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.

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.

Travel Shots -- Calm Before the Storm

Today's travels had us making the southern tour of Okinawa island.

The mission was to get some photos of sites in Shuri and Itoman for the Ryukyu folk tales.

It was a busy morning and very productive but, just a tad too hot in the sun.

The first site we looked for in Shuri, was spotted within twenty minutes of our arrival.

Then, it was off to Itoman City and up a hill that went into the boonies.

The cave, I wanted to find, is called Dondon Gama.

This is located in some rough country and it will require another visit with the cameras.

We left the area with plenty of photos, cuts, sprains, bruises and, a little bloodshed.

 Late morning on a bright sunny day is probably not the best time for cave and jungle shots.

Now, that I know the exact location, I'll do things a little differently, next time.

Hiking shoes, will replace the flip-flops,

Somebody with a brush knife might have to lead the way and cut a trail.

Bug spray and blue jeans, might come in handy for the trek, as well.

Air Conditioned Lunch Break

 

 

 

Once the real work was accomplished, it was time to cool off and do lunch.

The second floor restaurant, overlooking Kudaka Island was perfect.

Located in Nanjo City, it was on our route, heading back north along the east coast.

Below the restaurant, the gift shop had some items, I was hoping to buy.

 This wasn't on the shopping list but, I splurged and, bought it anyway.

It's a plastic folder with English, Japanese and Okinawan language on it.

Getting things done around here, sometimes requires a little bit of the local language.

 Uchinaguchi, is the original Ryukyu language and, I learned enough to get by.

The poor guy, who served our meal, didn't speak Okinawan; only Japanese.

So, when Doc and, I spoke to him, he looked at us, like we were speaking some foreign tongue.

He may have been a college student from Japan, working a part time job.

 Learning just a few phrases of the local dialect, makes travel more enjoyable.

And, folks in the travel industry, should be able to speak a bit of it, too.

We explained, to the young man, what we were saying, in Japanese and, he thanked us.

For a bit more of Uchinaguchi, here's an online encyclopedia of useful phrases.

It looks as if the typhoon will be visiting us tomorrow with some rain.

Strong, damaging winds probably, won't be hitting us directly.

So, after a few beers en route to my home, I may just sleep all day tomorrow !