17. Okinawa, Japan

Back now into Japanese territory but it's a bit difficult to know what to write about Okinawa, especially as we arrived on time at 2pm and didn't get through Japanese immigration and ashore until 4.45pm and dusk was already falling. It left very little time to to anything at all. Ridiculous, but not unexpected although it's difficult to know what Princess can do to speed the process up.

Anyway, Okinawa is mainly a resort island. It's like Hawaii is to the Americans or like Corfu is to the British, things are geared up for tourists although there are pockets of tranquility. As I mentioned, we didn't have much time to explore further afield than the centre of Naha, the capital but on the way into town we did come across a little Japanese garden. It was the stereotypical, pretty Japanese garden too, with a lake full of koi and turtles, little temples and pagodas and bridges and perfectly kept topiary.

Eventually we reached the main drag, Kokusai Street. This is a mile or so strip lined on both sides with restaurants, bars and souvenir shops, some classy but mostly tacky and it was heaving with visitors and presumably many locals too. We wandered up and back, amazed at the huge colourful displays of  everything from the usual tee shirts and fridge magnets to the unusual like green tea chocolate kitkats and snakes in jars. We did stop briefly for a purple potato flavour icecream. Delicious!

Once back on board the ship, a local folklore band had arranged to play in the theatre so with some trepidation we decided to go along. The very colourful group played a number of traditional Okinawan songs in a modern pop style which sounds rather odd, but really was very enjoyable indeed. They must have played a couple of well known folk songs as the mostly Japanese audience were singing along and even managed to get the band back for an encore which is something I have never seen on a ship before!

After the show we went up on deck and enjoyed the late sailaway under a warm tropical moonlight.