Manta Ray in Ishigaki
/
Photo Credit: Viking Scuba
I’ve waited a long time for this moment, finally got to see a manta ray fly above me! Like many of the remote islands, Ishigaki is very beautiful. Even on a cloudy day, the water was crystal clear blue. After the sun went down, I was dazzled by the countless glittering stars decorating the night sky. Our itinerary was simple, meeting mantas was our only goal.
Scuba Diving
Viking Scuba
https://www.facebook.com/vikingscubakabira/
Dining
Ishigaki Beef Maru
https://ishigaki-maru.com/food-menu/
Kabira Tei
https://goo.gl/maps/Hd82uWwMWonhosWD9
Pinacolada Bakery
https://goo.gl/maps/7XvA9DH6sfEpLZny5
Hau Tree Gelato
http://www.hautree.net/
Sightseeing
Kabira Bay
Come here at night to see meteors. Zero light pollution here.
The starlit sky with late summer breeze, how I wish we could camp here overnight!
Ishigaki Yaima Village
An obasan performer of traditional Ishigaki dance and culture shocked us with her hospitality. She unselfishly taught us how to play an instrument made out of small wooden planks, and performed folk dancing for us. Featured in this park are also golden monkeys from South America. They are very friendly and do not shy away from interacting with visitors.
Ishigaki is full of flowers and other green plants. Some of the houses are furnished with stone walls in their front yard. Ishigaki translates to stone wall. According to my friend E, snakes love to hide in the cracks inside these stone walls (k bye)!
Due to the weather, we weren’t able to visit other islands surrounding Ishigaki, but luckily we got to scuba dive and see manta rays the day before the typhoon landed. Crossed another one off my list. Hopefully I can visit the other islands next time!
P.S. If you get a rental car, FILL UP the gas and KEEP THE RECEIPT before you return the car!!!
Ishigaki Yaima Village Lookout
PC: Viking Scuba
PC: Viking Scuba
PC: Viking Scuba
PC: Viking Scuba
PC: Viking Scuba
PC: Viking Scuba
Shooting star at Kabira Bay
Starry night at Kabira Bay
Ishigaki Yaima Village
Ishigaki Yaima Village
Ishigaki Yaima Village
Ishigaki Yaima Village
Traditional Ishigaki Dance
Ishigaki Yaima Village
Dance performance at Yaima Village
Ishigaki- Stone Wall
Ishigaki
Group Photo at Kabira Tei
Chicken Gyoza from Kabira Tei
Ishigaki Beef Mura
Chinese Translation
這一刻等了好久，終於親眼看到鬼蝠魟從頭上游（飛）過去！和許多離島一樣，石垣島真是漂亮極了。即使陰天，海水還是無比藍，晚上的星空更是無話可說！沒有安排行程，唯獨只想見到鬼蝠魟。
潛水店家
Viking Scuba
https://www.facebook.com/vikingscubakabira/
餐廳清單
Ishigaki Beef Maru
https://ishigaki-maru.com/food-menu/
Kabira Tei
https://goo.gl/maps/Hd82uWwMWonhosWD9
Pinacolada Bakery
https://goo.gl/maps/7XvA9DH6sfEpLZny5
Hau Tree Gelato
http://www.hautree.net/
景點清單
Kabira Bay
晚上來這能看到流星！完全沒有光害，整片星星加上微風，真希望能這露營！
Ishigaki Yaima Village
園區阿嬤非常熱情且不吝嗇的展示各種石垣島文化，教我們用石垣島響板打拍子，還特別表演當地舞蹈！這裡還有很有名來自中南美洲的金色小猴子，非常好客也很愛和人打成一片。
在石垣島上，舖滿扶桑花與各式綠色植物，有些房子外圍用大塊石頭堆砌而成。石垣意思石頭牆，朋友E說蛇最喜歡躲在這些石頭牆的縫隙裡（馬上逃走）。因天氣關係，我們沒機會到鄰近小島，但很幸運的我們能在颱風直擊石垣島前潛水，並且看到鬼蝠魟，完成住在沖繩的一大清單。希望之後能再去石垣島附近的小島參觀！
備註：如果有租車，換車前切記要把油箱加滿且留好收據！
Golden Monkey
Shisa!
Yamai Village
Ready to see manta rays!
