Ishigaki Island, Part 2

During our stay on Ishigaki island, Dave and I took a ferry to Taketome Island. There we rented bicycles and peddled our way around to see all the original/traditional homes.


We also made our way to down to the water (East China Sea). Here is a picture of me helping some mainland Japanese girls get the perfect vacation photo.

Our last night on Ishigaki island, Dave and I spent eating one of the best meals ever!!! Ishigaki-gyu! Ishigaki beef is unbelievable. The famous Kobe beef is originally from Ishigaki island. If you ever get the chance to try either of these two types of beef, please do!!! It's worth the money!

Ishigaki Island, Part 1

Less than one week before we arrived, a category 4 typhoon (hurricane) hit Ishigaki island directly. There were still many areas without power and I've never seen so many up-rooted trees! Luckily the Okinawans build just about everything out of concrete, so the damage wasn't too bad.

Dave and I spent a whole day on Iriomote Island. We took a boat cruise and hike through the jungle. Dave enjoyed the time in the jungle (it was raining and muddy) more than I, so that's why I'm posting a picture of him. I did not smile for my jungle pictures...haha.

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This is a video of our water-buffalo ride in Iriomote. The man in the front of the cart is playing the Sanshin ( 3 stringed, banjo-like instrument from Okinawa). Again, the scenery would have been much more beautiful had a category 4 hurricane not come through 6 days earlier.

Unique things in Okinawa, part 1

While you wait to see the pics from our trip to Ishigaki Island (I'm still working on the blog entry), I thought I'd give you a little taste of Okinawa. I think this picture sums it all up! Haha! This is unique way to bring the old and the new together, don't ya think?

This sign I saw on our hike through the jungle. Apparently a trash can is not good enough, you need to bring your trash all the way home! hehe...

This is a traditional Okinawan roof. There are still a good bit of them left on island. They are often hidden by the large, squared-off, concrete buildings.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

This is the Ryukyu glass factory! This is one of my favorite places to go in Okinawa. Hand-blown glass is so awesome. I love to win different glasses playing the ping-pong game down in the discounted area. Between Dave and I we have won quite a variety of glassware! Everytime I drive up to the factory, I think about Rainbow Brite (my favorite childhood cartoon)! Does anyone else think that when they look at this picture? Let me know if I'm crazy. haha (if you like, leave a comment just below this entry). I'm not sure if anyone ever reads my blog entries, so I'd love to hear from you!

Treasure!

Two months ago, Dave and I hit the resale/recycle shop on the other side of the island. We found this shadow box way up on the top shelf. At first I was apprehensive to buy it because it was sooooo dirty, but since it cost only 500yen (around 5 dollars) I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm so glad I did because now it's one of my favorite pieces! All it needed was a little TLC! I'm such a bargain hunter...hehe. Beautiful, isn't it?

FC Ryukyu

Dave, Tom and I went to watch the FC Ryukyu game today. The weather was great, so the stands were full of cheering fans. It was an awesome game, we won 2-1! Go FC Ryukyu!!!!!

Zamami Island

Last weekend we went to Zamami Island with some friends. The weather wasn't that great, but we made the best of it! Zamami Island is about a 50 minute ferry ride from Naha, Okinawa.

I was excited to see the tatami-style bunk-beds in our cabin.



We barbequed for some friends that were visiting Okinawa from mainland Japan.


Yaki-Soba!!! Oishikatta!! It was delicious!!!

The day turned into quite a cooking lesson for me....I was also taught how to make rice in a rice-maker. Now if I can only figure out how to read the buttons on the rice-maker I bought....haha!

Peter and Tom

Dave's friends Peter and Tom arrived the day after Tara and Will left. The four of us have been touring the island for the past 2 weeks. Peter leaves today, but Tom still has one more week of island fun! This pic is of us outside the gate of Shuri-Jo (Castle).