Shelter In Place Week 13- Beach Everyday | 第13周自主隔離

Shelter in place restrictions have relaxed a bit, we can now shop at off base grocery stores, and even exercise, hike and swim outdoors. Still can’t dine out with friends, but at least we can take fitness classes together on base. Even if it’s just for an hour or two, standing six feet apart and wearing a mask, I’m still happy that I get to catch up with my friends. 

自主隔離規定終於放鬆一點,能到當地超市買菜,還能上山下海出門玩。雖然無法和朋友一起在外用餐,但能一起上基地裡的運動課,算是朋友小小聚會吧!現在一兩小時的相遇,即使戴著口罩隔著6英尺距離聊天都覺得好開心。

Sunabe 砂辺

On this first day of August, we went scuba diving! Every time we decide to go scuba diving, I don’t sleep well the night before. But once I get into the water I’m back to normal again. Super thankful for my friend C for helping me! The choppy waves almost took away my fins, flooded my mask, and on top of that the steel tank was too heavy that I couldn’t float. I was extremely nervous, and made me miss doing boat dives. My friend C took us to see underwater UFO. As we got closer to it, the vision became blurry, the water felt a little warmer. Same as before, nervous while on land, but had a blast underwater. 

八月第一天我們和朋友一起去潛水!每次潛水前一晚我一定無法睡好,UN還要精神喊話,但每次到水底下就一切正常。真的很感謝朋友C幫忙,這次剛下水,因浪太大,我的蛙鞋被沖掉、蛙鏡進水、氣瓶太重浮不起來,把我嚇到失去理智,懷念能坐船出海潛水的時候啊!這次朋友C帶我們去看海底UFO,靠近時視線變模糊,還以為是蛙鏡起霧,附近的水也變溫熱。老樣子,陸地上超緊張,海底下超興奮。

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White Beach

This is a beach on a military base, has outdoor grill and camping trailers for rent. Would be a good place to watch the stars and sunrise. During low tide, you can walk to a nearby island. Yes we did that, but as we were coming back the tide started rising. The path we walked through was flooded with ocean water taller than me on the way back. We eventually swam our way back to shore, defeated and exhausted. 

這是海軍基地裡的海邊,有烤爐能做BBQ、能在這露營,想必可以看到滿天星星,早上還能看日出。退潮時能從海邊走到另外一塊小島,是的我們做了這件事,但走回來時卻遇上漲潮。我們和朋友們都傻眼,原本走的路變成一片大海,水深浪大讓我們狼狽到極致,游回岸上後我們已累爆。

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Chicken Thighs With Tomatoes and Feta from Bon Appetit

I swear I followed the recipe this time, but why does it look so different than the pictures in magazine? I may have lost points on presentation, but I made up for it with Harissa paste and the juicy tomatoes. Tasted great! Easy to make. 

明明照著食譜做,怎麼和雜誌裡照片差這麼遠?雖然賣相不及格,但有Harrisa Paste和番茄加持,味道很棒,而且做法很簡單。

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It’s typhoon season again, won’t be able to go anywhere anymore. 

颱風好像快來了,這下子不就哪都去不了了!

Shelter in place: Week 8 Check In- Memorial Weekend | 第八週自主隔離

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Restrictions were finally relaxed a bit just before Memorial Day long weekend began. UN and I ordered take-outs to celebrate his birthday. All the take-out places around us were lined with Americans, people must be tired of cooking at home. I hope in the not too distant future we can all go out like normal, and we can return to traveling. But before then, let us enjoy the good scenery that Okinawa has to offer. 

長週末前夕終於放寬規定,我和UN盡情在外買外食慶祝UN生日!家附近能外帶的餐廳全是美國人,想必大家已疲憊在家煮飯的日子。希望不久的將來能正常出門,大家能去原先計畫的旅行。在那之前,我們享受沖繩有山有水的好風景,我們還去浮淺。

Hira Falls

We were originally gonna visit another waterfall, but we realized we didn’t bring any cash, so we had a change of plan. Follow maps to the spot, and park across from the guard rail with the two red dots, which is the entrance to the trail. The trail isn’t marked with signs, but follow the trees tied with red, pink, and white ribbons. However, the second half of the trail does not have ribbons to guide you, not very friendly to someone like me who gets lost even with navigation. Good thing UN has a better sense of direction, and we saw not one but two waterfalls. Most importantly, we got back home safely so I can write about this. Hira Falls is a difficult trail. Maybe because it rained the night before, and the fact that it was still sprinkling on and off during the day, the trail was very muddy and slippery. There’s a part where you have to walk alongside the edge of a cliff with the help of a rope tied to a tree. It was quite a workout, but definitely very memorable. 

在日本一定要記得身上帶日幣!原先想到另一個瀑布爬山,但路上發現我們忘了帶現金。這點不需停車費,照著地圖走,停車在路上兩個紅點附近。跨過矮柵欄沒有清楚指示牌,沿著好心人綁的紅、粉紅、白色緞帶,但後半段需要自己找路。對我這種路痴到極致的人實在不是很友好,幸好有UN帶路讓我們能看到兩個瀑布,還能平安回家。Hira Falls難度偏難,可能是前晚下大雨,當天健行時還一直飄雨,幾段路非常滑,尤其是在懸崖旁拉著繩子走時。想像成語裡的跋山涉水大概就是這狀態,爬完覺得狼狽不堪但難忘到我們現在還在懷念這瀑布!

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Hiji Falls | 比地大滝

Okinawa’s tallest waterfall! Compared to Hira Falls, this trail is marked and much easily accomplished. There’s restroom at the start of the trail, and even vending machines. Speaking of restroom, UN saw an arm-sized lizard dropped from the ceiling when he entered. You know, nature stuff! But that made me eerie the whole time, afraid I was gonna see some creatures on the trail. The entrance fee is ¥500 for adult and ¥300 for kids, cash only! There are many stairs, make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes. 

沖繩最大瀑布!比起完全沒指示牌的Hira Falls,這裡設備完善。健行前有廁所,爬山完後有販賣機。說到廁所,UN去廁所時,打開門有隻約手臂大小的蜥蜴出現!大自然嘛,不可避免的事,只是我一路上很怕看到叢林怪物!大人入場費日幣500元,小孩日幣300元,只收現金!路上有許多階梯,穿雙舒服走路鞋絕對是必備的。

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Sesoko Island | 瀬底島

Been wanting to visit this island, but waited till now due to various reasons. There aren’t many shops on this island, very quiet. The sand here is soft and silky, you can run on the beach and go into the water. Hopefully even when things go back to normal this place will remain quiet. 

先前一直喊著要來這,但種種原因延遲了。小島上沒有太多店家,非常純樸安靜。這裡的海灘沙特別細,是那種下車光腳能直接衝進海裡游泳。希望生活恢復正常後,還是能保持優先不吵鬧的感覺。

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This long weekend marks the beginning of summer. It’s almost half way through 2020, I’ve gotten to know more about myself through this pandemic. I kinda enjoy not rushing out the door, getting ready 10 minutes before video conference, and having a legit reason to just be lazy at home. No need to set a timer for reading, not feel guilty for binge watching my tv show 3 episodes at a time. But it looks like Okinawa is going to go back to normal soon, and I should adjust back to my normal routine. 

長週末後正式進入夏季,2020快過一半,似乎我更認識自己。發現自己很享受不需天天急著出門,視訊前10分鐘把衣服穿好,在家有正當理由耍廢。看書不需擔心太入神需要設鬧鐘,看電視一天拼3集也不覺得對不起自己。但沖繩似乎快恢復正常運作,我也該收心了!

Fancy Beach Trip

Sunset view by the lake | 黃昏來河邊

Sunset view by the lake | 黃昏來河邊

When I texted UN in Texas the photos of my private chef C was cooking at our kitchen. He was like “you made our guest cook?!”  You know I can’t waste my resources. 

傳照片給在德州出差的UN看時,UN說我怎能讓我們家客人煮飯呢!但明明就是他最想吃到朋友C煮的食物!

Raining day at the beach | 雨天的堅持

Raining day at the beach | 雨天的堅持

Cup noodle and hot chocolate | 泡麵和熱巧克力

Cup noodle and hot chocolate | 泡麵和熱巧克力

We always had new ways to chill at the beach/lake!  Simple camping gears created photogenic moment was our goal (the food was delicious), and we definitely had lots of fun moment!  Thanks to my dear friend C for visiting Virginia!  See you soon!

私廚來我們家玩,每天出門野餐花招多變!用簡單器具營造網美效果(其實是大吃大喝),就是我們的宗旨!歡迎私廚以後多來我家開火!最後感謝朋友C在UN出差時陪我玩!

Good time!

Good time!

Rice ball and gnocchi | 飯糰和貓耳朵

Rice ball and gnocchi | 飯糰和貓耳朵

Chill at the beach

Chill at the beach

making milk tea

making milk tea

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