This morning one of my friends was still not back and we were wondering about what we should do... we were not sure whether he had left with someone else or if he was in trouble and should notify the police. After breakfast we returned to the hostel and met with him and he was as confused as we were: he did not know where he came from, where he had slept and how he got back. As well, his wallet and cellular phone were missing, so we went to the nearest Koban (police box) and I told the police that my friend had lost items overnight. He had to fill out a form to declare what was missing, where and when it was last seen. Then the officer called a koban near the location where my friend thought he had lost his belongings and during the conversation he specified that my friend was a foreigner. The items had not been found but I left my phone number so they can call me should they be returned. Next we headed over to the nearest cellular phone outlet so we could sort out what could be done in the even of a lost cellphone, and basically there is no way to find it other then manually looking for it, and my friend has to buy a new cell phone or continue paying his plan although he cannot use his cellphone because he cannot cancel his contract within 6 months. My friend is part Irish and yesterday was St.Patrick's day, so he went a little heavy on the beer and liquor and resulted in this mess today. He swore not to drink again while being in Japan.
We then headed to Tomarin port to take the ferry to an Island that the artist and the lady we had met the night before had talked to us about, but unfortunately, there were no more returns so we had to stay over on the island if we set foot there. By the time we left the port, my friend that was still on a hangover was sleeping on a bench and he decided to rest for the day at the hostel. Good decision. We sought advice from the hostel manager who was extremely kind and helpful in giving us information on a nearby island we could visit. She gave us information on the bus route and the ferry to take once arrived at a certain beach.
The bus ride to San San beach was far from ordinary. The suburban areas looked more like a Latin-American country with small, poorly constructed and unfinished buildings, dirt roads and the occasional empty gas station.
Once arrived at San San beach, we went to the sea-taxi booth and we were hit by the same problem: we were too late and it would not be worth it to take a ride to Komaka island and return 1 hour after. Since we were already in that area, we decided to make the most of it and visit San San beach.
San San beach was very inviting to swim, it was also a sunny day with clear skies which we had not seen much since the beginning of the trip. It was also a public beach, contrary to the one we visited yesterday. There were installations to change, shower and volleyball nets and some kind of supervising authority, however no lifeguards. We enjoy tossing the frisbee for a while to each of us and then we decided to take advantage of the good weather and the beautiful water and have a nice swim in the ocean. When all 3 of us were inside the water, all the Japanese people seemed to be looking at us... I guess because we were 3 gaijin swimming and the Japanese might think it was still too cold to swim. A few minutes later a loud announcement tune came out of speakers towards the sea and announced in Japanese that swimming was presently not permitted. The message was aimed to the 3 gaijin illegally swimming out in the ocean. We ashamedly returned to the coast and when we got there a person in charge repeated the annoucement in his best English and when I asked him why we were not allowed, it was because it was off season and swimming was dangerous. It is only after the announcement I noticed the few signs warning that swimming is not permitted. We left the beach, feeling that we were being kicked out.
We were not ready to leave the place yet; nearby there was a mountain and we felt like hiking through it. We studied a neighborhood map and saw that there was a path that went up the mountain. On our way to the mountain, we found a cozy-looking restaurant and its appearance as well as our grumbling stomachs drew us inside. The place was marvelous, certainly a highlight in my Okinawa trip. The entrance was covered in white stones and larger circular step-on rocks. The one step up, there was a dark brown wooden floor and slippers signified that shoes had to be taken off before entering. One side of the wall was a long counter with windows stretching from end to end. The view from the window was the blue ocean and the distant Komaka island we were supposed to visit. Old American country classics was softly playing mixed with the sounds of the bustling kitchen preparing Okinawan specialties. We were expecting the place to be pricey, but as we intently studied the menu, we saw that it was surprisingly affordable. We all ordered Okinawa Udon and the waitress was very nice to us and asked us where we were from. Everything was served in artistic pottery or shells; everything fit the atmosphere and decor. I can say that this was the best udon I had ever had thus far. We all thought it was exceptionally tasty Udon and there were also side dishes: spinach, plumb paste and mashed potatoes, equally as delicious. I noticed a customer satisfaction survey at the side of the table and completed one. We gave perfect notes on every element and in the comment box noted that they made the best udon. The waitress seemed surprised and pleased when we handed her the questionnaire and she displayed it on a fridge in the kitchen. This place was definitely a worthwhile discovery and stop... the place was warm and staff very welcoming and seemingly comfortable with strangers.
After such a good meal, we were ready to affront the mountain. When we arrived at the entrance of the path, we noticed that this was not any path, but an actual world heritage site because there were traces of the ancient Ryuukyuu culture. Walking in these paths felt like being in an amazonian adventure. I felt that this site, just like many others in Okinawa served as a reminder of the native people of Okinawa.
The reminder of the day was a dinner at a fancy Thai restaurant and a stroll in the redlight district during the night. But as my lonely planet Japan book says: as far as asian red light districts go, this one lacks atmosphere.
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