Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

A couple of days before we arrived a typhoon swept over Okinawa islands, dumping salt laden water all around which damage the leafage on much of the vegetation. Some trees were as good as stripped of the leaves, and were sprouting new ones. Here, the choral landscape in miniature is scattered with leaves fallen from the vegetation running along the edge of the choral bay.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

More landscape in miniature; a chasm that is about 15 cm deep, with the residue of a salt water lake in the bottom, with the sun descending to the left generating shadow and texture to surfaces.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

A close image of the texture of the choral that forms the basis and structure of the island.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

Images of the landscape in miniature can provide a different perspective on the same formation processes, as illustrated to the left.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

This is a photo of the elementary and junior high schools combined on Minna Island; they have an enrollment of 5 students in total; 3 elementary, and 2 high school students attend this school. The total population of the island currently is about 65 people, of whom 18% are young, 61% adults and 21% are elderly residents. However, 29,100 people visit the island every year using the beach some of whom stay overnight in the bed and breakfast accommodations, as we did.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

There are very few roads on Minna Island, they could probably be counted on two hands, if not one hand; they link the port to the opposite side of the island, with a few branches running at 90 degrees off of that main trunk. This is the branch leading to the primary school; on Minna Island there is only elementary and junior high school provision, to attend high school students need to take the ferry daily to attend school.
The first building on the left is a typical older house on the island, constructed of concrete with heavy roof tiles because of the power of typhoons. Looking closely reveals that the tiles of half of the roof furthest away are newer, probably the others were whipped off in typhoon storms.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

Choral textures and colour; the colour of choral is quite varied depending on circumstances and location.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

The shore line on the opposite side of the island from the port, and beach.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

A simple view of one of the few roads on the island, this one leading into the vegetation, perhaps to a farm or house.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

The flowers and vegetation on Minna Island are remarkably beautiful and give the island much of its attractive charm. This flower is called hama-omoto in Japanese, and White Spider Lily in English.

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

These small mini-vans, and mini-trucks seem to be the vehicles of choice on the island. I have no idea how people obtain petrol for these, as I saw no petrol station, there is not even a shop on the island. The vessel that brings people to the island is unequipped for carrying anything other than people. There must be some form of provisions shipping to supply gasoline and other provisions. Otherwise, people most likely go to the mainland to purchase their goods.
This mini-van has been lying here for some time, the doors taped closed, with bamboo growing through it, as well as around it.

Summer Okinawa

This is a picture of Minna Island taken from the Tropical Dream Centre's incredible Shell tower. It is easy to see how low it sits in the ocean, with little undulation in the overall profile. Just as out family spent our summer holiday on the Scottish island of Millport, getting there by train and paddle steamer, so my wife spent her family summer vacations on Minna Island, taking a chug chug fishing boat to get there, bathing in miniscule amounts of water as then water was extremely scarce with no source from the mainland, which is not the provision. Here is the google satellite image of the island:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
116093404158140423252.0004712947338d2d6be7a

Summer Okinawa, Minna Island

Early in the morning of 12 August we took a jet ferry to Minna island, which is a quite small, low lying crescent shaped island. Minna has a delightful choral beach, with clean, clear water where numerous fish can be seen swimming by beneath you as you swim above or swim among them. The island offers extensive water sports facilities if that is what you want to do, it also offers quiet peacefulness for swimming and sun bathing. There are few facilities on the island, though a few houses offer chalet or bed and breakfast accommodation. The people who live on the island and offer the accommodation are welcoming and friendly. The island itself is beautiful, as I will attempt to show with a few of my photographs.

Summer Okinawa

This is the view to the east of the hotel balcony, taken in the early morning.

Summer Okinawa

The quality of the water surrounding Okinawa is astoundingly clear. The choral also contributes a vibrancy of colour to the sea and wondrous array of forms, textures and colours to the landscape. This view was taken from the balcony of our hotel room, of choral rising out of the sea, eroded at the water level which will probably eventually eradicate them as the pounding sea constantly erodes further and further years onwards.

Summer Okinawa

The manta ray are amazing fish, seen left. I particularly like how the colours combine with the darkness of the fish itself.

Summer Okinawa

A third photo from the aquarium presents a wonder of light and colour,

Summer Okinawa

Here is a second image from the aquarium, enjoy the beauty of the fish and the colours in combination.

Summer Okinawa

In the north of the main island, Okinawa possesses a magnificent aquarium. We often visit there and have taken Hannah there since she was a little older than a baby. She loves watching the fish swimming through the rays of light against a choral background. The image is a little soft as the light was low, the fish was moving and I used an iso setting that was a little low for the light conditions.

Summer Okinawa

Hannah, her grandfather and I spent morning in a small park near the sea, where Hannah played on the chutes, climbing frames, and so on. Then we went to the neighbouring beach. This beach is low key, with life guards and a safety net. Last summer Hannah and I spent many hours at this beach swimming and playing in the water. Here Hannah is tumbling into the water, unintentionally as she is fully dressed. Soaked then, from that point onwards she enjoyed splashing about in the water.

Summer Okinawa

This is an image of a heart in a tree, taken at the start of our trip up north, just the trio together. The tree was in Nago, in the northern part of Okinawa main island.

Summer Okinawa

Here is another orchid image, I will add their names when they are confirmed with grandfather. I particularly like flowers which are green or green tinged, this one is particularly gentle. This orchid's name is, Grammatophyllum scriptum, about which wikipedia offers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatophyllum

Summer Holiday

Hannah's grandfather in Okinawa has a garden richly endowed with flowers, particularly orchids. On the left is a photo of one of his orchids in bloom. This orchid is called Vanda, for which wikipedia informs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanda

Summer Holiday

We are all now on our summer holidays in Okinawa, at the home of our in-laws. Here you see a photo of Hannah in boxing spirits, jumping and waving clenched fists with a fierce laugh.