Dartboard

In the words of Dawn The Great, another “love, love, love” post, except without quite so much infatuation and much more towelage!!

Okinawa was good to me!

My last weekend in Okinawa there’s this special offer with the bus system. If you buy a $10 pass you can ride as many buses and far as you want for the three day weekend! Score!

I decided to go all the way north to visit Churaumi Aquarium which boastfully hosts the world’s largest aquarium.

It’s big, folks!

It’s Friday and I got a late start on the bus so I sort of decide that going all the way north to the aquarium isn’t the best plan for this day. If I wake up early I can do that on my last day in Okinawa. I tentatively plan to see some stuff around the middle of Okinawa, but am truly as free as a bird!

Then Hiroki boards my bus. He’s tall, wearing relaxed clothes and flip flops, carries a black-checked backpacking pack (please note my backpack is red-checked) and—GET THIS—a towel around his head! Not a turban, but a sweat-rag. For those who haven’t heard yet—I’m a sucker for a towel tied around the head. A weird fantasy, I know, but it sure floats my boat!!! So manly—so sweaty and sexy. And it reminds me of ramen. I never saw it before coming to Japan, but I loved it instantly!!

As soon as he gets on the bus he gives me this huge smile and I return with an equally friendly grin. He asks me some random question and seconds later we're sitting next to each other like two peas in a pod and planning our day together. We quickly discovered we were born a mere day apart. He was turning 23 on September 29th and I on the 30th. What a coincidence!

I was really very lucky to run into him. He was such good company and we got along incredibly well. Neither of us had a destination—vague plans to visit some scenic spots and perhaps a beach—and we approached the day as a spontaneous journey. According to my map there was a beautiful cliff/rock structure called Manzamo less than an hour away and we decided to go there first.

Manzamo.

It was very hot and humid that day and there was a long, uphill walk over merciless asphalt to get to Manzamo. I remember thinking if I had to make that walk alone I would have either 1.) gotten lost and confused by Japanese signs and wandered off the trail only to be found dehydrated and desiccated three days later, or 2.) turned back very soon. Companionship made it bearable.

Hiroki and I (and the towel!!) at Manzamo!

Beautiful views of the ocean, coral reefs and an ANA hotel.

Although he didn’t speak any English, communication was never a problem. He was one of those people who is able to talk to foreigners with mediocre Japanese. And don’t underestimate that ability—it’s sometimes hard to come by people who realize that I’d understand if they just spoke more simply or more slowly!

And finally someone to take a picture of me. How’da like this hat? A little small for my taste.

Because it’s so frickin’ hot, we decide to go swimming. He has a snorkel and mask so we choose a little beach where there are a few others snorkeling. We swim out together and share the gear—he’s not even squeamish about sharing spit!!—to observe a rather disappointing underwater life. Besides that, the clouds have covered the sun and it’s cooling off. We decide to shower and leave, and of course, the sun is out at full strength again! Give me a break!

Our next stop was the Underwater Observatory off the coast of Cape Busena. We rode the bus there and were talking so much we missed our stop. As soon as we get off we see the bus going the other direction pass. I had told him about my hitchhiking trips—which he found unbelievable—so I said, “Let’s hitchhike back.” Before I fully extend my arm and thumb a car has pulled over and a nice family takes us back to Cape Busena. He said it was the gaijin-factor!

Inside the Underwater Observatory.

We’re famished and I talk him into going to A&W for The Best Root Beer Ever! I rave about the miracle of root beer, but warn him that he won’t like it. The trooper that he is, he orders a full mug with his meal. (I think he thought it was alcoholic!) The cashier even had to ask twice, “Are you sure you want the beer with the roots?"

"Hai!" he answers seriously.

Well, he hates it—"It tastes like medicine!"—but he drinks it all to please me! And free refills!! But we don't partake. =) Again, we sit and talk forever and decide to spend Saturday, my last day in Okinawa, together, too.

He was a good friend.

Cheers!

I had hoped to include both our days together, but I just can’t stay awake any longer. My eyes are burning and my teeth are begging to be brushed.

Until next time,
Sierra

P.S. This post is called "Holy Smokes!" because Hiroki told me he smoked, but when I told him I didn't like cigarrettes he never lit up in the whole two days we were together. Not because I asked him not to, but because... he knew I didn't like it. He even gave me his pack of cigarettes after we parted our last time and said he didn't need them anymore. I don't expect him to quit-especially now that I'll never see him again, but it was very considerate to not smoke around me. He was a gentleman!