Home from the Bullfights?

In the Uruma area on Saturday we passed this pair headed down the lane toward home. This area is known for Okinawa bullfights. Now Okinawa bullfighting is not at all like the bullfighting of Spain and Mexico. In Okinawa bulls fight bulls. It is a test of strength. Bulls are not killed. Blood is rare. If a bull is accidentally gored, the match is over. Bulls lock horns and try to push each other out of the ring in the manner of sumo wrestlers. The bulls are loudly and boisterously encouraged by their respective owners with all manner of shouting and stomping of feet. Matches are over if a bull is pushed out of the ring or one of the opponents simply becomes too tired and turns tail and romps or walks away. The bulls have very special relationships with their trainers and are known to be given loving facial massages after bouts to help quiet them down again. This pair may or may not have been involved in the centuries old sport. Fighters or not, they appears to be winners to me.

Dragons as Roadside Distractions

This is one very good reason that I really prefer to be in the passenger seat - - I might miss out on the incredible sights to be seen along the way!

Rice Harvest in Oki

One of the things one thinks to find most frequently in Japan are the rice patties. And they can be found but are much fewer and more far between than Americans think. But it is now harvest time for the rice and they are more visible. And that is because tied bundles of rice are to seen sitting on railings drying in the sun along the roadways.

The 'Elephant's Crapper'

One of the easiest landmarks to remember is actually a walkway around a hub.

A little bit of Paradise

We have a gorgeous ocean right out the window of Ron's house. 100 feet or so down. It's on the west side of the peninsula. But I decided I wanted to hike to the other side of the Zanpa peninsula and see the beach there. After about an hour or so of hiking through pockets of residential area, and larger pockets of sugarcane fields, I found a lovely, almost deserted beach area. For over an hour I explored the tidal pools, rocks, a couple of caves, and sorted through about a bazillion pieces of coral and shells. I did see 2 scuba divers just as I was leaving and I got a really lively 'doggie fix' from a young Japanese woman who was treating her companion to a romp on the beach.

The dog's name sounded something like 'Dusty' so that's what I called him. Bless her heart, the young lady was most disturbed when Dusty jumped up on my leg and left a few grains of sand! By the time I left them the grains of sand had thankfully been multiplied many times over. Good dog, Dusty!

Lost - but not in Paradise

It got hot here in Okinawa yesterday. 90 degrees. Humid. Huge billowy clouds that offered no rain and no respite from the heat. After enjoying the beach area so much I had decided it was time to head back home. I had a rough idea which direction home was. Now the thing about Okinawa, and other places I am well aware, is that there are no straight roads. No street signs. Not even in Japanese unless it is one of the major roads - like a highway. I first headed into residential areas that seem to meander in circles. Then I got onto this little, maybe 6 foot wide, paved lane. This led into a maze of sugarcane fields. And almost led me to heat stroke!

But the good thing about Okinawa is that you can't go too awfully far without getting to an ocean. You can get lost. And I did. But you will eventually find a landmark, or ocean, to help you get back on track again.

Pig's Feet Puzzle

I was hot, tired, dehydrated and foot sore when I rounded the corner of the little lane I had wandered into, when what should I come upon - - ? I don't know. Pig's feet. Rows and rows of pig's feet. Some were apparently barbecued to an unhealthy black. The rest merely posed in the hot sun. Bloated. I moved right along.

Dandy Directional Dragon

Turn left at the 'dragon'. . . Yeah, that's easy to spot.

Dramatic Dragon Duo

On Sunday, after a swim meet for Ron, marathon shopping at Jusco for me, and a meal at Marino's Pizzeria for both of us we headed home. In an instant Ron veered off the roadway to apprehend photos of this lurking dragon and his twin. He fearlessly closed in for a tight, personal shot of this mythological beast. Being born in the Chinese year of the dragon, Ron knows I love all things dragonish. Well, most things.

Ocean Expo Park and the Churaumi Aquarium

Monday was a Japanese holiday. Health and Sports holiday. It was also an American holiday here and we decided to visit the famed Churaumi Aquarium and Expo Park. The main attraction at the Expo Park is the Aquarium. This Aquarium houses 3 fantastic whalesharks that is worth the price of admission, alone, as far as I am concerned. But those three whalesharks share their environment with a variety of rays, tuna, turtles, mackelel, parrotfish, wrasse, and grouper among others. But as a bonus there are acres of other exhibits and shows most of a marine theme. We visited a manatee aquarium. We saw a dolphin show, a traditional Okinawan village, incredible landscaping some of which used flowers to develop into the shapes of animals, and the Tropical Dream Center.
The two clips here are both from the main Aquarium.

Morays And More

In the past I have called these little guys 'soda straws' or 'soda straw eels'. But I have now been educated. These are 'garden eels'. Some are 'Orange-barred' and some are 'Spotted'. Cute little suckers, behind glass anyway. Another interesting specimen was Moray eels. Another creature all together. The things nightmares are made of. I had hoped to see a 'zebra moray eel' like the two I saw in the Sea of Cortez last summer, but they must not make it that far east.

Mantas and More Rays

One of the most highly visible of the ocean creatures at the Churaumi Aquarium is the ray. Cow-nose Rays, Spotted Eagle Rays, and the magnificent Manta Rays are plentiful and very visible. Gracefully gliding and banking the length and depth of the Aquarium, these Rays are not to be missed. Seeming to stick closer to the bottom but still highly visible are the Coach Whip Ray ( with sort of a leopard's spotting noticeable on its body ), the Pink Whip Ray and the larger White Spotted Shovel Nose Ray.

Sea Turtle Smorgasborg

One of the most interesting parts of the Ocean Expo to me was the exhibit for the sea turtles. It was not as exciting as being in the ocean with these magnificent creatures but the next best thing. So graceful, so elegant!

Maybe it wasn't as peaceful a situation as it may have first appeared. The second video clip shows what looks like a slap in the head delivered by one these behemoths. Yow! Bam! Boom!

Tropical Dream Garden - - A Delight for the Eyes and the Nose!

Our last stop at Expo Park was the Tropical Dream Center. What a photographer's delight. A sensory delight as well for anyone with a half decent sense of sight and smell.

Ryukyu Flying Foxes - - Okinawan Bats

One of the night critters common to Okinawa is the bat, also known as Ryuku Flying Foxes. (They are also known as Zorro Volador de Ryukyu.) And these critters are not the cute little guys we are familiar with in Iowa. Nope. These bats average about 10 inches tall and have wingspans of over 40 inches. They look like overly large birds swooping around - - except that it is nighttime and any self respecting bird is home in his nest. These two bats I photographed at Okinawan Fruits Land a couple of weeks ago.


A few nights ago I mentioned to Ron about the huge birds flying in front of the windows of the living room. They seemed a bit odd to me. I mean, it was night time. What were those birds doing out so late? That's when Ron introduced me, and my imagination, to the Okinawa flying fox.

It is so named because of its fox like facial features. They almost certainly look cute in the photos, but I prefer to keep some distance between us. Like bats most places they eat insects and fruit. Homo sapiens are not on their menu.
















I just didn't like the way this one was looking at me. And yes, I am quite well aware that they are anatomically correct. After all, they are real, and alive.

Fish Fry

Ron and I have been watching these everchanging pools of darkness in the very shallow water created during low tide. It appears we have a fish nursery right under the balcony. The East China Sea could use some replenishing in a BIG way.

Kokeshi doll

Now I have never been one of those girly-girls playing with dolls as a child. Not on your life. I wanted to ride bikes and build forts and play ball, and read. Barbies were popular when I was of the age to have them. But I had absolutely no use for them.

So, it is rather surprising that this charming little kokeshi doll has entered my collection, small that it is, of 'stuff'. She is all of about 6 inches tall. Kokeshi dolls have been created in Japan for over 200 years. They are made of wood, such as dogwood, and painted with traditional costumes or even landscapes, or images of various kinds. Some artists of these dolls become very famous and their dolls commend high prices throughout the world.

I have not rebounded to childhood, but I do find her rather delightful. She will find a choice spot carefully packed in my suitcase for the trip back to the States.

The Wedding - Lovely To Look At

On my walk the other day I found myself winding around the beach area in a place I had never been before. White sand stretched along softly incoming waves. And then - - What to my wandering eyes should appear - - ? But a beautiful little chapel illuminated by the setting sun, decorated with reflections of the tumbling, rapidly growing cumulus clouds, and artfully stained glass brilliantly come alive in the downing of the sun's rays. And low and behold, I spied a small congregation in that chapel. Family and friends were there to witness and behold the joining of two individuals in holy wedlock. God bless them. For I was too late to save them.

Taking the View

The Zanpa Lighthouse area. This is one of my most favorite spots in Okinawa. It's within easy walking distance of Ron's home. There were several fishermen out this day but I never saw anyone catch anything. Last time I was here I was fortunate to see two sea turtles.
The lighthouse is 40 meters, or 120 feet, to the top. No elevator. I didn't count the steps - - too busy trying to breathe. No air moving inside until one reaches the top - whew!

High and Low

These were taken at the Zanpa Lighthouse area. Both from ground level and from the top of the Lighthouse. Beautiful views either way.

October means it's time for Halloween Shi-sas

Ryukyu Mura Encore

Monday found me at Ryukyu Mura once again. It is the recreation of a typical native village and contains many original wooden homes with red tiled roofs. It also shows native crafts and everyday lifestyles. Festivals are a large part of the lifestyle of the Okinawans and Eisa is an extremely popular part of those festivals.

I was able to watch some of these Eisa traditional methods of music and dance. Afterwards the audience was invited to have their pictures taken with the performers. Can you say "CHEESEBURGER"? They can and do.

Ryukyu Dance Group

On a recent afternoon I was back at Ryukyu Mura. One demonstration I was pleased to witness was by this lady dressed in geisha costume and other native dress. She presented several very elegant, colorful native dances. A musician played a sanshin and sang traditional songs.

After watching not only the 'geisha' but a couple of male performers, I was led from my seat out onto the stage area, along with three or four other spectators. We were encouraged to dance along with the performers! EGADS! But I decided there was not another soul there I knew so - why not? Thankfully no one I knew was there to videotape the spectacle either! And I did get a group photo afterwards.

Boy's Banner

One of Ron's acquisitions since my arrival here has been this 'boy's banner'. More than 20 years old, it was used in festivals honoring young men and boys. There are a number of tabs along one side where a rod was run that enabled the banner to be carried about upright. These banners are no longer made or used. The now 'politically correct' festival is 'children's day'.

Ron's banner currently resides over the railing in his stairwell. That may change. The banner is a good 10 feet long and more than 2 feet wide. As it is displayed on the railing only a partial view of the banner is available - one horse and the samarai warrior. Due to a shortage of hanging space a second samarai warrior, positioned above the horse, currently resides upside down on the other side. Unfortunately.

I am hoping I never come down the stairs half asleep some night forgetting the banner is there. What a rude awakening to find yourself under attack by a samarai warrior. And I think I have nightmares now!

Battlesites Tour - Part 1 Urasoe and Hacksaw Ridge

On Monday I was privileged to be able to take part in the Battlesites Tour here on Okinawa. To be sure this one was probably just a little bit different. I was taking the tour with the ROTC of Kubasaki High School. That meant a tour with the sponsers of the Kubasaki MCJROTC, Sgt. Maj. Robert Mastriano and Capt. Ken Gipson, (shown at the right). And 83 high school cadets! Those of you who REALLY know me will understand what that means. But they were a fine group of young people. Very courteous. Everytime one of them called me 'ma'am' I wanted to look over my shoulder to see who they were speaking to. I didn't know anyone used that word anymore.

The Battle of Okinawa started in March of 1945 and the American troops landed on April 1, 1945. There were 90 days of what was called the "typhoon of steel". The landscape was decimated. 200,000 people died. Unimaginable atrocities and horror reigned upon this otherwise mostly unknown island of coral and limestone. The Okinawan civilian population was subjected to an unspeakable and increasingly desperate destruction of every sector in their lives. A previously peaceful people brought to ruin and near annihilation.

At Urasoe and Hacksaw Ridge we were able to see firsthand some of the harsh terrain the troops encountered on their Battle for Okinawa. Specifics of the war and the battles on Okinawa were related by our tour guide, Chris.

Battle sites Tour - Part 2 Historical Museum on Camp Kinser

On Camp Kinser is a museum that is maintained by our tour guide, Chris. It contains an amazing array of battle memorabilia regarding the Battle of Okinawa. There are artifacts from the Japanese as well as the American side. Military clothing, weapons, canteens, and flags are gathered in several rooms. Photos taken by soldiers abound.


In the main room is a large Japanese flag. Displayed prominently in front of this flag is an American machine gun that was only recently discovered and added to the exhibit.

Newspaper articles highlight major events as told to the American public. Magazine articles, with personal histories and photos relate to the public back home what is happening overseas.