I went with a friend to Okinawa in late December. Lows of 15, highs of 22. Flowers, butterflies, and lots of time outside. Since I've already been to Okinawa and posted about it (plus, I have a post about the Peace Museum separately), I will simply post some pictures with captions on my trip.
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Ishigaki beef is really good. Good beef = best beef stew of my life, even if it was only a few bites full
Hitoshi, ひとし店、石垣 |
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My new friend, the water buffalo.
Taketomi Island, 竹富島 |
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December 22nd, 2017
Taketomi Island, 竹富島 |
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A glass bottom boat from Kabira Bay on Ishigaki. We saw coral, fish, and a turtle!
Kabira Bay, Ishigaki, 川平湾、石垣島 |
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Sunset at the beach.
Kabira Bay, Ishigaki, 川平湾、石垣島 |
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Sunset at the beach.
Kabira Bay, Ishigaki, 川平湾、石垣島 |
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Water buffalo ride number two of the trip, across the raging waters between two islands.
Iriomote and Yubu Island, 西表島と由布島 |
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Pineapple farm on my evening stroll.
Iriomote Island, 西表島 |
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Awamori: a drink that looks like water, varies from overpowering to smooth, and is overall a very dangerous friend. Not to be trusted.
Iriomote Island, 八重山、沖縄 |
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| Wild boar sashimi. Yes, that means that this pork is raw. And I ate it. It was good, although I hear that it is illegal to serve pork raw. And people generally seem to think it's a bad idea. Black market meal? |
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Mangrove Forest surrounding the Urauchi River.
Iriomote Island, 西表島の浦内川 |
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A small venture along a road, down a small path, and out to an isolated corner of the island.
Forgotten Rock, Iriomote 忘物石 |
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Limestone Caves with lights.
Ishigaki Island, 石垣島 |
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Meal and entertainment. Oh yeah, and there were musical performances as well. It was Christmas, so the staff are dressed up (see reindeer on the left). Pay for the atmosphere and show and get some food as well.
Usagiya, Ishigaki, 石垣島、うさぎや |
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A tourist village with buildings, activities, crafts, and entertainment from the Ryukyu Kingdom. Very touristy, but if you can't get to the Yaeyama Islands, then you should go. If you do get to Yaeyama, then probably not worth it.
Ryukyu Village, Okinawa Honto 沖縄本島、琉球村 |
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taco rice - タコライス. From King Tacos, the original taco rice. Fusion comfort food, eh?
King Tacos, Okinawa, キングタコス金武本店 |
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Best aquarium in the world? Whale sharks and giant mantas in that one huge tank.
Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa, 美ら海水族館 |
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Habushu. ハブ酒. Liquor with a poison snake in it. It tastes a little like cinnamon. And tingly burning.
Okinawa |
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My guidebook's information was outdated, so we ended up at this restaurant by mistake. I was not sad about it. Classic Okinawan foods presented beautifully in a beautiful location with great service and great conversation.
Nuchigafu, Naha. 那覇、ぬちがふぅ |
