Travel Photo: Architecture in the Yanbaru Discovery Forest

This Shelter Provides Some Shade

 

 

Sometimes, on a steamy afternoon, the wildlife just disappear.

We stopped in this little building for a break and it gave me an idea.

Just kick back, like you're taking a nap.

And, take a picture of the ceiling.

Camera: Pentax KD10

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 18mm.

Exposure:  f/11   1/4sec   ISO 100

Discovery in Okinawa: The Perfect Cheesecake

A Few Qualifications

• A cheesecake has some weight to it.  Lift it, and it weighs as much as a light bowling ball.
• It isn't like a pound-cake.  It is thick and, will break a plastic fork.
• It is stored in a refrigerator because, if it's left out on a shelf, it will spoil.
• Siberian Huskies love cheesecake as much as I do. So, this one won't go home with me.
• Good cheesecakes are hard to find (almost impossible) in Japan. But, they do exist.

The Awesome-yummiest Cheesecake

 

 

It's been, just down the street from my office, all along !

Instead of focusing on bugs, in front of my office or, the moon, I should have looked.

  


The building, across the street with the striped awning has it.

 

  

There's even a sign, in English, that says, Cheese Cake !

So, I went in and ordered one.

This baby had some texture and was as heavy as a bowling ball.

There isn't any fancy silverware around my office.

So, I had to get my camping saw off my backpack, to slice it.

Plastic forks would break so, I used a spoon, instead.

Licking plastic spoons isn't bad for your health but, licking camping saw blades hurts.

After, eating about half the cake, I put it in the fridge.

And, went back to ask if I could take some photos of the place.

As soon as I hit the publish button on this blog, I'll see how much more I can eat.

It's the best cheesecake, I've tasted in over 30 years.

So, there's no sense sharing it and letting things go to waste.  Right?

People living in Okinawa might want to know where to find Taimo Kobo Kinta.

For anyone, interested in making their own, here's a recipe.


But, I doubt, it comes anywhere near the discovery, I made today.

Back to attack the rest of my cheesecake and, take a little nap.


New Year's Eve, is always a long day and night, around this part of the country.


To all my friends and followers, have a safe and Happy New Year.


Let's hope 2014 has lots of Ups.


And, may any Downs you have, be gentle ones!



Where is it on Google Maps?

Never Ending Discoveries in Okinawa, Japan

Decades Could be Spent Finding Them All

 

The question is asked frequently.

"Do you think you will ever run out of material to photograph and write about on Okinawa ?"

The answer is, "No."

The photo above, is an example of a recent find. 

In over 35 years of traveling up and down this island, I had never heard of or, seen this place.

It is called: Nishihara Village Office Wartime Underground Shelter.

It seems that, in the 1940's, the Japanese Imperial Army needed to occupy some buildings in town.

Local residents were (ahem-ahum) employed to dig this underground shelter.

That way they could store all the important papers and documents.

If you worked in the village office, you could take stuff out and work on it at home. 

Then, bring it back at night, to be stored in a safe.

A Quote From the Historical Marker

 

 

"Today, in Nishihara, the office shelter is one of the few important historical artifacts left from the war.

Such remains constantly remind us of the hardships and tragedies of war, even as its lessons fade with time."