Birthday Adventure 2020

This year felt like a really long vacation, now it’s finally time to get back to a not so normal normal. My calendar is filling up with events again, lots of activities back in action, even military spouse clubs are getting busier. I’m glad that restrictions are gradually getting lifted before my birthday! 

今年好像放了一個大長假,現在開始收心恢復(不太一般的)正常生活。看著日曆上從空白到漸漸塞滿行程,每個地方開始辦起活動,連軍眷團也開始忙起來,很開心生日前限制放鬆了!

Warumi Bise | 備瀬のワルミ

2278 Bise, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0207

To get to this place, I must first tell you what happened that day. Originally we had planned to hike Tataki Falls for my birthday, and it would be the second time that I attempt to hike there. The weather was very nice on the entire ride there, blue sky and beautiful white clouds. But as soon as we started entering the parking lot of Tataki Falls, it started pouring. We were denied access. So we changed our plan to go to Warumi Bise instead. It was high tide when we got here. The beach that you can normally walk disappeared, and we had to swim to Warumi Bise.

能來到這個點,我必須解釋一下當天發生情形。其實我們原本打算在我生日當天到Tadaki Falls爬山,這是第二次試著要來這瀑布。一路天氣無敵好,整個西海岸一片藍,但抵達瀑布停車場時開始下雨,管理員也禁止我們進入。我們改來Warumi Bise(千萬別跟著Google Maps走),但遇到漲潮,原本能走到的點改成游泳。

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長老ラーメン

1 Chome-12-4 Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0116

Must know that the ramen here comes with an egg already. This street ramen place may not look like much with its simple setup of wooden tables underneath some tents, but its food is quite the opposite. High recommend their gyoza! 

切記這裡的拉麵已放蛋,除非你是蛋的愛好者。這屋台式的拉麵店,用幾根木頭搭建和帆布遮風,賣的食物一目瞭然。雖然簡陋,但食物非常優秀。很推薦餃子!可以追蹤我的Instagram,看看我們吃些什麼喔!

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Shiro Kuma

304 Toya, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0305

Before loosening of restrictions, my friends and I have already made a list of restaurants that we want to go to when we can dine out. Our first choice is by reservation only, our second choice doesn’t offer outdoor dining. But third time is the charm I guess, we came to this Thai restaurant that offers outdoor seating. Okinawa summer outdoor dining has its challenges. It can get hot and humid, then there is lightning, and lastly, swarms of mosquitos. This establishment is cash only, offers lunch sets, and is quite easy to find.

解放前晚已經和朋友約好,等不及出門吃飯!這餐吃得不容易,原本選定的餐廳竟然是預約制(Little Greek Kitchen),第二家餐廳沒開放戶外用餐,但為了享受這好久好久沒得到的自由,我們不能放棄!英文裡說的”third time is the charm”,我們找到這家泰國料理,提供戶外用餐。但沖繩夏天在外吃飯狀況特別多,一開始超悶熱,然後開始打雷,最後我們狂被蚊子狂盯。這家餐廳只收現金,中午有套餐,位置也非常好找。

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Double Tree by Chatan

43 Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0115

Military base signed an exclusive deal with the Double Tree in American Village, it costs just $58 per night to stay here. You can get a room that faces the ocean, great for watching the sunset with UN! Going on the waterslide at the pool is probably my favorite activity to do here! 

基地和在美國村的Double Tree合作,推出一晚只要$58的超低價住宿。而且房間朝海,和UN欣賞夕陽適合不過!這裡還有泳池溜滑梯,大概是我最愛的一項活動了!玩瘋了我們!

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Osteria La Pesciolina

https://lapesciolina.com/menu

This Italian restaurant opened in American Village in June. Very much appeals to the palates of me and UN. We ordered oysters on the half shell and a fish for late dinner. We were very satisfied and will definitely return to try their pasta.

在美國村六月時開的的義大利餐廳非常符合我和UN的胃口,我們點了生蠔和一條魚當宵夜。非常滿意當晚的食物,期待下次的義大利麵。

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Thank you to all of the birthday wishes I received! Hope everyone stays healthy, and cheers to a better rest of 2020!

謝謝朋友們的生日祝福,希望大家健康快樂,也希望2020能越來越好!

Weekly List: Reservation Only | 本週清單:僅限預約

Due to the pandemic, this summer’s plans have all been canceled. But we still found ways not to waste our summer away. The last two weeks of summer 2020, we can finally meet up with friends, that made me extremely happy! 

細數這個夏天,雖然大部分時間飽受疫情影響,團聚活動通通取消,但我們還是找到一些方法沒白白度過。2020夏天最後兩週,我們終於能和朋友相聚了,心情覺得特別開心。

百年古家 大家 | Ufuya

http://ufuya.com/lunch/
〒905-0004 Okinawa, Nago, Nakayama, 90

We came here to celebrate my friend W’s birthday! Thank you for inviting me to have my favorite food, hotpot, on your birthday! We ordered Ishigaki beef and Agu pork hotpot! The soup base was rich, meat quality top notch, and surprisingly big portions! 

親愛的朋友W生日快樂,感謝讓我我這火鍋控在你生日這天終於吃到大家的石垣牛和沖繩阿古豬火鍋了!湯頭超濃郁,肉質沒話講,而且份量意外多!我們都是吃飽飽回家,阿古豬真好吃!

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Little Greek Kitchen

http://littlegreekkitchen.com/
1189-3 Nagahama, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0324

Last week we talked about three outdoor dining restaurants for lunch, this was our first choice. I fell in love with this restaurant after my first meal here. The view and Mediterranean food in Okinawa are quite the gem. I will definitely come back here. You must make reservation through Facebook!

上週文章提到我們找了三家餐廳才能坐下來吃午餐,這裡就是我們原先計畫的午餐地點。用餐後我已經深深愛上這裡,超強景色配上難得在沖繩有好吃地中海食物,我一定會再回來的!切記,這裡是預約制,在Facebook上能訂位!

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HYGGE

Japan 2-23-1 23, 23 Oyama, Ginowan, Okinawa 901-2223
https://hyggeokinawa.shopinfo.jp/

Compared to regular donuts, these are less sweet and even less fluffy than Eggos. Genmai donut is gluten-free, and is made from Genmai flour and Okinawan grains. A healthier alternative, but will not satisfy your craving for donuts. Check out our ratings for them on Instagram! 

與其叫甜甜圈,我覺得比較像較不甜且比較不蓬鬆的Eggos。玄米甜甜圈是無麩質,使用國產玄米粉和沖繩穀類做成。比起傳統甜甜圈,這HYGGE donuts健康許多,但我們想吃甜食的胃有點沒被滿足到,但還是值得試一下。我們在Instagram上有評分喔!

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Pipeline Coffee

2 Chome-23-1 Oyama, Ginowan, Okinawa 901-2223

Mexican restaurant in Okinawa, gan-ba-de-ne! Next to HYGGE, we spotted it when we were getting donuts. We didn’t hold out much hope initially, we’ve been let down by Mexican restaurants too many times. But it does have outdoor covered seating that complies with current dining restrictions! 

在沖繩的墨西哥餐廳,請加油一點好嗎!在HYGGE隔壁的墨西哥餐廳是我們在買甜甜圈時看到的,那時我們沒抱太大希望,畢竟去了幾家墨西哥餐廳都不是特別滿意。但這裡有室外且遮陽的用餐地方,符合現在的疫情規定!

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Ittoman Fish Market 

〒901-0306 Okinawa, Itoman, Nishizakicho, 4 Chome−19

Got up early to get breakfast here. It reminds of the seafood spread that my mom used to made me for breakfast! Oyster, sea urchin, squid soup, and luminous shellfish, oh what a glorious breakfast! Their luminous shellfish is cheaper than the fish market near Kokusai street! 

一早就來這吃早餐,讓我想起以前我媽也會準備一桌海鮮當早餐!生蠔、海膽、墨魚湯、夜光貝...這早餐也太豐盛了吧!各位,這裡的夜光貝比那霸國際通附近的海產市場便宜!

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Hope you like this week’s restaurant review, don’t forget to check my Instagram Japanese food review videos .

希望你們能喜歡這週的餐廳介紹,別忘了到我的Instagram看食物評比影片!我們下週見!

Labor Day Weekend 2020 | 勞動節長週末

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Shelter in place seems like it’s coming to an end. We can now dine out where outdoor seating is available, and we can do non-essential shopping. We can even travel by commercial ferry or airplane to nearby islands. This has gotta be the most awesome birthday gift for me. This past long weekend we were expecting the “storm of the decade”, so we made sure we went snorkeling before the typhoon hits. But the typhoon didn’t hit us straight on, and we even got to eat hot pot and watch Mulan. 

自主隔離終於到一段落,能在餐廳室外座位用餐,也能到商場逛街,還能坐飛機和船到沖繩離島。我的天啊,這根本是生日前最好的禮物!這長週末,有堪稱最強颱風來沖繩,我們把握能到海邊玩的時間去浮潛,但颱風路線走歪沒什麼太大影響。週日還吃火鍋看花木蘭。

Okuma Resort

Have you ever gotten dizzy from SUP and kayak? Have you ever seen anyone capsize while riding jet ski? Even though we only stayed here one night, this weekend was very extreme and entertaining. Our staycation at Okuma started with meeting up with our pastor’s family, who happened to be at northern Okinawa too, for dinner. UN and I went looking for stars at night, something we don’t get to see very often. I wish I had brought my tripod. 

你有聽過玩SUP和獨木舟玩到暈船過嗎?你有親眼看到水上摩托車翻船嗎?雖然只待一晚,但這週末也太刺激太好玩了!開啟完美Okuma Staycation,我們先是和剛好也在沖繩北邊的牧師一家人一起吃晚餐!晚上和UN在海邊追星,整片星星是我們在住家附近看不到的畫面,真希望那時有帶腳架!

On the second day, sea conditions improved a lot. We signed up for a couple aquatic activities. I finally got to do SUP! Still the waves after typhoon was a bit choppy, we got a little bit seasick from kayaking and SUP. 

第二天海況改善許多,我們排滿水上活動,我也終於能玩到SUP!但由於颱風過後,海況還不太穩定,我們划著SUP和獨木舟到暈船,一度需要跳下水裡清醒一下。

Our favorite and most impressionable activity has got to be jet ski. What an adrenaline rush. Another couple who started the same time as us flipped and capsized as they were attempting a sharp turn. That didn’t deter our racing spirit. We pedaled to the metal. Jet ski is a must try activity when you are at Okuma. Before leaving Okuma, we made reservation for the one room there that is so hard to make reservation for. Most ppl say you have to book it 6 months in advance. It’s the Ai Cottage, and it has its own private beach!

整個行程我們印象最深(也是最愛)是玩水上摩托車,超刺激超瘋狂。和我們同時間出發的另一對情侶,在我們還在研究如何飆車時竟然翻車。但完全不影響我們想當飆仔的心情,我們開始狂飆狂撞海浪,來Okuma一定又玩水上摩托車!離開Okuma前,我們訂到最難訂的房間,就是傳說需要六個月前訂好的AI Cottage,聽說有私人海灘!

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Kouri Shrimp

Time flies when you are having fun! After leaving Okuma, we stopped by a tourist favorite Kouri Shrimp over rice. They only do takeouts right now. You must wash your hands and wear your mask when ordering. We ate the Kouri Shrimp over rice by the beach and watched the sun set to end our long weekend. 

美好的時光總是過得特別快,下午離開Okuma後我們到觀光客必吃、疫情之前總是大排長龍的超有名蝦仁飯。目前只提供外帶,入店時必須戴口罩和擦乾洗手。我們帶著蝦仁飯到海邊欣賞黃昏,結束好玩的長週末。

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Thanks to COVID-19 we are able to truly enjoy Okinawa. But I still wish COVID-19 would go away soon! 

現在能好好認識沖繩這美麗的小島得感謝COVID-19,但COVID-19可以快點離開嗎?感謝感謝!