Zanpa Park...Just Beautiful!

Zanpa Park

This will be another blog for viewing proposes only...I'll ramble next time about some things I can't take a picture of :)  Anyway, went down South to this place called Zanpa Park for a nature walk.  The day was absolutely beautiful and the weather commanded people to be outside.  I'm still amazed when I look out on the East China Sea, realizing that I'm surrounded by it...I live on an island!  

I can't tell you what the inscription says...where are the signs?????

There had been several large ships in the water...the lighthouse came on at sun down.  Just in time to guide them in the right direction.  You can't see it clearly or at all, but there is a ship in this picture.

Can you see the manta ray in this picture?  It was just chillin and posing for pictures...LOL 

Just to let everyone know, Spam is BIG over here.  You want a Spam wrap...got it!  Interested in a Spam burger...the picture isn't lying.  

Shurijo Castle

Konbanwa,

I had just seen the movie "The Last Emperor" a few days before visiting Shurijo Castle this week, the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom and I could almost see the Shaolin monks practicing their martial arts in the very spot I was standing. The palace had been destroyed in 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa, but was restored in 1992 with the help of historical records, memory, and photographs. Everything was breathtaking, from the shishi dogs guarding the gates, the worship places, to the King's  throng and the views are indescribable. These pictures cannot really translate the beauty and splendor of this Castle. 

And about that snow ball or favored ice in the last couple of pictures...YUCK!  If you make it over here don't buy it...take that 400 yen and go to McDonald's.

Kankaimon Gate...front entrance to the Castle

There's always two, one with it's mouth open to catch the spirits and one with it's mouth close to keep it trapped.

Roukokumon Gate

Suimui Utaki, a place of worship  

Bezaitendo Shrine and Enanchi Pond, held precious Buddhist scriptures

Bezaitendo Shine

The King's seat

A seat the King used to address the people or his court

We were all happy before I tasted this flavored ice!

Doesn't it LOOK inviting?  Don't do it....

Where's the parking police when you need them!

So, I'm really enjoying the stay so far here on the island...somethings I might want to complain about I don't, I choose to move here...the driving laws are different, but I'm getting use to them.  But this parking thing is crazy around here.  All of the streets are pretty much an alley here so why must people park on both sides of the alley.  I've almost gotten into several accidents because you can't see if a car is coming until you're out there...this is about the only thing that makes me roll my eyes right now!  Just a little ranting for the day :)

View as I'm driving to the corner.

This is me easing out and hoping no one is flying down the alley.

I had to back up to take this picture...

Okuma Beach

Resort

Last weekend I visited Okuma Beach.  It's located on the Northern part of the island headed toward Nago off of exit 10 of 10...LOL  The beach and the view was just beautiful!  From the beach I could see a few of the Ryukyu Islands, I tried to get some pictures of them so look closely.  The view from my room was just breath taking.  I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves and remember, I'm not a photographer people!

Exit sign

View from my room

Room view

Ryukyu Islands in the skyline

Another room view

One of the islands up close!