Okinawa Islands

Very quick, just scan your ID and they'll give you a ticket. The stalactite caves inside are cool, but it's a long walk with stairs and it gets quite damp. Be extra careful if you're taking elderly people there, as they might fall.

It started raining heavily before we even left Naha. The high-speed ferry ride took 40 days to reach the island. Thankfully, the rain wasn't too bad once we arrived, but it was very cold. Even though it was cloudy, you could still see the gradient colors of the sea. Next time, I want to come back for snorkeling and an overnight stay to experience the island's tranquility and play with the island's cats. On our way back to Okinawa's main island, we saw sea snakes, corals, and tropical fish at the harbor – probably the cleanest harbor I've ever seen. The Taiwanese staff who greeted us on the island were very kind.

Yaima Village Interacting with the squirrel monkeys was very relaxing.

Whales are hard to catch, but it was a great experience. I hope to have the chance to see a whale breaching the water next time. The staff were very thoughtful; they added me on the app the day before to confirm.

Our driver, Mr. Takashima, was very friendly and enthusiastically introduced the customs, culture, and attractions of Ishigaki Island. The itinerary was flexible, and we had no problem using our mobile phones for translation throughout the trip. We had a great time.

The day I set off was cloudy, so there was no stargazing activity; instead, we spent an entire hour exploring the jungle. Our guide, Ms. Kameyama, was incredibly friendly and welcoming. After we met up, the 30-minute drive from the main station to the northern jungle began, during which she introduced us to the various features of Ishigaki Island, describing what we were going through as we went, creating a wonderful atmosphere like a road trip. Once in the jungle, rain boots and flashlights were provided. The path was quite rugged, involving some climbing, so I recommend wearing comfortable, casual clothing. The guide also brought a camera to take photos, so you don't need to bring too much; travel light. On the day of the trip, we were incredibly lucky to see a huge variety of species (the highlighted coconut crabs, hermit crabs, non-venomous snakes, geckos, frogs, and various arthropods). And it wasn't just animals; there were also many unique plants, and even a terrain explanation. Ishigaki Island used to be submerged underwater; tectonic activity brought it to the surface, and many of the cliffs and caves we see today are coral reef formations, including stalactites that produce beautiful sounds when gently tapped. All of this was incredibly novel and interesting to me! Because I rarely experience this kind of primeval forest, I asked questions everywhere along the way. The tour guide patiently listened to my broken English and answered my questions, which made me very happy and satisfied. Even after returning home, I was still eager for more and decided that I must bring my family and friends to participate in this kind of trip next time!