Knowing we had tours planned in other ports to see plenty of temples (and we were in the land of temples), we decided on a different experience in Okinawa. So with limited time, we hopped into a taxi (green car below) for a five mile drive and headed to Kokusai Dori Street.
It was Sunday and the second day of a three-day festival called "Health and Sports Day" that was taking place along Kokusai Dori Street. We passed a truck full of smiling, waving festival participants along our drive. Okinawans are renowned for their longevity, strong community ties and laid back attitudes.
Once we got to Kokusai Dori Street, we did some walking and looking at the shops and restaurants along the street. We passed McDonalds, which the ships' crew refer to jokingly as "The American Embassy". A&W offered a "Mozza Burger" which was a beef patty with special soy based sauce, bacon and cheese on a sesame bun.
Along our walk, we found the famous Heiwa Dori Street Arcade covered shopping market. During the post-war period, rows of stallholders set up tents that gradually flourished into a street. In 1951, Heiwa Dori Street (meaning "Peace Street" in English) was named in hopes of peace after the war. Thus, the first 400 meter long arcade was completed. There was plenty of colorful clothing, souvenirs and foods for locals and tourists both to enjoy. The complex narrow alleyways which branch off along the arcade are crowded with local vendors who enjoy the nostalgic experience and charm the street market offered.
Ice cream topped with choices of various types of salt. That was different.
I bought two t-shirts at this colorful shop and my purchases came "wrapped" individually in tall, plastic cups with domed lids and placed in a paper bag. Creative.
Three strings and snake skin. This long necked instrument called a "sanshin" resembles a banjo. The simple looking object is hard to master, is played one string at a time and is a tradition in Okinawan music.
Do-it-yourself shop where you could buy ceramic objects, sit at tables and paint them then take them home or sell them.
Habu snakes, only found in Okinawa, were put into jars of "awamori" (a local liquor like sake but stronger) and were sold on shelves in shops. This particular one (shown below) was being offered for 63,500 Yen, which was approximately $530.00 US. There was another unique delicacy called Tatzukuri. They were roasted baby sardines coated in a sweet soy sauce glaze. Whole fish with heads didn't quite appeal to me, but I had to try it. The sweet, sticky, fishy taste didn't make me go "wow". The name Tatzukuri means "making rice paddy" and symbolizes a bountiful harvest. Sardines were once used as fertilizer for rice fields.
After we strolled through the stalls along Heiwa Dori Street, we walked back onto Kokusai Dori Street and watched the parade of color as the "Health and Sports Day" celebration passed by.
Back to the ship. At the port terminal, I posed with a "shisa" which looked like half dog and half lion. The icon is very important to Okinawans and is often found flanking the entrances to businesses and placed on home rooftops, usually in pairs. When in pairs, the left shisa traditionally has a closed mouth and the right has an open mouth. The open mouth wards off evil spirits and the closed mouth keeps good spirits in.
Our next port of call - Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan...click and be there: Asia and Australia 2014
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