Tuesday 11 November (Okinawa island)
Had a good night’s sleep and woke up feeling back to my normal self.
The weather forecast for today and the next 3 days is looking a bit grim as the weather pattern surrounding Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) continues to bring heavy rain and gusty winds.
TDA had asked for volunteers to be transported to the port and ride their bikes back to the hotel. I had volunteered, hoping the rain would not be too bad. However, when they were loading the bikes in the afternoon of the day before yesterday into the freight container in readiness for the ferry, my bike was left till last and there wasn’t room so they transported my bike in a TDA van. So fortune had smiled on me as my bike was already at the hotel. Optimistically, I lubricated the chain and prepared my clothing and cycling accessories in readiness for tomorrow.
The rainy weather and limited (to one) must see attractions made it easy to stay dry at the hotel and catch up on blog posts as well as some personal administration.
I was undecided about going to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (a/the major tourist attraction for Motobu) but decided to go at the last minute. I caught the shuttle bus to a sister hotel nearby the aquarium with Jo, Lorna, Michael, and Holger. Acknowledged that there is a degree of irony of going to an aquarium on a wet day i.e. escaping the wet by seeing things immersed in water.
The aquarium was on multiple levels. Starting at the top and winding your way down.
The graceful movement of the fish made me think of a naturally (albeit in an unnatural environment) choreographed ballet.
This video was late afternoon back at the hotel.
The strong wind was more consistent throughout the day.
Because of the inclement weather we (Padraig and myself) took the convenient option of going across the road – tried a different type of local cuisine. Ate with Boaz who was already there.
Lots of checking of weather forecasts and discussing the advisability of riding in potentially very wet and windy conditions (or willingness to). Endless speculation.TDA staff making contingency plans – main concern is the wind. They will make a decision in the morning, as will I.
A conundrum to be sure re riding Steve XX
Day 41! And you’re still riding. Very impressive. Price per wear on your new hip improving every day.