Okinawa Fruits Land

Seems I'm not the best blogger in the world... not that this news should surprise anyone. I think it's been over a month since my last post, and this particular post is about an outing that took place... well... over a month ago. I can't keep up with myself. Oh well... better late than never, right? It's doubtful that my 1 or 2 faithful readers have been on the edge of their seats awaiting news of the most recent Smith Family Adventure anyway, but if you have been eagerly anticipating our next installment... well then... here goes.



Our plan was to head to Ocean Expo Park on this toasty July day. We would end up at Emerald Beach to see what was sure to be a spectacular fireworks display. The only problem with this plan was that approximately 60,000 other people had planned the same thing. I occasionally exaggerate for effect, but I'm not kidding. I read this fact a few days later in a publication covering the event. Sheesh! If I'd known that, we never would have bothered. When we realized we'd have to park, like, 10 miles from the beach (OK, NOW I'm exaggerating), we decided to switch gears. We were not schlepping all our beach stuff, snacks, diapers, dry clothes, etc. PLUS two small people with short legs all the way to the beach from our car. In the heat. In the humidity. Can you imagine the crankiness? And I'm not even talking about the kids. So, we headed back in the direction from which we had come and arrived here... at Okinawa Fruits Land... pictured above.

These kids LOVE to feed carp any chance they get.




Noah wasn't the least bit interested, but EJ decided to feed the goat as well.



I love this little guy... er... gal?


There was a big fenced-in area where we could observe and even feed some birds.



Feeling confident after feeding fish and goats, EJ attempted to befriend a bird.


Yep, she got bit. No worries though... she was startled... but unscathed.


For a couple hundred yen, I decided to buy some sugary liquid to join in the fun.



And here's another failed attempt to get both my kids together for a cute picture. "Noah, Emerie... come sit right here and let me take your picture!" I said excitedly... like it was something so super-fun to do.


"Come on guys, smile for Mommy... look at the camera..." I said... still excited, but a bit more intense...


"Say 'Cheeeeeeese'.... please...." At this point, I'm near begging.


(Sigh) It wasn't gonna happen. So I went for single shots... and bribery... "Noah, some sit here between the shisas and let Mommy take your picture... I'll buy you some ice cream!" Works every time.


I'll admit it. I'm not above bribery.


And as I bring this post to a close, it occurs to me that we went to Okinawa FRUITS Land, and I don't believe I took a single photo of the fruits growing there. But don't worry... there were fruits... and more importantly, there were delicious desserts to buy which contained fruit. And yes, we ate some. And yes, Noah got his ice cream.