too hehe.
I found Nozomi-san hanging out at Furuzamami and rented a pair of fins. She said thanks, but actually I should be thanking her for making them available to me lol. Furuzamami Beach stretches over 800m, and I found it beautiful.
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When the sun came out, you can really see the 'Kerama Blue'
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| Same 2 Korean girls who were at Ama Beach |
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| Isn't it beautiful? |
You can see some corals within the swiming area at Furuzamami Beach and I spent quite a while swimming around. The area was quite limited but it was still fun to observe the fishes and the activity around the coral.
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| Bento Lunch at Furuzamami (Got it at the e ferry terminal at Naha) |
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| Happy |
After bento-ing, made my way to toilet to wash up and clean up the equipment. Couldn't find Nozomi-san and decided to bring everything back to the tourist centre. I figured I could get them to help call her.
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| Happy to have gotten on the bus back (hugging pink fins) |
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| Payment by trust system back at tourist centre |
After passing the snorkel stuff to the tourist centre guy, I had abit of fun reading how the term Kerama Blue came about. In summary, various factors generated clear waters around the islands, and clear water coupled with white sand (from coral fragments/bones/shells) created a vivid blue with differing shades according to the depth of the water.
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By then, I had about an hr left till the return ferry ride and decided to visit the souvenir shop/restaurant. It was unexpectedly mom and pop, the son was at the drink area and the mom settled my bill at e souvenir section. Sadly, dining in was not available and I popped outside after purchasing shell magnets, a beer and a Shikuwa Blue Seal ice cream.
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| Hung out here while attempting to dry out some pieces of clothing |
Saw from a notice in the toilet that the island was facing a water shortage due to lack of rainfall
I was determined to get a seat on the way back and queued up early for the ferry
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| Success! |
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| Wasn't sure why the lady in front kept her googles on but hey.. if it made her happy, why not 😁 |
I enjoyed the ride back to Naha ^^ and was also glad the grilled meat place beside the hotel was open, last chance for Okinawa Agu Pork
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| Not the cheapest but OK! |
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| In Okinawa, must try Awamori |
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| This side dish cooked in house was superb |
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| Agu Pork and Wagyu |
To be honest, I'm not sure what is fantastic pork but the Wagyu was deliciousness. The place was filled with groups and I was the only solo diner seated at the counter seat. The owner/chef was also very kind and taught me how to drink the Awamori. *Hearts.
Back at the hotel, I was thankful that I could wash and dry the wet clothes with the wash and dry machines!!
Okinawa Day 4 - Umikaji Terrace
Last day in Okinawa! I was to make my way to Umikaji Terrace Senagajima before the flight since the terrace is very near the airport. I was really glad that I made it to this place, because it's so beautiful. You can see the planes taking off from here, and enjoy the strong wind.
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| See the plane |
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| Decided to eat here |
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| Happy w seat |
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| Was raining so people at e side deserted the seats |
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| Decided on small maguro sea grapes bowl 925y |
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| But first, pineapple 🍍 beer! |
Last glance, byebye Umikaji Terrace @ Senaga Island!!
When I reached Naha airport, I started looking for e counter to refund the transportation card (Okicard), and had to try this sweet potato snack I keep seeing.
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| It tasted exactly like how it looks like |
Went about quite abit to find the refund counter. Went to the train station, only to be told it's back at the airport. ><
Finally! Safely checked in and waiting for the plane.
While waiting for the flight back to Fukuoka, I noticed that the next gate was for a flight to Kumamoto. And I had a slight regret that I wasn't just going straight to Kumamoto from Okinawa but taking the longer route from Okinawa to Fukuoka and then travelling onwards towards the southern parts of Kyushu. But! That would mean I'd have to bring my large luggage to Okinawa 🤔... O wells! I was looking forward to dinner at Fukuoka anyway 😁
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| Back at Fukuoka |
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| Reddest n biggest tomatoes |
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| Superb looking supermarket sushi |
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| GyuKaku buffet only 3000plus y (gosh!) |
Finally made my way back to the hostel where my luggage was deposited. I got a single room this time, and had to lug my luggage all the way up to the corner-est room on the 3rd floor. Srsly testing my back! The room was nice though ^^ It had its own toilet and a nice futon. I probably said this before but Fukuoka Hana Hostel bedding is relly comfortable.
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| Happy |
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| Stoning looking at the sky from e rooftop chair |
After some moments of stoning, I made my way to the below restaurant recommended by W (RJ flen who became my colleague). I was srsly considering going back to Gyukatsu Motomura, but decided to try something I haven't ate yet
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| Place was almost empty, so I was abit worried |
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| First up! Kirin! |
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| Ok it was srsly crispy. And the rice was amaaaaazing. Go Kyushu must eat black pork! |
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| Beautiful night view of the Naka River |
Next day, onwards to Kagoshima with my luggage!
