Yaeyama Island tour

A few weeks ago my kiteboard instructor setup a group trip to the Yaeyama Islands, which are part of Japan but very close to Taiwan.

Because I have the best wife in the world, I got to go along.

Wednesday, we flew to Naha, changed planes and then on down to Ishigaki Island where we checked in and ate diner.

This is where we went.






Thursday, we drove around Ishigaki Island to do sightseeing.
This is a road.

Then it got better.


Then a traffic jam :)

These are a couple places we went to on Isigaki Island




Later in the day,we took a water taxi over to Taketomi Island which is very small and beautiful.







This is a water taxi used to go to the smaller islands.


Thursday evening we took a water taxi over to Kohoma Island. This is where we stayed at on Kohama Island.

This is the resort beach were we stayed at.

While sightseeing,this is one of the nearby islands.

I really like Okinawa food.

Friday night diner after a hard day of kiteboarding.

The music we enjoyed during diner.

My instructor posted some video clips here. There is one of me finally getting to kiteboard about three-fourths the way down.

http://ameblo.jp/superfly/entry-10154673744.html

Many thanks to my wonderful wife!!

My Birthday Celebration!

Man, I turn the big 4-0 this year, but my friends, Chiyomi and Keiko gave me the most wonderful party today. I had an amazing time, and even had my own, personal concert!! I just want the two of you to know how special you are to me, and how much I appreciate the time we spend together!

I will add pictures in the next few days, but, Thank you again, Keiko and Chiyomi!!!!

Ghosts from Halloweens' Past :)

2003: Three little ladybugs

2004: 3 little pumpkins

2005: Sophie is Barbie's Erika, Gracie is Barbie's Annelise, and Izzy is Cinderella

2006: Gracie is a Dalmatian, Izzy is a firefighter, and Sophie is a unicorn

2007: Sophie is Sleeping Beauty, Izzy is Cinderella, and Gracie is Belle

2008: Gracie is Barbie's Elina, Izzy is Kim Possible, and Sophie is Barbie's Mariposa

Our First School Pictures!

I couldn't decide what to put the girls in for picture day. I had decided that I was going to make them match, since I never do. I then remembered the dresses they had worn ONLY ONCE for Ai's wedding, so I decided that they would wear those. Well, Sophie was excited.......Gracie and Izzy weren't quite as enthusiastic. Gracie was in tears until I promised to send a change of clothes once pictures were taken. Izzy left the house in tears, mainly because I did her hair "pebbles style," and to quote her, "You know I hate my hair pebble style!" I'm attaching the photo I got of them waiting for the bus. It wasn't quite as nice as the one Finbar took at school - they were completely ticked off and sure that my actions constituted child abuse. They were probably worried the dresses would interfere with their bug-catching at school.

I laughed at an email I got from Finbar that evening. You see, Gracie has no problem with you telling her how cute or pretty she is in her t-shirts and shorts, but if, God forbid, I decide to "foof" her, she will burst into tears if you comment on how pretty she looks. Finbar said she wouldn't smile for the camera people, so they started telling her what a pretty princess she was in her pretty princess dress. He said he was motioning for them to "not got there," but it was too late. I love that he knows my girls so well!

The cheapest picture packages were 3,000 yen (about $30 U.S.)! Those don't even include an 8x10!

Catching Up - July BBQ

I have fallen so behind on my blogging. I'm going to make an effort to catch up. Tonight's blog has pictures from our July 5th BBQ with our neighbors. It is the second year we've done this.Shozo-san and Kazuko-san

Monzen-san

Kondo-san

Fumi and Chie