Wordless Wednesday: Fancy Footwear

Lunch on Ikei Island -- What an Experience !

Would They Even Let Us In ?

Out doing some research on outer islands, today it suddenly became lunchtime.

Doc and I had been kicked off one beach because, we didn't feel like paying for parking.

Some resorts can be pretty snooty. Dontcha think ?

This place had two (unattended) guard shacks with signs warning, "Hotel Guests Only."

"Let's go, Doc. We'll tell them, we're guests. Why else, would we be here?"

At the Hibus Restaurant, we were greeted and, got permission to enter.

The first customers, any table inside the place, was ours for the asking.

So, this ocean view was selected, where the scenery was nice and, air-conditioning felt good.

Normally, you don't catch me, going into some five star resort, to grab a meal.

The menu had all sorts of items, you could select from and, prices, weren't too outrageous.

Earlier in the day, on another island, I laid my flip-flop on the road, to shoot a photo.

It gives the viewer a sense of scale. The snake, was easily four times the size of my shoe.

That, you'll have to view, some other time. It would ruin your appetite, I bet.

Anyhow, I thought of placing one of my footwears, up there for this image.

But, it was sorta a high class place and, they might have gotten upset with me.

That roast beef submarine sandwich, was probably larger than one of my feet.

It cost 1,945 Yen, which is about twenty bucks. It filled up two of us.

Talking about it, I think it was the first time, I had eaten a roast beef sandwich in a long time.

As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever had one on any Okinawa island, before.

Doc and I, will probably be going back, to visit the AJ Resort on Ikei Island, again and again.

Our little ladies probably, wouldn't enjoy it because, they're always on diets. Hah.

Animation of Some December Eisa in Okinawa

Cheer Up Folks in Snow Country

It felt like springtime out in Ginoza, where they had a Hamburger Festival today.

There were some classic cars and bikes, to look at but, I liked the Eisa dances best.

Now, I'm back in my office processing photos and, the temperature dropped a few degrees.

Clouds rolled in and the wind started picking up so, I put a jacket on.

I'll try and get back into the house, without the Mrs. seeing me; I don't want any trouble.

If, I get caught, I know she'll holler because, I went out in shorts and flip-flops.

She'll probably say, "You're gonna catch a death of a cold, dressed like that."

Don't this weather, make you wish, you lived in Okinawa ?

New Shoes Just in Time for the Typhoon

Typhoon Chaba's Gonna Smack Us

One of my always-thoughtful-daughters, got me these brand new flip-flops.

Shima zori, is what this type of footwear gets called around here.

All the girls know, I'm easy to please. Buy me shima zori or Orion Beer, nothing else.

She's up to something, I'm thinking or, she wouldn't have bought me two pairs.

This morning, I carried on set to work and, left the other pair at home.

With all the walking I do, a pair only lasts me about a month.

Brand new shima zori are safe, to walk around with, in the rain. You don't slip and slide.

Once the treads wear down, the things can be real dangerous on wet pavement.

White lines, painted along the highway and crosswalks get slippery.

When the bottoms of my flip-flops got slick, I used to throw them away but, I don't anymore.

Some grandsons got caught arguing over an old pair one day.

So, I got orders to bring all my worn out shima zori home, for the boys.

The women probably, think they want the old stuff, just because it' grandpa's.

The truth be known, I'd bet they're using them to slide down the big hill behind their house.

Flip-Flop Conspiracy 

Notice that plastic fastener holding the shima zori pair together.

That is some of the toughest material money can buy. It's practically unbreakable.

The only way, to separate those flip-flops is, use a knife or scissors.

There are so many people coming up with conspiracy theories, I think it's my turn, now.

The Chinese folks, making those things are going to invade Europe, someday.

And, there's one country, over there, where people aren't too intelligent.

Prisoners of war, won't be able to escape, wearing those shoes, as leg irons.

Well, they might try but, they would be real easy to re-capture, running in them.

It may be against the law, to poke fun at some other nationality, so I won't mention it.

Here's a hint. It starts with a "P" and, it ain't Paraguay.

Typhoon Chaba

This screenshot was swiped from Pacific Stars and Stripes, today.

It's looking like, we may have some 150-190 mile an hour winds heading our way.

The last time, we got whacked by a typhoon that strong, it snapped telephone poles in half.

So if, you don't hear from me tomorrow it just means, I took a day off. Don't panic.

When the winds die down, I'll be out with the camera and my flip-flops.

If I get a chance, I'll go sliding down the hill with the grandsons, too !

Gigantic Hibiscus Flower Blooming Down the Street

Gargantuan Best Describes It

 

 

This was discovered, while walking the back-roads of town yesterday.

To stay out of the blazing sun, I walk in the shadows of the side streets, sometimes.

This humongous flower, caught my attention so, I stopped and shot it with the camera.

It's too bad, nobody was around to assist me.

It would have been nice, if someone came along to hold one of my flip-flops next to it.

That would give you a sense of scale.  I swear, the thing was bigger than my face.

If the flower is still there, I may get another chance to photograph it for you.

Meanwhile, you get get see, just how big my flip-flops really are ! 





You May Also Like:

15 Hibiscus Photos from Ie Island in Okinawa

All You Need o Know About Hibiscus

Life Just Can't Possibly Get No Better Than This

T'was Father's Day

 

 

Last night, I got home fairly late.

The kitchen table was piled up with Father's Day Presents.

Daughters and grand-kids had been by, while I was out doing what I'm always doing.

Those gals, figured it out, after all these years.

Fathers don't need stuff like fancy neckties or, Hello Kitty underwear.

Simple stuff, is just fine.

There wasn't enough room, in my back pocket, to bring everything to the office.

But, these hand engraved flip-flops fit perfectly.

There's a bunch more stuff, waiting to be put in my backpack.

My darlings know, I'm off to do some island-hopping this week and, don't exactly wear tuxedos.

Sleeveless t-shirts, towels and Wet-wipes is the stuff a traveling man needs.

Those Yellow Flip-flops Are Special

 

Probably, I will only wear them for certain occasions, like family gatherings.

Or, when I go to another island and eat at some high class restaurant.

Luckily, my name got carved on both feet.

That way, one of my shoes, won't get confused with somebody elses.

Damn, I'm happy !

These Photos Got Me Itchin' to Go Back Inside Shuri Castle

UNESCO Shuri Castle Is the Most Popular Attraction in Okinawa

 

 

Something possessed me today, to look at some old photos, I shot back in 2008.

There was a folder from October with undeveloped RAW files so, I processed them.

Just looking at all the bright colors and that shiny gold got me thinking.

The last time, I went inside this room, was almost, six years ago.

It's not like I haven't been to Shuri Castle lately.

If somebody, was keeping score, I've probably been there more than a hundred times.

One year, I even bought a Shuri Castle Park Passport.

That was probably, the smartest thing, I ever did in that town.

It costs 800 Yen admission fee, to visit the castle one time.

If you buy a Passport, for 1600 Yen, you can visit as many times as you want, for a whole year.

They even allow people to go in there, wearing flip-flops.

Well, I think it's high time, I got back down there and, buy me a new passport.

Then, I'll make sure, I follow all the rules and, shoot some more of that gold.

Once upon a time, we got in a bind for not-following-the-rules.

That was the day, I took these pictures. And, I haven't been back in there, since.

Well I'm older and a little bit wiser, nowadays.

If that security guard hasn't already retired maybe, he won't recognize me, anymore.

A few more grey hairs and a bit longer beard, may fool him.

It would probably be a good idea to wear blue, instead of yellow flip-flops, too.

That does it. I'm going back inside Shuri Castle.  Sounds like a plan.

More About UNESCO World Heritage Shuri Castle

 

 

Photo and Travel Tips

Shuri Castle Day and Night at the Moon Viewing Festival

UNESCO Shuri Castle at Night

The Sacred Water of the New Year

The Critters of UNESCO World Heritage Shuri Castle Pond

Shuri Castle Pond Again and Again

Shureimon Then and Now

Five UNESCO Castles on One Small Island: Okinawa, Japan

Yes RyukyuMike Wears Leather Shoes to Weddings

 Photographic Evidence Attached Below

 

 

The only thing, I stole was this place-card, because my name was on it.

A brand new pair of yellow flip-flops were waiting for me in the car.

A well known fact: After a few hours in shoes, my feet would be killing me.

Okinawan Weddings Are a Blast

The event was held in Precious Hall at Zanpamisaki Royal Hotel.

And, from the minute we walked in to Precious Hall, we were treated like royalty.

A young gal, pulled out my chair and helped me get seated.

Maybe, she thought I was some visiting dignitary or, a senior citizen.

Someone else will have to tell you if all guests, get seated that way.

I didn't  notice.

As soon as I got comfortable, it was time to look around the banquet room.

It's always nice to know, which direction the food and drinks come from.

The Bride and Groom

 

Takatoshi is the guy who invited me to the wedding.  We call him Toshi, for short.

Who ever the artist was, on that card, did a heck of a good job.

The bride's name is Rui.  She's prettier in person.

Precious Hall

 

It's a huge banquet room with seating for 500-600 people.

The tables are round and each one has eight chairs.

It would be nice to know how many folks attended.

The room, filled up, before I could figure out how many tables were in there.

Anyway, after three beers, who's counting ?

Live Dinner Theater

 

Fortunately, the cameras, stayed at home. No photos, were taken by me at this event.

In case, you've never seen an Okinawan wedding, I'll give some links, later.

While all the ceremonies, skits and dances were taking place, we were eating and drinking.

The round tables, are equipped with Lazy Susans.

And, every kind of food imaginable, from rice pasta to Filet Mignon, was served.

There wasn't anyone going away hungry, after this party.

And, they had my favorite drink, Orion Beer.

Only one act, that took place on the stage, caught me by surprise.

There was an Eisa group dancing and beating drums.

The groom, Toshi, was up there, leading them.

Were they trying to wear him out before the honeymoon ?

Enough Rambling

 

By popular demand, here it is.  No drum rolls, please.

Photo Credit: Miss Emi Iha

Note: Black leather shoes on both of my aching feet.

The peace symbol: It's just what people do in Japan, whenever a camera is pointed their way.

Hopefully, if I ever get invited to another wedding, the theme will be Beach Party !

Gross National Happiness and Other Notes

Where Flip-flops Meet the Road

 

 

Everything you need to know, isn't readily available on the internet.

Sometimes, you can learn more in a watering hole, than you can by researching online.

So, off I went on a mission to determine the starting date of the upcoming Chinese New Year.

There's my notes. Don't laugh. It's the old guy's version of the iPad.

While discussing the dates of the Lunar New Year with some locals, the TV was on in the bar.

It was a Japanese channel but, Gross National Happiness, showed up, in English.

So, I had to scribble that one down.

See the golf pencil ?  Well, I'm not a golfer.  I just hang around golfers sometimes.

They give me those little pencils that fit in my iPad, for free.

Not bad people to get to know. But, I still like girls better.

Lunar New Year's Day is January 31, 2014

That information was gathered in the very first bar I went to.

Several more bars are on my way home so, I thought it would be a good idea to stop in a few more.

The real world often imitates the internet.  It's best to verify your sources.

The Year of the Horse 2014 starts February 4th, I found out, at another place.

My old fashioned iPad was running out of space so, I memorized that information for you. 

Now, here I am, just as confused as everyone else, about this Lunar New Year.

So, I figured, it was time to quit worrying and do some more bar-hopping.

There are plenty of places with no golfers in them.  And, I like beer.

As the night wore on, every once in awhile, I'd ask somebody about the next New Year.

If you ask 5 people, you might get 5 different dates.

Along Came This Bar With A Beauty

 

It was a little chilly so, she had one of those winter scarfs, wrapped around her shoulders.

Nothing was revealed there.

After the place warmed up, she took the damn thing off.

By that time, I had done enough investigating and was getting sleepy.

So, I finished my beer and took my Gross National Happiness home.

Here's the real deal:

 

Gross National Happiness Homepage

New York Times Article





Related Post: Standby for the Chinese New Year

Ten Photos of an Okinawan Castle Ruins We Visited Today

 How Can You Miss It ?

 

Fairly simple, I'd have to say. Thousands of times I've been by this place.

So, I asked Doc Graff, "How come we never spotted this one before?"

"Probably, because they don't have any beer or, women up there," was his answer.

 Feast Your Eyes on Agena Castle Ruins

We decided to check it out, anyway.

There I was, hauling three cameras and, climbing those rugged, rock stairs.

When Doc, disappeared, ahead of me, it was time for some wide-angle shots.

The terrain, I would have to admit, is not-flip-flop-friendly.

Believe it or not, I was wearing socks with my flip-flops and my winter parka.

It's been pretty cold, in the mornings, around here.

After a little rest, I unpacked a different camera and went back down hill a bit.

And, the sun decided to come out !

So, I huffed and puffed and went back to rest on the bench, again.

Then,  it was on we go, all the way to the top.

Once you go through this tunnel-looking thing, you'll know, you are in a castle.

From the top of the castle ruins, you can see for miles around.

That's a bull fighting ring, below the castle walls.

Doc was right.  There were no beers or, women way up there.

By this time I had sore legs, almost busted flip-flops and a sweaty parka.

So, said, "Let's get outta here."

Going back down the stairs, I saw Doc trying to shoot me.

So, I shot him to give everyone a sense of scale.



 

More About Agena Castle Ruins in Okinawa, Japan

Travel Photos: One Minute of Sunset in Okinawa



After spending the day taking photos, in the northern mountains, we saw the sun going down.

The Map It Okinawa Dude pulled over, as quick as traffic would allow.

The photo above was taken at 5:36PM.

From the same location, I backed up and went wide angle.

It was 5:37PM.

We were somewhere on HWY 58, above Nago, Okinawa.

By the time I got back to Kin Town, it was dark.

It's a good thing I left the lights in my office burning.

Do you know what it feels like, stubbing your toes on concrete steps ?

Try it, in flip-flops, sometime. Hurts like a son of a beach !

That's why I leave the office lights on.

Lessons Learned from a Lizard

Little Godzilla Came in the Office

 

This character was out in the alley yesterday morning.

There's no smoking allowed in my office.  It's sort of a self-imposed restriction.

Every time I went out back for a nicotine break, I'd see the lizard.

But, whenever I grabbed a camera, he'd disappear.

A little past noon, the critter just walked in the door and started checking the place out.

So, I grabbed a camera and flash.

Crawling around on the concrete floor, I started catching shots from a few angles.

People think I'm crazy when I talk to reptiles and birds but, it works, for me.

It's better than talking to yourself.  That's what crazies do.

The lizard had to be told, "Quit blinking when I'm taking your picture."

The little guy and I, got along just fine.

I figured, he could stay, as long as he was trainable.

Like I wouldn't mind him eating mosquitoes but, didn't want him crapping all over the floor.

That's the reptile, on the right corner of my laptop.

He watched, as I developed his pictures.

A bug eating friend, living in my office.  How cool is that ?

But Things Took a Turn for the Worse

Coming back from a visit to the bathroom, I noticed.

The poor guy was dead.

The main suspect:

A YELLOW FLIP-FLOP !

 

What Did We Learn ?

• This office could use a good cleaning lady
• It wouldn't hurt to wash those flip-flops
• All good things must come to an end
• People shouldn't walk on their friends
• Wrapping a dead lizard in a napkin, conceals it from the garbage man 

 

Travel Photo: Nightlife in Koza City Okinawa

After spending the day checking out beaches, caves and other islands, it's time for a break.

It's been a few months since we went to Koza for a night of entertainment.

Tonight, a crowd of us will meet at a Live House.

We may end up sipping the local spirits, singing and dancing.

So, I decided to leave the cameras behind.

Maybe, I'll just take notes.

Just in case you don't hear from me in a few days, call the Koza Information Center.

Tell the authorities you're looking for the bearded American guy.

The one wearing yellow flip-flops.

They'll know where to find me.



Ghost Hunting in Okinawa is Exhausting Work

It All Started the Last Week of September

 

Walking to the office one morning, I noticed Halloween decorations in a shop window.

That reminded me, it's time to start looking around for some good ghost stories.

Not the kind of stuff that's been written down already.  I want something original.

In the Ryukyu islands, they really don't have an occasion called Halloween.

Ghosts and their stories, pop-up all the time.

Catching one with a camera, though, that's a different story.

We're working on it.

Where the Flip-flops Meet the Road

 

Research, so far, has taught me a few things:

1. People believe in ghosts or, they don't.

2. Some folks like to talk about them, others don't.

3. A good ghost story will give you goose bumps (chicken skin, if you prefer).

 4. When the weather is hot, ghost stories have a cooling effect on your body.

 5. It's best to conduct this type of study at night.

6. In a dimly lit bar, you get more information than you would in a shopping mall or, church.

7. People with the best stories may not talk to strangers.

8. Giving a gift, of some sort, often gets its rewards.

9. Candy is dandy but, liquor is quicker.

10. Don't hunt for ghosts close to home.  One might follow you.

Be Careful !

My paranormal meter senses something, behind you.

BOO !

RELATED POST: Today I Went Down Some Old Spooky Stairs

Travel Photo: Just a Guy on the Seawall with His Sanshin

Out researching an event that takes place on an uninhabited island we spotted this guy.

Many of the cultural events we go to document, take months (in advance) of preparation.

There aren't any English language travel guides, written about them.

So, getting out there and beating the bushes, is what Map It Okinawa dude and I do.

This photo was taken March 21, 2013.

We were looking for an off shore island, rumored, to have some ceremonies in June.

When you read something that says an event takes place in "June" you have to wonder.

With June being the sixth month of the year, sometimes things are lost in translation.

In Okinawa, Japan, most cultural events take place according to the Lunar calendar.

The sixth month might be in July or, August, depending on what year it is.

The guy on the seawall could point us in the direction of the island we were looking for.

But, he had no recollection of any event taking place, over there, during the month of June.

A few hundred meters away from him, I took this shot with my lens at 250mm.

While he was playing his sanshin, I did a little dance.

That got him smiling and he gave the OK to snap a picture of him.

Someday soon, I should go back and visit that guy.  I think we'd get along fine.

He has good taste in flip-flops.  Dontcha think ?

Travel Photo: The Staircase to Sennin Gama

Sennin Gama is another name for Niya-thiya Cave on Ie Island, Okinawa, Japan.

A thousand islanders were housed here during the Battle of Okinawa.

The photo was taken with a Pentax K5 and Sigma 10-20 at a focal length of 10mm.

The staircase leads directly from the parking lot to the path entering the cave.

Sometimes, in my adventures, I forget to mention accessibility.

People traveling with little tots need to know these things.

An ambitious couple could manage these stairs with a baby stroller.

Heck, I made it down and back with two cameras and a pair of flip-flops !



You may also like: The Pregnancy Rock 

A Quick Trip to the Blue Lagoon: Islands not Far From Here

Ever Wonder What Causes A Blue Lagoon ?

 

Many times, I've rode across the bridge between Henza and Miyagi Islands in Okinawa.

The water in this area has a different color than any seawater I've ever seen.

Finally, one day last week, I got out with the cameras and walked around.

Critters, is what I always look for because I love nature.

So, I shot this butterfly.

Here's what I call the Blue Lagoon.

The photo was taken from the Miyagi Island side and I can see the Kin Powerplant.

The left side of the frame shows, just a tad of Henza Island.

Turning around, I snapped this photo to give you a better view of Henza.

That's not a resort you're looking at up there.  It's some sort of oil storage and refinery place.

Besides that pretty blue water, there are all kinds of things you can find at the Blue Lagoon.

Electrical supplies, auto parts, beer mugs and computer components are there for the taking.

This is only the stuff you can see on the surface.

It's still a mystery, to me, what may have turned the water blue.

But, I can tell you, no wildlife hangout around there.

Today, I did a little snooping around on the world wide web and found something interesting.

A company from Singapore wants to buy all that oil stuff, up there on Henza.

By pure coincidence, I learned, it hit the news on March 22, 2013.

Eighty Million Dollars, they are offering for the refinery.

And, another Five-hundred Million Dollars for the oil and stocks at the joint.

SSSSSHHHHAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAMMMMMM ! 

Y'all oil company and travel people need to contact me.

For under One Million US Dollars I can tell you how to turn this place in to a tourist attraction.

Folks need to get out of the office and go where the flip-flops meet the road.

The idea for this sweet deal came from:  Bloomberg Businessweek.