A Whale of a Memory: My Okinawa Adventure with JICA Scholars
December 30, 2007 — a date etched in my memory like a splash frozen in time.
I was in Japan, surrounded by bright minds and fellow JICA scholars, far from the tropical warmth of the Philippines but burning with excitement nonetheless. That day, we journeyed to one of the crown jewels of Okinawa — the Churaumi Aquarium. A mouthful to pronounce at first, but unforgettable the moment we stepped inside.
Now, picture this: the main tank, Kuroshio Sea, loomed before us like a cathedral of glass, towering with silent majesty. And then — there it was. The whale shark. The whale shark. Mammoth, gliding through the water like a king in slow motion. Around it danced stingrays, groupers, and creatures I couldn't name — each one more surreal than the last. I remember feeling like a tiny dot, just a visitor in the vastness of the blue.
Cameras clicked. Gasps escaped lips. Jaws dropped — mine included. We were scholars on a mission to learn, but on that day, we were kids again, wide-eyed and wonder-struck.
It wasn’t just the sheer size of the sea creatures that stunned me — it was the reminder of how vast and mysterious our planet is. And how lucky we were to witness a sliver of it from behind a pane of glass.
We took photos — lots of them — but even the best picture couldn’t capture the feeling of standing inches away from a 20-ton gentle giant. That aquarium visit wasn’t just a tour stop; it was a moment of awe, laughter, and pure joy. The kind that anchors itself in your soul and refuses to fade.
To this day, whenever I hear “Okinawa,” I don’t just think of beaches or history. I remember the chill of the air, the warmth of friendship, and the quiet power of the ocean... seen from the inside out.
It was fun, yes.
But more than that — it was unforgettable.
A memory I’ll cherish forever.
