What the Heck Is a Horohoro Forest?

12 Photos from a Nature Hike

There were three of us, long-term Okinawa residents, on this excursion.

With a grand total of almost a century on the island, we've never been here before.

One of the things I love about the Ryukyu Island Chain is the discoveries to be made.

Just when you think you've seen it all, something else will pop up.

Fooling Around in the Travel Industry

Over the years we learned to make use of the travel information offices.

It pays, to make contacts, gather tourism brochures, and swipe maps.

People become great friends when they see a couple of foreigners promoting travel and tourism.

Dozens of times, we had traveled through this area and never noticed the Horohoro Forest.

Last year, we promised to take a girl named Yuka out for lunch.

Her 28th birthday was in October. She's always helpful. We owe her a steak dinner.

Well, a typhoon or something happened and, we missed the date!

Mothers tell your daughters to ignore old guys promising you steak dinners.

Here's what led us to Horohoro. We promised to take the gal to lunch, again.

This time it was supposed to be something a little bit different.

Have you ever heard of Flying Fish Soba?  Me neither but, that was the plan.

Yuka, being in the travel and tourism business, was promoting the fish and noodles soup.

Yuck. I told everybody if the place had Hamburger Soba, I'd order that.

The girl wouldn't be free for lunch until noon so, we had some time to kill.

In a brand new travel information office, I noticed a map with Horohoro on it.

Asking a guy behind the counter, where Horohoro might be, he helped me.

He came out from behind the counter and pointed at a green-roofed building.

Up there, behind that building on the hill, Horohoro Forest could be found.

Things Like This Just Don't Happen

Bumbling around, making believe you speak Japanese and stuff, goes a long way.

The forest was up on that hill and we had a bit over an hour to kill. What could go wrong?

Three elderly gentlemen with a young date pending, should get out and exercise.

So, there we were, huffing and puffing up and down the jungle trails.

Just picture it. Man against nature. Earthy elements and stuff like that. Wilderness.

Fortunately We Traveled in a Pack

It's easy to get carried away and forget about a young gal and stinking fish soup.

The wife told me, flying fish soba would be good for my heart. Yuck.

Anyhow, up and down the hills along that trail, the steps made navigation fairly easy.

Nobody was out there except us. Toilets seemed to be everywhere behind any tree.

Um, I mean, "They don't have any." You have to use your imagination.

About halfway through the nature trail, we came across a second map signboard.

You know, where the red dot is means, "You Are Here."

Just past that sign, the trail took a big dip, going downhill. We checked the time.

There was no sense going down a steep grade if, we had to hurry back up for a date.

If, you ever get old remember, travel in packs. It's smarter than traveling alone.

For being out in the wilderness, this trail is really well maintained.

Wooden stairs and handrails aren't something you'd expect to find but, they were.

The log steps and handrails are actually made with concrete. They look like wood, huh?

Going up and down the steps along this trail can give you an appetite.

Even though my stomach started growling, I wasn't looking forward to flying fish soup.

Funny thing: We found the spot where it's sold and, I told the guy there, I'd be back for lunch.

Someday, I'll have a Part II for this trail to show you. I want to go back.

According to my calculations, after about 600 meters of hiking, it leads to the sea.

We had to hurry. No sense in standing the birthday girl up, two years in a row.

We got to her office shortly before noon and went across the street.

Not five minutes away was the Every Choice Steak House.

Smooth talkers insisted on buying Yuka a steak dinner. Soup is too cheap!

While waiting for our orders, we mentioned the Horohoro Forest experience.

On my iPhone Google Maps, didn't have the place listed.

Even in Japanese, Yuka couldn't pull it up on my phone. So, I told her I'd add it.

We learned, "Horohoro" means cinnamon in Okinawan language.

We walked halfway through a cinnamon forest and, I didn't bite one tree!

A few years ago, I had a cinnamon tree encounter and, got to bring a chunk home.

Heck, I eat cinnamon every day and spend my hard-earned money to buy the stuff.

Must Return: Forest of Horohoro

Yaese Town Forest of Horohoro

GIF of American Village Ferris Wheel

It Doesn't Really Bounce

Here's what happens when an unsteady iPhone is used to create an animation.

Last night I had the opportunity to visit American Village in Chatan.

Sometime, in the future, I'll have to go back with a real camera and a tripod.

The place is some kind of tourist trap if, you ask me.

You know how, back in the USA, they have Chinatowns, where Chinese hangout.

Well, over here, somebody got the idea to make an American place, for Chinese to visit.

It seems to be working quite well. Americans, Chinese and Japanese people go there.

Let's backtrack, to yesterday morning. I had an appointment at the hospital in Nago City.

After a whole month of taking pain-killing drugs, I told the doctor, I'm done with that crap.

I feel fine and was really getting tired of, not-being-able-to-drink-beer.

Immediately after taking the snaps of that amusing ride, I had another mission to accomplish.

That was: Get back into my hometown and drink some cold Orion Draft Beers.

The wife decided to stay at home and I promised, I'd be back early.  So, here's what I did.

Got a ride in a taxi, with a friend and was in the front door promptly, at 4 AM.

If, you like touristy stuff, visit the American Village Ferris Wheel.

It's time for me to run. I have some catching up to do!

Taiwan: The Heart of Asia -- So I Took Their Tests

Close to Home This Time

Taiwan Tourism contacted me today and, encouraged me to finish this course.

Somewhere along the line, I had enrolled but, never took the tests.

Awhile back, I was planning a trip to Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands in the south of Okinawa.

Right before, I was ready to pack up and leave, I got hacked.

Credit card and an email account, somehow got compromised. Groan.

Two banks, notified me of suspicious activity. I chopped up the card and ordered a new one.

Well, I was busy and forgot all about Taiwan and the travel professional's school.

All is well now, with the banks and email so, off to the online course, I went.

Taiwan Would Be a Fun Place to Visit

It's just a little over an hour flight time from Naha, Okinawa. I could handle that.

It's been awhile since, the last time, I visited Taiwan and, that was just the big city, Taipei.

Now, that I've learned some culture, history and geography, I want to see all of the island.

They have stuff like, bears, deer, monkeys and wild boar plus, lots of migratory birds.

Mountains over 12,000 feet, big raging rivers, lots of jungles and, a mild climate.

Heck. It would take me hours, to get to Africa, Hawaii, Mexico or Switzerland !

Should I disappear suddenly, for a week or three, you can probably guess, where I'll be.

Travel Agent Academy

This course was an external one, not at the Travel Agent Academy.

But, taking their courses was probably, how I got referred to Taiwan Travel Bureau.

Around the globe, I have been taking travel agent courses, not because I'm a travel agent.

A travel professional, isn't necessarily a travel agent. It's someone involved in the industry.

Writers and photographers, can be travel professionals, too.

Most to my photography and writing, has been about Okinawa. That's my specialty.

But, I like to peek at other countries and, see what they're promoting for the tourism industry.

It gives me ideas, when I see them, promoting whatever is unique, about their location.

Things like, the fastest train, slowest train, tallest mountain and widest river.

Okinawa has the best beer !

Potty Training Tourists

How to Use the Toilet

Travel and tourism is a huge industry in this part of the world and, that's a good thing.

People from different countries, don't always have the same bathroom etiquette.

So, signs like this are posted in airports, hotels and convenience stores.

It's kind of nice, the way they make these instructional signs, in Japan.

Just in case, you aren't fluent at reading, they make simple symbols for you to look at.

1. Please sit on the toilet seat, with your face pointing away from the lid.

A. Don't sit facing the lid.

B. Don't squat on top of the toilet seat, facing the lid.

C. Don't squat on the seat, facing away from the lid.

2. Flush used toilet paper in the toilet bowl.

A.  Don't throw used toilet paper in the trash can.

B.  Don't throw used toilet paper on the floor, either. ( I made that one up).

For Those Kids Who Can't Read

1.  Pull your  pants up, zipper or button them and, make sure nothing's hanging out.

2.  Then, go wash your hands with soap and water.

Those are some things, I wish they had symbols for, on these informative signs.

Canoe to Divorce Rock

Nobody Was Home

The weather wizards were wrong. It turned out to be a nice sunny day.

A guy showed up at my office with a canoe on the roof of an air-conditioned truck.

We'll just call him C.D. because, that's easier than spelling Canoe Dude. OK ?

Off to Genka, a district of Nago, Okinawa we went, to checkout the legendary Divorce Rock.

With a 50% chance of rain, the plan was, find a place where a boat could be launched.

Tricky Logistics

There aren't many places along HWY 58, where parking or, boat launches are available.

We drove around the village, looking for spots along the river, leading to the sea.

Most of the waterway is fenced-off probably, to keep little kids from falling in and drowning.

Talking to a local guy it was determined, the best access would be, out on the highway.

By the time, we got everything figured out, the sun was shining brightly.

So, we decided to make a big splash and, row out to sea.

Had the weather been different, I would have gladly, tried this trip, some other day.

Ideally, a visit to this rock would be best, during low tide so, we could see the sandy beach.

We paddled the canoe at a leisurely pace. I never knew canoes could go out in the ocean.

And, I had a hangover from too many beers, they gave me last night.

So, I was paddling at a more leisurely pace than, C.D, the guy behind me, in the boat.

There's no telling, what astronauts talk about out on an exploration but, I know what we did.

We were saying stuff like, "What if, we find some skeletons?"

"We should have brought along a flag, to plant on the rock, like the guys who went to the moon."

"Maybe, there are gold and silver wedding bands and engagement rings, people left there."

Canoes don't come equipped with radios so, we had to entertain ourselves.

We got there in about half an hour.  Astronauts probably, bring along some music.

Anyhow, there we were, banging into to rock with our 17 foot fiberglass canoe.

Soon, I learned to use my paddle, to keep the boat from crashing into the rocks.

That C.D. is an adventurous guy. He put on some goggles and dove into the water.

He'd pop up every once in awhile, to tell me about all the fishes he saw down there.

Then, he went swimming and diving all around the crazy rocks. And, I waited.

After a while I was thinking, "Goddamnit, what if, a shark come along?"

I got my paddle ready to swat big fish and, started humming the tune from the movie, Jaws.

I don't kill fish for fun but, I'd be pretty angry if, I had to paddle that boat by myself.

So, if one ate C.D. I'd probably spank it real bad !

All of a Sudden

Looking around, I find C.D. up on the rocks. The rascal climbed over from the other side.

Me, I never touched the rock at all. I've had some experience with divorces.

One thing I never learned is, which costs more getting into or, out of one.

Probably, a smarter person, would keep track of those expenses.

Well, I quit humming the Jaws tune.  We got the canoe turned around and headed home.

The return trip took about half an hour of some more serious paddling.

Wind and currents in the water, sort of kept trying to force the boat off course.

We discussed things like, it would have been smart, to carry an ice chest and cold drinks.

The sun, got fairly hot and, we were turning red before the shoreline came to meet us.

What a tourist attraction, that rock could become. Just imagine.

A few paddle boats, advertise Divorce Rock and, sell trinkets to tourists.

We could make a fortune, selling divorce donuts and, phony certificates to people.

People who actually get divorces, could stash their wedding rings out there.

Divorce cakes and cookies, candies, hot dogs with sauerkraut. We'd become millionaires !

Time for some beer replacement therapy.  I'm outta here.

You may also like:  Legend of  Divorce Rock

Quicker Than Lightening in Reverse: Chile Specialist

It Took Place in Okinawa

 Sitting in the office, I plodded through batteries of travel classes and tests.

The Travel Agent Academy offered this course on Chile.

There were things like history, geography, language and transportation.

Now, I can hook you up with this diverse land that stretches out like a shoestring.

Send you anywhere from the driest desert in the world, to Easter Island if, you'd like.

And, I know how to get you to Robinson Crusoe Island or Antarctica, too.

The tests were taken yesterday, on June 8th 2017 and, I finally passed.

Things happened so quickly, my certificate was dated June 7th. But, I won't complain.

This happens to be another country, added to my travel advisor profile.

What's It Got to Do with Okinawa ?

Just as much as, Hawaii, Mexico, Switzerland or, any other course I've taken.

While, I'm qualifying, I see all the special highlights, countries have to offer to travelers.

What might appeal to the visitors, depending upon their travel style.

Exploration, water sports, bird watching, golf, spa treatments, hiking, shopping are some.

The travel bureaus promoting destinations, have to entice customers.

Once, inside and I graduate from the destination courses, I get permanent access to materials.

Some countries do better than others at showcasing their positive attributes.

Take the best of the best and, don't copy but, utilize their methods, to promote tourism.

Okinawa, could use some promotion and, I'm learning, how to provide something different.

Standby for more.....

Nanjo City Tourism Rocks !

Little Things They Do to Assist Travelers

 

 

The best travel information office, I've seen, on the island is located here.

Every now and then, I visit, to see if they have any new materials, written in English language.

This map, I've seen before but, I always check, to see if anything has been updated.

Bingo!  They drew a red line around the border of Nanjo City.

It's the first time I ever noticed, the place is in the shape of a heart.

Much more than a map written in Japanese and English, it's a complete guide, to everything.

They list driving tours, walking tours, historical, cultural and beach tours.

You can find restaurants, booze, gas stations, ATM's, athletic parks and cafes.

If, you drive one of those electric autos, you can find quick-charging stations, too.

The map, unfolded, is larger than two, big MAC desktops, side by side.

So, I didn't photograph it open; go get your own. They're free.

Stuff, I Like that Isn't Free

 

It always pays, to walk around in the gift shop, to see what's available.

Tourist trap prices, aren't for me but, there are exceptions.

A plastic document protector, like this may be worth 10 yen; 10 for a dollar, let's say.

This cost about a buck but, look what it says. It's Japanese and English.

From this, you can learn some basic Okinawa language (Uchinaguchi) if, you want.

Catch of the Day

 

 

On a camera trip, I never bring along my reading glasses; I had help here.

The professor, who does all the driving, was wearing his spectacles and, spotted this gem.

It's a rare occasion, that finds me, reading a book from cover to cover, before going to work.

That's what happened today and, get this - The author claims it's a children's book !

Maybe, I'm still young a heart but, it got me all fired-up !

Part legend, part history and, it's going to have me on the road again, doing research.

This looks like another folk story that needs some photography, to go along with it.

The author, also made the sketches accompanying his text and, they are works of art.

So far, I haven't had any luck with the ISBN 978-4-9906737-4-1.

Maybe, try Google Japan or, arrange the numbers differently than, what I copied off the book.

For sure, copies may still be available at the gift shop. Click the link above.

If any of my followers, know Tadashi Teruya, let him know, I want to meet him.

And, buy him some beers.

Travel Photo: Kayaking the Okukubi River

Popular Tourist Attraction

 

 

People from all over Japan, come to Kin Town for these excursions.

It costs them 50-60 bucks, to paddle up and down the river and visit the mangrove forest.

When the tide goes out, the mouth of the Okukubi River becomes sort of dry.

So, visiting the mangroves, by kayak during low tide, isn't a good idea.

All the folks in the tourism business, know the best times of day to go kayaking here.

For more information, visit one of these websites:

Kin Town Travel Information (English)

Nature Mirai (Japanese)

Okinawa to Go (English)

Veltra (English)

Yanbaru Club (English)

MORE ABOUT KIN AND OKUKUBI RIVER

An Unexpected Discovery Down in the Mangroves

Visiting this forest with the sun setting, gives you some terrific reflections.

Usually, I time my walk to be alongside the river during high tide.

 When there aren't any interesting wide angle scenes, I do some close-up photography.

That's just to show some of the textures the mangrove provides.

 When the tide goes out, the mangrove roots are exposed.

Once in awhile, I visit during low tide, to get deeper into the forest.

 This was a great time to capture moss, growing on the shady side of a tree.

There's a myth about the stuff growing on the north side of trees.

But, that depends on what part of the world you happen to get lost in.

Read Outdoor Life for more on the subject of survival. 

This little surprise has me concerned about survival of the critters in the mangroves.

It could impact the survival of travel and tourism in the mangrove forest, as well.

 It looks like someone couldn't afford the recycle fee for their busted television.

So, they decided to throw it away, in the mangroves.

Something needs to be done, to prevent things like this from happening.

If people continue to throw their trash in the forest it'll start looking like Tomigusuku. 

Who would pay for an Eco-tour, where you visit a landfill ?

Looking online for some solutions, I sort of like the Singapore solution.

Down that way, a person could get their fanny paddled, for doing stupid stuff like this.

Take a look at some of the punishments Singapore deals out to their criminals.

Then, tell me those kinds of laws wouldn't come in handy, around here !

Water Buffalo Project -- This May Take Awhile

The Bulls Are in Training

 

 

One of these days, we will have water buffaloes pulling wagons in Kin Town.

Preparations are underway down at Nature Mirai but, things aren't ready just yet.

There are signs posted, warning you, keep back from the untrained bulls.

With a typhoon coming along, I didn't see much wildlife out and about.

So, I decided to get some water buffalo photography done.

Something in the works, for me, requires images of these bovines.

An old water bull and a younger, energetic one, are required for my project.

It was fairly easy, talking my way into the lot with the animals.

All I had to do was tell the young man tending them, I'm an old cowhand.

Inside the enclosure, I went so, I could get up close and use a wide angle lens.

These animals are going to be pulling tourists around the mangroves, someday.

Right now they aren't too crazy about cameras being pointed at them.

That's something they better get used to because, travelers like to take photos.

There were a few other water buffaloes in that pen but, I like these two the best.

They just have to get to know me a little better and, they will cooperate with the camera.

The young one couldn't reach far enough to poke me with a horn.

He turned around and, kicked some buffalo chips onto my lens.

Back where I come from, that cow would be turned into hamburger meat.

After a few more visits, things will run much more smoothly.

Once the management sees how good, I am at handling cows, the might want to hire me.

Tourists may pay big bucks to ride a water buffalo cart, with Santa at the reins !

Travel Photo: Japanese Pilgrims

Junrei (じゅんれい) is a Pilgrimage

 

 

Towards the end of March, this year, these pilgrims were spotted on an Okinawan highway.

A quick stop was made to get permission to take a photo and, off we went.

In mainland Japan these sort if things can be seen at many locations.

But, pilgrimages of this sort are rarely seen on this island.

It was a first, for me.  I was happy just getting a photo and, didn't ask any further questions.

A website was located with all you'd ever want to know about Japan's pilgrimages.

Some of the visits to special sites are for religious purposes.

Others, are more of a travel and tourism operation.

People can buy all the paraphernalia associated with pilgrimages at temples and shrines.

Or, the can purchase everything they need at online stores.

When someone goes on one of these excursions, they pay for stamps to be placed in a book.

That way, they have proof, that every special site was visited along the way.

The word "jun" means, to wander. And, "rei" means worship.

So, "junrei" literally means wandering worship.

What locations these pilgrims visited is an unknown at this time.

And, whether their travels were for religious or tourism reasons is anybody's guess.

Do you ever see people dressed like this where you live ?

A Long Time Coming But Progress Is Being Made

Travel in Japan Became Easier

 

 

 

For the Western traveler, visiting Okinawa, some obstacles can get in the way.

The biggest one being, the language barrier.

Learning to speak a foreign language, is one thing. Reading is another.

A visit to the Ginoza Museum, inspired me to write this post.

In the past, I've visited several times and, didn't really need to take anymore photos.

The gal at the front desk gave me something that just made my day.

So, I figured it was worth a few hundred yen, go in and shoot one photo.

Maybe, I should print, frame and give these dragons on a flag, to her.

Here's what, I walked away from the museum with.

It's a 60 page book, covering Ginoza Village's history, culture, nature and industry.

It's written in Japanese and English and, contains a map of the whole area.

Something like this, is worth it's weight in diamonds but, she gave it to me for free !

Things Like This Could Revolutionize Tourism in Okinawa

 

 

 

One afternoon, I came across this 45 page paper while, researching online.

It is in PDF format so, you can download or, read it on your computer.

How to Attract Western Tourists for Okinawa

 It is something, everyone in the travel and tourism business should be reading.

The author, Shigefumi Asage, hits the nail squarely on the head.

 

 

 The Yambaru Wildlife Center, surprised me with this gadget, recently.

For those who don't read or, speak Japanese, they have a tablet.

It is multilingual so, you can give yourself your own guided tour and, it's free.

Naha City Tourism Association publishes this pamphlet.

It contains enough about the big city area to keep you busy for days.

They give you maps, some history, where to go and, what to do.

And, on the last page, they have phone numbers for, When You Get in Trouble.

Not to be outdone by the big city folks, Nanjo City has this.

It is a Japanese and English, Nanjo City Tourism Map, which, I use a lot.

This one is crammed full of enough information to keep travelers busy for months.

Just the Beginning of Okinawa's Tourism Revolution

 

 

Things are off to a great start but, it could get better.

Over the past year, I have noticed these improvements and gathered some materials.

A few months ago, we discovered something, on Izena Island.

There is a free, Multilingual Call Center

The Map It Okinawa dude, tested the number, to make sure it works.

And it does.

You could probably, call from anywhere in Okinawa and get translation help, FREE !

Old guys, don't listen to telephones very well.

So, I usually just strike up a conversation with an old woman, when, I'm in trouble.

Multilingual books, maps, pamphlets and tablets are the way to go.

Those cities, towns, villages and outer islands, that have them, are going to do well.

Road signs, historical markers and ATM machines could be multilingual, too.

The easier it becomes for travelers, the more they will come.

While, printed and painted materials are helpful, there is another area of concern.

Websites, for many potential tourist attractions, need to be multilingual, too.

Some sites have the capability and are extremely useful.

Others, leave tourists at the mercy of mechanical translation. Groan

All of Okinawa needs to do what the folks above have started.

Or, I'll just keep on talking to old ladies !