The Cafe Called Transit

While it is almost impossible to choose between all the amazing eateries on the island, a new winner for my tastebuds has just edged out all of the competitors. The name of this winning restaurant is Transit Cafe. It sits on the second floor of a white building overlooking the seawall. It is a tiny cafe that only fits a four tables inside and three outside on the porch. It is near Kadena Air Base where I work, and I have come to expect Matt to take me there as reward whenever I have to work Saturdays.

I especially love ordering one of their six lunch sets. In addition to your entrée you receive soup, salad, a drink, and a special price on a half order of cake! Everything you order is adorned with orchids or mint sprigs and beautifully presented. My current favorites on the menu are the ahi poke (avocado, tuna, sea grapes, and raw quail egg), camembert cheese fondue, and mango juice with fresh fruit. 

The staff are very friendly, and I frequent Transit so often I began to recognize faces. I used my meager Japanese to ask one server her name and tell her mine in return (in Japanese!). I then had to beg a friend to ask her again because I didn't catch it the first time she said her name. Now whenever I enter she calls "Amanda-san!" I enjoy being a regular at this little cafe by the sea. 

The Castle of Sweets

I decided to use my knowledge from working at Information, Tickets, and Travel to plan a day for my friends. I purchased tickets for a glass bottom boat ride from work and planned to take them to Cafe Doka Doka for a meal beforehand. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans...we did not do either of those activities that day. Cafe Doka Doka was closed, and the sea conditions were so rough the boat stopped going out. We were on the west coast on the island in the resort town of Onna, and I quickly did some research online to see what was in the area. We ended up touring Cape Manzamo and Okashi Goden, the castle of sweets. 

Cape Manzamo is a scenic point on the East China Sea where the cliffs meet the ocean. It was very crowded with tourists with cameras (I consider us locals by now), but we stopped and snapped some pictures of our own. 

At the castle of sweets we ate lunch upstairs in the restaurant Churaumi, which means "beautiful ocean." While the fare was standard Okinawan ramen, there were two points of interest that had me falling in love with the restaurant: the view and the case of beni-imo (purple sweet potato) desserts. One entire wall of the restaurant was a window overlooking the turquoise East China Sea. There were even binoculars available so we could stare out over the ocean during the meal. I made sure to leave room for dessert since the display case was full of dark purple cakes and tarts. I had a beni-imo sponge cake with a beni-imo sweet cream filling. Amazing!

We were full from lunch, but that did not mean we stopped tasting sweets. Downstairs was a gift shop full of Okinawan delicacies, all with free samples that the salespeople urge you to try. The main flavors were beni-imo, mango, and shiquasa (a green Okinawan citrus). There were sponge cakes, donuts, ice cream, and even some candies with cheesecake filling. 

At the back of the gift shop was the beni-imo candy factory. We could see the machines through a glass wall producing and packaging the cookies. 

We left Okashi Goden very, very full of treats, but overall I was happy my day that I thought was ruined turned out so sweet. 

The Murder Mystery Party

Even though Halloween is months away, our neighbors gave us an excuse to dress up in costumes when they hosted a murder mystery dinner party. This specific mystery was entitled "Pasta, Passion, and Pistols" and took place at an Italian Restaurant. For those who have never been accused of murder for fun, everyone is assigned a character beforehand. I was Angel Roni, the tough daughter of the deceased living in New York City. Matt was Father Al Fredo, a priest who knows everyone's secrets. We enjoyed an Italian dinner, and afterwards we were all given a script and secret clue to reveal. We take turns revealing clues and accusing each other. We all make a final guess on whodunnit, and the murderer is revealed at the very end. I loved how everyone at the party stayed in character, and some even attempted Italian or French accents. We had a wonderful evening, and this time neither Matt nor I were guilty of murder!

The sign greeting us at the door. 

Tara Misu and Rocco Scarfazzi

Mama Rosa and her son and daughter

Clair Voyant, Father Al Fredo, Bo Jalais

Who committed the crime?

The Staycation Highlights

My friend Ellie left this morning, and now I am facing the end of my staycation. Since I had a guest in town I simply had to eat out every day, spend entire afternoons at the beach, and visit lots of local attractions. Tomorrow I go back to work, but I thought first I should blog about some of the highlights of our trip. I had so much fun sharing Okinawa and its food, beaches, and hospitality with a friend from back home. Ellie-you are an awesome travel buddy!

Todoroki Falls on a rainy day

Courtney Beach

Katsuren Castle Ruins

The Nail Art Masterpieces

I am so excited to introduce my friend Ellie! We met while both attending the University of Georgia. Now she lives and works in Chicago, a cold land far, far away from the tropical sun and surf of Okinawa. I am so excited to show her some of my favorite places of the island!

I made a reservation weeks ago at Cocok's Ocean View Nail Cafe since this place books up fast. The salon overlooks the Sunabe seawall, so you can watch the ocean waves as your toes are transformed into works of art.

The grumpy cat look-a-like that lives at the salon.

The paint and nail polish used to create art.

When you walk inside you are escorted to overstuffed recliners. After you put your feet up you are served iced hibiscus tea and handed a binder full of nail art options as well as wooden boards covered in plastic nails with even more examples of paintings that can be replicated on your fingers or toes.

Your feet soak in scented warm water as you struggle to decide which design out of hundreds to choose. After the soak is a long foot massage, and then the painting begins with tiny brushes to capture every detail of your chosen design. The whole appointment takes over an hour, but it is an hour spent in bliss. Afterwards you are handed a personalized receipt of the service so you can pay and walk outside to admire your toes in the sunlight.

The check with Hello Kitty!

Ellie chose a painting of Mt. Fuji with cherry blossoms, while I went with yellow stripes and summer flowers. I am thrilled with the intricate designs on my toes, and I  love that I get to share such a unique place with my friend Ellie.