Just a Good Old Wooden Sabani and Crew Sailing

Temporarily Offline

 

The WI-Fi connection, I was assured would be available, is up and running, now.

All is well on the island of Zamami Jima.

The past few days were mostly sunny and, I hope the weatherman keeps guessing wrong.

The 15th Annual Sabani Sailing Race starts tomorrow.

Here's a motion GIF of the Umimaru crew, paddling and hoisting the sail.

If the weather keeps doing, as it has been, this crew, might make it to Naha in under four hours.

Even if they don't, we'll probably go out and celebrate tomorrow night, anyway !

Shadows and Lights in Kin Town Last Night

Live Matsuri Number Three

 

 

Names have been intentionally omitted, just in case.

A long time ago, I learned, arrive on the scene early for an event like this.

At 7:30PM the bars participating, were open and ready for business.

There wouldn't be any customers showing up for awhile.

So, I told these gals, if they stopped wiggling, I'd take their picture.

 By 7:45, I was back on the streets.

The bands were scheduled to start at 8:30 and, I had to keep occupied.

So, I shot some off the wall street scenes.

Two grandsons showed up, while I was in the middle of the street and said "Hi."

I said something like, "Grandpa's busy, SCRAM."  And, they went away.

 Okinawan Mineo (folk music) is my favorite part of any festival.

 It's hard to sit still when you hear somebody, twanging away on a sanshin.

And, if you throw an electric guitar, in the mix, everybody starts dancing !

Here is an Izakaya, I pass on the way back to the office.

It was 11:24PM when I decided to take a few shots of the place.

But, before I got to the front door, the lights went out.

  I left the camera in the office and, had to walk all the way back downtown to get a beer.

Shouldn't have yelled at the grand-kids.  Huh ?

Just Wonder If We'll Get the Ocean Going Cowboy

There's No Other Way to Describe It

 

 

Preparing for the trip has me reviewing last year's experience.

We were invited to the 14th Annual Sailing Sabani Race from Zamami to Naha, Okinawa.

Researching online, I couldn't find much about camera techniques for an event like this.

The boat we were riding on, could be called a safety or, escort ship.

Anybody, who has ever been out to sea, knows it may be a rocking and rolling ride.

We left the Kerema Islands with our diesel engine roaring.

It's important, to get out to sea and give those sailing sabani boats some room.

It's a good thing they made us wear life-jackets.

The sun, surf, wind in my air and, even the smell of salt water and fish, are alright by me.

But, I'm a cameraman, looking for the team, I'm supposed to be shooting.

  Shoot Still Photos of Moving Subjects from a Moving Platform

 

You know what that's like ?

Go ride one of those mechanical bulls and try throwing darts at a bulls-eye, at the same time.

If you get thrown off, at least you won't land in the ocean !

We were guests aboard this vessel so, I can't complain.

The man and crew (his wife) are probably professional fisherman and, good at what they do.

It just seemed like, when you least expect it, the boat would suddenly, shift positions.

WA WA Wa Wa  VAROOM

The boat goes in one direction and, the (softly cussing) cameraman, in another.

Some sort of agreement will have to be worked out this year.

Maybe, someone could give a signal when it's time to spin the ship's wheel or, gun the throttle.

Or, maybe, I should just quit being an old grouch.

There Is a Live Matsuri in Town Tonight

Six or eight bars will be having roving entertainment and, I'll be shooting.

One place, has a mechanical bull, too.

Reckon, I should practice shooting with a camera, while riding ?

Wishing for Good Weather at Sunday's Sailing Sabani Race

This photo was taken last June under some nice blue skies.

More than likely, every member of the sabani teams is watching the weather forecasts.

It just occurred to me today, a lot of preparations must be made for these races.

Getting sponsors, organizing committees and making arrangements, must take months.

Mother Nature can ruin everyone's plans with just a little rain storm.

Calm seas, fair winds and blue skies, are what I'm hoping for.

The boat I'm shooting my camera from, bounces enough,  on a nice day !

Here are some links for extended weather forecasts in Okinawa, Japan.

Japan Meteorological Agency

Okinawa Japan 10 Day Forecast

Life Just Can't Possibly Get No Better Than This

T'was Father's Day

 

 

Last night, I got home fairly late.

The kitchen table was piled up with Father's Day Presents.

Daughters and grand-kids had been by, while I was out doing what I'm always doing.

Those gals, figured it out, after all these years.

Fathers don't need stuff like fancy neckties or, Hello Kitty underwear.

Simple stuff, is just fine.

There wasn't enough room, in my back pocket, to bring everything to the office.

But, these hand engraved flip-flops fit perfectly.

There's a bunch more stuff, waiting to be put in my backpack.

My darlings know, I'm off to do some island-hopping this week and, don't exactly wear tuxedos.

Sleeveless t-shirts, towels and Wet-wipes is the stuff a traveling man needs.

Those Yellow Flip-flops Are Special

 

Probably, I will only wear them for certain occasions, like family gatherings.

Or, when I go to another island and eat at some high class restaurant.

Luckily, my name got carved on both feet.

That way, one of my shoes, won't get confused with somebody elses.

Damn, I'm happy !