Travelog for: Shirley Sheep

I sat in the mailbox for a few hours just listening and hoping someone would rescue me! Then I heard the lock clicking nearby and my new host Jayme pulled me out of my envelope. It was so nice to get out again after being in there so long! She told me we didn't have too much time right now and it was a good thing I'd had a nap because we were off to a party!

The party was at Torii Beach on Okinawa. I found a lounge chair to catch some rays first


Then we played in the sand for a bit


Here's the beach from a small pier


Whew! It was a tiring today. Jayme says she has lots planned tomorrow so I better get some rest. Write more later!

Love,
Shirley

Today we got to go somewhere very fun! It was called Kokusai Dori. Its the most well-known shopping street on Okinawa. It has everything from touristy items to fresh food, and is very long (about 2km) with other streets attached as well!

Here I am at the start of the street. I'm sitting next to a Shisa. Shisa are on most of the buildings in Okinawa.


Some of them look very serious, and others like these ones further down the street look like they're having fun!


Another image you see very often on Okinawa is the Lucky Cat. This is a giant one on one of the stores was beckoning in customers.

Here I am on one of the side streets, you can see the many vendors!


On our way to the car we saw this very pretty window. Jayme says she thinks its a Phoenix


I'll write more soon!
Much love,
Shirley

We've been relaxing around the house the last few days since Jayme's felt a bit under the weather, but we did go out to eat last night (so she didn't have to cook! I offered to, but she said she didn't want me getting burnt). The place we went to had very yummy Japanese food. The only problem was keeping the boys sitting down on the mats long enough to feed them! Here's a photo of me there



Hope to write more soon, we're supposed to go shopping today!
Love,
Shirley Sheep

Today we did something exciting, we sent all of these teddy bears in a big box to the teddy bear clinic! Almost makes me want to be a bear...


After we were done at the post office we went to the military store on base. Its funny they call it a PX. I wonder who started that? Only military and their family are allowed in, but Jayme snuck me in in her bag!



While we were in there we looked for hair things but didn't have any luck. Hmm! We'll have to try another store. But in the mean time Jayme got me some ribbons for my ears. We did those up and then I helped her husband work on this puzzle of Mt. Fuji. That'd be a cool mountain to climb!


I'll write more soon!
Love,
Shirley

What an exciting day we had! Yesterday we shopped on base, so today we went off base. We got to visit the Farmer's Market to get some fruits and veggies (Jayme says the on base prices have skyrocketed recently!)


And then we went to the 100Yen Store! Its a neat store with lots of cheap things inside it. Jayme was looking for pretend cleaning items for the toddlers.


We came home and rested and then went to the Nakamura House. Its an home that's hundreds of years old that you can tour. Here I am at the house's well


Here's the pig pens, I wonder why there's no sheep pens?


The kitchen area


The living and sleeping area.


And the storage shed


Here's a view from outside of the living/sleeping area


No trip anywhere on Okinawa is complete without feeding the fishies! There's fish ponds all over the island, each complete with a vending machine selling fish food for 100Yen


What a great day! I hope to write more soon!

Love,
Shirley

What an exciting day we had! First we had to welcome fellow toyvoyager Hugme! This is Hugme's first stop.


Then we had to go to work blowing up balloons and hanging up streamers. It took awhile because we had to be very quiet not to wake up the children who were napping


Finally we got it all decorated up!


And perfect timing too, the birthday boy woke up just a few minutes later. Happy Birthday Cristiano!


And we all got to have some yummy cookie-cake!


Write more later,
Shirley

Today it was very hot out so we decided to go somewhere to cool down! About a half hour from Jayme's home is the Kurasaki Dam. Its very popular in the summer time for everyone to come splash around in and her kids like it a lot!
Here we are in front of the dam


We were standing on some 'stepping stones' (or at least that's how the kids use them!)


May daycares bring the children here to play, and they all wear color coded hats to keep the sun off their face and necks. It makes them easier to spot too!



Hope to write more soon,
Shirley Sheep

We got a surprise package today! It was Auggie coming for a visit! But he thought he was in the United States. Jayme explained that its not the US, but a military base. Here he is coming out!


After Auggie came out, we had to go to the hospital. Jayme's son woke up with a swollen eye and she was worried so we went to go see the doctor. Hugme gave Jacob a hug to make him feel better.


The hospital is on Camp Lester. Its the only military hospital on Okinawa! Here's the sign inside. The flag is to show how hot it is today so that people don't go out exercising if its dangerously hot.


And here I am outside the hospital.


Good news! The doctor said there's no infection and it was either allergies or a bug bite and Jacob would be just fine! That means we get to plan a busy weekend..

Write more soon,
Shirley

Once we were rested from our walk that morning we went out again. First we stopped by American village to go up in the ferris wheel. Here we are going up!



It was beautiful from the top.


When we came down I got to ride on the train!


And afterwards we went bowling.

What a fun day!
Write more soon,
Shirley

Today we went to a park on Kadena Air Base. Its has various aircraft that have been retired since the base has opened that you can look at.

Do you see us on the wing of this F-100?


Here I am in front of an F-104


This is an F-4


And finally an F-15. Jayme's husband wanted us to sit in the engine for the shot since he couldn't reach the wings, but Jayme said she didn't want to have to explain to the police why she was climbing into the engine!



Write more soon!
Love,
Shirley

Today we went to Comprehensive Park. Its the biggest park on Okinawa! It has everything from walking trails to playgrounds to tennis courts, and even has its own water park!


Here's a better photo of the water park, we had to take them from outside the fence since we weren't going in today.


Near the water park there's a wall with underwater murals. Here we are next to a fish!


There was also a new xylophone to play on on one of the bridges!


A part of the walking trail was right next to the water




Write more soon,
Love,
Shirley

We got to go do something VERY neat today. We went to what's called a "Change of Command" ceremony. We weren't supposed to be there, but Jayme let us peek out of her purse. Its essentially a welcome ceremony for the new General of the Airwing and a goodbye to the old General. Okinawa, Japan is home to the US Marine Corps 1st Marine Airwing (or 1stMAW for short).

They bring out all the vehicles for a backdrop for the actual ceremonies.



The band leads the way with the ceremonies.


Followed by the unit Marine Corps flags


Then the Marines finally show up!


And the Japanese, USA, and Marine Corps flag.


There's my hosts husband representing his unit with their guidon (the smaller flag)


Each unit pays their respects as well.


Then it got kind of boring as each CO gave a speech Everyone filed back out in reverse order and we were dismissed.

Hope to write about more adventures soon!
Shirley

Today Jayme decided we needed to do something fun with the kids so we went to the zoo!

Here we are at the entrance.


They had some fun stone animals we could climb on!




Then we got to see some real animals!








Unfortunately we didn't find any sheep ... maybe somewhere else..

Write more soon,
Love Shirley

We went to a place called Camp Zanpa. Its a Japanese park that's got a beach and also a walking area along the coastline. They also have a small 'zoo' where you can feed the animals. We found some goats and chickens there, but alas no other sheep!


After we said goodbye to the goats we went for a walk. The sun kept playing peekaboo as Jacob says


Finally we got up to a high point. Isn't it beautiful? The ocean was so blue!


Along the way there were many World War II memorials


The big rock behind us got blown up onto the side of the cliff after a really strong typhoon! Wow!


Finally I got into my envelope and waved goodbye! I'm off to my next host!


Write more when I arrive!
Love,
Shirley

Hi mum, I have arrived in Canada!

Abby was at work when I arrived, I was rescued out of the mailbox by Abby's parents, who left me on the table until it was time to pick up Abby.  I could feel myself being picked up and placed in the backseat of the car, and a few minutes later I heard, 'Oh, is it for me?  It's Shirley Sheep, I'm sure!' and I was released from my envelope.

I was greeted at Abby's house by Yum Yum.



I'm very tired from my journey and I believe that it is time to take a nap.