Honshu and Okinawa

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I am back. I spent 10 days in Japan, 5 days for work on the main island of Honshu and 5 days of solo adventure in Okinawa. Travel is so invigorating dispite the uncomfortableness. Jetlag, anxiety, crowds, and other discomforts aside, it is mind-expanding and rewarding. Work went well. I flew a new airline (Skymark) from Tokyo to Naha. I am always wary of strange discount airlines and all the traps they set. However, I had a great expereince with "Sky". I was actually shocked. Super easy checkin at the airport, no extra fees even with extra luggage. The primary mission in Okinawa was to visit the Peace Park and the suicide cliffs of Okinawa. From what I understand, at the end of WW2 the inhabitants were encouraged to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Americans and get tortured and eaten. Besides other types of suicide, they jumped off the cliffs at the Southern end of the main island. If you have seen the original color footage taken at the time, I am sure you ...
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I went to New Harbor yesterday. The temperatures were in the 40s I bet. It didn't seem at all like Antarctica. It was quite a treat. I drank some water coming off the glacier. The Spirit of Enderby, a cruise ship, is bringing ashore passengers via their hovercrafts this morning at McMurdo. I was scheduled to be a tour guide, but I am scheduled to fly to Mt. Bird this morning.

I am surprised at how routine these trips are out to the field now. They are always a thrill but, it is fun when you know the pilots well and it all makes a better time for everybody. There is always fun conversation over the intercom.

It is hard to believe I will be on the C-17 in 3 days on my way home. It is interesting to note that the distance between McMurdo and Christchurch is approximately the same distance between NYC and Los Angeles. Of course, getting to New Zealand is the first leg of a long trip. I do have to spend a night in New Zealand. It is required. The scheduling between international, local, and ice (military) flights appropriately needs some elasticity.

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Honshu and Okinawa

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Image
I am back. I spent 10 days in Japan, 5 days for work on the main island of Honshu and 5 days of solo adventure in Okinawa. Travel is so invigorating dispite the uncomfortableness. Jetlag, anxiety, crowds, and other discomforts aside, it is mind-expanding and rewarding. Work went well. I flew a new airline (Skymark) from Tokyo to Naha. I am always wary of strange discount airlines and all the traps they set. However, I had a great expereince with "Sky". I was actually shocked. Super easy checkin at the airport, no extra fees even with extra luggage. The primary mission in Okinawa was to visit the Peace Park and the suicide cliffs of Okinawa. From what I understand, at the end of WW2 the inhabitants were encouraged to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Americans and get tortured and eaten. Besides other types of suicide, they jumped off the cliffs at the Southern end of the main island. If you have seen the original color footage taken at the time, I am sure you ...
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