CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER OLSEN
Usually when I discover new playgrounds with my kids, my husband is not with me. On this particular trip he was. The first thing he said was, "If you want to make more kids in America healthy, build more playgrounds like these! It's a confidence course for kids! I want to play on this one!" Ha...
The 2014 calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2013, and for a limited time in the early months of 2014. Next year's calendar will be available for purchase in the final months of this year.
This was July’s page:
Zamami Island
Photo Credit: Pete Leong
"Snorkel mask and fins
Sunscreen lotion, swimsuit, check!
Oh, and a camera" -Calyn Paquin
Horseshoe Beach, Yomitan
Photo credit:...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
Kabocha (カボチャ) is a winter squash, but it’s often called Japanese pumpkin. I remember seeing it occasionally in the states, but never tried it until we came here. It’s delicious and holds up well in a curry sauce. The word kabochayarou means a man with an unattractive, unusually-shaped face, much like this kabocha squash.
The recipe:
1 tsp...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY AND MICHELLE CAMINA
One would not think you would find model trains in the lush mountain jungle canopy of Motobu, but just such a novelty exists within Café’ Gyutto. When you first arrive at the cafe only its small parking lot, multicolored signs, and stone footpath are visible from the road.
However, as your eye tracks upward around...
Editor's Note: Kassie recently trekked through Cambodia and Vietnam with her sister, and she had a LOT to say about the journey. Every Thursday from now through August 2014 we'll publish a new segment of their trip, so you can take whatever helps you plan your own vacation and leave the rest!
Follow along on their travels: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER OLSEN
As I was walking along the cobblestone path near Ahacha Bridge, I discovered the Kyozuka Monument. I was very surprised to discover the meaning behind such an inconspicuous landmark.
The story begins in the era of King Sho Shin (1477-1526). Monsters had been rumored to be seen appearing in the area, which was causing a great deal...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
Beni imo (紅いも) may be my most favorite thing about living on Okinawa. Seriously, I love this ‘tater! It’s like a sweet potato, but has lovely vanilla notes. It’s really exciting to cut into one of these beauties. The color is just so intense and somehow unexpected every time.
You can use it anyway that you would...
CONTRIBUTED BY LINDSEY NORMAN
When moving to Okinawa, I was extremely nervous about having my hair done. One of the main reasons I was nervous to have my hair done in a foreign country is because I have had blonde highlights for years and didn’t want to run the risk of coming out with purple hair. Also, I have fine,...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
So, goya is available here in Okinawa during the summer. Guess what it’s good for? Cooling. The bitter taste of this fruit is especially great to combat the heat. Goya is said to cool skin irritations, calm eye troubles, detoxify the liver, and strengthen vital energy. Goya is also used to treat diabetes, as an aid...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER OLSEN
Thanks to a tip from a great friend at amymaddocks.com, I hit another playground gold mine! Introducing, Haebaru's Beaury Park. The translation error in the name only adds to this park's cuteness. It is a nice problem to have when I cannot get the entire playground in the picture because of how large it is!
The park...
CONTRIBUTED BY KATHRYN STRONG
It started during the winter when a green smoothie stand suddenly appeared on the roadside in central Nago. I tried one and was hooked. A few months later, the stall expanded into a cafe, One Life, and the north finally had a definitive location for vegetarian and health food.
From the outside, One Life doesn’t look like...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
It’s called an Okinawan lime, but I think it’s much tastier than lime. If limes and tangerines had a teeny tiny little baby, it would be named shikuwasa.
I just had to make some refreshing juice with this. The tiny citrus fruits make this a wee bit time consuming, but I just love shikuwasa so much, it...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
Northern Okinawa can be a wonderland for those adventurous souls seeking special places to explore off the beaten path and guidebooks. One such overlooked gem is Otohadake Forest Park in Motobu. I found it by chance after eating at the Green Room Café.
The road that leads you to the park could be a bit intimidating for...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
We have the winged bean here, with lots of names like asparagus pea, Goa pea, and Thai green bean. Interesting-looking bean, don’t you think?
I’ve walked past it several times thinking it was Goya-San’s crazy cousin, then hurried by, trying not to make eye-contact. I’m so glad I finally picked it up to try. It’s got a...
The 2014 calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2013, and for a limited time in the early months of 2014. Next year's calendar will be available for purchase in the final months of this year.
This was June’s page:
Kitamae
Photo Credit: Pamela Oliveras
pamelaoliveras.com
Kourijima Island
Photo credit: Michelle Bishop-Lopez
flickr.com/photos.bilomi/
"Sunrise surprises
Love cotton candy sunsets
Sweet Okinawa" -Monette Eames
Toguchi Beach
Photo credit: Michelle Delaney
madbananaphotography.com
Araha...
CONTRIBUTED BY CASEY ANNIS
While looking for a new restaurant, my husband and I decided to go exploring on highway 330. Little did we know we would find our new "go to" place for flowers instead. Meruhen Flower Shop has a pink awning and wooden facade lined with flower pots, making it easy to tell what this little treasure is....
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER OLSEN
I kept seeing pictures of an ancient beautiful bridge but could never figure out where it was or even what it was called. At last I was rewarded with the discovery of Ahacha Bridge. This beautiful bridge is in Urasoe City, tucked away behind some buildings. Unless you are paying close attention to your surroundings, you...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
I’m enamored with the array of purple vegetables that I find in Okinawan farmer’s markets. One such delight is the fujimame (フジマメ), but it is also known by several other names including hyacinth bean, dolichos lab-lab, pharaoh bean, Egyptian bean, Indian bean, and Chinese flowering bean. It’s no surprise that this bean gets around, considering its...
CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA
Off the beaten path under the mystical shadow of Mount Yadake lies a hidden treasure known as “Yachimun” Café in Motobu. The café is an icon in mainland tourist circles as it has been made famous by its various shisa which are found abundantly throughout the grounds.
The first thing one will notice upon arriving at the...
CONTRIBUTED BY KATRINA RAYMOND
We flew from Okinawa to Siem Reap for five days on Asiana Airlines. We booked a guided tour through IACE Travel on Kadena.
The hotel we stayed at was the Tara Angkor, which was centrally located. The staff at the hotel were amazing, and on arrival we were greeted with cool towels and tea. The rooms were...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
If you’ve ever been to a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant in the states, then you’ve had a taste of this dressing, atop a small bowl of iceberg lettuce, right next to your miso soup. I haven’t been to one here to know if it’s the same. Did you know that carrots are the key ingredient? I sure...
CONTRIBUTED BY SANDY GIBBONS
If you are like my husband, you gave up bringing the couch to Okinawa because you had to bring your windsurfing gear. It’s all about priorities.
Now you have landed in Okinawa and have been anxiously searching the “the” place to windsurf. Perhaps you have asked the local population or some of your co-workers. Kaichu Doro, a.k.a....
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER OLSEN
One great thing about living in the Urasoe area is that it is filled with parks! The parks may not be massive in size and grandeur like Ogido Park or Urasoe Park, but they still provide variety and fun. One thing that we have done is ‘park hopping.' We started at one park and then made...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
I can’t get enough of purple vegetables. At the farmer’s market recently, I found gorgeous purple carrots. I thought to snatch them all up, but opted for a small healthy bundle. I’ll cross my fingers that I find more on my next trip.
In the meantime, I’ll share with you a simple salad that will showcase the...
CONTRIBUTED BY EMILY BUREK
Have you tried the traditional Okinawian tea called bukubuku? According to a local friend, buku-buku means bubbly. This is not like the Taiwanese bubble tea. It is a tea made from toasted rice and jasmine tea served with foam on the top. The foam is made by vigorously whisking a large bowl of tea with a...
CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER OLSEN
Do you have children that all prefer different types of slides but lack the energy to park hop all day? Relief is in sight; this park is for you!
We discovered this park a few months ago and my boys love it! This park is located in a quiet neighborhood in Urasoe. This is a fun park...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY GILLOTTI
Winter melon, Ash gourd, Wax gourd, or White gourd … so many names for this guy! So, is it really a gourd or a melon? When ripe, it’s used as a vegetable, but the unripe “fruit” is very sweet, and is used as a fruit. Interesting? I think so too! At least the Japanese could decide...
CONTRIBUTED BY KASSIE O'DRISCOLL
A friend recently went to this restaurant and reminded me that I never posted about it! Oh no! We had our eye on this place for a long while and finally made it while Mark's niece was visiting us. We decided to get together with our friends and finally try it!
Santorini is a cute, open layout...
The 2014 calendar was available for purchase in November and December of 2013., and for a limited time in the early months of 2014. Next year's calendar will be available for purchase in the final months of this year.
This was May’s page:
Bios on the Hill
Photo Credit: Cynthia Ensley
Nago Pineapple Factory
Photo credit: Bernice Wittwer
bernice.wittwer@yahoo.com
"Oops! Wipers whizz by
Of course I meant to do...
CONTRIBUTED BY MARIE LEWIS
I am a lover of all things thrifty. I consider myself a scavenger and I balk at the idea of paying full retail price for almost anything. When I'm going to the thrift store, I can leave the house with $20.00 in my pocket, confident that I won't need a penny more (and that's on the...