Sailing

 

We were back on the seas again sailing along the coast towards our next port of call. This is just one of the many boats that we saw in the late afternoon sun. Notice all the haze too. That haze, so I found out later, was all coming from China.

Okinawa, A Final Goodbye

This is the final view of Okinawa as we left the lighthouse, harbour, and city behind. Tomorrow would be a new day with another adventure.

An Escort

An escort boat leading our cruise ship out of the harbour.

A Sea Wall

This is the view of the light house at the end of a very long sea wall. It looks like it may be connected to land at the other end, but I think that land is another island. At the other end of the wall is a red lighthouse, and why would they put a light house there if it was connected to land?

I am not sure of the purpose of the wall is. Obviously it serves as a breaker to the waves coming in from the East China Sea, but there could be another purpose. It is one of the longest sea walls that I have seen.

Harbour Lighting

A close view now of the light house in the harbour at Okinawa as we sailed past it. 

I am a fan of light houses, and find them all so different, even though they serve the same function the world over. This is just one photo of an ever growing collection that I have. One day I am going to use them as inspiration for my stitching.

A Lighthouse

The fist view of the lighthouse has we sailed past it leaving the harbour.

Leaving Okinawa

Our view of Okinawa as we left the harbour heading for the next part of our adventure.

Another Shisa

Another Shisa for you now. I spotted this one in the customs hall in Okinawa as we made our way back to our cruise ship.

It had been another long and busy day, and I was looking forward to putting my feet up with a drink in hand as we sailed out of the harbour.

Transport And Trees

While waiting for the bus to take us back to our cruise ship, I found this tree being used to park bicycles behind. The tree is, I think, a fig tree, going by all the air roots coming down. I found the textures that they created quite interesting, and also the lines. More inspiration for my needlework.

The bicycles are something else. obviously transport for the locals. The owners are very trusting as I could not find any chain or lock. Maybe the crime rate in Okinawa is much lower than at home.

A Building

Okinawa is one of those places that is a mix of old and new. Shattered by war, some new modern buildings have risen from the rubble.

Protection

Lion or dog? I think he is a lion. Known as a "Shisa" he is there to protect the building. Made of some kind of metal he is very decorative, and we can see the Chinese influences again in the scrolls. They usually come in pairs at a gateway, entranceway or roof top. One on the right will have an open mouth to ward of evil spirits, while one on the left will have a closed mouth to keep in the good spirits. Interesting Okinawan mythology.

A Lightpost

How is this for a light post? Something a little different from home. Decorative as well as functional in more ways than one. Interesting that the birds still sit on a light post no matter where it is.

Another Wooden Panel

Another wooden panel that I found in a shop in Okinawa. This one was different to the previous post, but still inspirational for my stitching. This one was actually decorating the shop in which I found it.

Wooden Artwork

Just one of the wooden panels that I found in one of the shops in Okinawa. I found the "leaf" patterns interesting and thought that perhaps I could use them somehow in my stitching.

Decorated Shells

This shell was found in one of the shops in Okinawa. Being on a small island in the Pacific, I would imagine that the cowrie shells would abound. I have a collection of cowrie shells myself that I have found over the years on Australian beaches, but not as big as this one. I have seen them this size of course, and yes I have seen them decorated before. This one caught my eye though as it was decorated with a seahorse. 

A Gift Shop

This is a pic of another of the shops that we passed on the tourist strip in Okinawa. This one looked like a gift shop. Coffee mugs, plates, garden and house decorations, postcards etc. Not really my cup of tea, but we did go in and have a look. Just so different to the shops here at home.

Okinawa Shop Front

A shot now of one of the shops on the tourist strip in Okinawa. I actually think it may have housed a number of businesses including two cafes. Once again we see that Chinese influence in the building decoration.

Pavement Decoration

How Chinese is this? This was a tile in the pavement of the main street in Okinawa.It had  obviously been walked and stepped on a few times given the wear. Just goes to show how much influence the Chinese have  had in Okinawa, even though it is an island owned & ruled by Japan.

Another Roof Line

This was one of the roof lines that we found in the main street of Okinawa. It was certainly interesting, with a Chinese influence. It certainly made for interesting viewing up against the modern buildings in the same street. Lots of patterns once again to use as inspiration for my stitching.

Okinawa Street View

Just part of the view of the main street in Okinawa. We went for a walk up this main street, doing lots of looking and occasional buying. So different from home, but catering very much for the tourist. There were quite possibly streets behind this one that would be meant for the locals, but we really didn't have time to explore. It's the shops for the locals that I find really interesting.