Wordless Wednesday: Meet Spaghetti

Location in Kin Town

Wordless Wednesday: Please Read Carefully

Bingo - The Best Reuben Sandwich on Island Discovered Today !

Running Late

Just a quickie tonight because I'm later than usual. Vegetarians, don't have to look.

Hanging around the island for some forty years, I've never had one like this.

The place was recommended to me by the proprietor of Bingo's Pub, in Kin Town.

It's called Five Star Deli.

Poke on the link and, you can get directions, see more photos and read my review.

For now, let's just say, I'm on a secret mission. Bye. 

Wordless Wednesday

Don't Let the Sign Fool You - The Food's Great

They Meant Breakfast

The problem with having handmade signs painted is they don't have spellcheck.

So, when ya spend big bucks and get a misspelling, Don't sweat it.

This one was discovered, when three hungry travelers were looking for a place to eat.

It was kind of a ramshackle, little joint, just off the highway, open early in the morning.

After placing my order, I went outside, for fresh air and a smoke.

They had tables with umbrellas over them and, food can be delivered by the staff.

It wouldn't take long for the meals to show up. That's when I noticed the misspelled sign.

My meal, was a tuna melt sandwich with soup and salad. Lots of salad.

It was delicious and, I was too hungry to bother taking photos of other folks meals.

The gals, ordered some sort of french toast, with ice cream and fresh berries. Yuck.

The location was near Uehara Ferry Terminal in northwest Iriomote Island.

In a few months, I'll be heading back that way and, plan on eating here again.

Iriomote no Shonen

Stumbled Into チキンパラダイス or Chicken Paradise

Unusually Fantastic

The wooden door creaks when you open it, to enter and, slams shut behind you.

It's a dimly lit, tiny little place, that smells like fried chicken.

No cameras were with me. It was, visit the hospital day and, I was heading back to my office.

In case anyone's wondering, I'm in great shape, just had to pick up some medicines for travel.

Blood pressure's fine and, ticker does 68 BPM (beats per minute) after walking a mile.

But, they like to give old folks, monthly doses of drugs, to help the economy, I guess.

Got my meds and was walking on the shady side of the street, when my stomach growled.

All the menu signs outside are in Japanese but, I could read the simple stuff.

Using the iPhone, I snapped some photos so, I could put it on Google Maps.

Big Guy at Counter

He was the only customer in there, I noticed as I squinted to adjust my eyes to the darkness.

Just one dude, wearing a plaid shirt, was at the left end of the counter.

His face wasn't visible. I just figured he was some big sumo dude, eating his lunch.

No sense bothering anyone so, I went over to the far right end of the L-shaped counter.

An Okinawan gal with a round, smiling face greeted me, from the tiny kitchen.

Ordering a Jumbo Chicken Katsu, I asked if, taking photos would be allowed.

She gave me the OK and, I went around the place snapping pictures.

When she didn't look busy, cooking I asked if, the place was on Google Maps.

She wasn't sure so, I told her, I'd get it done today and, shoot more photos later.

It's best for me, to go back there with a real camera and wide angle lens.

Big dude, continued eating his meal, facing the wall so, I guessed he was hungry.

Maybe, he was watching the TV, they had on turned on, near where he was sitting.

Before 5 minutes had expired, this meal came across the counter and, the girl smiled.

Forgetting to take a photo, my growling tummy, made me start eating. Rats.

It wouldn't be right, to put a restaurant on the map, without a food image !

OK. A some of the chicken is missing. Gives an idea what the cooked chicken looks like.

There's salad, a  bowl of rice, soup, pickled veges, and tofu with some greens.

Hidden from view (under the chicken) some thick, fried potatoes. All scrumptious.

There was no way, I could consume all that food so, I had to ask the gal something.

"Do you do takeouts here, too?"  She said, "Yes."  And, I said, "Good."

Big Dude Speaks

This sort of surprised me. He said, "Can I get some more sauce?"

He spoke English. Still, I didn't want to bother the guy. The gal brought him some sauce.

Then, I quietly asked her (in Japanese) "Do you speak English, too?"  She, didn't.

Next thing ya know, the big plaid shirt, saunters, the 4 or 5 steps, over towards me.

This could be fun or, not.  I try to stay flexible. Ready to jump, defend myself or, run.

He was a peaceable individual and introduced himself. "I'm Alfredo from El Salvador." 

We became friends, swapped emails and, tried to connect on Facebook.

He's visiting his daughter and, goes home this weekend. We must do some beers.

He ran back to his room, while I was finishing (what I could of) my meal.

And, he came back with his cell-phone, to make sure, we got connected.

The restaurant gal, packed half my lunch in a takeout box for me.

Then, Alfredo and I walked across the street and, I showed him, where my office is at.

He was heading out, to buy an Okinawan Kariushi shirt, down in Naha.

That's crazy. I gave him directions, to someplace a lot closer and, prices would be lower.

He thanked me and, promised before he leaves this island, we're doing some drinking together.

Maps Got Done Quickly

Back at work, I tweaked the images and uploaded them to Google Maps.

A quick review was done. I had to input the address, hours and phone number.

Normally, it takes a few days, to get a new location loaded and approved, but not this time.

Chicken Paradise is on the map and, I showed the restaurant owner.

Looking closer at the image of the menus, posted outdoors, gave me an idea.

All that chicken (above) cost me only 700 yen.

For just 100 yen more, I could have gotten a Psycho Roast Steak. I will, next time !

Visit Chicken Paradise

An Ocean Breeze and Some Shade Is All You Need

When Okinawa Gets Too Hot

Temperatures and humidity have been going off the charts recently on this island.

An early riser, I'm usually up and about before the sun rises.

It's cool enough outside, to take the dog for a walk, while buying my morning iced coffee.

Once the sun rises above the surrounding buildings, it gets too hot for outdoor activity.

So, I've been hanging around at home, enjoying the air-conditioning and, going to work late.

Late afternoons, some buildings provide shade, along one side of the street.

Even when there's no wind blowing, shadows provide some relief from the blazing hot sun.

On the hottest, most humid day, a tree, shade and an ocean breeze, are gifts from heaven.

This photo reminded me of one of those days, I was thanking the heavens for shade.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 23MM

Exposure: f/11   1/1250   ISO 400

Location: Horizon Curry Works, Chatan, Okinawa

Date and Time: JUN 28 2017  12:44 PM

Sampling the Ultimate - "Sparky Burger"

Not for Calorie Counters

Returning from the expedition to Motobu and the Hydrangea Gardens, it was lunch time.

The Map It Okinawa dude and I decided, we'd check out Captain Kangaroo.

It's been almost five years, since the last time I'd eaten there.

Providing, the joint wasn't crowded with tourists, we figured, they'd get our business.

Disappointed with the last meal I had there, I gave them a 3 star review on TripAdvisor.

Just in case, they had a Bad Chef day, I promised to review the place again, in due time.

Food and Service Now 5 Stars

The building was probably, halfway full. Plenty of staff on hand, greeted us as we entered.

The airconditioning was on and, felt great, after having been outdoors all morning.

We figured, even if it was half an hour wait, for our meal, at least it would be comfortable.

My selection, off the menu, was the Sparky Burger and an order of fries.

There was even enough time, for me to go out front for some nicotine replacement therapy.

It was 1:07PM when I snapped this photo with the smartphone. It's a huge meal.

The wooden stick, poked through the burger, must be 6-7 inches long.

No way, was I going to try picking that monster up, for a bite at a time.

I asked the waitress if, I could have a fork and knife and, she hooked me up.

My guess, would be, the difference between Sparkies at 900 and 1000 Yen is the burgers.

Once, I pulled the wooden sword out and started chopping, I couldn't tell.

A pile of  crispy baked onions, lettuce, bacon and tomato, were the first things I saw.

Hacking away with the knife and fork, revealed lots more, meat and sauces.

Map It Dude, was done eating his regular sized burger, way before, I got done.

My hamburger meal, looked like some sort of  Smorgasbord salad, the way I did it.

The whole plate was covered (overflowing) with my grunting, carving, slurping and burping.

Here's what my plate looked like at 1:33PM. I could have done better.

A few specks of meat, were left on the plate so, they wouldn't feel like I was going home hungry.

Licking the dish clean, would have been fun but, I didn't want them to think, I was an animal.

If, there aren't a bunch of pretty women and children in there, next time, we'll give it a try !

Visit Captain Kangaroo

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.

Must Go Back to This New Indian Restaurant

Brains Need Exercise Too

People started to notice, I haven't been blogging much lately.  I should be ashamed.

There's no excuse for having a creative slowdown or, writer's block.

I've been out and about, getting plenty of sunshine and, doing lots of strenuous exercise.

But, after developing my daily photos, just felt like going home. No blog. Done for the day.

Something had to be done, to get myself back into writing mode, again.

Grabbing a few cameras, I walked into town instead, of heading out to the fields and woods.

Some Indian Food Could Fire Me Up

The place just opened recently and, I had met the owner as I was walking home one night.

This morning, on the way to work, he saw me and reminded me, I promised to stop by.

If, there weren't 300 emails for me to answer, I'd make it at lunchtime today, I told him.

At the office, I turned off Facebook and, quickly took care of my emails.

Before 11AM out the door I went, planning to do a good two hour lunch.

Sun was shining and, I figured it would be fun, to mess with the police, along the way.

The Indian restaurant, is right next door to the cop shop in Kin Town.

If, you ever want to get your heart rate up, without serious exercise, try this:

Go up close to the windows on the police station and, stick your tongue out at them.

Lucky (for them) nobody was sitting at the desk but, it was fun.

People driving down the highway, were looking at me, like I was some kind of nut.

She Moved Me

The first person I ran into at the top of the stairs, was this Indian doll.

She was on the left side of that pillar, facing left and, I grabbed her, to get under better light.

Whatever they made her out of, is unbelievably heavy. The owner, helped and, we gotterdun.

It was nice, being the only customer; I could take my time shooting photographs.

After looking over the menu, I ordered and told them, don't rush preparing my meal.

Without a crowd, moving around, I could shoot slowly and, move things around.

No flash, was brought along. Natural light images, are fun to compose.

Here's a closer look at the wooden statue. She didn't bat an eyelash.

They brought me this drink of yogurt and some kind of fruit.

First thing I did, was ask if, there was any alcohol in it.  I won't drink, while working.

While I was shooting, I talked to the owner about his establishment.

There have been businesses, come and go, in that building, over the years.

It's nice, to see folks, open up new places and, I like to see them succeed.

When I told him, I'll put the place on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, he thanked me.

People are surprised, when I let them know, I don't take any freebies.

No discount, no complimentary drinks; I want to pay full price, just like any other customer.

That way if, the food or service stinks, nobody gets a fake rating. Don't piss me off.

Above, is Butter Chicken Curry and Garlic Cheese Nan, my lunch.

We chatted, while I consumed everything and, it was sorta funny.

The master said his English, wasn't that good and, wanted me to speak Japanese.

Well, I told him, my Japanese ain't that great either. Maybe, we should try Uchinaguchi.

He lived in Tokyo for 20 years and, never heard of the Okinawan dialect.

We conversed in broken English and Japanese and, got along just fine.

Every once in awhile, I taught him and, the staff some Okinawan lingo.

The food was delicious. My two hour lunch break ended and, I walked back to the office.

850 Meters Later

About the time I was ready to pull the SD card out of the camera, a light came on.

When I walked past the police station, I forgot to check and, see if anybody was in there.

Even worse, I had walked out of that restaurant, without paying for my meal !

So, I walked the 850 meters, back to the Indian restaurant, to pay for the meal, I had eaten.

The owner was eating his lunch at the counter of the bar when, I entered the joint.

When I let him know, I forgot to pay the bill, he waved me off with his hand.

So, I asked one of the young waiters for my bill. They weren't going to let me pay.

Time for a Lesson in Ethics

The Indian crew kept refusing to let me pay. And, they kept speaking Indian.

So, I had to think of some way, to get this situation, turned around. Teach them some English.

"Look, I told you guys, I pay full price, no freebies or, discounts." I said.

"Simple English, it's a thing called ethics. And, I'm trying to be ethical here.

Messing with a man's ethicals, is like messing with his testicals.

Give me the bill and let me pay, full price for everything or, someone's gonna get hurt.

Who wants to be the first one, to get kicked in the balls?"

They gave me the tab and, I made sure, my drinks were included.

Everything totalled up, to under ten bucks. That sounded fair.  I paid and thanked them.

Maybe, I'll visit on the way home tonight and, sample an Indian beer.

Counting my change now.....

Travel Photos: Outer Island Art and Seafood

Cameras Only Used Indoors

On a beautiful, sunny day, business took us to the south and east on Okinawa, today.

It was almost 2PM by the time I snapped, this first picture.

The primary mission, was to do some shopping on Chinen Peninsula.

Some people, asked me to pick up Okinawan Folk Stories if, I could find any for sale.

Inside the souvenir shop in Nanjo City, I was lucky enough to discover five of them on a shelf. 

Just in case, someone else might need a copy, I purchased took four of them.

Two, are already promised to those who were smart enough, to contact me.

The remainder I hold on to, until some high bidders come along and, they'll get sold.

When's the Sanguacha Came Next

For those who don't know, Sanguacha is a festival, held annually on Henza Island.

It's an unusual sort of, off the main road event, worth seeing and, I wasn't sure of the dates .

The entire matsuri, covers about 3 days but, the best part will happen March 31st this year.

Adventurous sorts of people, walk at low tide, to perform some rituals offshore on some rocks.

My body, has plenty of adventures already. I just go to see my sweethearts.

Ikei Island Was the Last Stop 

While waiting for our order, I walked over and took the photo of the mermaid.

That's when I announced to Doc, "This is the first photo, I shot today."

The image, doesn't show the whole meal. Rice, soup and another salad, came too.

That meal was so large, I couldn't eat it all. And, it was only about seven bucks !

It was time to head home, before I realized, only 3 photos had been taken, all day.

The last one was an image of scarecrows, hanging on the wall.

There's no sense in scaring people so, I'll save that for some other time.

Should you ever get hungry while visiting Ikei Island, don't pass this place up.

It's the restaurant at Ikei Beach and, prices are unbeatable.

An Uka-Uka (ぅかーぅか) Sort of Day

Call It Daydreaming

The word got into my vocabulary, yesterday because, I ate an Ukauka pizza.

There's no sense, running around these islands, eating if, I don't review the places.

Well, I had other things to catch up on and, put the writing on the back burner.

The camera business, kept me extremely busy, over the past few days.

So, I skipped doing my daily regimen of lifting cement blocks and doing calisthenics.

Early this morning, I made up for it, by doing a few hours of torturous training.

By 10 AM, I was exhausted, changed out of the sweatsuit and, went to get some breakfast.

Dark skies, gave me an idea. Eat then, take a two hour nap. That worked !

Except for One Thing

When, you have aching muscles, on a dreary day - Who feels like writing ?

Clearing out all the social media sites and checking emails, wore me down.

But, I got an idea from reading mail from the Travel Agent Academy.

They're always sending me reminders about travel courses, I can take. What the heck.

Into the online academy, I went and, finished another course.

Now, I can find travel information around the globe, in just a few seconds.

A gazillion off the wall experiences, events, attractions and, things to do, are at my fingertips.

Once, I got that certificate, it was time to get back to doing my normal business.

 Ukauka Pizzeria

This was where we had lunch, over on Sesoko Island, yesterday.

The chef  let me photograph him, preparing my meal in that wood-burning oven.

The professor and I, were freezing from being up on a mountain, in the rain.

So, this was a great place, to grab lunch and, get warmed up.

After we left, we had to make a stop, to grab some chicken; the pizza was vegetarian !

Today I Learned What Ukauka Means

The Jaded Network says, "daydreaming or not paying attention."

At Wikibooks - "to be careless or absentminded."

Well, I'm not sure if we were absentminded or daydreaming, when we walked into this place.

But, I know some friends and family, who would really love it.

So, I did a Google Maps review, for everyone.

The pizza was tasty. If, I go back there again, I'm sneaking some pepperoni in with me !

A Sunny December Day and Plenty Got Done

Gimbaru Okinawa

Something, I saw at the Health Food Festival yesterday, made me go here.

This morning it was raining but, things turned out alright this afternoon.

When, I first got to the office, somebody on Facebook got me riled-up.

So, I turned the thing off, grabbed a camera and, went on a mission.

Some folks, wanted to know where they could buy Ryukyu Agu pork meats.

Other people, I'll call non-meat eaters, think, I'm an animal. I don't pick on them.

And, I don't go around, telling them, what they should or, shouldn't eat.

Poor li'l pig got killed for people, to eat. I can't recall, ever eating one alive.

Poor li'l carrots and strawberries probably, get sacrificed for vegetarians, too. So?

Kin Agu Is on the Way to that Red Rock

So, I figured it would be a good idea, to have lunch there and, do some research.

Snap a few photos, eat some healthy pork and do a Google review.

There's what I had for lunch. A dead pig hamburger, some dead rice, salad and soup.

The meal came to a grand total of 800 yen, which is less than, ten bucks.

People like to see the inside of places and, find out how roomy they might be.

So, when all other customers, were gone, I got permission, to shoot the whole joint.

The menu is in Japanese and, nothing costs over 1,000 yen. That's cheap !

People who can't read Japanese, should learn or, bring along a friend, who does.

There's a freezer stocked with meats, you can buy, to take home and cook.

The Ryukyu Agu meat, isn't stocked in regular grocery stores. But, you can buy some here.

It was past 2 PM when I left this restaurant and, I had a long hike to go on.

It would take a few hours, for me, to find these red rocks, along Okinawa's east coast.

If the ocean, wasn't visible, I'd swear someone, took these pictures in Arizona.

By the time, I got back into town, I was glad my office lights were still turned on.

At 6 PM, it gets mighty dark around here. The camera got downloaded and, I went to work.

Now, folks who want to eat Agu pork, can read my review and, get directions.

One of these days, I'll show vegetarians, where to get their food, too.

Friends and family, in my crowd, happen to be vegetarians, as well. I don't lecture them.

And, they probably know, there isn't much sense, in trying to reform me. I'm an animal.

Thank you.

Best Burger in Town -- Kin Para (きん ぱーらー) I Found Out Today

Things Just Happen to Me

The past week I've been busy shooting nightlife attractions, until the wee hours.

From this weekend on, I'll be more busy, doing festival photography.

Bar scenes, supermoons, gals prancing, in what looks like underwear, can wear a guy out.

So, I've been getting to the office, a bit later than normal and, skipping  breakfast.

Iced coffee keeps me going for awhile and, I forget about lunch, I'm so busy catching-up.

Around 2:30 this afternoon, I decided to go to town and find something to eat.

Chef Making a Kin Burger

Kin Para, is a fairly new restaurant and, I had never eaten here.

There were no customers waiting so, the guy let me shoot in the kitchen.

There are some small tables and chairs, to sit at but, I wanted a takeout order.

It's blazing hot, for October. I hurried back, walking on the shady side of the street.

Sitting outside in the shade, looking at the rock garden, was where I wanted to be.

It's like 3:30 by now and the smell of that hamburger, got me drooling.

I decided to put the camera away. Noticing a cat watching me, the burger had to go, too.

They don't think nothing of stealing a starving man's lunch. Animals.

The few little, non-absorbent napkins, they give you around here, wouldn't work, for me.

So, I sat at my desk, where there's a box of tissues, that's supposed to be handy.

Japanese folks can eat a hamburger, out of that wax paper wrapping and, not make a mess.

Not me. I'd have cow drippings, splattering all over the room.

Well, I grab the hamburger and, started devouring it. It was terrific. Delicious !

Nobody else, around this town, makes hamburgers like that one.

Munching away, I hardly noticed the cholesterol, sliding down to my elbows. 

When, I was finished the desk looked kind of oily so, I wiped it clean with those tissues.

For now, I'm designating the Kin Burger the best in Kin Town.

Where Is this Place?

Well, I'm trying to get it on Google Maps but, it's so new, it ain't there, yet.

Late afternoon wasn't a good time to photograph, the sign outside the establishment.

So, I might go back over tomorrow morning, to get a better shot of it.

By then, it may be on the map, as well and, I'll do a review.

Meanwhile Check These Places Out

Seventailz is a Gentleman's Club.

And the Zone is a place famous for spicy BBQ chicken and hot women !

Time to go now. I think, I just heard a cold beer calling me !

New Rule of Thumb: Eat Where Bikers Go

When No One's Around

We went cruising around the northern territory, performing random acts of nothingness.

That's what Doc and I do, sometimes on our camera shooting trips.

Heading up HWY 58, he mentioned this establishment, looking real busy, on weekends.

We passed it by and headed for the hills at the top of the island.

After a few hours, driving the backroads and hillsides, it was time to start looking for lunch.

I had to ask, "What kind of  bikers hangout here, cyclists or, motorcyclists?"

It makes a difference, to me. I didn't want to eat healthy, cyclist-freak food. 

Doc, assured me, it was the big, gasoline burning types of bikes.

So, I put on my best gnarly Harley face and, we went inside. We were the only customers.

Out of the sweltering humidity, the air-conditioning was a pleasant relief.

The staff were friendly and, I checked their nationality out, while speaking to them.

Lots of fancy restaurants, around here, are owned by folks, who aren't Okinawans.

A few simple phrases of local dialect (Uchinaguchi) lets you know, who you're  dealing with.

We got joking and laughing. Permission was granted, to shoot the place, all I wanted.

Looking back, I wish I had taken some photos of the menu, to show everyone.

Normally, I'm not to crazy about restaurant spaghetti, on this island.

Most cooks make it so bland, you'd wish, you stayed home and, cooked your own.

This plate, was out of this world delicious; loaded with spicy meat, sauce and cheese.

If this place was within walking distance from my office, I'd eat lunch there every day.

With Doc doing the driving, I figure it's the right thing to do; pay for lunch.

The tab, for the two of us, including drinks, was only about ten bucks.

So, I picked up 10 of those pastries for the grand-kids and, blew another 1,000 yen.

Fooling around with the waitress, I asked if she was single and, she said,"Yes."

Pretending, I was a Harley dude I said, "Me too. Evenings only."

One of these days, I have to go back there, again.

And, get some pictures of the menu.

Remember: Eat where the bikers do, after they're gone. You can't go wrong !

The Cafe One Heart is a few doors south on HWY 58 from this Waterwheel.