Have a look at photos of wildlife, festivals and travel sites here. Sharing tips for travelers with a twist of humor is part the life I enjoy in Okinawa, Japan. Photos and text Copyright © Michael Lynch. All photos contain traced digital watermarks. You may contact:http://www.ryukyulife.com/ for licensing.
Showing posts with label Races. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Races. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Friday, December 11, 2015
Travel Photo and Thoughts -- Where'd Summer Go ?
Time to Get the Santa Suit Ready
It seems like just a few weeks ago, people were cussing the heat around here.
Now, I'm wearing a jacket and have socks on with my flip-flops.
This photo was taken during an annual Harii or, Dragon Boat Race in the summer.
I remember, it being a long hot day, in the sun and, I miss those days.
Camera: Pentax K5
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm at a focal length of 10mm
Exposure: f/11 1/320 ISO 100
Location: Itoman Port, Okinawa, Japan
Date and Time: JUN 19 2015 10:10AM
6 Pages on the Calendar Later
An invitation to represent Santa at a school, that's never been graced by my presence cams in.
They want to know if, I need a Santa Claus uniform for the appearance.
Digging through the closet, I found my boots and glasses and, will dust them off.
All year long, I've been working on the tummy so, I won't need to use a pillow.
It's been twenty years that, I've been doing the Santasan thing, now.
So, I guess you could say, I'm a seasoned Santa Claus but, I still miss summertime.
Related Posts:
How I Became Santa Forever
A Dozen Brightly Colored GIF Animations from Itoman City
Saturday, June 20, 2015
A Dozen Brightly Colored GIF Animations from Itoman City
Annual Boat Races in Itoman Harbor
It seems like summer arrived a bit early this year.
Blue skies, most of the day, made it a perfect time for going outdoors and enjoying a festival.
Before the sun came up, I was in the office, preparing cameras and lenses.
And, I left the lights on, knowing it would be after sunset by the time, I returned.
Most places in Okinawa call these Harii Boat Races.
Westerners usually call them dragon boat races.
In Itoman, the sabani boat races are called Hare and they signal the end of rainy season.
Coincidentally, the word hare, is Japanese for, sunshine.
For events, like this, I carry two cameras and three sets of lenses.
It would be nice to photograph every team as they race and, I try but, usually miss a few.
There are a few thousand spectators at these events.
Luckily, a local sabani team, invited me to stay in the shade of their tent, alongside the port.
When the sun gets directly overhead, a person could easily suffer heat stroke.
They even offered some cold beer but, I chose green tea instead.
The crowds go wild, cheering for their teams, while beating drums.
They have unusual colors for some of the team's uniforms and, it makes me glad.
I'm glad, I am not a fashion coordinator. Oops!
Knowing it would be a very long camera day, I try to pace myself.
There is a lot more that will be going on at this festival than, just boat races.
Besides all the festival food and game booths for children, there's more.
Many people just come to watch or, participate in the sabani boat races.
Itoman is famous for the fishing ports and industry but, they have farmers, too.
Their contribution to the festival may be seen here.
Watermellons and ducks are thrown into the sea for festival-goers to catch.
And, whatever you catch, you get to take home, for free !
Very few people remain, after the boat races, for this cultural event.
Hang around with one of the sabani boat teams and follow them, into the evening.
They go to the home of a priestess (noro) after the races.
They enter the home to pray and drink some sake.
Before leaving, they carry their boat paddles, form a circle and, sing and dance.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
5 Photos of Blue Skies and Dragonboats in Okinawa
2013 Kin Town Dragonboat Races
The fair weather spirits smiled on my hometown, Kin Village in Okinawa, today.
A cameraman could get burned-out shooting a few thousand photos of these boats in a week.
So, I play with the camera lens to squeeze some scenery into the frame.
The blue sky with white clouds was a relief, to see, after months of rainy season.
Once in awhile a cloud carrying some moisture blew over. But, it never rained.
The team members, wearing orange life vests gave some terrific color contrast to these images.
There will be hundreds of close-up dragonboat photos processed next week.
For now, just kick back and enjoy the scenery I saw over Kin Town today.
Life's a beach !
Monday, May 27, 2013
Travel Photo: Itoman Port -- The Ghosts Are Coming Soon !
A Beautiful Sunny Day in Okinawa
It seems like forever since we last had a sunny day like today.
So, our travels brought us, way down south, to the city of Itoman.
Doing a bit of research for an upcoming event, I shot this photo.
Next month, is when the dragonboat races take place, below, in that pretty blue water.
In Itoman, they call the races "Hare." Anywhere else, it's "Harii."
Lots of things are done differently, down that way. That's why I love the place.
Looking around the internet, to find links (English) can be challenging.
It's nice when you can share the information in advance so, other people can make plans.
For example, I was planning on making my trip a two day event.
It's always a good idea to mix with the locals the night before and maybe, tip a few drinks.
That way, yer not a stranger the next day and, if ya ain't in jail, have a lot more fun.
The Research Goes On and On
The Hare, takes place, this year on June 12th.
Some of the history and culture about the event may be found HERE.
My most recent discovery was, nobody in Itoman goes fishing the day after the races.
It's not because they might be hungover, either.
It is because, of the spirits of anyone who died at sea.
The ghosts, of those poor souls, have their own boat races, the day after Itoman's Hare.
Now, I'm thinking, this may be a three day trip for me. I wouldn't want to miss the ghost races !
Read about it in The Japan Times
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Unusual Boat Photos From Ou-Jima Okinawa, Japan
Today the 3d Nanjo Mayor's Cup Sabani Race was held on Ou-Jima.
It is a small island off Okinawa's southeast coast, accessible by bridge.
What's unusual about these boats ?
They don't have any motors. People and wind power is what gets them going.
The sails were made in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
It's going to take some research to learn the history behind these boats.
They look like something that came out of China, to me but, I'm not sure, yet.
The only thing I'm sure of is this:
I'd like to have one. When I want to go to another island, I wouldn't take the ferry.
When the wind is blowing, you can move really fast.
If there isn't any wind, you just have to paddle like crazy.
Er, maybe. just stay where yer at until the wind starts up, again.
That'd be alright by me !
Visit my homepage for today's Feature Photo
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Naha Okinawa, Japan Dragonboat Races Travel Photo Thursday
This photo was taken back in May of 2009 under bright blue, sunny skies in the early morning light.
It looks like rain tomorrow with a slim chance the sun may peek through. I'll be there.
Since I'm guessing this will be another of my 20 hour camera days, I'm posting this Wednesday night for BUDGET TRAVELERS SANDBOX and will hook-up the correct link to LadyE's TRAVEL PHOTO THURSDAY as soon as I can, sometime tomorrow evening.
She's a Canadian who hangs out somewhere in Korea. You have to be careful around those folks, you know. I remember watching TV when I was a kid. They always get their man !
LOCAL INFO: THE NAHA DRAGONBOAT FESTIVAL
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