Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

On the way to the dentist’s surgery and indeed on the way back too, there is a place that sells the best fast food in the world. Okinawan Tempura! Japanese tempura is a little effete, the batter is light and fluffy. … Continue reading →

I think I have already mentioned that a new fish restaurant has opened just across the road from my apartment building. I finally get to eat there. I dislike eating in restaurants alone and I trap a companion into joining … Continue reading →

Unannounced and unexpected, it rains very, very hard. The various weather apps I use predicted showers. Mad rain! The boat is uncovered. By the time I get down there, the cockpit is full of water that is overflowing into the … Continue reading →

One of the great joys of living where I do is the proximity of a Farmer’s Market. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ginowan+Hagoromo+Market/@26.2850138,127.7478941,15.93z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xcfef77afb6b0f6ad!8m2!3d26.2854119!4d127.74382 In Okinawa the availability of fruit and vegetables is seasonable. You eat what is coming out of the ground or off the … Continue reading →

This past week has been an unhappy one for me. You will remember the dinner last Saturday, beautiful art, beautiful people, beautiful food and drink. As always misery and pain are never far away. But pleasures are like poppies spread,You … Continue reading →

I am, of course, very pro vax mainly because one of my very early memories is having my polio vaccination back in the 50’s. I think I was six yeas old. I still have the round scar on my left … Continue reading →

This is the name of my favorite shop, clearly named after Sir Walter Scott’s famous novel. Well actually the Japanese pronounce and spell it Ivano but these sort of small alterations from English to Japanese are common. I suppose Ivano … Continue reading →

Okinawa has been very good for my feet. They used to be horrible now they are beautiful. A lot of sea, sand and sandals gets rid of stench and decay engendered by socks and tight shoes. But ‘et in arcadia … Continue reading →

I first met Kikuta Ichiro san in 2013 when I helped organize an exhibition of his work at the university. Watch the video. https://www.oist.jp/news-center/videos/ichiro-kikuta-yambaru-byobu-exhibition-painting-forest-full-life Since then I have burned with a terrible yearning to own one of his byobu. I … Continue reading →

Sea snake soup is an ancient and much revered Okinawan dish. Arisa kindly books a table at the most prestigious sea snake restaurant in Okinawa. Very few places, I am told 5, serve sea snake. Prestigious by reputation rather than … Continue reading →