Dear Diary,

Okinawa Island is the Beyoncé of islands - glamorous, captivating, and with a fan base that just can’t get enough. Landing in Okinawa was like stepping into a postcard. The moment I stepped off the plane, I was greeted by the warm, tropical air, the skies were the perfect shade of blue, and I could hear the sound of waves crashing in the distance. My hotel had this incredible view of the East China Sea, and let me tell you, if my room had a better view, I'd be sleeping on the balcony.

I had my sights set on Manza Beach, because what’s a trip to Okinawa without some beach time? The water was crystal clear, and the sand felt like powdered sugar between my toes. I spent the afternoon snorkeling like a complete amateur and pretending I was searching for the titanic. Sure, there are tons of more adventurous activities like parasailing and kayaking, but in between snorkeling sessions I just wanted to sit in the sand and read a book.

For lunch, I decided to get adventurous with goya champuru, a stir-fry with bitter melon. Now, bitter melon sounds like something a cartoon villain eats, but it was surprisingly delicious. I washed it down with some Okinawa soba, a hearty noodle soup that felt like a warm hug, but settled in my stomach like a brick. Note to self: don't eat hot soup on a scorching day. Instead, clog your bowels with some ice cream. For lunch-dessert, I treated myself to Blue Seal ice cream, an Okinawan specialty. I went for the local special beni-imo flavor (that’s purple sweet potato for the uninitiated), and it was as delightful as it was Instagrammable.

I ended my day at Cape Manzamo, watching the sunset and I had a moment where I was just so grateful to be here. Okinawa is a place where every corner holds a new adventure, and every meal is better than the last.

So, that’s it for today. I’m off to bed, dreaming of tomorrow’s adventures.

Xoxo, 

Maria