A Second Visit to Neo Park in Nago Okinawa Japan

Bird Show Is a Must See

On the first visit to this attraction, I forgot all about the bird show advertised on TV.

So, a week later, the second trip to Neo Park was made.

At the ticket counter, the gal told me 11:00 and 14:30 were the showtimes.

With an hour to kill, I wandered around and spotted this brilliantly colored bird.

After returning home, I found out this bird is an endangered species.

More about the Gray crowned crane at National Geographic.

Four or five different birds were displayed, flying from one handler to another.

They fly low, so close to the audience, I thought someone might get hit in the head.

Now, I know why they insisted I sit down on a bench to take photos.

It was so hot and humid (that day) one raptor refused to cooperate and stayed in a tree!

Someday, I'll go back and get better photos, when the light is right and it's cooler outside.

It's best to check the Neo Park website before planning a trip up there.

It closed for two days due to the typhoon but, Google Maps wasn't notified.

Also, Neo Park has an Instagram Photo Contest you may want to check out.

The website may be switched to the English language for information.

Obon in Okinawa Is Here Now Without the Eisa

This is the first year (I can think of) that Eisa got canceled during Obon.

So, I blew a wad of money to get a children's book, to take home.

Inside, you'll discover it has English, Japanese, and Uchinaguchi (Okinawan dialect).

But, my favorite part is this:

Open some of the pages (wide) and the Eisa characters pop-up in your house!

If, you can't find the book at a local gift shop, Google It.

ISBN978-4-9906517-1-8

Well, I have things to do. Happy September and stay safe during this typhoon.

Conveyor Belt Sushi at Hamazushi in Nago Okinawa

Place to Munch for Lunch

It was just after a short visit to the hospital, the wife and daughter took me to lunch.

I was kinda bummed because the doctor said I have to continue taking medications.

She asked, how I was feeling but, didn't even pull my shorts down. Oh well.

This is a unique establishment. Conveyor belts. deliver food to the tables.

So, if you like complaining don't expect a waitress; bring your wife.

Orders are placed by pressing buttons on each table's computer.

Conveyor belts, do the delivery. You're supposed, to be honest, and take only your orders.

Above, is Maguro (AKA Tuna) and the card preceding, is in English as well as, Japanese. 

The next serving is Taco or, Octopus Sushi, in English.

Everything comes in orders of two and, sitting on a bed of rice.

At the tables, soy sauce, wasabi, and other dressings are free for the taking.

This one was a surprise. Meat on a sushi roll.

Actually, there were two sushi rolls, when the things rolled out. I ate before shooting.

It may have been Ginger Pork or, some sort of beef. I can't tell you. It got gobbled, too fast.

More Information

Items other than sushi are available, such as chicken nuggets, soup, salad, and fries.

If you go on weekends, each plate or order sells for 100 Japanese yen.

On weekdays servings only cost 90 yen.

See my Google Maps Review for directions and more.

20 Photos Taken at a Folklore Museum in Nago Okinawa

Signs on the Road May Trick You

 

 

It may seem just like another, one of the hundreds, of Okinawa Soba noodle shops.

This one, is tucked away on the outskirts of the big city of Nago, Okinawa.

There's a parking lot, alongside the highway and, you can walk right on in.

This, isn't one of those fancy, municipal museums, run by the government.

A sort of, down-to-earth guy and, his family, run this operation.

It's a great place, to take a camera, when the weather outdoors won't cooperate.

Every type of container, for holding liquids is on display along with baskets.

Some of those things look like musical instruments but, could be kitchen tools.

If you haven't already guessed, I'll tell you.  I ain't no archaeologist.

Pots and pans, water pitcher and a pump, I recognize and, some cobbler's tools.

Does anybody, have a shoemaker, in their neck of the woods, these days ?

This glass case contains some very ancient, paper money.

Tools, kitchen accessories and, meat grinders, I guess, we're looking at here. 

This sort of reminds me, of the back room, in my office. Neat !

There's no telling, how old some of these cameras and lenses might be.

For sure, I know there, aren't any digital cameras, in that glass case.

This must be the laundry and ironing department, from back in the old days.

Aren't you glad, we have electricity, these days ? And, permanent-press clothing, too ?

 It must have been, like having a barbecue, every day, way back when.

 A wood or, charcoal fire, was used to heat everything, even a cup of tea.

 If you don't know the RCA Victor dog, Nipper, you must be, way younger than, me.

It's hard to tell if, this sewing machine was electric, or human powered.

 Some, were designed, to work both ways, for people, who didn't have electricity, I bet.

It probably wasn't a luxury, sailing one of these ships but, I think, they're cool.

Few people, have record players like this, anymore.  Notice, the hand crank.

Someone, improvised and, built this boat out of war salvage.

Well, I didn't get all the details, on these busts of women, I discovered.

But, I noticed, the artist made sure, their belly buttons showed.

Plenty of famous Japanese recording artists can be found over the soba shop.

It looks like, they saved a record of Hitler's favorite marching tunes, too !

Wide awake and alert, Doc Graff, pointed this out to me and, I got a good laugh.

Remember, Clint Eastwood and his early years, making spaghetti westerns ?

Well, on this album cover, call them macaroni style westerns !   LOL

The ceiling of the room above the soba shop, has all these kerosene lamps.

It's a Little Tricky Getting There

 

This was my second visit to the museum and soba shop and, I'll be going again.

So, I did some research and, saved it on a map.

 That way, I can Click Here for directions so, I don't get lost, again.

More Images Will Be Added to a Facebook Album

Entering a Tunnel (GIF) Up in Nago City

It's Some Sort of Bypass

 

 

After leaving the Hydrangea flower viewing in the mountains, it started to rain.

Good buddy Doc Graff was driving and, I started fooling with the camera.

We were bouncing around a bit, cruising down the highway.

The speed limit, posted, is probably, a good idea. It said "50" and, that's what we did.

Er, maybe just a little bit more because, we're not tourists. We live here.

Pentax K1 Spoils Me

 

It has this GPS feature, I turn on and, it Geo-tags all my images.

That way if, I upload them to Google Maps, it saves me lots of work.

Well, sonovagun if, the K1 wasn't in the back seat and, I used my old camera.

Usually, I would carry a Garmin handheld GPS device, when using the Pentax K3.

But, the batteries were removed and, it  stays in my office, these days.

Now, I have to fool around with translation services and maps, to Geo-tag this image.

Futami Suwaehisa Tunnel

 

That happens to be, all I have had translated about this tunnel, so far. 

Looking a maps, can get a guy lost so, I quit doing it for the time being.

The translation, looks a bit strange, to me so, here's what I'll do next.

Take a screenshot of it with my smartphone and, go bar hopping.

If 5 or 6 people, drinking beer, agree with that translation, I'll be good to go.

The thing will be called Futami Suwaehisa tunnel, from then on ! 

An Update

 

The translation above, was almost perfect; just drop the "e" from Suwaehisa.

And, you get the Futami By-pass Tunnel or, Futami Suwahisa Tunnel.

Nago Mountain Cherry Blossoms at Night and a Tip

Sakura Report #4

 

 

These 10 photos should give you an idea how the little pink flowers are doing.

Last night we grabbed the cameras and went to all the way to the top of the hill.

My favorite brewery, provided lanterns to light up the stairway.

The Nago City Sakura Matsuri, begins tomorrow.

THe festival tents and stage are set up and ready for business.

Stone lanterns glow, on both sides of the path, leading to the shrine above.

 It's a fairly steep climb so, I took my time and shot lots of photos.

 There may have been a grand total, of about five people, on the mountain while we visited.

So, I had plenty of time to play with different photo compositions.

Nago City, doesn't look the same, when you're up there in the dark.

 This is the shrine at the top of the mountain.

The trail to the left was lighted by lanterns so, I went down there, too.

Before long, there were no more lights and, it got really dark.

 

So, I decided  to go back down the stairs, I used to get up there.

And, I remembered to shoot a few cherry blossoms, too.

 It can be cold and windy up in the mountains during sakura season.

 So, I used the light from those Orion Beer lanterns to my advantage.

Travelers Tip

 

Some people go to these events for the festivities.

Stuff like food, drinks, entertainment and mingling with the crowds is alright.

If you want the most enjoyable experience, viewing the flowers, wait.

A week or, two later is when they'll really be blooming !

Todoroki Waterfall (轟の滝) in the Rain (Images)

This waterfall, in Nago Okinawa looks plenty different during rainy season.

The roar, of the falls, can be heard from far away.

Ice cold water splashes over the rocks.

There's no sense trying to get close for photos. Your camera will get wet.

Moving around on the banks of the place was enough fun for me.

 Here's a shot showing where all that water goes.

 Plan a picnic and you could sit here to eat lunch, on a nice sunny day.

It's a good thing that bridge is there for crossing to the other side.

It doesn't look too deep but, I bet the raging river would knock a person down.

If you haven't seen Todoroki Waterfall in the rain, you have no idea what you're missing.

Recommendation: Bring an umbrella or, wear a wetsuit !



Related Post: Todoroki Waterfall Then and Now

Directions: See Map It Okinawa 

When I'm Hungry: Where's the Beef ? Short Rant/Photo Essay

 

Hungry Cameraman Needs Red Meat

 

 

There's nothing wrong with the vegetarian crowd.  I ain't pokin' fun at you.

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of my diet.

But, I'm carnivorous, too.

After hiking a few hills in the northern part of Okinawa, it gets hungry outside.

And, my stomach starts dreaming about woofin' down a big, juicy lunch.

The best hamburger in Okinawa would be nice, is what Map It Okinawa and I were thinking.

Once, I saw a dude eat two of them in one sitting.  

Four or five times we got to the Toto La Bebe place and couldn't get in.

They must have changed their hours of operation.  What a bummer.

With juicy, red meat on our minds and stomachs growling, we headed to Nago City.

Then stopped by the Cafe Gusto.  I've had hamburgers here before.

It's a really fancy place so, I hid in the corner.

When the waitress came by I asked for a hamburger. But, they don't serve them anymore.

What you do then, if you want a decent meal is this:

Point at whatever looks good on the menu that is within your wallet's capability.

Some sort of hamburger-tasting thing was on my plate, covered with a diet sauce.

It tasted alright.  I woofed it down too fast to take a photo.

Probably, should have ordered two.  Because I left there saying...

...where's the beef ?