Last weekend we had the opportunity to travel off our island for a day. We went by ferry to a neighboring island called Ie to enjoy their annual lily festival. Instead of hopping on a bus we decided to rent bikes and do some exploring. I'm so glad we did... As we were riding down the road we happened across a yard full of giant tortoises. Even better than finding humongous turtles was watching my Mr. hop in there with them to rescue Hayden's "Flat Stanley." As we were taking a picture of Stan with a tortoise, he blew over and J hopped over the fence to save him! 

The lily festival itself was gorgeous. We parked our bikes at the top of a hill and walked through the display of about a million lilies. 

our lunch at the base of Mt. Gusuku (this is a pretty typical Okinawan meal)

the most gorgeous flowers at the "Children's Hibiscus Garden"