Chinese Botanical Gardens

Last weekend, along with the Gibbs and the Mierjewskis, we made it to the Chinese Botanical Gardens in Naha.

Unfortunately, we were 6 minutes too late to make it into the gardens for the last viewing.

(I swear, half the battle of site-seeing in Okinawa is actually finding the place you are looking for; the other half is showing up to the place before it closes!!)

Here are some pics of what we could view from the front gate:

The salt outside of one's home or business place is supposed to protect guests and ward off evil:

There was a pretty little park across the street.

Ron was getting his "work-out on"!

Carolyn has a way of finding all sorts of Okinawan stray cats. Secretly, I wanted to tease her by calling her "Elmira." (I am affectionately known as the neighborhood "stray cat lady" myself!)

Our MAIN purpose in getting together was to eat at the Naha Harbor Diner. Many of you may know it as the big Banyan tree on the left-hand side of 58 on your way to Naha airport. The food is pricey and NOT very good, but, alas, the view was wonderful. And to be among good friends...that is always the best.

ONE YEAR OLDER AND WISER TOO

Happy Birthday Jared!

To celebrate Jared's 28th, the Burress and Beeson Families treated us to dinner out at Arin Krin, (a.k.a. "The Garlic House").


Always experimenting, Jared ordered octopus stir-fry and kimchi soup. Mmm... Adri was more "vanilla" and ordered the seafood pasta and garlic gyoza.

To top off the evening's celebration, we enjoyed specially requested Funfetti Cake (with Rainbow Chip icing), courtesy of Jared's lovely wife Adri who slaved all day long in the kitchen to make it for him.

Let's all sing along now:

Shary and John, these pics are for you:

Super Weekend

This weekend flew by because it was jam-packed with activity!

On Friday evening, some of Adri's girlfriends joined her for a trip to the Chula-U
bathhouse in Chatan to celebrate her 25th birthday. http://www.chula-u.com/hotel/

They enjoyed the natural hot springs bath, and the jacuzzi, and used the "fish doctor" after their feet had been soaking for quite a while. Despite the tickles, no one lost any toes!



Saturday was also a busy one. One of our favorite couples, Tom and Beth Freeman, escorted us to the southern tip of Naha to a restaurant called Cafe Curcuma. Among the dishes we shared were Pad Thai and Green Curry. Yum! In addition to the yummy food, there is a great view. We highly recommend the excursion!









On Saturday night, our Oki girls lost one more crew member--Crystal. We celebrated one last night out at Marino's Italian Restaurant off of highway 330 (across from Yellow Box). Sayonara! We will miss you!

Expeditionary Warfare School Graduation (Okinawa)

Congratulations, Captain-Select Blake, for graduating from EWS last Wednesday. "Oh--are you missing a few ribbons?" - Brian Biscoe

Jared's Return From The Land Of Smiles

Two weeks ago, Jared returned from a month abroad in Thailand. Although he was very busy with the Marine Corps exercise that brought him there, he was able to take several day trips, including one to Bangkok. His greatest adventure, that of riding in a tuk-tuk, was caught on video. The video Jared wanted to share is too large to add to the blog, but do know that you can hear background laughter throughout the entire 3 minutes and 30 seconds videotaped due to the driver darting in and out of traffic fearlessly. Below is a short clip to whet your appetite:

Jared also returned home with a quite a few treasures. My favorite is a hand-carved wooden elephant scene (we still need to decide where to hang it!) and three pieces of artwork (again, the elephant below is my favorite) made out of/with coffee beans. They even SMELL like a good ol' cup o' joe!

As you can see, it is beautiful and very green in Thailand:

WELCOME HOME JARED!