Okinawa Minutes Before Sunrise

Kin Power-plant and part of Ikei Island at 6:09 AM.

Sunrise took place seven minutes later but, I liked this photo better.

Wordless Wednesday: Sailing Sabani Race

Wordless Wednesday: Serenity

Life Doesn't Have to Be a Beach

An Image to Chase Monday Morning Blues

This photo was taken while riding the ferry between Aka and Zamami Islands.

It was kind of surprising to see people out on this remote beach, far from any civilization.

There are no convenience stores, soda machines, ice cream stands or, power lines.

It's highly unlikely, they walked there. Probably, they were transported by boat.

As long as, they have made arrangements to return to a larger island, they should be fine.

A tent for shade, coolers with ice for food and drinks and, some beachwear is, all you need.

No wi-fi, electrical gadgets or, loud city noises, to disturb the sun seekers. Wow.

Got sunscreen, check. Salsa and chips, check. Beer and wine, check.

Honey, where's the toilet paper ?  Oh, crap, I thought you were supposed to pack that stuff !

Can ya put it on hold 'til 6PM ?

Animation: Flying Fish and a Plane

Plane - A Weathervane

Not the typical flying fish, either. These are Koinobori or, carp pennants.

Luckily, we got up to the Village of Oku, early in Golden Week.

Living on a Pacific Island, you never know, when the weather might take a turn.

Beautiful blue skies were over the Ryukyu Island Chain, yesterday.

Wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt, it was a little bit warm.  So, I switched to shorts today.

Wouldn't you know it.  A cold breeze, cloudy skies and rain, showed up today.

Fortunately, a flannel shirt was hanging around in my office and, it's on me, now.

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.

Travel Photo: Rock Will Tell You If It's a Boy or Girl

Niya-thiya Cave or Senin Gama

The cavern is located on Ie Island, Okinawa, Japan and, it has historical significance.

A thousand islanders took shelter here and, survived the Battle of Okinawa. 

In the right lower corner of this image, is a stone of hysterical significance, to me anyway.

Call it the Pregnancy Rock if, you like. Here's what the inscription teaches us.

Pick up that stone, chained to the short pillar and, see how much it strains your muscles.

If  a woman, lifts the stone before long, she'll become pregnant.

The stone heavy ?  That means, the baby will be a boy.

If, it's light, a baby girl will be born.

Related Post:

The Pregnancy Rock in Okinawa (Photo) It's a Myth I Hope

Flower Festival at IeShima Okinawa, Japan: A Million Lilies

Time for a Lily Festival

This post was originally created after visiting the 2011 Yuri Matsuri (Lily Festival) on Ie Island.

A quick visit to the Ie Village website, gave me this poster, advertising the 2017 event.

Visit the English version of Ie Island website for more details.

At the heading, you can switch to Japanese, French, Chinese or, Korean.

More than likely, Ryukyu Mike, won't appear during the matsuri, this year.

It is probably the biggest and busiest event held on that island.

So, for local families, wishing to attend, I would recommend going on weekdays. 

Make sure all reservations (especially ferry) are made in advance and, don't be late.

2011 Visit to the Lily Festival

There wasn't time to count them all but, I estimate there had to be a good 750,000 Easter Lilies at the IeShima Lily Festival in Okinawa, Japan.  The island advertises a count of over one million flowers. 

It's easier to just take their word for it, I think.

The main attraction is the hundreds and thousands of white Easter Lilies, in all stages of budding and blooming, dancing in the wind on the slopes facing the ocean.

This is where the annual festival takes place and visitors from all over Japan will be taking the ferry to visit during the next week.

There are plenty more white lilies waiting for me to get them developed.  I decided to give a few of the other lilies their 15 minutes of fame.

One of these days, I may have to start collecting books, or make friends with a local florist, so I can give you the proper names of these flowers. 

There just aren't enough hours in the day or days in the week for me to research them.  Do you suppose florists like beer?

It'd be a lot easier for me if I could just stop by a flower shop and take the photos.  If a florist told me the names of the things they'd get a free photo and could sit down once in awhile and drink beer with me.

The trip to the Flower Festival on IeShima this weekend was a real adventure.  It all started with me getting a black eye before I even got on the boat.  Wow.  It's a good thing it wasn't my shootin' eye.

People on the boat, get out of your way real quick when you walk towards them with a black eye and blood running down your face.  So, it wasn't all bad.  It was kind of like being a VIP. 

Or, they thought I was some sort of crazy, violent person.  Hah, I was just going to shoot Easter Lilies!

There are plenty of other interesting things to do on the island of IeShima in Japan besides taking photos of flowers so, I did them, too.  It may take me some time to get caught up, then you'll get the rest of the story.

Safe and sound, back on the main island of Okinawa, Japan is where I'm at now.  A million lilies were fun to look at and take pictures of but, there are critters and caves I want to go back and see. I'll show you some examples as soon as the development is done.

The next time I visit that island, I might just stay for a week.  That'll be sometime after my face stops lookin' like I'm some kind of criminal and the weather is a little warmer.  Maybe, in the summer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LILY FESTIVAL VISIT THE JAPAN UPDATE

Visit Map It Okinawa for travel details

See My Top Five Attractions on Iejima

Couldn't See Kudaka Image for Wordless Wednesday

Okinawan Folktake: Iejima Handu-gwa

To the West of Okinawa Island

 

 

During the 18^th Century, a prince from Iejima arrived in Hentona Village, Okinawa.

He met a beautiful girl with long black hair and, they fell in love.

One day, he informed her that, he had to travel north, to Japan, on official business.

He promised, he would return, to the love of his life, Handu-gwa but, never did.

After a long wait, she became anxious and decided to travel by boat, to Iejima.

She spoke with the captain about, going to find out what happened to her prince.

Captain Tamaki, warned her, not to visit the residence of the royal family.

She ignored his advice and, went anyway.

She would discover, her charming prince, had a wife and a child.

In despair, Handu-gwa climbed the only hill on the island, where she committed suicide.

She hung herself from a tree, using her long hair to strangle herself.

Sketch by Atsushi Maezato

Her Spirit Would Return

 

  The lord of Iejima and prince would soon die early deaths, from undetermined causes.

The royal family lost their fame and fortunes.

The Tamaki family became successful, wealthy and lived long, happy lives.

At times, the ghost of Handu-gwa, would appear outside the homes of the prince's descendants.

When she showed, on the occasion of childbirth, the babies would be stillborn.

There would be black marks of strangulation on the child's neck.




See the statue of Handu-gwa on Ie-jima



MORE FOLKLORE

Travel Shot -- Hamahiga Island Furusato Coastline

Nice Weather Considering It's Rainy Season

 

On a recent visit to Hamahiga Island it became necessary to chase this scene.

Noon is probably, the worst time of day for outdoor photography.

The blue skies and colors of the ocean, made me do it. I just had to wait for a moment.

When some clouds, covered and filtered the bright sunlight behind me, I was ready.

The people on the beach, didn't need to be in the scene so, I went out on the seawall.

Some folks, call this Furusato Beach.

In Japanese it's  浜ふるさと海岸 (Beach hometown coast) when translated.

TripAdvisor lists Hamahiga Island as #4 of 35 Things to Do in Uruma, Okinawa.

Check it out if, you get a chance !

Blue Skies and Flying Fish

OK They're Carp Streamers

 

 

Brightly colored koinobori are still flapping in the breeze by Nature Mirai (ネイチャーみらい).

There was nobody down in that rice paddy but me, this afternoon.

The trip to an outer island today, got cancelled.  I'll tell you what happened.

Late last night, my Minister of Transportation and, I  had sort of a meeting, in a bar.

We got discussing the weather and stuff like that, while soaking up some air-conditioning.

In order to catch the ferry, we had to go home early and, wake up, before 4AM.

After 3 or 4 ice cold mugs of Orion Beer, we both came to the conclusion, "That'd be dumb."

So, we contacted the trip organizer and, told him the truth.

We figured, drinking cold beers was more important than, traveling to another island.

Bright Sunny Day

 

Instead of spending six hours to see another island, I took about a six mile hike in Kin Town.

There was plenty of activity along the Okukubi River and, I've got photos, to prove it.

Time will be spent later, sorting through kayaks, birds, butterflies and dragonfly images.

My Minister of Transportation, messaged me this evening and, he's got to work tonight.

He's a big, gnarly dude, working in some special kind of body shop.

After, he gets off work, we'll get together and, discuss the day's events.

More than likely, we'll wind up going to some of our regular watering holes.

Whichever pretty gal brings us our beers, we always, buy them a drink, too.

Oh.  I almost forgot to tell you, how I shot the photo above.

It was with the camera and lens, mentioned on yesterday's blog.

30MM  f/8  1/500  ISO 100 

Location:  Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  MAY 15  2016  1:38PM

Travel Photo: A Ritual on Henza Island

She's Preparing to Spear One of the Fish

 

A few hundred people were standing around this tent, hoping to see the action.

Prayers and offerings were made, minutes before the woman made this bow.

An external flash, bounced off the ceiling of the white tent, captured this image.

Camera:  Pentax K3

Lens:  Pentax 18-250 at 25MM

Exposure:  f/7.1   1/160   ISO 200

Location:  Henza-jima, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  10 APR 2016  1:18PM 

More photos will be processed and details gathered, to explain the tradition.

Meanwhile, you can read one version of the story at Okinawa Clip.

An Attractive Looking Island Restaurant

Looks Like a Fixer Upper

 

 

On my second day of the Lunar Calendar, I visited Kouri-jima.

This restaurant had caught my eye, several times but, I had never entered the place before.

Most people would figure, a fine establishment like this, might be a tourist trap.

Heck, it's right off the beach, as you enter the island by bridge.

It was so cold, this morning, I had worn socks with my flip-flops, leaving home.

But, by the time, we got to Kouri-jima, the socks were tucked away, in my back pocket.

It turned out, to be a beautiful, sunny day and, my toes needed some tanning.

Nowhere, on any island, have I ever seen lasagna and rice on a menu in this lifetime.

It was ordered, delivered and partially eaten, when I realized, I forgot to take a ;photo.

Anyway, now you can see the texture, a little better.  It was yummy and, hot.

Lasagna-wise, it was sorta "meh" but, it helped kill my appetite so, I guess that was good.

The price was around twelve bucks or so.  That seemed a bit on the costly side.

What the heck, lunacy is alright, when you're celebrating the Lunar New Year, I guess.

Up on the Second Floor

 

That's where you're seated for dining, on the veranda, overlooking the beach.

If you have to go pee, that's downstairs and, I checked it out.

Long, sloping stairs, embedded with seashells, lead the way up and down.

In the restrooms, they even have showers, in case you came from the beach, all sandy.

Not needing a shower, I didn't check, to see if it was free or, you have to pay.

The stuff I did, didn't cost a dime and, I was back in my seat, before the meal showed up.

Usually, I'm not crazy about pricey foods but, I'll probably go back here again, sometime.

The food, doesn't have to be all that great.  Atmosphere, is what you're really paying for.

Plus, I forgot to count the steps.  That's important, for lots of people, to know.

Some people, have step-o-phobia and, want to know things like that.

Now, I could, take all the grandchildren over there and let them, count the stairs.

But, if I bought them, each an ice cream cone, for counting steps, it'd cost me a fortune.

They'd all come back with different counts and, be arguing, while I lose 20 bucks.

So, I should go climb the stairs and, count them myself, for accuracy, I guess.


The place is called, Cafe and Restaurant Yoshika

And, you can visit them on Facebook

Could Use a Little More Sunshine Around Here

Somebody Opened the Spigot Again !

 

 

It was almost like a summer day, yesterday and, I got a good six hours of sun. 

Well, I must have insulted, somebody up there because, the island is getting hosed today.

To cheer myself up, I dug up this photo from last June, taken from a boat.

It's better than, walking around, outside, with an umbrella but, it didn't quite do the trick.

So, I went over to YouTube and found a tune that might tickle everybody.

Hearing Johnny Cash and June Carter, sing that tune was alright.

But, watching them, get the audience going, was even better.

Someone needs to figure out a way to re-distribute rainfall and sunshine, around the globe.

Okinawa got a fair share of water.  Give the rain to somebody, who really needs it. 

Then, I promise, I'll sing this tune in the shower, everyday !

How About Sunflowers in January ?

A Cure for Cabin Fever

 

 

It's a good thing the weather forecasters are wrong sometimes.

They predicted rain every day this week and blew it, a few times.  That made me happy.

These photos were taken, yesterday morning in Kitanakagusuku Village.

The flowers were a brighter yellow than, a brand new pair of my flip-flops. That's bright ! 

After about a week of rainy, cold, windy days, this place cheered me up.

The sun was shining and the wind was gentle and warm.  No socks required.

Being here, made the winter blues, melt and, run outta my body !

 So, I thought sharing a few images might cheer other people up, too.

If, you're stuck in snow country maybe, you should visit Kitanakagusuku in Okinawa.

The Okinawa Island Guide can tell you all about these sunflowers.

They list all the festivals, held on island and, give directions on how to get to them.

Just a Tree Near the Sea -- Image

Somebody Up There Heard Me Complain

Finally, we got a bit of that warm December weather, warm-mongers, always worry about.

And, I enjoyed every bit of it, running around in flip-flops, with no socks !

Camera: Pentax K5

Lens: Sigma 10-20 at 20MM

Exposure: f/11   1/80   ISO 100

Location: Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: DEC 12 2015  3:14PM

In Okinawa You Can Flyboard !

What Will They Think of Next ?

 

 

It would be best if, you had some agility and, no disability before you try this water sport.

This dude was fly-boarding at Sesoko-jima in Motobu, yesterday.

People who are really good at the sport do acrobatics out there.

Personally, I'd rather open my wallet, to try paragliding because, I could bring a camera along.

For those, interested in attempting flying closer to the water, I found a link.

Flyboard Okinawa

Island Life Concierge

Where else in the world, could you do stuff like this, in the month of October ?

Another Day Trip with Cameras to Tsuken Jima

12 Photos as Teasers to Go

 

 

This island requires a short boat ride, to reach but, it's an enjoyable attraction.

Beach bums, snorkelers and those who like biking or hiking can have a blast there.

 

The ferry sails from Heshikiya Port to Tsuken Jima five times daily.

It's less than half an hour ride and, I like to hangout on the decks enjoying the fresh air.

Some folks prefer sitting in the air-conditioned compartments, looking at walls.

 And, some of them fall asleep if, you can imagine that.

Not me, I'm usually the first one to jump ship, as soon as the dang thing quits rocking !

 Next thing, I do is ask for a tourist map, when I get inside the terminal.

It's always fun, to discover what attractions they are promoting for travelers to see.

I would have never thought of photographing these shisa if I hadn't seen the map.

There must be dozens of them, around home, I see every day.

The map was in Japanese but, I followed it up past the shisa and, found these signs.

The Carrot Lookout point was where I wanted to go first.

 It's been awhile since I visited this tower and, I wanted to see if Kin Town was visible from here.

There were a bunch of children, on bicycles, doing some sort of field trip.

Some of the teachers knew me so, they must have come from somewhere in Okinawa.

They were a friendly bunch of kids but, I was glad to see them depart the area.

It's hard to concentrate on the camera when everybody thinks you're Santa Claus.

Next time, I'll tell them I'm the Easter Bunny.

From the top floor of the Carrot Tower, I took this photo.

The island of Okinawa is out there on the horizon and, the Kin Power Plant is visible.

Leaving the tower, it was just a short walk to Tomai-hama Beach.

Jet skiers, snorkelers and swimmers seemed to be enjoying the warm weather.

On the way to the next location, I had to stop and shoot this image.

The orange-tiled roof, shisa, blue cloudless skies and flowers, made me do it.

And, who could pass by a carrot manhole cover, without shooting it ?  Not me.

This is not so much, a tourist attraction, as it is a sacred site.

The incense burner, on the left side of the photo is a clue that somebody worships there.

Would you go inside that cave ?

Some folks think it's alright to stash geocaches in a place like this.

That seems a bit sacrilegious, to me but, I'm no expert geocasher;  just a photographer.

Previous Posts About Tsuken Jima 

Geocashing: Everything You Wanted to Know

Travel Photo: An Unusual Fire Hydrant Spotted on Tsuken Island

Not to Be Confused with a Manhole Cover

 

 

Fire hydrants in Japan are not the type dogs lift their legs up, to pee on.

They are placed underground and, usually a signpost, nearby indicates their presence.

This one was the first, I've come across, that was decorated with a fire engine.

Usually, they are not painted or decorated in any fashion.

Few of them are round, like manhole covers.  Usually, they are rectangular in shape.

Travelers should know, parking a vehicle on one of these, could result in a healthy fine.

 Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 25mm

Exposure: f/11   1/125   ISO 100

Location: Tsuken Jima, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  SEP 25  2015  12:40PM