Heart Rock
200m above the ocean
The shape of the mountains create a red heart shape. I am standing on top of it so it cannot be seen from this point. It was a beautiful sunny day in Bonin Island's winter day. It has been cloudy and windy for weeks but this day it was a summer day, we got warm from the core. A slow 2 hour walk in the dense forest with gorgeous views of the island and its unique flora.
4 of us
with our packed lunch
Mission completed: To set up a stop sign for this route, the boys carried this wood logs which seem to be very heavy, I was in charge of tea :)
Finished work ate lunch and had a nap.
On the way back we climbed trees and chatted about the flu and how this walk could have healed any sick person.
Dear Sorie,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Miguel. I am a German/American/Filipino who grew up and have been living in Japan for altogether 30 years (since 1969). I came across your and Mark's blogs because I am searching for information about visiting Ogasawara. If it's at all possible to get on the ship either this Thursday or next Wednesday I'm thinking of possibly visiting the islands.
I'm just wondering how the weather is at this time of year. I expect there will be rain and wind, but does it get cold? Does it make sense to go at this time of year? Would the weather mainly mean sitting indoors, or does it get good enough sometimes to be outside a lot, perhaps going for swims or whale watching?
I want to go mainly to go for long walks with my camera and sketchbook. I am very experienced being outdoors (I do a lot of mountain climbing and long distance bicycle travel) and so if appropriate would like to do some days camping. I might bring my folding bicycle so I can get around the island without a car or bus.
All of this is just conjecture, so I really don't know what to expect.
I've read your entire blog. Some nice photos and delightful stories. They gave me a real sense of what it must be like to go live on a remote island, which, I am sure, is not always the romantic, sunset-filled dream that you see in magazines. But that's how I like it and what I travel to see... the real world as it is.
Your background caught my attention. It's similar to mine. And your mixed feelings about being both Japanese and non-Japanese rings a bell; both my brother and I feel very much the same way about Japan. I'm here, he's in the States... I miss the world outside Japan, he misses Japan. My wife (we're separated, but still very much keep in touch) is Japanese-Brazilian and has a lot of similar feelings. Interesting to hear your perspective.
Anyway, I'm sorry to barge in on you and Mark like this, seeing as I'm a complete stranger. Just wanted to ask about Bonin.
Hope to hear from you.
~* Miguel
Hi Miguel!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see that you found our blogs. Well if it is not too late, the boat leaves tomorrow, but maybe you have already made up your mind and packed your luggage.
We moved to Ogasawara 6 months ago, for me this is my first winter here. It seems for what I hear from the locals that winter is past its peak. It is the best time of the year to go hiking since it is not too hot and wet. In our house we now open our windows and sit outside to enjoy the sun.
Unfortunately, camping is not allowed in the Island. My recommendation for a place to stay is Pelan Pelan village, we live right next to it. The hostel is environmentally conscious, up in the mountain and with a great atmosphere.
Personally I do not get close to cold water but last week two girls staying at the hostel were snorkeling with their swimming suits. They said it was cold, but fine. I have never been whale watching but it is the perfect season for it. I see many cyclists in the Island so I am guessing it is plausible to cycle.
Yesterday it was 22 degrees, sunshine and blue sky but today it was 19 degrees, cloudy and gloomy. As you say it is a real place so it is not always paradise but it has impressive untouched nature. I hope that if you decide to come, you can have a great time.
I moved to Japan 3 years ago and Ogasawara is the place where I have improved my Japanese the most, I guess it is because our community and my work is all in Japanese. It is far from home but I guess it is the closest to home as far as community and geography. Mark and I are slowly blending and getting sucked into the beauty of slow life and this is becoming our home.
If you decide to come to the Island let us know maybe we can meet up and have a chat.
Sorie
(Thank you for reading my blog you have encouraged me to keep posting.)