Ie Island/Marriage Retreat

For 3 days and 2 nights we got to go off to Ie (pronounced E-eh) Island for a marriage retreat! It was a lot of fun and the only thing we had to pay for was babysitting. We did one of these about 3 years ago and it was almost all classes but a pretty hotel. This time we only had 4 hours of classes over 3 days and the rest of the time it was scheduled outings to explore the island or free time! As a military family it can be hard sometimes because of how often we are apart so getting experiences like this is a big deal and so fun!

Here we are about to get on the ferry. Do you guys like my new glasses? I do! When I get up early it is better sometimes for me to wait to put my contacts in so I did it on the ferry. 

On the ferry with Ie Island over Logan's shoulder. 

The beaches were so pretty! Just look at that water! 

The resort had hotel rooms but we got to stay in one of the family bungalows! It was like a tiny townhouse with kitchen, laundry and a loft upstairs. 

Island cruise. Just riding around the island on a boat. 

One of the more interesting things we found was that at least half the fields were full of tobacco plants. Apparently they ship a lot up to mainland. 

Goats!

Sugar Cane

We went on the coolest glass bottom boat! It was more like a submarine!

All the pictures turned out really blue but the colors were much more vibrant by eye. 

On the second morning we found this washed up on shore! Although I'm not sure how it got there! It is a little over a foot long and compact concrete. It has to weigh at least 20 pounds. It is enough that I could not pick it up with one hand. 

I didn't want to take it if it was part of a shrine or something so I used an app to translate into Japanese to ask a local fisherman on the beach what it was. From hand gestures and a drawing in the sand we got that it was a sign post. I also typed in my translator app "Is it special or sacred?" and he said no no. So we felt confident it was ok to take. Later we asked a Japanese man at the resort and he said the first side says Ie Island (village) and confirmed the other side says something like "This is my land" to delineate a property line. He said it was probably very old. We brought it home although I have no idea what to do with it!

Ernie Pyle Memorial. He was a famous journalist that was shot down at this very spot by enemy fire during WWII. 

Niya Thiya Cave also known as 'The Cave of 1000 People'. The name refers to the time in the Battle of Okinawa where it said that over 1000 Okinawans living on Ie Jima hid as war raged on.

Waji Overlook - Location of a fresh water stream that used to be the only water source on island (no longer used). 

On the side of a shack next to the overlook! It is a painting from Castle in the Sky, a Studio Ghibli film. So random!

Every year they have a lily festival here on Ie island. We wanted to go but never made it. It was a few weeks ago now but there were still a few lilies holding out so I'm gonna count it!

Leaving the resort. 

Back to the real world with this little punk! I missed him so much!