Hydrangea Garden Yohena | 沖繩繡球花園

As Japan is now entering rainy season, Okinawa is already done with rain. With over 80% humidity, everyday feels like 90 degrees. But in this weather, the drive up to hydrangea garden is unbelievably scenic!

當整個日本進入梅雨季時，沖繩已提早結束雨季。每天濕度80%以上，體感溫度永遠破90，但這天氣開往繡球花園的路上，海景山景真是美翻。這話我好像講過很多次，但無法否認沖繩的美啊！

Many things to love about hydrangea garden. Despite being hot and humid, there weren’t any mosquitoes. Japanese locals are so cordial when they tour hydrangea garden, their politeness unaffected by the heat. Hydrangea garden will go on until end of this month. If you aren’t able to make it this year, be sure to include this in your itinerary for next May-June. After touring the garden you can rest at the tea shop, or dine at the nearby Ufuya restaurant. 

我愛這繡球花園，雖然熱但我倆完全沒被蚊子叮，而且日本人超有秩序參觀花園，完全不因天氣熱而心情浮躁。繡球花園從現在到六月底，如果今年來不了沖繩，明年五六月可以把這列入行程之一，逛完花園後能到小屋裡休息，或到附近百年古家大家吃飯。

Hydrangea Garden Yohena よへなあじさい園
Admission: 400 yen for adult, 200 yen for students (cash only)
1312 Izumi, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0221

Shelter in place: Week 9 Check In- Hira Falls | 第9週自主隔離

Blink of eyes, it’s weekend already. After church on Sunday, we went to Hira Falls for the second time! Yep, the same water fall where I got a big bruise on my shin last week. UN insist you come here for a swim, so here we go! The second time around was still challenging. I still lost balance from slipper rocks. Certain parts of the trail I was half immersed in water, but still had a blast!

最近時間過的特別快，不知不覺就到了週末。週日教會結束後，我們一夥人來Hira Falls，沒錯就是上週剛介紹的讓我撞出大瘀青到現在還沒好的那個瀑布。由於上次UN沒下水游泳覺得不甘心，這次堅持再來一次。這次健行沒因了解地形而變簡單，還是滿挑戰的。有時會因石頭太滑而跌倒，半個身子偶爾需要泡在水裡，但歡樂程度爆表！

The quarantine restriction has relaxed a bit. Even though we can’t dine out or go to off-base indoor recreation facilities, we can still hike and play outdoors. We made it halfway through 2020, here’s hope for a better second half of the year! 

自主隔離規定放寬，即使不能在外用餐和不能到無關生活必需品的地方，但能到野外健行耍野我也心滿意足了！2020準備過一半，希望下半場能好點。

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

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！

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。

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。

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！