Off to Australia and New Zealand!!

We are heading Australia and New Zealand and will return on the 28th of November.  Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Marine Corp Ball- November 12

Caroline finally got to attend a Marine Corp Ball with us.  She has been asking for a few years now.  I remember wanting to go when I would watch my mom and dad leave for the ball growing up.  It was really great for her to see the honor that these men and women have.  The ceremony is moving.  The speaker was wounded in Iraq and told his story.  He was really funny and just sincere.  One of the best that  I have seen.
Here are some shots.

Halloween on Okinawa and Ikei Island

Caroline ditched Bill and I on Halloween (YES!).  So we took a few token shots of her and went to American Village.  They block off the streets and have a huge costume contest.

Ditching us, I have been waiting for this day!!  So great to not be cool anymore!

The Japanese don't really get what we are doing for Halloween but they love to dress up.

Contestants in the Costume contest.

It was really fun to take pictures with everyone all dressed up.  They loved posing for pictures.

The Japanese give the peace sign in every photograph...

The next weekend Caroline was at a youth retreat so Bill and I went sight seeing.  Ikei island is on the west side (Pacific).  It is quiet after the summer season.

This area of the island is rural and farmland.  Note the vending machine on the far right.  They are ver everywhere.

 

Manzamo Point and Underwater Observatory-October 30

Bill and I took a day and went to the west side of the island on the East China Sea side.  I have always wanted to go to Manzamo Point.  It literally means, "the place where 10,000 people can sit."

It is one of the most scenic places on Okinawa.

Path to the point

Manzamo Point Resort

 The Underwater Observatory is about 5 miles up the road.  It is like walking down a lighthouse.  It went down about ten meters.  The water was very clear.

Beach on the way to the observatory

Closed for the season