Back to Okinawa
We wanted to go to Australia for Winter holiday. However the 620 dollar gasoline surcharge cost almost as much as the flight its self. Ironically the tickets were sold out any ways as frenzied Japanese shoppers looked to exorcise the power of the Yen over the Australian dollar and overrun Sidney's shopping malls. We opted for another trip to Okinawa.
We took the flight out of Tokyo on New Years Eve. Planes to Sapporo were canceled due to snow, other flights to a far away island were canceled due to volcanic gas, but our flight was on schedule unlike last year and I was able to hunker down with my book for a few hours and sure enough, we arrived at the warm climes of Ishigaki island.
We dropped off our luggage at the hotel and then went to another hotel, The ANA resort hotel where Yoshiko's Sister's family were on there annual New Years holiday. We feasted at an excessive buffet sponsored by husband Taku. Next we sat around and waited for fireworks. My nephew and niece introduced me to their insane Pokeman collection. Next we ate Toshi Koshi Soba, a New Years Noodle treat, and watched fireworks close up.
The next day we woke up early, watched the sunrise, and went back to sleep. We took a stroll around town, did gift shopping and were basically lazy. We saw a cute shrine and took some photos.
The next day we re-visited Takitomi Island. It's a very short boat ride from Ishigaki and a cute town as well as nature preserve. We rented bicycles and quickly found out it's the best way to go as we were able to get outside the center and around the island, explore hidden areas and quiet beaches returning to town for snacks and lunch. Of note were Banyan trees, lonely cows, coral beaches, gentle rain wetting the dirt roads. The rental was so indicative of the island culture. No papers to sign, no down payment, no safety lectures. Just pay when you return.
The next day afternoon we were to meet my fellow teacher Mr. Yusa who was staying with his family at Club Med Ishigaki. However the morning was free so we decided to go north to the nature preserve near Kabila bay, which in fact was close to the same Club Med resort. However it rained hard so we had to improvise. Our first move was to take a glass bottom boat ride. We figured that fish don't really care about the rain above since they already live in the shit and the boats were covered so we were free to view the undersea world. We had the ride to ourselves and the guide took us to his favorite areas. It was a sensual candy shop for my artist eyes. After the ride we went back south to Yae Ama village, a prefectural park that features old buildings, and animal park, a mangrove forest and traditional cultural entertainment. For some reason we kept missing the brunt of the rain; either we were eating lunch, watching some traditional dance or just under some trees, we somehow managed to stay dry.
Just when we had finished up sightseeing Yusa called and picked us up in his car. Next indoor destination was a cave with some finely articulated stalagmites soaked like some ancient skin. We further retreated to a cafe and then parted ways just as the rain let up. After an evening walk to an adjacent island we had a fine meal and chalked it up to another good day on the island.
The next day we went to the nature preserve island of Iriomote to take a mini eco tour. We took a long speed commuter boat ride from the harbor. I started to feel a tad sick. I took out my I-pod and played some surf music (Mermen). Now I know why surf music is so popular with surfers. It worked and I instantly felt quite happy. We came to the dock on the far side of the island and our guide picked us up. Again we had the guide all to ourselves and he set us up with a kayak. After a quick lesson we packed our stuff and paddled away toward a lagoon from where we spotted a waterfall. The lagoon turned to a river that went very slowly along a Mangrove forest. Besides other boat tourists it was very peaceful. We pulled up to an area were we could see a sort of trail. The guide parked us and we continued in our water booties along a muddy path in a jungle. The guide was carrying a huge day pack while wearing beach sandals. We walked along muddy flats until we got to some roots. We began to climb the roots upward. This was in fact our mountain path. This guide led us up rocks and roots at astonishing angles. I was reminded of the crazy hiking my brother and I used to do with our friends back in Thousand Oaks about twenty years ago. But this was as adults with a qualified guide. At one point it was necessary to use a rope to pull up a series of steep rocks but we finally made it. We walked a small trail and then went down using strong roots as hand holds to the top of the waterfall we had seen from the lagoon. This was where our guide opened his day pack, took out a cooking stove and made noodle soup for us. After taking a zillion photos and eating we went back. Miraculously despite using water booties we made it back in one piece. The guide then showed us the bottom of the waterfall that was almost as difficult a trek. We returned to our kayaks and paddled out of the Mangroves to the ocean and to shore. Back to the commuter ship and to Ishigaki. A great mini-adventure.
So the following day it was very nice and warm but we had to go. We took an easy flight to change over at Naha airport and looked around for a place to eat. We took our first bites into Okinawa Soba and beer when Yoshiko realized she had made a time error and we were to fly in five minutes. We left our soup and charged for the gate. I grabbed Yoshiko's ticket, Yoshiko grabbed her beer. I got through the gate first and Yoshiko didn't have her ticket. I was accidentally holding it and we quickly settled things and boarded in time. We returned with no further mistakes.
We took the flight out of Tokyo on New Years Eve. Planes to Sapporo were canceled due to snow, other flights to a far away island were canceled due to volcanic gas, but our flight was on schedule unlike last year and I was able to hunker down with my book for a few hours and sure enough, we arrived at the warm climes of Ishigaki island.
We dropped off our luggage at the hotel and then went to another hotel, The ANA resort hotel where Yoshiko's Sister's family were on there annual New Years holiday. We feasted at an excessive buffet sponsored by husband Taku. Next we sat around and waited for fireworks. My nephew and niece introduced me to their insane Pokeman collection. Next we ate Toshi Koshi Soba, a New Years Noodle treat, and watched fireworks close up.
The next day we woke up early, watched the sunrise, and went back to sleep. We took a stroll around town, did gift shopping and were basically lazy. We saw a cute shrine and took some photos.
The next day we re-visited Takitomi Island. It's a very short boat ride from Ishigaki and a cute town as well as nature preserve. We rented bicycles and quickly found out it's the best way to go as we were able to get outside the center and around the island, explore hidden areas and quiet beaches returning to town for snacks and lunch. Of note were Banyan trees, lonely cows, coral beaches, gentle rain wetting the dirt roads. The rental was so indicative of the island culture. No papers to sign, no down payment, no safety lectures. Just pay when you return.
The next day afternoon we were to meet my fellow teacher Mr. Yusa who was staying with his family at Club Med Ishigaki. However the morning was free so we decided to go north to the nature preserve near Kabila bay, which in fact was close to the same Club Med resort. However it rained hard so we had to improvise. Our first move was to take a glass bottom boat ride. We figured that fish don't really care about the rain above since they already live in the shit and the boats were covered so we were free to view the undersea world. We had the ride to ourselves and the guide took us to his favorite areas. It was a sensual candy shop for my artist eyes. After the ride we went back south to Yae Ama village, a prefectural park that features old buildings, and animal park, a mangrove forest and traditional cultural entertainment. For some reason we kept missing the brunt of the rain; either we were eating lunch, watching some traditional dance or just under some trees, we somehow managed to stay dry.
Just when we had finished up sightseeing Yusa called and picked us up in his car. Next indoor destination was a cave with some finely articulated stalagmites soaked like some ancient skin. We further retreated to a cafe and then parted ways just as the rain let up. After an evening walk to an adjacent island we had a fine meal and chalked it up to another good day on the island.
The next day we went to the nature preserve island of Iriomote to take a mini eco tour. We took a long speed commuter boat ride from the harbor. I started to feel a tad sick. I took out my I-pod and played some surf music (Mermen). Now I know why surf music is so popular with surfers. It worked and I instantly felt quite happy. We came to the dock on the far side of the island and our guide picked us up. Again we had the guide all to ourselves and he set us up with a kayak. After a quick lesson we packed our stuff and paddled away toward a lagoon from where we spotted a waterfall. The lagoon turned to a river that went very slowly along a Mangrove forest. Besides other boat tourists it was very peaceful. We pulled up to an area were we could see a sort of trail. The guide parked us and we continued in our water booties along a muddy path in a jungle. The guide was carrying a huge day pack while wearing beach sandals. We walked along muddy flats until we got to some roots. We began to climb the roots upward. This was in fact our mountain path. This guide led us up rocks and roots at astonishing angles. I was reminded of the crazy hiking my brother and I used to do with our friends back in Thousand Oaks about twenty years ago. But this was as adults with a qualified guide. At one point it was necessary to use a rope to pull up a series of steep rocks but we finally made it. We walked a small trail and then went down using strong roots as hand holds to the top of the waterfall we had seen from the lagoon. This was where our guide opened his day pack, took out a cooking stove and made noodle soup for us. After taking a zillion photos and eating we went back. Miraculously despite using water booties we made it back in one piece. The guide then showed us the bottom of the waterfall that was almost as difficult a trek. We returned to our kayaks and paddled out of the Mangroves to the ocean and to shore. Back to the commuter ship and to Ishigaki. A great mini-adventure.
So the following day it was very nice and warm but we had to go. We took an easy flight to change over at Naha airport and looked around for a place to eat. We took our first bites into Okinawa Soba and beer when Yoshiko realized she had made a time error and we were to fly in five minutes. We left our soup and charged for the gate. I grabbed Yoshiko's ticket, Yoshiko grabbed her beer. I got through the gate first and Yoshiko didn't have her ticket. I was accidentally holding it and we quickly settled things and boarded in time. We returned with no further mistakes.
posted by lyle Nisenholz at 7:21 PM
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