My first full day in Okinawa, visiting our family.
Amy secured tickets for the Ie Island Tour and Lily Festival.
We left the house at 6:45 a.m.
That explains why this happy little blue-eyed boy
was eating a quick breakfast on the floor.
First a 90 minute bus ride...
Jack ate a second breakfast, read books, and played toys.
It was Children’s Day in Japan,
a national holiday to celebrate
children’s personalities and their happiness.
The wish for the children is
to grow up strong and healthy.
There were lots of children on the tour.
All Aboard!
Everyone, bus included, rode this ferry to Ie Island for the day.
Here we are pulling away from the port.
This island in the distance was our destination...
and the tour included a stop at that mountain peak,
where we all climbed to the summit.
It was almost time to get off the boat
and back on our bus to take us around the island.
Our first stop was at the Kawahira Monument,
honoring Ernie Pyle.
He was a Pulitzer Prize winning American Journalist
and War Correspondent.
Tobacco is one of the major products grown on this island.
The next stop was the Niya Thiya Cave.
With a beautiful view of the ocean,
one can follow these steps down into the cave.
The water is clear and we could see fish swimming
a short distance from the shore.
On the third stop we brought our snack bag off the bus,
and enjoyed some sandwiches in the shade of the patio.
This is Nishieue.
The view of the shore was so beautiful.
After a light lunch we were ready for the next stop...
the Higashieue Mountain.
Steps took us up the side of the mountain.
They were steep and uneven, but we took our time.
Amy made the trek with Jack in a carrier on her front,
And carried the diaper bag on her back.
She is in great shape!
Then we loaded the buses to take us to the main event.
And finally the main event...The Ie Island Lily Festival.
White Easter Lilies and so many different colors.
Along with the fields of flowers, there were tents
with music, food, and souvenirs.
There was something for everyone!
It was a beautiful day, in each and every way!
Before we knew it we were back on the ferry,
then back on the bus,
then back in our car with a take-out pizza,
heading home for some dinner.
We are Blessed!
Take care,
~Natalie
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