Day 2 started a bit slow, since I slept in trying to recover from all the flying (and from a cold). 

Started off the day eating at one of the restaurants in the resort, Ocean Cafe (which is beside the pool area). Details here:

Ocean Cafe

After, decided to check out the Churaumi Aquarium. Will say that there is a lot of different and unique sea creatures in this aquarium, which made it worth the trip (from ones that change genders, to fetus’, to manta rays, to large whales). I’ll let the photos do most of the talking.

The aquarium is 1 hours from the hotel, so got lots of experience driving on the other side of the road. Two things are still tripping me up. One is where the signaling thingy is located (been hitting the wind shield wipers by accident). The other is trying to hug the right side of the lane (always hugging more left). Oh and parking forward is proving to be hard (can’t properly judge the size of the car). So I’m ending up always backing into a spot.

After, got back to the hotel and had an Okinawa dinner and show (to be more specific, a Ryukyu Drum and Dance show). Will say it was great since I was able to sample a bunch of Okinawa specific foods. The callouts are the Okinawa donut, Okinawa stir-fried rice noodles, Okinawa Soba Broth, and the Okinawa Pork Belly. More details here:

Orchid Ryukyu Cusine

Afterwards, took a taxi to the American Village. Since it was 10pm, most of the actual shops are closed. But did want to check out the nightlife. First stop was a place called Barragan. The bartender is name G, and he can make any drink to your style. I first ordered a Rob Roy, but I let him make the next drinks (specifying I like scotch, but not peaty, and no simple syrup). 

First drink bartender at Barrandar made: Strawberry lemon juice arran ginger juice (fresh)

Other drink the bartender made: Arran + sherry + OG syrup

Also sampled Kokuto Lequio (a mescal pictured) tastes like mackeral.

Also got these recommendations to try: Tears of llorona (recommended tequila to try), Bar hillow.

Same details about Barragan can be found here:

Barragan

Also, met a guy who was in the navy, and now works for Raytheon defense company. He was describing how in the navy you have on shore (so you can stay with your family) and off shore leave. Each usually lasts 3 years. He wanted to always be off shore. When they denied him that, that is when he switched jobs (his instagram is thebeardedpeterpan). He also has been in Okinawa for 1440 days in the Hilton. He also recommended this area for nightlife next time I’m in Okinawa (it has a lot of the navy folks there):  Gate 2 (area that you can tell taxi drivers) – Koza Street (in Gate 2 where they have places open till 6am).

Other places I checked out was AMF (I would try it again earlier in the night since it was dead when I got there), and Irish Pub Howdy (also same situation as AMF).

And that ended the night.