sunday.funday.

Sunday.  Day 6.... of 730.  It already feels like we've been here for a while, considering how busy our first week has been and how many things we have already done.  I am so thankful for Jackeline because without her, I think we would be pretty lost.  Already in one week, we have got our CAC cards (access to base and everything on it), we bought a car, signed papers for our apartment, explored pretty much all aspects of base, completed our orientations, explored the island a little bit, met a ton of people, and got our driving licenses. And that's just to name a few.... As sunday rolled around, Jackeline let us use her car for the day because mine wouldn't be ready until Tuesday.  SO, we woke up early (still jet-lagged), hopped in the car, and took off to the northern most part of the island.  

Before I came here, I was expecting the island to be SMALL, with FEW cars and FEW people.  Upon arriving, I realized that I was vastly wrong.  Although it may appear small on google maps, there is actually so much to do that I don't even think we can see it all by the end of these two years.  Arthur and I made it our goal that on Sundays, we will explore, explore, and explore some more.  Our first Sunday was so much fun.  I LOVE it here.  This place is so beautiful, the people are so nice, and the culture is so interesting.  

It took us around 9 hours to drive from the middle of the island to the north, given that we stopped at least a half a dozen times. Below is a picture of the island, and we went from the little blue dot up to Nago, around that little circle, up to the very tip of the island, and then around the back side (on the right) back down to Okinawa. 

We stopped first in this little town that is only accessible by two long bridges over the ocean.  It was so cute!  The water was so blue and everything seemed so peaceful.  The further North we went, we realized it is way less inhabited than where we live.  Its quiet but very peaceful, and just has this really unique but wonderful sensation about it.  

It is REALLY pretty here.  

My ever-so handsome husband. 

We got ice-cream at this little stand close by.  It's pretty difficult to converse with any locals because a lot of them don't know any English and the only Japanese words we learned so far are "Good morning", "hi", "Good afternoon", and "Thank you very much".   It just is a lot of gestures and instead of saying "Visa?" we just have to point to it.  It's actually kind of fun, and the locals are really nice about it.  It also sometimes ends with us not getting what we ordered or intended, but that's all part of the joy.  For instance, last night we went to dinner and Arthur's dinner came with a drink...but the drinks were only in Japanese characters and so we pointed to one and that was that.  Luckily it ended up being coffee so it wasn't too big of a surprise. Anyways, we ordered ice-cream..Arthur ordered a mango float, which ended up just being mango ice-cream, and I ordered beni-imo soft serve... It's purple! Turns out it's their sweet potatoes, and turns out it's REALLY good. :)

Arthur took over driving after I almost hit someone, and it was equally as terrifying..

Just kidding... it's so much fun driving on the wrong side of the road! 

As we kept driving North, we finally made it to the very Northern tip.  It was beautiful!  The ocean is a scary, powerful thing. You can stand at the tip and the ocean is at least a hundred feet down, but you can hear the rumbling and the roar of the ocean, you can see the giant waves that look so small in such a large ocean.  And then to think the Lord created that.  The Lord created the sea, and all that is in it.  And to think of how powerful those waves are, and then to realize how powerful our God is.  It's amazing!  It's mind-blowing. God is good!!

"As here is love, vast as the ocean,
Higher, wider, deeper" 

After we were done there, we decided to take the back route back to the base.  Little did we know that the speed would be way slower (30-40km = 18-24mph).  It took us quite a bit longer, but I am so happy we went that way!  It was so lush with trees and the ocean was in just about every view we saw.  We passed a sign on that way back that said "waterfall cafe" and decided to turn around and take a break from driving.  And we are so glad we did.  The cafe was a little house,  I think a husband and wife live there alone.  The husband was working in the shed, and the wife was our hostess, waitress, and busser- and she was very sweet.  We ordered coffees and some teriyaki chicken and enjoyed the serenity of that area.  No one else was there, and it was so peaceful.  Later we walked around to their "skyview terrace" which was beautiful.  

The view was incredible. Then we walked down to their waterfall.  I'm telling you- their property was  amazing.  

After we left there, we kept driving for a little as the sun was setting.  We came across this beautiful beach that we wanted to watch the sunset at.  There was maybe 5 people on the beach, the water was so calm, and it was so incredible! 

It's kind of hard to explain just how great his place is, so we just think we need visitors!! See it for yourself ;)  After a long drive back, we dropped Jackeline's car back off to her at her apartment (the apartment we are moving into), and before she took us home, we climbed on the roof to see the view! The picture is kind of bad, but the view is awesome.  

It was such a fun day and we are having a great time here.  We miss all of our family and friends so much, and can't wait for people to start visiting :).  We love you all! xoxo.  Sayonara!