2022 January-March List
/2022 January
Happy New Year! The first half of January was filled with celebrations and get-togethers, we were off to a great start! Until the pandemic took another turn and we got hit with restrictions and state of emergency. But as of the writing of this post, the restrictions have been lifted, and we are able to enjoy a little bit of freedom again.
Cooking Class with Chef Tony
https://www.facebook.com/MoguCooking
So glad to be able to take Chef Tony’s cooking class with UN, despite the fact that I dragged him with me on his day off and he was the only guy in the class. Chef Tony is a local celebrity chef. He is knowledgeable in cooking and in his class, We learned how to make French omelet, poached egg, and hollandaise sauce.
OIWC Welcome Tea
https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaInternationalWomensClub
It was a big hit! I got a little stage fright when I got up to speak, but was really happy that Okinawa International Women’s Club (OIWC) can start again. OIWC is one of my favorite groups in Okinawa, where I got to meet with local Japanese and had many cultural exchange.
Granny Bingo
My very first time hosting/playing real bingo. I googled online and found out that there is more than one way to play bingo! Thank God for my helpful friends to help make this event a success!
Areko
https://www.instagram.com/areko.ippee/
I made this reservation for the day before a lockdown happened again. This place is reservation only, and you can contact the owner via Instagram. Owner/chef prepared the meal for us with such focus, UN said that he looked like a Taiwanese celebrity! All dishes were curated by the owner himself, using fresh local ingredients. Loved every bite!
新年快樂！2022年一月前半段過著夜夜笙歌，絕對讓2022有個非常美好的開頭。但疫情總愛突然插手，一月後半段以防疫狀態過完的。即使如此，現在寫這文章時已經防疫解除，大家能自由遊玩！
Chef Tony的煮飯課
https://www.facebook.com/MoguCooking
太開心能和UN一起上到Chef Tony的廚藝課！課裡我們學到如何煮出法式蛋餅和辨別蛋的好壞，也學到了日本奶油、歐洲奶油、和美國奶油的不同。當然，UN回家後就非常認真練習！
沖繩國際婦女協會 (OIWC)
https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaInternationalWomensClub
太成功了！雖然臨時上台講話緊張到我頭腦空白，但真的很開心OIWC能正式恢復運行。OIWC (Okinawa International Women’s Club)是我在沖繩最愛的團體之一，能和在地沖繩人一起做文化交流。
扮裝賓果
第一次辦這連我都不知道怎麼玩（正統）賓果，上網一查才知道賓果有超多玩法。從基本的五個號碼連一條線到正方形格子外圍連線。好險有神隊友幫忙，才把這活動辦得有聲有色。
Areko
https://www.instagram.com/areko.ippee/
防疫計劃實施前一天享受一下能在外面用餐的好日子（哈哈）！僅限預約制，可以在Instagram上聯繫。廚師兼老闆認真下廚，UN說他長得像金城武，請大家自行評估！菜色全是老闆設計，大多使用沖繩當地材料，每一口都是享受。
Chef Tony’s Cooking Class
Making French Omelette
Chef Tony
Making some orange decoration
Areko
Date night at Areko
Date night at Areko
Areko
Areko
Granny Bingo
OIWC Welcome Tea
2022 February
Many of our plans for February got canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. But because of this, UN and I got to explore more of Okinawa.
Mikan Picking
https://goo.gl/maps/vvdTKrixSUjhGuzX8
UN was skeptical that we would be able to pick Mikan, since according to both the internet and a restaurant owner, the Mikan picking season ended a week ago. Despite all of that, I insisted on visiting a Mikan orchard. When we arrived, we were dealt with the expected cold hard truth that there’s no more Mikans to pick. Still, I asked the orchard farmer if we could just take a stroll inside. There were still some Mikans left on the trees, but the farmer said those weren't good for picking. I’m thankful that the farmer still let us go in and even gave us some (not pretty, but sweet) Mikans to eat!
Nago Castle Park
https://goo.gl/maps/BJ9tYZ83p2Vika1E6
we’ve visited Nago Castle Park a few times before, but never this thoroughly! Okinawa begins to turn into Spring starting in February, the weather is just perfect for taking a stroll through the park. We saw many couples there, enjoying their alone time. Me and UN on the other hand, were having a jolly time at the playground. We probably weren’t too welcomed by the park goers.
The British Wine and Tea Shop
Known for their freshly baked scones and homemade jam, the portion will leave you very satisfied. The owner Maki San lived in London for 10 years, and worked at a 5-star hotel, as a pastry chef. Her story behind opening this restaurant was very touching, you should ask her yourself when you get the chance!
Yamacha Cafe
https://goo.gl/maps/BkcVKmagAU6BNnxp8
Japanese pizza is umami, especially with their signature spicy sauce, just perfect! The restaurant owner is an expert in all things fermented. Her ume is a must-try. Also, she skin is glowing!
雖然原本計畫好的旅行因一些變化而取消，但也因此我和UN能在沖繩名護玩。
採柑橘
https://goo.gl/maps/vvdTKrixSUjhGuzX8
雖然採柑橘的季節已經快結束了，即使餐廳老闆和網上都說採柑橘的季節已在上禮拜結束，連UN都覺得我們是不是要改行程，但我堅持要到柑橘園一趟。到了柑橘園時，老闆說柑橘季節已結束，但我還是不死心的問老闆可不可以進去參觀。進柑橘園後才發現其實還是有很多柑橘啊！老闆解釋這些柑橘已經不漂亮了，不方便讓客人採。最後感謝老闆給我們吃（不太漂亮但卻很甜的）柑橘！
名護城公園
https://goo.gl/maps/BJ9tYZ83p2Vika1E6
來過幾次名護城公園，但絕對沒有這次逛得這麼仔細！二月的沖繩已逐漸進入春天，天氣非常舒服，很適合來這裡散步。很多情侶都來這裡休息，但我和UN卻玩公園設施一直大笑，非常對不起這些浪漫的情侶們。
The British Wine and Tea Shop
老闆Maki San做的司康配上手工果醬，大份又好吃。老闆曾在英國住了10年，在倫敦五星級飯店當糕點師傅。開這家店的故事非常溫馨可愛，有機會可以問老闆喔！
Yamacha Cafe
https://goo.gl/maps/BkcVKmagAU6BNnxp8
日式比薩非常香！配上老闆自製辣醬，完美！老闆娘是位專研醃製發酵的廚師，老闆娘的梅子非常好吃。還有，老闆娘皮膚非常好！
Mikan Picking
Mikan Picking
Nago Castle Park
Okinawa Mikan Season
The British Wine and Tea Shop
Delicious quiche
Must order: scone!
Yamacha Cafe
Yamacha Cafe
2022 March
Spring time in Okinawa is quite charming, a delight before the humidity that summer will bring.
Kimono Dressing
Our time living in Japan is coming to an end, I’m glad to be able to dress in kimono and enjoy bento boxes with my friends.
Strawberry Picking
Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits. But after 40 minutes of eating strawberries, I think I’ve had enough! Now I’m craving for something savory, and maybe a hot soup.
Azalea Festival
https://www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp
We’ve come to this Festival two years in a row now. There’s definitely more people here this year, and it was very lively!
沖繩春天天氣實在有夠迷人（太愛了一直重複這句話），絕對是進入潮濕又悶的夏天前的大享受。
穿和服
算一算住在日本的時間已經快進入尾聲，很開心能在最後這幾個月再次和朋友穿和服一起吃日式便當。
採草莓
草莓是我愛吃的水果之一，但吃了40分鐘的草莓突然覺得有點過分的多。覺得應該來點熱湯或鹹食綜合一下味覺。
杜鵑花季
https://www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp
已經變成我們在沖繩每年必來的活動了！感覺這次又更多人，也更熱鬧。
