Hamahiga Island & Katsuren Castle (Dec 29, 2021)
Last night, we stayed at such a big & comfortable hostel room, we thought that we would rest well… BUT NOT!!! Since it was next to so many restaurants, at midnight when the restaurants closed, people gathered on the streets, talked and laughed loudly. I was so angry that I was woken so many times… finally, I used ear plugs to sleep. I thought I only need ear plugs when sleeping at camp sites or inside the car. I can’t believe that I need ear plugs to sleep in hostel too. It’s so sad!!
Anyway, I left Ishikawa town, and back to the quiet roads again. There was wetland/shallow water along the coast. It looked unique, and we could see some birds resting on the wetland. We rode on to our next destination — Hamahiga Island!!
There are several small islands near Okinawa mainland, which are connected by long bridges. Hamahiga Island is one of the popular ones. It felt to great to be riding with beautiful sea at both sides of the bridge. We stopped at some beaches to take pictures. Unfortunately it was a bit cloudy. Otherwise, the sea would be even more beautiful color. After crossing the bridge, we found a little park with nice resting area, so I sat there, drinking coffee from thermos, eating snacks from Kyodo Baiden, and enjoying the sea view. It was such a relaxing time!
On the way back from the Hamahiga Island, we saw a big black rain cloud in front of us. We had no choice but to ride into it. Indeed, it suddenly rained so heavily… We hurried to put on the rain suits, but after riding for another 10-15 min., there was no rain anymore! It was such a strange weather. We found a Taco shop to dry our wet clothes, and had Tacos for lunch!!
After a short ride, we stopped by Katsuren Castle. We actually did not plan to visit any ruins… but it was just on our way, and it was even Free Entrance at that time (I forgot why), so we just visited.
However, although it is ruined, the remaining structures were still so beautiful. I particularly love “the Clockwise Stairs“. and all these flowers growing near the site just make it more amazing to look at. The view from the top was also impressive. I love not only the sea view around, but also the footprints of where the Castle once was… It was sad yet beautiful. After that, I looked for more ruins to visit in Okinawa. I found that they are all different, each of them is unique. I think, I fall in love with the ruins…
Tonight, the hostel we booked is again a self-check-in kind. However, looking at the map, it was at top the hill… Not only that, we had to push our bikes up narrow and super steep car roads for long time. I was in doubt that we booked a bad place.
In the end, we arrived. The place almost looked like Car Wash? or Car Parking? Because, each room has their own parking space. Ours, was just for parking our bikes. The room was small but okay. Since it was on top of the hill, we didn’t want to go down to look for dinner anymore. We had to find something near the hostel, or call for a food delivery…
And guess what, we found a very elegant Indian restaurant just 5 min. walk from our hostel, so we could enjoy dinner in this romantic restaurant. Now, I understand why the hostel is on top of hill, because it was perfect nigh view!!! At night it was too beautiful to see from our place. It no longer look like Car Wash or Car Parking!!
No wonder there were many hotels and mansions on top of the hill, even the roads were so steep, people come by car, not by bicycles like us!!
Interesting thing is, there was a policeman sitting in front of the Indian restaurant — made of concrete!!!!!!! Yeah, we almost thought that he was real, at first. We also found Okinawa Soba (you can even choose the ingredients by yourself, so nice!), Taiwanese meat buns, hot coffee etc. in a convenience store near the hostel. We would never be staved!!
So sorry, today we only rode 42km (like a full marathon)! But we visited so many places. It’s good enough. I think we have burnt out at the uphill (to the hostel) already…
Since Google Map does not show Cycling Mode in this area, it is shown by Walking mode.