Butterfly House, Nakijin Castle

As I said before, the pressure of the last year in Okinawa is starting to weigh heavy on my shoulders. I feel like EVERY weekend should be an opportunity to explore this island (that I didn't explore for the last 2 years.)And 3-day weekends are special and should be treated as such.

Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend came too fast after Christmas and New Year's Day, so we didn't have our act together enough to plan an off-island vacation.

When we were invited to participate in the annual Trim Marathon at Ocean Expo Park (90 minute drive north of our house), I suggested to Benny that we get a hotel room and explore the North part of the island (Motobu region) for the weekend.

Friday night was spent with my co-workers at an izakaya for a ShinNen-Kai (New Year Party).

Olivia was in good hands at home with the babysitter. She didn't even wake up when an earthquake shook the buildings.

After Alligator Steps on Saturday morning we packed the car with the essentials.


Checked into the hotel.


Went to the Butterfly House.





Hiked Nakijin Castle ruins right before sunset.


Didn't see a bounty of cherry blossoms, as I had hoped.

Enjoyed an Okinawa dinner at the hotel restaurant before heading to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.