Okinawa, Japan (Dec 2015)

JJ in OKA (22nd – 27th Dec 2015)

Type: Tour/Charter Flight direct from SIN to OKA

Grandpa J and Grandma J had been wanting to go to Okinawa but the transit at Tokyo and additional 2H40M flight had resulted in the plans being put off for some time since transiting with twin kids is not always the easiest thing (Even with 5 adults). While our 1st trip to Korea (Dec 2014) included a domestic flight [SIN-CJU-ICN] we had a couple of days in Cheju/Jeju Island.

So anyways, when the option of a charter flight option on MI from SIN to OKA came about, we jumped on the opportunity!

*Note Jetstar subsequently started a direct flight from SIN to OKA (trice a week on Mon/Fri/Sun departing Singapore at 2.20am and arriving at Naha, Okinawa the same day at 8.30am. The return flight, departs Okinawa on the same days at 9.30 am and arrives in Singapore at 1.40pm.

Day 1 – Flight from SIN – OKA

Star Wars Mania hits Changi! Again, there was a time when Mummy was able to carry us both! 🙂

T2 sits happily with Mummy Koa (la) while T1 is with Grandma J!

Total flight time was 5H10M

We arrived Naha, Okinawa sometime in the early afternoon.

Okinawa is a subtropical paradise, renowned as The Island of Longevity with 5X more people living > 100 years of age compared with other prefectures in Japan

Day 2 – Cape Manzamo / Orion Happy Park (Beer Factory) / Nago Pineapple Park / Ocean Expo Park (Churaumi Aquarium)

Spectacular views of the East China Sea. Cape Manzamo is particularly known for its distinction formation resembling that of an elephant trunk, resulting from years of wave erosion.

We arrive at Orion Happy Park, home of Okinawa’s home-grown beer brand – Orion!

We take a tour inside the brewery and learn the tips and tricks of beer making and tasting!

And here’s why they call this the Orion Happy Park.

Nice try but no beer for you Mutton!

Everyone gets a pint but Gugu J, Mummy J and Daddy J happily gulp down Grandpa and Grandma J’s share. The J Twins had fruit punch instead!

On we go to Nago Pineapple Park, literally a stone’s throw from the Orion Beer Distillery.

We enjoy a little ride in the autonomous vehicle *Hello Mr Pineapple!*

After sampling and buying some pineapple products we continue our journey to the Ocean Expo Park. The highlight for us was really the dolphin show at Dolphin Lagoon… even better than the one at Sea World, Goldcoast!

The dolphins swim majestically amidst a very breathtaking backdrop of the blue East China Sea.

Hyper after some ice-cream? After taking some funny shots with Mummy, Didi soon falls asleep… ZZZZzzzzzz…..

Day 3 – Ryuku Mura (Ryuku Village) / Aeon Mall / Christmas Eve Gala Dinner!

After breakfast we head out to Ryuku Mura (Ryuku Village) and immerse ourselves in “Lion” or Shisa Painting, a popular Okinawan culture.

*Daddy never really excelled in art… but the kids make up for with Mummy who really has an artistic flair!

No prizes for guessing the winning Shisa! We end up buying the usual souvenirs and fridge magnets instead…

We pass Kadena Airbase on our way to AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom and have some lunch and fun at the arcade! By the way, the mall has a really huge marine fish display! Impressive!

After lunch, we hang out at the arcade!

“Hello Ms Bus Driver, where are you going today?”

Daddy J almost sprains his back clamouring in and out of the ‘giant red robot’ – twice since each Twin gets their own turn! (the inside’s not the most spacious!)…. well, so long as The J Twins have fun.

Soon its dinner time! And we usher in Christmas with family Christmas Eve Dinner complete with an appearance from Santa himself! And yes there was a time when The JJ Twins still had their makan bips on! *I dig the bip*