Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

OKA-HKG (2h 45m) Airbus 330-300 ETD: 11.55am (GMT + 9) ETA: 1.40pm (GMT + 8) It's time for another quick post on Hong Kong Airlines today. Despite it being a short leisure trip in Okinawa, my BFFs and I really had lots of fun discovering the unique heritage of the southernmost prefecture of Japan. We I flew out of Naha Airport to Hong Kong for the second part of the year-end trip in 2015. 

150 Kagamizu, Naha, Okinawa, Japan In a blink of an eye, we've reached this post on Naha Airport, which means that I've shared almost everything that I experienced during my short trip to Okinawa in 2015. It's been great reminiscing about it in the midst of my hectic schedule. Naha Airport is the primary air terminal for passengers and cargo traveling to and from the southernmost prefecture of Japan.

Naha, Okinawa, Japan Officially founded on 20 May 1921, Naha is t he political, economic and education centre of the southernmost prefecture of Japan . The modern city covers an area of close to 40 square kilometres with the city centre located about 4 km away from Naha Airport. In the past, it was the commercial centre of the Ryukyu Kingdom, prominent as a major port.

1336 Tamagusuku, Maekawa, Nanjo, Okinawa, Japan Daily: 9.00am - 5.30pm Located in the southern part of Okinawa Island is an attraction called Okinawa World, which comprises three sections: a massive limestone cave, a replica of a traditional Ryukyu village and a snake museum. Due to the limited time that we had, my BFFs and I only had the chance to go for the first two with the focus on the magnificent cave.

1-5-15 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa, Japan Daily: 8.30am - 6.00pm Shuri Castle is one of the most significant landmarks of Okinawa, which made it to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000. It enjoyed its heyday as the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom between 1429 to 1879. The world was saddened by the news on the morning of 31 October 2019 that the main courtyard structures of the castle were engulfed by flames.

1-5-15 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa, Japan From the town of Motobu, let's move on to the city of Naha. Hotel Sun Okinawa (3*) is the last hotel where my BFFs and I stayed at during our short trip. Situated by a channel, the hotel is within walking distance from Kencho-mae (lit. front of Prefectural Office) monorail station and RYUBO Department Store.

424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Okinawa, Japan Daily: 8.30am - 6.30pm Opened in late 2002, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium used to be the largest aquarium in the world until it was surpassed by Georgia Aquarium in the USA in 2005. The name of the aquarium comes from the Okinawan word chura (lit. beautiful) and the Japanese word umi (lit. ocean). It welcomed its 20 millionth visitor on 30 March 2010.

1147-1 Bise, Motobu, Okinawa, Japan One of the attractions that my BFFs and I'd really like to visit during the trip is Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, which is one of the largest in the world, located in the town of Motobu. From  Tokyo Dai-Ichi Hotel Okinawa Grand Mer Resort  in Okinawa City, we moved to Hotel Yugaf Inn Bise (3*) that's not far from the aquarium.

9-1 Mihama, Chatan, Okinawa, Japan It's no surprise that there are still numerous American military bases in Okinawa if one thinks about the history surrounding the prefecture. One of the most notable military facilities that's been redeveloped as a commercial area is Mihama American Village. The entertainment complex first opened its doors to the public in 1998.

2-8-1 Yogi, Okinawa City, Okinawa, Japan Tokyo Dai-Ichi Hotel Okinawa Grand Mer Resort (4*) is the first hotel that my BFFs and I went to from Naha Airport. Given that we didn't have the intention to hire a car, I wonder why I booked a room at a hotel located in Okinawa City that's not particularly near any attraction. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our stay in one of the Japanese style rooms.

HKG-OKA (2h 30m) Airbus 330-300 ETD: 7.25am (GMT + 8) ETA: 11.55am (GMT + 9) Having the slogan 'Fresh and Very Hong Kong', Hong Kong Airlines started off as CR Airways in 2001. It was in 2015 that I flew with it for the very first time from Hong Kong to Okinawa, Japan in the Economy Class. I've also previously written about my experience with its Business Class onboard HX773 and HX768 from Hong Kong to Bangkok, Thailand and vice versa respectively.