Hotels that expand your travel possibilities
What does traveling mean to us?
Traveling gives us the opportunity to learn more about ourselves.
Such opportunities enrich the soul.
Compassion for oneself overlaps with the hotel's hospitality and connects to the charm of the area.
It's nice to meet you, but it's not nice to meet you.
It feels like it has been here forever.
Southwest Grand Hotel is a hotel and restaurant where you can feel this charm while staying in the city.
Surrender your mind to the next level of relaxation.
Experience something out of the ordinary while blending in with the locals.
A series in which we welcome guests who are good travelers and ask them about their travels.
The third Voice is from the power couple TAMAO and DAVID.
Is this what it means to have a dazzling smile?
The moment Tamao and David's family showed up, the place suddenly became surprisingly colorful.
This is a dining restaurant on the 11th floor of the Southwest Grand Hotel.
It is unique in that the dining room and pool are separated by a single glass window, which is unusual for Japanese hotels.
The relaxed atmosphere gives off a sense of overseas excellence, and the space is relaxed and comfortable.
The person who spoke to us was Tamao, who is based in Yomitan Village and has various hats including a yoga and SAP yoga instructor training instructor, a consultant for entrepreneurs, and a life coach. And David is a marketing planner, making them the ultimate power couple.
The two moved to Okinawa about two years ago.
They lived in Shonan and initially wanted to move to Bali.
Meanwhile, due to the coronavirus, they are looking for warm places in Japan such as Miyazaki, Amami Oshima, and Okinawa, and ended up going on a family trip to Zamami.
One morning, after spending a fulfilling stay enjoying surfing, snorkeling, and surfing, something happened that changed his fate.
“One morning, I went for a run around the island by myself.The temperature and wind were so pleasant that after I finished running, I just dived into the sea!When I opened my eyes in the sea, I saw water. It was so clear that it was so beautiful! I was so impressed that I told my wife that we should move to Okinawa.'' says David.
``I'm always the intuitive type, and he's the type that acts with the utmost caution, so I was surprised!'' They both looked at each other and laughed refreshingly.
``I'm really glad I moved here to Okinawa,'' says Tamao with a smile on his face.
"His intonation and words are gentle. His endings are really soft!"
Okinawan language is full of compassion.
Instead of saying, "Please do something or I'll do something," you can say, "Let's do something," making the ending feel milder.
When you hear it for the first time, you may be confused for a moment as to whether you were being prompted to do the same thing, or if you were to join in the action, but once you get used to it, Okinawan words are graceful and comfortable.
(There are various theories, but it seems that the words are chosen based on the feelings of the other person and the ending of the sentence.)
The way we enjoy traveling is unique to us as a global couple.
``Traveling is the real journey after the radio waves disappear!'' David says, enjoying the story as if he's reliving it.
``Until we have radio waves, we can manage with technology, but when we lose them, we can only rely on our intuition, whether it's looking at signboards or asking people, so when that happens, we're traveling for the first time! That's what I feel."
A time when excitement and nervousness are mixed together and your curiosity is stimulated.
``That's when you can make new discoveries! Even if you get lost, if you have time, you'll have peace of mind, and rather than just deciding on famous sightseeing spots, you can explore places that you think might be there.'' There's a lot of fun in discovering things on your own!'' says Tamao.
"Traveling really has a lot of learning elements, so I want my children to go to lots of different places and experience lots of different things. They have to think for themselves, research the places they want to go to, and communicate with the people there. There's really a lot to learn."
"Japan is such a great country, but the world is full of strangers, people who don't speak the same language, and there are restrictions, so I want the children to be strong even in such places. I want them to be able to sense even slightly dangerous situations on their own!" says David, from Chile, with a unique perspective.
``I feel like I'm saying things like "It feels so good!" more often in Okinawa than when I was in Kanto!''''
Tamao-san showed me a big smile when I said that.
The couple's base, Yomitan Village, is about an hour's drive north from Naha.
I fell in love with Yomitan, where there is plenty of nature and time flows slowly.
"We can relax, the ocean, which we love, is close by, and we're always in a happy state of mind. This means we have more positive things to say to each other, and I think it's helped our relationship improve!"
After moving to Yomitan, he seems to have started making time to properly watch the sunset.
Now I can stop and watch the sunset, which I had never really paid attention to before.
Maybe that's the secret to being a good couple.
Southwest Grand Hotel is located one street from Kokusai Street, the busiest street in Okinawa.
Even under such circumstances, this gym has a quiet environment perfect for unifying your mind.
The gym at this sophisticated hotel is truly unique.
I was surprised to learn that all of the equipment installed in the gym is manually operated.
We have a full lineup of running machines that you can move using your own power, as well as cycling machines and balance discs.
Tamao says that exercise is essential to keep yourself in good shape.
“When we travel, we always bring sneakers because we love running around the area!”
Tamao says that "emotions" are the most important thing in the world.
If you can maintain a good mindset at work, you will be able to build good interpersonal relationships.
``I want to advance in my work together with the customers, and I create the day together with them, so I want to choose the customers as well, choose what comes, and don't chase what goes.That's the kind of person I want to be. I think."
“Traveling can sharpen your senses. By experiencing good things and beautiful things, you can sharpen your sensibilities.”
yes. Everything is connected to your heart.
"It's nice to come to a city like Naha once in a while!"
David says that when his friends visit Okinawa, he picks them up at the airport.
``Normally, I'd take the expressway straight from the airport and head straight to Yomitan, but if there's a place like the Southwest Grand Hotel where I can take a breather, I can stop by once, have lunch or tea, and take a short break. It’s great! You can see Naha too.”
The cafe/restaurant ``A Long Vacation'', where you can enjoy everything from brunch to dinner, has an open design and the smooth hospitality you would expect from a hotel. The menu is stylish and exciting, from pancakes that are baked right in front of your eyes to main dishes with an Italian flavor.
“When I come to Naha for work, I can have meetings and work at the cafe, so I’m really happy!”
When I talked with them, it seemed like the parents themselves were not forgetting to have fun.
When it comes to families, the focus tends to be on the children.
But parents are also human.
If we don't have fun, our children won't have fun either.
Emotions are contagious.
When you step outside, you can discover such a small mindset.
The two of them have traveled all over the world, so perhaps this skill comes naturally to them.
Traveling makes you realize that.
Be true to your heart.
The journey continues.
Guest: Tamao & David
Photo: Makoto Nakasone
Interviewer/Text: Michiko Nozaki
Producer: Keita Shimabukuro (Blendwell.inc)
Director: Reiko Ushigome (Blendwell.inc)
This article is a collaboration with Champlu, a media outlet that helps you enjoy a new side of Okinawa.
https://champlu-media.com/2024/03/4504/