Christines's Birthday Surprise

For my birthday Adam plotted a secret trip to an island off the coast of Okinawa called Ie Island (pronounced like the letter e).

We had to drive just over an hour to a local port and take a 30 minute ferry ride over to the island. Of course, Zoe was a big hit with the other passengers. But she was more entertained with her toes.

All her lovely drool in all its glory.


We know Okinawa is small but this resort island is even smaller. Here are some statistics on it:

Population: 5,131
Number of households: 1,766
Area: 8.75 square miles
Visitors per year: 87,600

Our room's view:

From the highest point on the island, Gusuku Hill, you have a 360 degree view of the island and surrounding islands.

Below is an even tinier island and Okinawa island is in the background.

As we hiked up the hill/mini mountain this rain cloud passed over us with pouring rain. The moment we hit the top, the rain had past and it was all sunshine. But off to the left another rain cloud was coming towards us. We decided to leave and try to miss the on coming rain cloud. But of course it hit us about 10 steps down the hill. And it poured on us just as bad as it poured on the way up. Zoe didn't seem to mind any of it. She had her hat on so the drops were not pelting her and the sling caught the rest of the water. She was happy at the bottom of the hill and the only one worth taking a picture of.

Zoe had her first trip to the beach. New experiences with sand, lots of sun, shells, and waves.

We picked out a nicely shaded spot, put out the blanket, set Zoe down and then BOOM! I didn't realize she wouldn't take the slope into account when she leaned forward to crawl so she ended up doing a face plant directly into the sand.

At least she didn't get any sand into her eyes. It was a close one but she only ended up with a little red spot on her cheek.

She took well to crawling on the sand. It didn't phase her in the least bit, unlike grass. She is still not to keen on grass.

Yes, she did put sandy shells in her mouth. She would make a face then try to tongue the sand out.

One of my more favorite pictures of her playing in the sand.

Standing on sand and eating sand.

Aaarrrrggggggggg!!!

After we left the beach, she was so sandy that we had to hose her down in a special area. Then we bathed her and dressed her.

We also went on a glass bottom boat ride.

And a sunset cruise.

A tiny sliver of moon can be seen in the photo.

Zoe has started to get fussy when we eat. So we had to make due with what we had. And the only thing that was served to us that she could eat was this wintermelon thing. It is some sort of pickled something. She loved it with a passion like her father for prime rib. And she was not to happy when we would take it away from her.

And finally the ferry ride home. She was adored once again.

She hammed it up.