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 have been in Europe for 11 days, mostly The Netherlands and Finland. Overall, looking ahead, I think I have everyday and evening booked in February.

  • Pic 1. Central Finland in winter at 4:00 in the afternoon.
  • Pic 2. Hints at the fairyland side of Finland from the air.
  • Pic 3. Been on this plane several times now. I like the call sign. "Approach Control, Oh-8 with you at 12500."
  • Pic 4. George Patton's Grave at a US cemetery in Europe.
  • Pic 5. Great Sense of humor in Finland
  • Pic 6. This is the tractor I am getting if I get back to farming. I only got it stuck once on my test drive.
  • Pic 7. Great Architecture feels like putting on a pair of jeans just out of the dryer.
  • Pic 8. Venlo, Netherlands
  • Pic 9. This beer was pretty much unbelievable, the stuff on the side of the glass is known as "Brussels Lace" for good reason.
  • Pic 10. What world heritage site is this?
  • Pic 11. Chocolate!
  • Pic 12. "I am looking for an attractive tariff."






Comments

David said…
Regarding your picture/question 10: Looks like La Grand-Place in Brussels/Belgium to me. Correct? :)
8:41 AM
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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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