Noorin Shereef explores the wondrous island of Okinawa

Okinawa scooters may sound familiar to many but have you ever heard of an island named Okinawa? Yes, Okinawa is an island in Japan. It is also the place where people with the longest lifespan are found. Young Malayalam actress Noorin Shereef recently shared photos on Instagram of her journey to Okinawa.

The photo shows Noorin, clad in an orange salwar, in the classic gesture of a beautiful bride seeing herself in a hand-mirror. The 'freak girl' of Malayalam cinema describes Okinawa as an ideal wedding destination for Indian couples.

A world of wonders below the sea

The island has several plush and cosy beach resorts, not to mention exclusive private beaches. Whether it is adventuring into the sea, or enjoying quiet moments with family beside the ocean, private beaches offer a magical experience. They are also ideal for catching a breath-taking sunset, indulging in a sunbath, or trying a hand at outdoor barbecue.

Picture yourself wading in the ocean like a fish past beautiful corals. That's precisely what you experience while going diving in Okinawa. It's the chance of a lifetime for an undersea encounter with marine creatures like the incredible sea-turtle and the humpback whale. If you're lucky, you could even meet a few 'superstars' like the clownfish, the manta ray, or the hammerhead shark.

Several islands in the Okinawa group such as Kerama, Okinawa Main Island, Kume island, Miyako, Yaeyama, Yonaguni, Zamami island, Ijyakajya, Aka, Tokashiki, Irabu, Shimoji, Ishigaki, Taketomi and Nakanougan are renowned for diving and snorkelling sports.

Okinawa has much to offer besides water sports. For instance, its rich cultural heritage, folk arts, healthy lifestyle of its residents, eco-friendly buildings, and tasty cuisine, to name just a few.

Okinawa

Okinawa is a group of 160-odd islands, out of which 47 are widely scattered. Japanese is the main language. The population is less than 15 lakh. Pollution-caused problems are less and therefore, fewer people come down with illnesses.

How to reach

There are connecting flights from India to Okinawa. Fifteen hours is the approximate flying time. Ticket fares start from Rs 32,000. Advance booking might fetch cheaper fares.