Ferris Wheel

If you've ever paid any attention to the photos I've posted of sunsets, you will see that there is a giant Ferris wheel silhouetted against the setting sun.  Down in a part of Okinawa called "American Village" (conveniently located just outside our base) there sits an enormous Ferris wheel which makes its slow, continuous turns all day, every day.  At night it's lit up by ever changing colored lights, and during the day, it's a proud red and white landmark set off by a giant "Coca-cola" sign in the middle.

Way back when we first came on island, we took a spin on the Ferris wheel at night.  We thought it would be neat to see the lights of the island from the top of the wheel.  It was fun, with probably the most fun being Stevie's face as he bravely faced (with the help of a few cocktails) his fear of heights.  Ever since then, I've been meaning to go back during daylight hours to check out the real view.

So today was a beautifully clear (albeit breezy) day and I decided to take the kids around the wheel again.  Conveniently, Stevie was working so he didn't have to go again!  The views were beautiful as we took in the sights from 45 meters in the air (about 150 feet)!  The complete rotation of the wheel takes 15 minutes so you get plenty of time to look around.

Going up...

London's not looking so sure of this ride?

Mommy and Emmy having fun!

View south toward Naha

View east - you can see our house in the very top left corner, right in front of a patch of dark green trees.

View west out over the East China Sea

As always, the signs had to say something funny.  When the kids asked me what the man was doing, I told them he was showing the other guy his "willy".  So London interprets the sign as "no taking pictures of willies" (at least while on the Ferris wheel)!  The other funny thing is that there were signs everywhere cautioning you not to take food or drink on the Ferris wheel, but there were cup holders in the cages!


One of the signs going into the Ferris wheel.