Locky's English Playground: 30 Dec 2014

Tuesday, 30 December 2014

Food, Travelling & Living: Food And Fun Of Okinawa -- Day 4

Coffee, fried potato with beef, club sandwich and oden
Image from Locky's English Playground

Day 4 morning started off with a convenient store breakfast on the car as we wanted to maximise time for shopping.

Coffee, fried potato with beef
Image from Locky's English Playground

Didn't really like the coffee that much, coffee in Japan tends to be a bit bland, but I have stressed that I don't know how to appreciate good coffee as I am more of a Starbucks person, so you can take this comment with a pinch of salt.

Turnip Oden
Image from Locky's English Playground

Daikon oden (turnip in bonito soup) though needs no expert to you that they are truly delectable. My wife likes it so much that she can even have it as breakfast in the morning! That being said, this daikon oden is the one that gets sold out the earliest in any store!

fried potato with beef
Image from Locky's English Playground

But this fried potato with beef, to my dismay, had a hard, rock-like exterior and zero beef content.

Sign of private housing opposite the entrance of the castle
Image from Locky's English Playground

We were supposed to meet up with the rest of the dozens of the couple's family group and friends at the Shuri Castle for some sight-seeing, but since we arrived first, we proceeded with our plan first.

Image from Locky's English Playground

It was a time for students' school holidays, so there were many enjoying their moments of "jumpiness" in the air for their photo-taking.

Entrance
Image from Locky's English Playground

3D models of the history of Shurijo castle
Image from Locky's English Playground

3D models of the surroundings of Shurijo castle
Image from Locky's English Playground

There were quite a lot of 3D models of the Shuri Castle, but the real thing was what we were interested.

First gate from central path
Image from Locky's English Playground

Most of the gates of the castle are free of charge,

Panoramic view
Image from Locky's English Playground

and the panoramic view looking over the city was great,

Image from Locky's English Playground

except the central palace, which requires an entrance free of JPY820.

Tiles making up a image of the central palace
Image from Locky's English Playground

3D model reconstruction of a scenario
Image from Locky's English Playground

Image from Locky's English Playground

Of course, we didn't spend time trying to understand the history. It would have taken a whole day to do so.

Another 3D model reconstruction of a scenario
Image from Locky's English Playground

Beam constructed palace
Image from Locky's English Playground

Most parts of the paid areas do not permit photo-taking, thus the lack of photos here, but if you ask me, I think the walk was worth paying, since simply by looking at the amount of maintenance of the place you'll have to agree with me.

Never skip a chance for ice cream in Okinawa
Image from Locky's English Playground

Two things I did find really interesting that day. One was the limited edition tri-colour ice cream sold only in Shuri Castle.

Solar-powered lamp post
Image from Locky's English Playground

Two is the solar-powered lamp post around the park. This is something that every one should go for.

Uokura sushi
Image from Locky's English Playground

After we left the castle, we found a decent sushi restaurant called Uokura 魚蔵バークレーズコートwhere everyone can finally meet up.

Entrance of the sushi restaurant
Image from Locky's English Playground

There weren't too many customers at that time but you can never go wrong with sushi in Japan.

Steamed egg
Image from Locky's English Playground

Various types of sushi
Image from Locky's English Playground

All I know is, it was lovely to stack up many rows of 20 plates in the process.

View from my table
Image from Locky's English Playground

Seach eel
Image from Locky's English Playground

Talking about freshness and taste of Japanese sushi would be redundant. Photos of them should be enough to do a great job.

Ramen work ham
Image from Locky's English Playground

Salmon galore
Image from Locky's English Playground

Flounder
Image from Locky's English Playground

Crab legs
Image from Locky's English Playground

Zoom in
Image from Locky's English Playground

But one thing is for sure, there was no tuna on my plate.

Mobile bakery
Image from Locky's English Playground

Nintendo lookalike
Image from Locky's English Playground

Electronic shops in Naha are huge but did not have the latest models in stock. If you do want something very new, you need to call a week earlier and place order.