A lazy day at Okinawa 輕輕鬆鬆在沖繩島的一天

This is a throwback to my trip to Okinawa last year. 
早期已寫過去年日本沖繩之旅。當時相信沒有太多人看過那個帖子，所以今次寫一篇日本之旅。

Okinawa is located south of Japan and is actually much closer to Taiwan than Tokyo. It’s just over 600km from Taiwan to Okinawa, whereas from Okinawa to Tokyo is over 1500km. This was the perfect getaway for me last year. Historically, Okinawa belonged to the Ryukyu Kingdom which was separate from Japan, therefore they have a slightly different culture. That, plus the fact it has a lot of beautiful beaches around the coastline, and quite a large US military presence on the island, makes it quite unique, quite un-Japan.
沖繩島位於日本南部，距離台灣只有600公里，但從沖繩到東京卻有1500公里。這個近距離正好來一個快閃旅遊。歷史上沖繩是屬於琉球國，跟日本文化上有些差異。再加上它原海岸有很多漂亮的沙灘，及島上有不少美軍駐守，形成較偏美的文化，所以我覺得沖繩很獨特，是一處不太日本的日本地方。

With the geography and history done, let’s look at what’s so great about Okinawa. First, its compact and easy to get around on the main Okinawa Island. For me at least, as they drive on the left hand side of the road like UK.
好吧，歷史及地理已經說完，看看沖繩有什麼好玩。 沖繩本島不大，它跟英國一樣是左駕，所以對我來說租車自由行就最方便哩。

A great place to drive around is from the Katsuren peninsula across the Kaichu-doro Causeway to Henza Island then across the Hamahiga Bridge to Hamahiga Island. I didn’t explore either of these islands as all I wanted to do was to drive around surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.
在網路上我找到一條風景很美的駕車路徑。從勝連半島經過海中道路到平安座島，再由平安座島經過浜比嘉大橋到浜比嘉島。沿路上我沒有在兩個島上觀光，因為目的是想輕輕鬆鬆在太平洋海岸駕車散心。

The Kaichu-doro Causeway is actually a 5.7km bridge, you can see the red bridge which is on the right hand side of the photo. There wasn’t much traffic when I went, and there were plenty of spaces at the lay by for people to wander along the promenade. I went for a stroll. With hardly a soul in sight, all I had was the sea breeze and gentle waves accompanying me.
海中道路其實是一條5.7km 的橋，從照片右邊可以看到紅色就是橋的一部份。當天很少其他遊客，在路旁有多個停車處可以隨意停車到海旁散步。除了清涼的海風及悠和的海浪聲，沒有其他嘈雜的聲音，很舒服。

Here’s the Hamahiga Bridge behind me. At just 1.7km its much shorter and takes me to a much quieter part of the world. I hanged around the Hamagyoko Ryokuchi Park for a while, not doing anything at all (not that there was anything to do here), which is the best part of being on holiday.
我背後的正是浜比嘉大橋，只有1.7km 但卻把我帶到另一處更加寧靜的地方。 我在浜魚港綠地公園坐了一陣子，什麼也沒做( 其實附近根本沒有什麼好做)。去旅行有時就是要這樣享受一下， 不用所有時間都趕著去吃喝玩樂參觀景點。

In the afternoon, I went back to the mainland to the Katsuren Castle ruins. Katsuren isn’t as famous as the Shurijo Castle near Naha, or the Nakijin Castle remains near the Churaumi Aquarium. Maybe because it’s on the west and further away from those popular landmarks and less tourist come to this side of the island.
下午我回到本島到勝連城跡逛逛。 勝連城跡沒有那霸市附近的首里城，或水族館附近的 今歸仁城般著名。可能是因為它位處於沖繩島西面，遠離著名遊客景點吧。

Katsuren Castle ruins dates back to the 14th century and is now a World Heritage Site. Entry to castle, which is free by the way, is via the this beautiful curved walkway, then along the castle walls to the top.
勝連城跡建於14世紀，已被聯合國認證為文化遺產。 進入城要經過這道以前有防禦功能的迂迴階梯， 然後再沿著城牆爬到頂部。

The view at the top of the castle is quite breathtaking. At one side is the Pacific Ocean, and on the other side is the view towards the Henza Island and the bridges I drove across earlier on.
從勝連城的最高一層，一邊可以望見太平洋，另一邊可以遙望我剛才經過的海中道路及浜比嘉大橋， 四周景色可說是美不勝收。忘記說，進入勝連城跡是免費噢。

And that’s how I spent a lazy day on Okinawa, doing not much, just as a holiday should be.
就這樣我在沖繩島就過了輕輕鬆鬆的一天。