Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Restaurant in Kin Town Okinawa for Your Travel Map

Seaside BBQ is the New Hot Spot

 

The food is so delicious here, I went for supper three times in the past week.

First, I ate BBQ on a bun with side orders of potato salad and coleslaw.

The next time, I had the same side orders with alligator.

sign, Seaside BBQ

It was the only time I've eaten alligator, in my life.  I hope I didn't break any laws.

The way I look at it, is one of those critters would eat me if they got the chance.

So, we should eat them and crocodiles, too, every chance we get.

restaurant interior view

This restaurant is in the Igei district of Kin Town.

It's a few miles walk from where I live so, I don't go down that way very often, anymore.

Back when the building was a motorcycle shop, I used to go there every day.

There's a beach, right behind the place.

The huskies and I would walk there, early in the morning.

They would be tied up under pine trees in the shade, while I went looking for wildlife.

round table at restaurant

A friend, named Joe came by and we decided to go eat some barbecue.

At first, a table for two looked good enough for us.

But, remembering my last two meals, I guess I went a little crazy and, ordered too much.

smoked bacon

Like, who ever heard of buying smoked bacon by the kilo ?

Don't worry.  I didn't eat it raw.  They have it for takeout orders and you cook it at home.

Maybe, the half kilo I got would make a nice birthday present for the wife.

BBQ ribs, potato salad, beans

Here's what I had for supper tonight. It fits nicely on a table for eight.

When I ordered barbecue ribs, they asked if I wanted  a half or, whole rack.

Well, I never heard of a pig with a rack before.  So, I ordered the whole thing.

Those ribs, smoked and covered with special sauce, are unbelievably tender.

They give you a real sharp knife to cut them with.

 But, you can almost, just lick the meat off the bone. It's scrumptious.

The beans and potato salad must have filled me up, because I couldn't finish all the meat.

They gave me some nice takeout tray for all my leftovers.

The Missus has a birthday coming in a few days so, I took all the stuff to my office.

Rib bones, the huskies will eat, like treats, especially if I freeze them.

Ladies, I wonder what they think of my plan.

Should I have the kilo of ribs and bacon gift wrapped in some special container ?

Or, is it alright to just give a gift in a Styrofoam box ?  No sense being tacky.





Monday, September 9, 2013

Plant Photo: The Blood Flower

Blood Flower and plant, Asclepias curassavica

Asclepias curassavica

 

A native of South America this plant blooms from summer to early fall.

This photo was taken in the northern hills of Okinawa, Japan.

Butterflies and hummingbirds like it.

Named after the Greek healing god, Asklepios, you might want to be careful around the stuff.

The sap, from the leaves is poison !


Learn more about this flowering plant at:



or








Sunday, September 8, 2013

Photo Essay: Baby Sea Turtle Release as as Educational Tool

Loggerhead Turtles and Children

 

This release at Maeda Point in Okinawa, Japan took place September 4, 2013.

The little sea turtles had hatched earlier that day.

Baby Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are about the size of my Swiss Army Knife.

child hands with baby sea turtle

At first, I was worried about trying to take photos with all the children handling them.

teacher with children on beach, turtle release

But, they got a lesson from an expert in sea life preservation.

There were plenty of parents and teachers on hand to supervise the project.

baby sea turtle in child's hand

The boys and girls handled them gently.

The little turtles were the rambunctious ones.  They want to run into the ocean !

baby sea turtles on beach, children

A line was drawn in the sand.

The people with little flip flops, had to stay behind and let the baby turtles go.

children watch cameraman and baby sea turtles

Only adults and cameramen were allowed to follow the turtles to the sea.

big camera, baby sea turtle,beach

So, that's what we did.

baby sea turtles run towards tide

The little critters made a run for the coast, at high tide.

baby sea turtles reaching tide

And, it looks like a happy ending when they hit the water.

baby sea turtle at tideline

Sometimes, Mother Nature has other plans for them.

baby sea turtle flipped by tide

And, they get tossed, by the tide, back onto the beach.

baby sea turtle struggles

They wiggle and thrash around with those strong front legs until they get it right.

baby sea turtle swims in tide

Eventually, they make it out into the open sea.



Sea Turtles Around the World Are Endangered Species

 

 

It would be nice to see more people around the globe teaching children about them.



Here is a list of resources:






 

 


Saturday, September 7, 2013

A Guinness World Record Event in Naha Okinawa

The Great Naha Tug-O-War (那覇の大綱引き)


Now is the time to start planning if you want to travel to see it.

Some people are the athletic-types and come to pull on the ropes.

Others, like to make videos or, get photos of the action.

crowd at Naha Tug-O-War, Guinness Record rope

Maybe, you'd just like to hangout with a quarter million other folks.


People come from around the globe for the excitement.


Just bump elbows with a few of them if you want to make some new friends.


The tug-o-war takes place Sunday October 13, 2013.


Why not hop on a plane and come on over ?


 Here are some handy links:


Okinawa Night Life


The Otsunahiki Organization


Map It Okinawa



Previously published:


Guinness World Record Tug of War in Okinawa, Japan


The War of the Rope



Naha Tug of War: When East and West Collide


 Photography Tips: How to Shoot the Guinness Tug-O-War 


Guinness World Record Tug-O-War


2011 Naha Tug-O-War Photos








Friday, September 6, 2013

Weekend's Here: Images from a Busy Week

stone structure in ocean

Just a quick photographic review of the photos taken the past few days.

In Okinawa, Japan you never run out of interesting subjects.

 There's a stone wall in the ocean, over in Yomitan.

Okinawan waitress giving peace sign and smiling
 
Friendly waitresses in the Soba Houses.


bowl of Okinawa soba

Delicious servings of Okinawa Soba.

weathered tree stump

Old weather-beaten tree stumps.

dog on beach


Pups that look suspiciously at you on the beach.


baby sea turtle at tide

Baby Loggerhead Turtles running to take their first dip in the ocean.


lighthouse, ocean,statue

Lighthouses and statues to photograph.

butterfly and flower

Butterflies and flower blossoms.


tree, dragonfly, bird

Birds and Dragonflies.


city street at sunset

Every day, I'm out there somewhere, finding new things to shoot.

Sometimes, it's way past sunset by the time my work is done.

Before you know it, the weekend's here.

Think I best go grab a beer !