Freedom Tower

New York, New York

Un Island

Un Island is not connected to Tokashiki, so the only way to reach it is by boat or as I did, jumping in the ocean and swimming out to it. 

The island is complete uninhabited, but does contain the Aharen Point Light house.

Un Island, Okinawa

Tokashiki Island

Tokashiki Island is one of largest islands in the Kerama Island chain. However because it is so mountainous it is rather sparsely populated.

The main road that runs from the port to the Southern end of the island, cuts along the uninhabited mountains and offers stunning views of the ocean. 

The top of Mt. Akama offers a spectacular view of the surround islands and ocean.

Tokashiki Island, Okinawa 

Gusuku Island

This island lies off of the coast of Tokashiki Island. When the tide is low you can walk on the coral from Tokashiki to Gusuku.

The island itself is little more than a big rock sticking out of the ocean. Its main inhabitants are hermit crabs, crows, and these interesting crabs with red eyes. If you click on this picture you will be able to see that this crab is actually missing its right eye. 

Gusuku Island, Okinawa

Dokutsu

This was a species of Shore Crab that seems to have evolved to live in the cave. Normally these crabs do not have the collection of hair on the pinches that this one has. The crab likely uses these hairs to capture edible particles in the water.

The high humidity in the cave combined with total darkness made taking a decent picture very difficult. Had my larger light not run out of battery's, these pictures likely would have turned out better.

To give you a sense of scale. This cavern was only about 3 feet high. I had to climb on my hands and feet through the water to advance further.

After being in the cave for about 30 minutes the confined space and thick air started to play tricks with my mind and began to induce a creeping feeling of panic. 

Having made it to the back of the cave, I figured it was time to turn around, which I did

Ginowan, Okinawa 

Long-Tailed White-toothed Shrew

These shrews are nearly blind and let out a very shrill shriek when you get to close to them. I have been trying to catch one for awhile, but they always seem to jump down their hole just before I grab them.

This shrew was out in broad daylight running along a wall. So using my computer I blocked its path and then pinned it down with my sunglasses. I was surprised by how sharp its teeth were. It put up a pretty good fight before it got tired out and it decided to play dead. At that point I picked it up and put it on my computer for this picture.

Okinawa, Japan