Ryukyu Travels: Ie Island

My friends Sarah and Kristin are always planning "adventures." This time Sarah planned a trip to Ie island to view the lilies. I have always wanted to go to Ie (pronounced EE-Ay) so I was really excited.

This time it was: Me, Sarah, Michelle, and Kristin.

It takes about 45 minutes North to the port, then 30 minute Ferry ride. From there, you rent bikes!

Michelle choosing her bike.

OK, we all have our bikes.

From left to right: Kristin, Sarah, Me, Michelle

And we are off! Sarah led the way because she studied the map and chose the path to the Lily Park.

Michelle is from Wilmington, NC. We both were surprised to see tobacco fields. Reminded us of home.

The first stop is the Ernie Pyle Memorial. He was a famous WWII correspondent who was killed by a "Japanese bullet." The memorial also states that the people of Ie are against war and will do whatever they can to stop aggression.

I got a yellow bike! Mine had a bell too.

The island is much more quiet and quaint than the big island. Farm country.

We found this unusual park in the middle of nowhere so we stopped for photos.

Sarah

Kristin and Sarah climbed to the top of that, Michelle and I went right to the Lily Park.

It took us about 30 minutes to get to the Lily Park.

There are over 100,000 lilies here. Lots of varieties. I could not get all of them there were so many.

May 5 is Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) in Japan. Carp fish flags are posted all over Japan. The carp come from the Chinese legend that when a carp swims upstream it becomes a dragon. Usually a family will have a black carp (father), red carp (mother) and other colors to represnet each son.