I took a trip to Ie Island recently and discovered the beauty of this small island. The ferry ride started a little bit hectic as my group nearly missed the 11:00 AM ferry due to traffic. Once safely on board, it was a short thirty minute ride to the island. Once on land, we rented bicycles and proceeded to cycle along a route with tourist attractions. One of the first stops was the Ernie Pyle Monument. Ernie Pyle was a reporter during World War II and must have covered the war from this area. Further along the route, there was a cave which could be explored. Supposedly, if one touches a specific rock in this cave, then they will have children. It seems like good fortune with fertility is a common theme for some of these spots; I remember there was a spot in Guam which also promised fertility for those that touched it.
The next stop was a lighthouse which was behind a military base fence. After admiring the lighthouse from afar, we proceeded further along the route. The next stop I remember was Mount Gusuko. It was a fairly difficult hike to get to the top of the mountain, but the views were worth it. Ie Island is pretty small as I could see the entire perimeter from the top of the mountain. After some time enjoying the view, I descended back down the mountain. A local Family Mart provided the necessary sustenance for the ferry ride back to Okinawa. It was a beautiful day exploring Ie Island!
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