Island hopping in southern Japan
OKINAWA, JAPAN — The sun hangs low in the sky as the crowd on Kondoi Beach finishes up dinner and gets ready for the band to come on. A man with metal tongs pokes and prods at the leftovers of the feast, a large fish head that’s still smoking on the barbeque. Another man uses chopsticks to pick away at the remains of the carcass as the creature’s eye stares vacantly at passersby. This is Taketomi Night, a low-key celebration of the beauty and simplicity of this tiny outcropping of coral that’s part of Okinawa, Japan’s southern island chain.
As my wife and I stroll up the beach, the rough sand scraping our feet, we watch a girl plunk around in the warm waters of the East China Sea. Other folks are choosing to stay dry, their cameras and cellphones on standby to capture shots of the sunset. We come across Yutatsu Oyama, who’s heading in the opposite direction. The 73-year-old is the eighth generation of his family to call this place home.
“My mother died recently,” he confides. “She was 113.”
A ripe old age by any standard, but not unheard of in Okinawa, where good genes, good weather, and a diet rich in grains, tofu, seaweed and vegetables (such as the bitter goya) have given people here the longest life expectancy in the world. At last count, more than 400 centenarians resided on these islands.
Although Yutatsu spent a number of years working on mainland Japan, there was no question where he’d settle down when he retired.
“I don’t like Tokyo so much,” he admits. “It’s very crowded. It’s hard.”
Quite the opposite, in fact, of Taketomi and the dozens of islands that make up the Okinawa archipelago. The subtropical getaway, less than three hours by plane from the Japanese capital, is where travellers flock almost year-round to bask in the sun, snorkel or scuba dive through coral that teems with life, and enjoy the local cuisine and culture. While some only go as far as the main island, Okinawa Honto, others head farther south to discover smaller destinations such as Ishigaki and Taketomi, part of a group of islands known collectively as the Yaeyamas that are just a stone’s throw from Taiwan.
“People like the weather and the beaches,” taxi driver Shunki Misoko pointed out as we raced along Highway 390 toward the Ishigaki’s northern tip, which on the map looks like a long, knobbly stick floating in both the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. Along the way we passed fields of spiky-topped pineapple, cactus-like dragon fruit and wispy sugar cane plantations.
Sunset Beach Hotel - News
After walking along the nearly deserted Sunset Beach, its burning hot sand covered with broken bits of coral, we found ourselves chatting with Gentetsu Maeshiro. He'd just finished spearfishing and was carrying a colourful catch that included gilled
Ibiza It girls can also find Anesis spas at sunset beach bar Savannah and hair and beauty salon Ego and more spas coming soon to Cafe Mambo and Cafe del Mar. Find Hotel Es Vive at Calle Carlos Roman Ferrer 8 07800 Ibiza. Anesis Fish Pedicures cost 25€
The road brightens with glowing lights after sunset. The Iho Beach, which was recently renovated, offers diverse foods as well. A horse-shaped lighthouse is another tourist attraction. For more information, call Jeju Special Autonomous Province tourism
We divided our trip between two oceanfront Kailua-Kona properties: the secluded, five-star Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the budget-friendly, centrally located King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel (slated to become a Courtyard Marriott later this
Or, if you're hungry, you can make s'mores on the beach. Of course, you can always play tennis or make sandcastles or enjoy biking, surfing, or kayaking. If you arrive in the evening, try to go for a gondola ride or even a sunset sail.
Ocean Isle Beach hotel | Brunswick County Blog
The 2011 Saltwater Classic Series Kingfish Fishing Tournaments is sponsoring the Sullivan’s Island Saltwater Classic on August 5-6. Registration is at “Big Shed” 1459 Hennessy Street, Sullivan’s Island (SKA D-3).
You’ll be looking for an Ocean Isle Beach hotel to stay in during the tournament so be sure to consider the Sunset Beach area. There you’ll find The Sunset Inn overlooking the beautiful saltwater marsh and Intracoastal Waterway, just a short block from the ocean. As the sun rises and you’re enjoying the new day, picture yourself rocking on one of their many porches and dreaming about that big fish you’re going to haul in later that day.
Beautifully appointed rooms with king-sized beds and private baths await you. Amenities include private screened porches, wet bars, large porches, and private storage areas for bikes, golf clubs, beach chairs, etc.
Within a short drive from your Ocean Isle Beach hotel , the area offers a diversity of cultural activities including many waterfront dining venues, theatre, museums, and golf courses galore offering both casual golf and competitive tournaments.
This Ocean Isle Beach hotel — The Sunset Inn — is for all seasons. From the private screened porch, you can enjoy the gentle breeze and the scent of marsh marigolds in autumn. Winter is a time for brilliant blue skies and crisp, clear days. The happy call of shore birds announce spring’s rebirth, while summer abounds with lazy days spent on a sugar sand beach wrapped with complete relaxation for your entire beach vacation.
Be sure to check out the Concert Series being held every Saturday night from 6:30-8 p.m. on the stage in the parking lot at Museum of Coastal Carolinas on Ocean Isle Beach.
ТУРЦИЯ/АЛАНИЯ 24.07 на 8дн Sunset Beach Hotel 5* 20 745руб!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back in time for a beautiful sunset on the beach. @ The Allegria Hotel 
Sunset Village Resort Hotel Jomtien Beach near Pattaya Thailand beaches near Bangkok
Sunset Village Resort Tropical Hotel Jomtien Beach near Pattaya Thailand beaches near Bangkok
Beach time at sunset. :D (@ Hotel Del Coronado w/ 3 others)