Monday, April 27, 2009

Ieshima Island




Sunday was beautiful and clear, and we were lucky to view the lilly fields on Ie Island in brilliant sunshine. This event takes place once a year-- for about 3 weeks, thousands of lilies bloom in patches overlooking the ocean. The sight is really gorgeous with white flowers against a bright blue sky backdrop and clear water. To make the scene even more special, waves crash against the rocks, sending spray up into the air. 

We took the 35 minute ferry across from the Motobu port, rented bikes once we got there and then rode around the island, stopping at whatever caught our attention. This island was so pastoral-- fields of flowers, all kinds of animals, hills, gorgeous vistas of the ocean, lush vegetation, and caves. 


Australian pine forest -- can you see that patch of blue at the end? it's ocean






New friends













This photo shows Mary going into the Niya Thiya Cave, where one thousand local people hid during the American invasion in WWII. Inside, we saw a small shrine erected to honor ancestors with offerings of money, food, and the most important of all, Orion beer!


Locals have a legend that any woman who enters the cave and is able to hoist a heavy rock over her shoulders will give birth in nine months. So, did Mary manage to lift the rock? 

You'll have to watch the video to find out...suspense!
 

Last stop of the day was the grave of Ernie Pyle, Pulitzer Prize winning news correspondent who was killed during the invasion of Ie-shima island, 1945.

 

1 comment:

Tom D said...

Whoa, whoa, whoa...what was that? Did I hear Mary correctly on that video clip?!

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