December 11, 2025: Kumejima – 12 km day ride – EN Resort
December 12, 2025: Kumejima – 29 km day ride – EN Resort – Total distance cycled: 144 kms
Ruth: It’s hard to leave. Today we once again let the morning ferry depart without us and booked another night. We think we will leave tomorrow, but it’s such a lovely place to be. Just enough sights and infrastructure to be happy here indefinitely. It’s hard to believe other islands will be nearly as nice, but perhaps we should explore a few.
Yesterday we joined a half day snorkeling trip to the sand spit of Hatenohama. The weather was a bit iffy, but the winds were down, allowing us to get into the water. We snorkeled with a lovely couple from Seattle. The visibility was amazing and I felt like I was flying over a fantastic landscape full of beautiful fish.
As we emerged from the water we noticed that the sky had turned black in several directions. Moments later an intense squall hit. Gordon thinks that the ensuing sand-blasting erased 10 years from his apparent age. On our return boat ride Gordon spied a sea turtle through the glass bottomed boat. I had to wait to sea them today at the Sea Turtle museum, a breeding and rehabilitation center.
Gordon cycled around the island today (a 29 km outing), stopping once again to walk through the burial cave. As before, there were no other visitors while he was there.
High praise indeed for a place when either of you talk about staying over. Good for you to adjust your schedule to “smell the roses.”
By the by… it’s a “balmy” -18 presently here in Edmonton altho forecast to go up to 43F in two days…
So enjoy the snorkelling while I shovel some more falling snow!
Great to see some more watercolours.
Cheers
WOW! What a beautiful place! Nature at its finest!
You and Larry would love it!
Ruth and I occasionally talk about what it would be like to experience another Edmonton winter. While we both lived through many of them, and there are joys to be found there, neither of us could imagine doing it again. Victoria has spoiled us for the Prairies, but I think an extended stay in Okinawa would make it difficult to live almost anywhere else. This is a “blue zone”, a region with longer life expectancy, and I think it’s because it’s so pleasant that the residents are reluctant to leave. Of course, I might feel differently if that sea snake had bitten me.
What a gorgeous part of the world. So glad you guys are finding lots of joy, tranquility and adventure there!! You both look ten years younger- perhaps no sandblasting was required!!! Enjoy the beauty but please return to us!! Love you guys!❤️
Enchanted world! The video with a floating turtle is soooo calming… I love reading your blog, it feels as if I were there, watching it all with my own eyes. Thank you, dear Friends!