Scenes from the Trip to Komaka Island: Going and Coming

Here is a photo taken while heading out to Komaka-Jima.

The island is just a little speck on the horizon in the center of the frame.

This photo shows what things look like heading back to Okinawa.

Lately, I've been doing TripAdvisor Reviews on some of the places I've hit in my travels.

But, this island, I'll probably have to visit again, to do an honest review.

It's hard to believe, three Ryukyu Dudes went there and forgot something important.

None of us checked the toilets.

Women and people with kids need to know about the toilet facilities.

They want to know stuff, like, is it a squatter, or not, I would imagine.

They probably need to know if they need to bring their own crapper-paper, too.

Dang it !   Why didn't we think of that ?

There's a girl in California, I could probably ask but, I'm sorta shy.

I guess we should make some checklists for these excursions.

Because I'm getting the itch to hop on another boat and see some more Okinawan islands.

 Maybe, the Map It Okinawa Dude will ask a girl about the Komaka-Jima toilets.

That would allow us to save our money for a trip to somewhere we've never been.

See, I remember important stuff like asking if it's OK to bring a cooler and beer.

But, I have to write things like checking toilets down on a paper, or I'll forget.

Here's what I'll do.  I'll make some checklists on this blog.

Then, Mapit Dude can ask that girl about girly stuff.

Sounds fair to me.

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In the Spotlight: Aki Yokoyama at the Friendship Festival

Today I went to the Friendship Festival on a local USA Military Base.

Aki Yokoyama was the opening act for the day's entertainment.

That's Boss, pickin' the lead guitar.

Late last night, my boss (Mrs. RyukyuMike) said she got a phone call.

Aki and her Boss wanted me there to take photos.

She's a real sweetheart, that gal.  She even waved when she saw me.

We should find somebody who does videos and get her on You Tube.

She was the opening performer for some American Idols they flew over here.

Hah.  I bet those poor kids were sweatin' after they heard Aki sing !

She gets hoppin, singin and dancin around the stage like someone with their pants on fire.

And, the crowd went wild.  That's why I'm puting Aki Yokoyama in the spotlight tonight.

Right after she finished, I left the festival.  

There are over 400 more photos I haven't looked at yet.

The cameras are put away and batteries are charging.

Maybe, I'll see if the beer is cold and air conditioning is turned on at

THE LIVE HOUSE TONIGHT !

Friday Photo: A Beach Scene with the Canon G12 at ISO 80

Today Map It Okinawa came by and wanted to head north without cameras.

That's a good thing to do, sometimes.  Take a break from our normal routine.

I sneaked the little G12 into my pocket and left all the big stuff behind.

 After Map It Dude disappeared over the horizon I decided to play with the Canon.

Not having a tripod with me, I set the camera on some rocks.

This was the first time I ever shot it at ISO 80.

It was a little windy so, I removed the strap and set the timer at 15 seconds.

That gave me a chance to compose, snap the shutter button and run.

The sun was directly behind me and I didn't want my shadow in the picture.

The beach scene was taken with these manual settings:

 f/8  1/400  ISO 80 at a focal length of 6mm.

What do I think of the results ?

For a point and shoot camera, this little puppy ain't too shabby ! 

Canon G12 prices are unbelievably low, these days ! 

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Travel Photo: Scene from Komaka-Jima with the Sigma 10-20mm

This beach scene photo was taken August 12, 2012 from the island of Komaka-Jima.

The Sigma 10-20mm lens was at a focal length of 10mm.

Off in the distance is the main island of Okinawa.

What I never realized, until developing my photos from that day, is the fact that

Peace Park Memorial Tower is visible from Komaka.

Peace Memorial Park may be seen in my article published at Yahoo Voices. 

In that article, I made a link to Ernie Pyle, the war correspondent.

One of these days, I have to get back down there and see if I can find his name on the wall.

They just don't make writers like him, anymore.


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A Day Trip to the Capital City of Naha in Okinawa, Japan

Here's something you don't see me do very often.  

Today, Doc Graff and I went to the big city, just in case it decided to rain.

Right off the International Avenue (Kokusaidori) they have a covered shopping mall.

The shops run air-conditioning and it feels great, after you've been out in the August humidity.

 We went through the meat market and took a few photos.

 Then, hit the fish market to shoot some of those colorful fish on ice.

Looking at all that food makes a person hungry so, we grabbed a quick lunch.

After eating, Doc knows we better get moving or, I'll fall asleep so, we left the city.

Naha wasn't very far behind us when I remembered I had some more business to do.

Probably, twenty years has gone by since I last stepped into this place.

They have the awesomeyummiest ice cream in the world.

I know.  That ain't a word.  But, it should be.

And, I really didn't need a scoop of strawberry cheesecake ice cream.

So, I had two.

Back up in the neck of the woods I call home, we had to break for coffee.

Richamocha Cafe was my temporary office for a few months so, I had to stop by and say "Hi".

The gals working in there know how to make a mean cup of coffee.

All my photos from the big city are developed and, I never even took my afternoon nap.

Maybe, on the way home I better stop off somewhere and have a beer !

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Note: Richamocha Cafe recently was reviewed by me on TripAdvisor.

Stop on by sometime and see all the reviews done by RyukyuMike.