In total- 113km. That is about 70 miles which is actually the entire length of the island.
The route that we took though meant that we didn't quite go from bottom to top, but near enough!
The reason that we decided to do this was because during world war 2 when the US attacked Japan, they had to take over Okinawa first to reach the mainland.
The attack came from the south and so citizens of Okinawa fled the capital city and the southern area of the island for safety in the North.
The attack came from the south and so citizens of Okinawa fled the capital city and the southern area of the island for safety in the North.
The only way they could do this was on foot.
It took them weeks to get to relative safety in the North, but this is considering lack of food and supplies and also not being able to use the regular roads because they would have got caught hence usually travelling at night, in darkness through the wilderness.
It took them weeks to get to relative safety in the North, but this is considering lack of food and supplies and also not being able to use the regular roads because they would have got caught hence usually travelling at night, in darkness through the wilderness.
Our goal was to complete the walk within two days (maybe 3).
Day One- Goal- 53km.
We started the walk at 2 am and walked 12km north towards Chatan. We arrived around 6 am and took a short break before continuing on through Yomitan.
We had completed around 40 km before we decided to stop for real food as opposed to convenience store food. Because it was the New Years holidays, there was only a soba shop open with a limited menu, but at this point anything would do!
We had completed around 40 km before we decided to stop for real food as opposed to convenience store food. Because it was the New Years holidays, there was only a soba shop open with a limited menu, but at this point anything would do!
After the food, we carried on the last 15 ish km for the day.
We started the walk as a group of six and ended it with the three of us.
Mike had only planned to walk until the end of the day before heading back to Naha and the other two were having issues with their shoes and blisters and so decided to go back.
We started the walk as a group of six and ended it with the three of us.
Mike had only planned to walk until the end of the day before heading back to Naha and the other two were having issues with their shoes and blisters and so decided to go back.
We made it to the beach where we would camp for the night around 5pm.
I took a hour or so nap (so tired i couldn't stay awake and wait) before John and Pam joined us and made a fire to roast marshmallows on (that was really cool, i had never really done it before)
I took a hour or so nap (so tired i couldn't stay awake and wait) before John and Pam joined us and made a fire to roast marshmallows on (that was really cool, i had never really done it before)
Then everyone went to sleep because one exhausting day was over but there was another to do tomorrow. I didn't sleep well, outside the tent was loud and it was cold.
Day 2- Goal- 40km.
We got up and packed everything up around five am to start walking again just before 6 am. The goals have changed now and it's been decided that we will take 2 and a half days to complete it.
We will walk to Onna and then sleep and continue the last 20km.
We will walk to Onna and then sleep and continue the last 20km.
We walked right up the coast and through Nago.
Chris joined us after the first 10km or so and joined us for the rest of the walk today.
At this point though, most of my family had caught onto what i was doing and were really keeping me going.
Chris joined us after the first 10km or so and joined us for the rest of the walk today.
At this point though, most of my family had caught onto what i was doing and were really keeping me going.
Day 3- Goal- 20km.
Today was the most beautiful and daring day of them all.
we walked the mountains of Okinawa. Around one and over another.
This was the part where Paul freaked out because of the height of the wall and the possibility of falling into the water below and dying.
I thought it was really cool and got a few videos of the waves and water crashing into the cliffs and making the most beautiful blue whirlpools. It made all of this walking along pavements thing far more fun and exciting.
The beach with the cliffs and rocks gave me the perfect time to get my 100km Rock as my souvenir.
In the distance you can see the ocean, this is where the mountain we just walked around was. It's the final five or so km to go now.
before we reach the next village and finish this walk we are truly in Okinawa's jungle. Probably even today a good place to go and hide should anyone or anything attack the island.
Thats it, we made it to the end.
I've got my pocket full of my rocks, lots of layers on to cope with the January 'cold' of Okinawa
(i also get cold when i'm tired so i was REALLY cold!).
113km walked.
This was a walk i never really had any interest in doing in the first place- completely organised and initiated by Paul and James, I just got pulled along for the ride.
A walk which really helped me begin to achieve a few of my new years goals for 2019 and a walk which helped me to understand and learn a little more about the past and the present ways of life.
we walked the mountains of Okinawa. Around one and over another.
This was the part where Paul freaked out because of the height of the wall and the possibility of falling into the water below and dying.
I thought it was really cool and got a few videos of the waves and water crashing into the cliffs and making the most beautiful blue whirlpools. It made all of this walking along pavements thing far more fun and exciting.
I've got my pocket full of my rocks, lots of layers on to cope with the January 'cold' of Okinawa
(i also get cold when i'm tired so i was REALLY cold!).
113km walked.
This was a walk i never really had any interest in doing in the first place- completely organised and initiated by Paul and James, I just got pulled along for the ride.
A walk which really helped me begin to achieve a few of my new years goals for 2019 and a walk which helped me to understand and learn a little more about the past and the present ways of life.
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