Oki Weekend No.2 | 沖繩週末 2

Another sunny morning followed by stormy afternoon here in Okinawa. Many outdoor activities were therefore cancelled. We decided last minute to go to the aquarium instead. The aquarium was closed for two weeks due to COVID-19 (now reopened). There’s visibly less tourists there. Hopefully coronavirus situation resolved soon and Okinawa can return back to normal. At the same time I hope everyone stays healthy. 

又是一個早上天空超美,下午突然暴雨的沖繩週末。當然許多下午室外活動全部取消,改去水族館賞鯨看書。水族館也因COVID-19會關閉兩個禮拜(已恢復正常),遊客明顯減少許多。希望Coronavirus能快點結束,讓沖繩恢復正常運作,也希望大家身體健康。

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Ufuya | 百年古家 大家

This restaurant has been on my list for some time, I even noted reservation is needed. Instead we came here on a whim and set our mind on waiting in line. But due to decreased tourism, we only waited for 5 minutes, and we even got to choose our seats. We ordered Okinawa Agu Pork Tonkatsu, little did we know it’s a fan favorite. Next time we come I want to order the hot pot!

這是一家在清單上很久的餐廳,特別註上需訂位。明治時期建築,一家充滿歷史的餐廳。我們臨時決定來這吃飯,我們想發揮盲從夫婦精神直接現場等!但近期遊客明顯減少,等待時間只要五分鐘,人少到還能選位置。沒做好功課的我們點了沖繩阿古豬排,之後才知道遊客多時這炸豬排很容易賣光。下次我們想晚上來這吃火鍋(我的最愛!)

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Bloom Coffee

Have vegan dessert option! Bloom Coffee is surrounded by greenery. Perfect for Sunday afternoon with a friend or two, and just enjoy Okinawa sunshine. This day, UN had 12-hour duty, so my friend and I spent our Sunday after church chatting. Relaxing vibes, occasionally had roast coffee bean aroma.

有全素甜點!一家被綠色植物圍繞的咖啡店,入春第一個和朋友週末來這吸收點正能量!進店裡馬上聞到整間店充滿烘培咖啡豆的香氣,連我平時不喝咖啡都點杯蜂蜜咖啡來品嚐一下。

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This COVID-19 pandemic made people feel like it’s end of the world. Although Okinawa hasn’t seen everyone line up to clear the shelves of daily essentials, the pictures and posts on social media showing empty shelves in supermarket and grocery stores worry me. Some of my friends said New York feels like a ghost town. Even our old church has switched to online service. This weighs heavy on my heart but we still need to stay positive, take necessary precautions, and stay healthy through this critical time!

我和UN說最近疫情讓世界末日感極重,雖然沖繩目前沒有大家排隊買民生用品的狀態,但看到大家在社群網站貼文排隊進超市和商店架上已空,紐約朋友們說曼哈頓像空城的狀態,連以前去的教會都開始以線上方式聽講道,覺得沈重但必須樂觀有盼望才不會被打敗啊!

Oki Weekend No. 1 | 沖繩週末 1

Yesterday Department of Defense ordered a 60-day travel ban for all active duty and spouse here in Okinawa. Saturday morning we called airline companies to make changes to our upcoming trips. I remember in January people would worry about the spread of coronavirus, but now we greet each other by asking “are your trips refundable?” Everyone is passing tips on how to get your money back and which customer service number to call. My dear friends and loved ones, hope you all are safe and healthy!

昨天美國軍方宣布為了防止COVID-19持續蔓延,我們兩個月內不能離島。週六早上不停打電話給航空公司更換行程,把月底到五月份的行程取消。非常感謝許多航空公司願意讓我們更換行程,真的很希望可以恢復正常。從一月中國新年開始天天有人問會不會擔心Coronavirus,到現在大家問好後第一句話是”你的機票、飯店能退錢嗎?“ 大家開始傳授退票方法,客服電話、電子郵件到處傳。在世界各地的親朋好友們,希望你們一切平安!看到許多朋友需要在家工作,希望大家別太累,別讓身體累著了。


Warren & JJ’s Place 2.0

In the beginning of March, I randomly commented that I was craving some Cajun food. UN then started searching and picked this White Valentine’s Day to take me here! Their reservation system is not typical, and UN knows I like this kind of restaurant. You must read their reservation rules on their Facebook page before messaging them on messenger.  We ordered some spicy chicken wings, smoked chicken, seafood gumbo and beignets for dessert, everything exceeded our expectations. Consider my Cajun cravings satisfied. Have to emphasize the dessert! I’m definitely taking some friends back!

三月初時一句“我很想吃道地的Cajun食物”,UN開始非常努力找餐廳,還選在白色情人節這天,彌補二月情人節無法一起過,怎麼這麼浪漫!這裡訂位方法非常特別(最喜歡這類餐廳),必須讀過他們的規定後寄出一則訊息裡面包括所有訂位資訊。這次我們點Spicy Chicken Wings, Smoked Chicken, Seafood Gumbo, 和甜點Beignets。沒有一道讓我們失望,完全滿足我對Cajun食物的慾望。還有那甜點(beignets),一定不能錯過,只能說食物好吃,甜點更好吃的餐廳,以後一定會帶朋友來吃的!

I like that the owner of the restaurant Warren doesn’t think customers are always right. To him, this isn’t just a restaurant. He treats his customers like guests that he invites into his home. A mutual respect is expected, and that makes the dining experience that much more enjoyable. Warren moved to Okinawa in the 90s and haven’t been back to the US in 30 years. He was homeless for years before moving to Okinawa, and because of that this topic is heavy on his heart. Last year he did 7 trips to Taiwan to feed the homeless in Taipei and Taichung. As Taiwanese, we are touched and impressed by his heart for the homeless of Taiwan. Below is a link to the video of him feeding the homeless around Taipei train station. Please help share the story of his heroic acts!

Website: www.facebook.com/yanaamerica/
Address: 〒904-0404 Okinawa, Kunigami District, 国頭郡 恩納村瀬良垣476

喜歡老闆Warren有著不是顧客永遠是對的的態度,而是他對待每個人都像是歡迎大家來家裡用餐的感覺,客人也必須尊重主人,讓彼此能愉快用餐和備料,因為對於老闆來說這是家不是餐廳。老闆在90年時來沖繩,到現在三十年過了不曾回美國。而那之前老闆一直無家可歸,所以對於這類議題特別注重。去年他到台灣7次,專門買便當分發給在北中南無家可歸的人。身為台灣人的我們,非常感動與佩服他為台灣所做的。下面是他們回台灣在台北火車站發便當的影片,也希望大家能不吝嗇地宣傳這麼棒的事情!

網站: www.facebook.com/yanaamerica/
地址: 〒904-0404 Okinawa, Kunigami District, 国頭郡 恩納村瀬良垣476

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Mermaid Grotto

When we were learning scuba diving, our instructor said this site is very beautiful, but he wouldn’t take anyone here unless they have done at least 10 dives. UN dove here with his coworkers on Friday and raved about how pretty it was. Said he wants to take me there on a nice day. After Warren & JJ’s, UN took me here, but my shoes weren’t suitable for the mud, so he carried me all the way to the beach. We had the whole beach to ourselves. Just us enjoying sound from waves crashing onto the beach. Love Okinawa for these surprisingly beautiful sites. Life is a vacation! 

Address: 4484 Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0411

之前學潛水時,老師說這潛水點非常正,但至少必須潛水十次以上再來。週五UN和同事來這潛水,回家後一直說景超美下次天氣好一定帶我去(最近一直下雨)。在Warren & JJ’s那吃完後,UN帶我來這裡,但我的鞋子實在不方便走一堆泥土地,只好背我去看海(繼續浪漫下去!)沒人的海邊最棒,完全不被打擾聽浪聲。實在是太愛沖繩這種默默蹦出來的景點,美到以為自己在度假!(照片真的完全無法呈現這地方多美!)

地址: 4484 Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0411

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Let’s have a healthy joyful week! If you have any questions or want to collab, please comment down below or DM me on Instagram (@BrandysList). 

祝大家這週健康快樂。如果有任何問題或一起聊聊天,請在下面留言或在IG(@BrandysList)上私訊給我!

Okinawa Cooking Class with NOSCO | 軍眷團學煮沖繩麵

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Wow, I’m impressed by myself! NOSCO (Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Okinawa) learned how to make Okinawa soba and California roll from scratch! We kneaded the dough til perfect firmness and wetness, then cut it into noodle shape. We also made our own bonito flakes! YAS, we shaved it from dry fish! Of course we had to take photos after everything is done to show off to our husbands! TADA!!!! It was delicious, and this view tho!

快被自己迷倒了,覺得自己能在家開食堂了!今天軍眷們(NOSCO)來學沖繩麵和加州壽司(California Roll),從揉麵團確定麵團濕度、桿麵和切條、用鰹魚刨柴魚片做高湯,最後擺盤開吃,太有成就感了!上完課開動時,大家忙著照相寄給老公看,讓他們羨慕一下!UN,下次我會煮給你吃的! 最後送張教室望出去的超美海景!