#TDAIHJ Day 44 Onna to Naha

Posted on by Mustbesomethingbro

Friday 14 November (Okinawa island)

Strava Flyover virtual summary https://strava.app.link/FHuHpmn0hYb (Give it a try. It is worth it)

Reasonably good weather greeted us in the morning i.e. windy but no rain. Before breakfast we gathered for the group photograph in our TDA IHJ Tour jerseys.

The group prior to the final day of riding.
Just after departing the hotel we encountered strong gusty winds. Fortunately for the remainder of the day we were either sheltered from them, or they were tailwinds, and/or they had died down.
Padraig, Debbie, and Jay

The route took us back across the island, in part to access quieter roads, before reverted back to the same side at the end of the day. The weather was good and the terrain flattish for the most part. Normal service had resumed i.e. I was wearing my sun brim with my helmet.

As it was the last riding day Padraig and myself made a more conscious effort to ride together for the day.
The landscape was predominantly urban but that provided an interesting comparison the luxuriant greens, blues etc. that nature had provided for much of the ride to-date.
Footpaths/sidewalks are for car parking as well as bikes and pedestrians
A rare sighting of graffiti.
Golf course
Final lunch spot
Not far from our destination – Dan just ahead.
The last tunnel
The final few metres with Barbara and Padraig
First task upon arriving at the hotel was to box our bikes.
TDA had purchased new bike boxes along with plenty of tape and bubble wrap.
Haldun and Amy were there to assist.
Brenda, Jeff and others finalising the boxing of their bikes
Bike washed and dismantled ready for boxing.
With Haldun’s ingenuity we managed to fit the larger than usual frame into a standard bike box
(slightly shorter than the one I had used from Australia to Japan).
Room view – sharing with Tony

Prior to dinner we gathered for drinks, a slide show/video, a speech or two, and some haiku. The haiku was organised by Catherine. Those of us that wanted to participate drew a topic at random. My topic was Onsens (Hot springs/spas):

Wet weary riders

The all revealing* onsen

Tiredness shyness gone

 

*onsen users must be naked i.e. no clothing can be worn.

Hanging out with a cool dude in Naha, Okinawa.
(Courtesy of Boaz)

The final group dinner was at a restaurant featuring a local menu and musical performance.

The name of the restaurant.
Kazu – our local support person on the right.

Left side front: Craig, Charlene, Barbara. Right side: Henry, Brenda, Lorna and Jo(siah)
A message worth repeating
Her animated infectious enthusiasm overcame any language barriers garnering great audience participation

Summary statistics, and random reflections etc. to come.

One thought on “#TDAIHJ Day 44 Onna to Naha”

  1. I am very surprised that the last few posts had no significant photos (or much mention) of food! Was stephen starting to pine for fish & Chips at home? Welcome back.

    Reply

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