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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Island Beverage
After our sunset swim on the 2nd day of our recent trip to Ishigaki Island in the far south of Japan in the East China Sea, we got cleaned up and headed over to the outside barbecue restaurant for dinner.
Figuring that I should order a beverage befitting the tropical island we were on, I got the nondescript cocktail above. Fumie also got some kind of cocktail, and Anthony got a big guava juice...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 66 mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
It was somewhat of a surprise to find out that the menu essentially had one item, yakiniku – 焼き肉, “barbecue dinner” – and more than somewhat of a shock to find the price (over $100 per adult!). Ishigaki is known for its beef, and at the time we were certainly knowing our hunger, so we went ahead with it.
Let me just say that at the time, I particularly appreciated those that month who had sent me a little something in thanks for my Lightroom plugin efforts. Dinner was on you, so thanks!
With Japanese yakiniku, you cook the food yourself over an open flame at the table....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/60 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Yakiniku
in action
Sometimes the fat dripping off the meat causes a flameup, but in this case, perhaps because it was outside, the flameups were more... how shall I put it.... lively.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/80 sec, f/5, ISO 360 — map & image data — nearby photos
Lively!
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/80 sec, f/5, ISO 640 — map & image data — nearby photos
Whoa.... Maybe Stand Back a Bit
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 48 mm — 1/80 sec, f/5, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Three-Alarm Fire!!
Clearly, I needed something to put out the flames...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 58 mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Little Something to Quench the Flames
“Ishigaki Dark Beer”
And just in case the beer wasn't sufficient to handle the flames, I arranged for some inclement weather.
As we were eating the evening weather seemed perfect, but as we were donning fire helmets and manning pick axes to tackle the barbecue fire, a few tentative specks of rain carried by the wind found their way to us.
I thought it was absurd, but at just those few specks, the staff started unfurling the big umbrellas that covered the (now almost completely empty) eating area...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 26 mm — 1/30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Over-Reaction
( that's just a little pun, get it? )
The staff then moved our table under the umbrella, and brought blankets we could drape over our laps, and hand umbrellas, just in case. I thought it was quite an over reaction, but....
As you might expect, the staff knew what they were doing and I was clueless, because before long it was pouring. I got plenty soaked during the 1-second dash from the big umbrella to under another, to get this shot....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1/60 sec, f/4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Tropical Downpour
One of the staff took a picture for us...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 52 mm — 1/50 sec, f/4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Enjoying the Experience
photo by a member of the staff at the Fusagi Beach Resort, Ishigaki Japan
Oddly, the moment we finished dinner, the rain stopped completely, so we didn't even need the hand umbrellas to return to our room.
It had been a long day, starting with a sightseeing drive through the country, a visit to a secluded beach, the dynamic windy weather at the lighthouse at the island's northern-most tip, and the sunset swim when we returned.
That's a big day for anyone, especially a six-year-old boy, who was soon out like a light...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200 — full exif & map — nearby photos
Conked Out
We soon followed, thereby ending a wonderful day that was also wonderfully photogenic and memorable.
Tomorrow starts Day 3.....
Over $100 per adult, and you had to cook it yourself! Geeesh! Maybe if you had paid $150 each, they would have let you go in the back and wash your own dishes, too!
Now that you mention it, the “rain” could have been a staffer standing back with a big hose, “encouraging” us to wash the dishes. Hmmm….. —Jeffrey
” the “rain” could have been a staffer standing back with a big hose”
Yeah, you certainly got hosed, all right!
Hmmmm! This gives me some ideas. I’ve been thinking about how I was going to manage cooking for 15 or so varied people this summer when you all come home. Maybe one huge firepit and a few grass rakes with metal tines might just work out. I’m sure I’ll be able to scrounge up some geraniums, dandelions and pansies to decorate your drinks. And I know you’ll be delighted to learn it won’t cost you a cent to do the dishes. I will still have to give thought to umbrellas, though.
Aww! I love that Anthony still carries George everywhere and sleeps with him too!
Soo sweeet!
Griselda Arlington, TX
Ah, those Philistines have never had the joy of Yakiniku! There are few things in life as delicious as cooking small bits of food and then immediately eating it. Then again, $100 bucks a copy does seem a little stiff.
Also locally made dark beer, in addition to being an excellent fire retardant also makes for an excellent tongue and throat moisturizer; especially when liberally applied straight from that frosty glass fire extinguisher. Remember, only you can prevent wild grill fires.
You don’t give yourself credit as an artist, but I think you have a knack for taking photos (and adding captions) that make what some might consider mundane –sublime. Thank you for your posts.