The Quinn Family Excellent Adventure: Goodbye South Korea

Sadly it was time to leave our wonderful South Korea friends (for now). We were fortunate that a single bus takes you all the way to the airport. Our big nap sacks, small nap sacks and roller makes for a slow entry and exit. Looking forward to some downsizing soon. The bus was awesome and it was nice to see this same journey in the daylight and well rested. Getting currency at the airport is always a bit dicey. I've had a few weird experiences and once again at the Seoul Airport. I think I need to stop getting currency at the airport. Here is what has happened a few times now. The better currency exchange places are after security clearance. You don't know how much cash they have for the currency you desire and there is often no ATM in that secure area. So you have to guess and possibly low ball else you wind up with way to much cash of the local currency. Kinda stupid eh. I need to take a hit and do the currency stuff outside the airport I think. This time we had to gather loose change to come up with a few Japanese Yen for a taxi later.

The flight was great and soon we were at the very nice and small Naha airport. To be able to use our JRPass, we needed to ensure we had a Temporary Visa. That went well and we were soon legally on Japanese soil. A few random ATM's were hit before finding a working combination and scoring some cash. Whew. Lastly it was SIM time The choices were limited and pricey. 5 GB's 21 Days for $55 CAD. Ouch. We would easily burn through either time or Data. I had to help the sales person with the unusually clunky activation process on a few phones. Whatever, we had internet. Soon we found a nice taxi and were on the short jaunt to our next home, Kintaro Hotel Okinawa https://goo.gl/maps/7GNax1YwdGD2

I noticed right away many of the taxi's here were new yet very simple 4 door Toyota's. No need for a fancy pants car when all you need is a puddle jumper that is fuel efficient. This was the theme for the rest of Japan. We saw very few fancy pants/ego driven cars. The Kintaro Hotel area turned out to be very close to a kinda weird "Soap House" district. Don't ask. Our Hotel host soon recommended a truly local restaurant for us. It was kinda difficult for us. No English menu and few images to choose from. The order is done and paid for with a vending machine before the food is made. Cool. We arrived 30 minutes before it was closed feeling guilty. The place filled up with other late comers after. Felt less bad after. The food was great.

Our Hotel was comfy, a bit small but loaded with Japanese efficiency items that make it all worth it. We were soon walking around the area are were soon impressed with the water/green tea/coffee/... vending machines all over. So cool. As a noob to any location I walk around and discover. This time I tried to find a guitar. I miss playing and wished I had gotten a portable before leaving Canada. I know of many portable types but after 3 stores there are none to be had. At least the searching uncovered cool places in the city. Booking at this time of the year found expensive spring prices. As a result our chosen location was off the tourist path. It was fortunate. We were about 20 minutes from the nauseating touristy area. Nice to vist, nice to not sleep there I think. Lot's of gift shops and stuff. Not a tonne of local culture. Our hotel area was a lot quieter with local parks just loaded with cats.

There were not many tour's available through Expedia so we winged a last minute Tour company with http://okinawabus.com/en/. Fortunately they had space, (plenty actually) on a next day tour. The plan was Nakijin Castle Remains, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Nago Pineapple Park. The journey was about 2 hours and most of the trip the tour guide talked, only is Japanese. There were only like 10 people on a big comfy bus. It was easy to tune out. She was great at handing out a meeting time and location slip of paper to us as she new our situation. Our first stop, Nakijin Castle Remains was historically strong and very cool. We headed next to a hotel close to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium for an impressive lunch buffet. From there we walked to the Aquarium. Best one I've ever seen. Wow. Normally not much of a fan of zoo's/aquariums but this places impressive Whale Shark tank looked like a pretty happy place for many creatures. Our last stop was the Nakijin Castle remains. https://goo.gl/maps/VJ4BncCC4yx Great picture opportunities. We somehow lost sight of our guide so we had to back track so as to not miss the bus. They leave on time and without you lol. Our last stop was the very silly Nago Pineapple Park. This was a paradise for little ones. KT heard some cute boys goofing off/singing in a Pineapple Park train ride. They waved, at her and later let met up for a photo op. Soon we were returning home on our bus and this time took the highway. We pulled into the city just after dinner and had just enough time to eat relax before bed. It was soon time to pack up to fly to Fukuoka. Our Hotel host was up so we could pass a Canadian pin and a hug. Thanks Okinawa.

Lets take the bus to the airport