City of Naha on Okinawa

We were greeted as we sailed into the port of Naha with a drum and musical presentation by about 10 young men dressed in several kinds of local costumes and playing very different drums. We first heard traditional Japanese music amplified from a truck. The guys danced and kicked and drummed a terrific beat. The music shifted to "We Will Rock You" and finally ended with many of us on the portside on our balconies joining them in the words and motions for "YMCA." Great beginning for the day.

Our tour today took us to an interesting and large Cave- Gyokusendo Cave. We walked down about 130 slippery steps into a world of beautiful stalagtites and stalamites. This cave was only discovered about 50 years ago but is typical of the land around this area. I think that is what made some of the terrible fighting in WWII more difficult for the soldiers on both sides. One of the sections was decorated with Christmas lights and Silent Night was playing.

After the we visited a garden with beautiful bougainvilla and hybiscus plus some huge fruit trees. We both liked this dragaon made from flowers. There were shops with native arts and crafts- some especially beautiful blown glass, but we had no Yen and they just don't take credit cards. Our guide said even in Tokyo the ATM's are mostly for local folks and this is basically a cash-based society. Certainly has saved us some money.

We saw a very athletic presentation again by drummers and dancers. There were many Japanese school children around who got invited to play musical instruments for one song. They were having a grand time. This is the end of the school year so the students have about a 3 week break before the next year begins.

We ended our day at the Okinawa Peace Memorial. That battle happened in June of 1945. 235,000 people were killed. The park contained the names of all people- Allied and Japanese- civilians and soldiers. It was quite a battle. The memorial has 7 sides- reminding people of the 7 seas and the statue of Buddha inside the Peace Tower sits on a 6 petalled lotus blossom to symbolize the 6 continents of the world. I spent a little time and folded a peace crane and left in at a prayer spot.

The port where we are docked is very busy and we have seen for the first time another cruise ship in port. Mostly we are sailing on open water with no other ships in view.