Water Adventures

Steve and his new friend!

Look closely - you can see we have "mud masks" on.  Our guide says it's good for skin!

Another day, another water adventure!  There are a few Japanese people with us on the excursion, but our guide does a wonderful job keeping everyone informed in both languages.  He's from Taiwan, which seems to be common in the tourism industry at Miyakojima. 

Steve gets a shower from a waterfall in the cave.

 We start the day with a "hike" through knee-deep water to the Pumpkin Cave, aptly named.  It dervies from the limestone formations that have the shape of...you guessed it...pumpkins.  It's fascinating inside - we're able to climb up about 35 feet above the water surface and even though water is constantly streaming all over the rocks, it's not slippery at all.  In fact, it actually seems to grip your feet.  Our guides says the lack of sand contributes to the adhesion. After about 15 minutes of admiring the formations we take a shortcut back to the water, by way of a leap off the biggest pumpkin (only about 10 ft high).

Look at those pointed toes!  Great technique!

Not quite as far as his bungee jump!

Our tour group at a pumpkin

Steve never turns down ice cream.  This is his second serving!

After lunch at a local spot (and some wonderful ice cream made with fresh local fruit) we drive over to Yoshino Beach, one of the best beaches for snorkeling in Japan. Right away we see several different types of sea turtles. They are large, two to three feet wide and even longer head to tail. We have lots of fun following along (a short distance away) and popping up our heads the same time the turtle does. I try to flap my arms the same way the turtle moves his flippers, but it doesn't work quite as well. We then go over to another section and enjoy the underwater garden of coral and fish. Again, the water is amazingly clear and we have lots of sunlight, so it's very beautiful. We're very lucky to have had such good conditions on both days!  

Nemo and his twin!

They're having a staring contest.  I think the turtle wins.

Our swim buddy!

If I hadn't seen our guide take this photo, I would have thought it was a professional shot.

Here fishie, fishie!

I think I see Ariel!

Beautiful underwater garden

Our last night in Miyakojima the B&B is fully booked, so I made arrangements for us to stay at Shigira Bayside Suite Allamanda. The "rooms" are all suites, and it has one of the best floor plans I've ever had in a hotel. Facing the water we have a balcony with table and chairs, but just inside we have a sun room with a day bed and two chairs, in front of floor to ceiling windows. What a great way to enjoy the view when it's too hot and humid (or cold and windy) to be outside. I think I'm going to do some adjustments in our house when we get back...

Sunroom chairs

Sunroom bed, from behind the chairs

The view from the sunroom and the balcony is very nice - we're overlooking Yoshino Beach and the golf course.

Pretty picture!

They have a fireworks celebration that night and we're able to watch from our balcony.  Very comfortable for viewing!

The new camera takes good photos!

Sick puppy!

The next day we're on our way home.  At the Miyakojima airport I get a phone call - Tie-Dye hasn't been feeling well at the kennel.  He'll be returned to us in about 5-6 hours, so I'm able to stay mostly calm.  When we get the dogs back, they tell me Tie-Dye had a good afternoon.  Sigh of relief!  Once he's home he feels even better when he snuggles with his puppy toy.

They still managed to have fun at the kennel!  Once again Tie-Dye proves popular with the little dogs.

Tie-Dye, play with me!

I think treats are about to be given out!

The pug is trying to decide if he can take down Tie-Dye!