Okinawa World

We had a very nice 4 day weekend for Veterans' Day. We decided to spend day 2 at Okinawa World. It's kind of like Old Town in San Diego...or This is the Place Park in Salt Lake City. Only with snakes & caves instead of Mexican food & ghosts or quilting & buggy rides.


What a gorgeous little place, huh?



Our first stop was the cave. We heard it was good, but didn't really know what to expect.











Just like Disneyland...they gotta try and sell you the photo (which, of course, always works with me).



So this is what it looks like. There is no way to do it justice here.



We walked and walked and were thinking we were going to see an exit any time now. Instead, we found this "you are here" sign. We were about half way through the cave...which is 2.5 Kilometers long! That would have been nice info to have. Here's a fraction of the photos I took:









And then we saw these creepy things in the water near the end.






Then we had to ride up the world's longest escalator to get back out.



Then it was on to the Ryukyu village to watch some glass blowers and other traditional crafters.







Brewing being one of their crafts.



And this is what they brew. Habu sake. Yum.


Then we went shopping in the various stores...


Some Engrish for your enjoyment.



Love the Scottish/Okinawan hybrid tie.



Not so sure about the placemats. Hmmm.



Then it was off to the snake show, where each member of the audience was invited up for a free photo op with the python before the show. Cliff and Coree were yellow-bellied.



Then they proceeded to bring out various snakes onto this little stage, about 1 ft. high with about 1 ft. of Plexiglas between the snakes and the audience.



Then we got to have an up close encounter with a few of their snaky friends (with their mouths banded shut)...



And some other creepy crawlies...like this tree crab. It's a type of hermit crab...



on steroids.



Turtles and lizards living in harmony.



This little buddy is the cutest!



Then it was on to another photo op with the python's albino cousin. He charged a fee, though..."freak show" factor, I guess.



Then a just a little more shopping...



Before making our exit...



With a short detour to the vending machines.



Take us home, Lopez!