Gumbies

Friday, June 27, 2008

Pacific Atlantis - 与那国の海底遺跡

Please refer back to past entries for the full story.
PART 1 Across the Sea to Yonaguni - 与那国まで海を渡って
PART 2 This is Yonaguni - これは与那国

Ever since being told nearly four years ago by Mark White, an Australian writer and educator, that there were “underwater ruins” in Yonaguni, we knew that we would have see them for ourselves one day. Looking on the Internet reveals some hazy photos and a lot of Velikovskian theories. Not one clearly written account of what is actually there seems to exist, leaving the whole thing perfectly poised in the gap between proper scientific description and utter science fiction fantasy akin to UFO’s or ESP. Not that these fields are not worthy of scientific research, in fact it begs the question, why is proper science so loath to extend in this direction? It didn’t seem likely we would find the answer to that, so we set out at least to attempt to clarify whether these ‘ruins’ are natural or man-made. Even that much seemed impossible to determine from what could be gleaned off the Net.

iseki_map
The vicinity of Yonaguni's Cape Arakawa, showing the locations of the main site ('iseki', or ruins in Japanese), and the 'stadium'.

私達は与那国の海底遺跡についての好奇心があるのは、およそ四年前マーク・ホワイトと言うオーストラリア出身の作家と教育家にそう言う物があるのが教えられたからです。その時絶対ある日見に行くと決めました。インターネットに調べると、不鮮明な写真や信じられないスペキュレーションしかは出て来ない。なぜそこに触れる物があるのに、ユーフォや超能力のように非科学的な説明が無さそうですか。今回この問題の解決を見つけるはずはなかったんですけど、少なくともこの「遺跡」は自然的なもの、それとも人工的なものだろうと、自分で調べたかったのです。ネットでの情報を見ると、そこまでもはっきり決める事が出来ない状態です。

coast1
Paddling the south coast of Yonaguni shortly after seeing the ferry depart and leave us stranded on the island for several days. We enjoyed relatively calm if rainy conditions as the weather chose to attack the opposite coast that day.

The ferry overtook us while we paddled around Japan’s westernmost cape and turned the corner along the south coast of Yonaguni that early morning of our second full day on the island. We were thus committed to stay until the next ferry run four days later. It was a windy, rainy morning with low dark clouds racing across the sky, but we felt good about our decision to stay as we paddled along the cliffy limestone coast. After a while we eased through a channel in the reef into the coral lagoon near Higawa, one of very few seaside villages in Japan with no artificial port, just a shallow lagoon surrounded by a nice sand beach. Surprised at this, we pulled up on shore and had a walk around the village in the falling rain. Morning glories grew as weeds in every neglected piece of land, their large purple-blue flowers opened fully against the raindrops. Among the village’s concrete houses a somewhat dilapidated wooden one caught our attention. Such traditional structures have no walls except the wooden shutters that are slid in in case of a typhoon, so even now the house was fully open to the outside. We contemplated for a moment the aesthetic beauty such traditional dwellings possess, of there being no ‘inside’ and ‘outside’, of being able to sit on the tatami mat watching and listening to the falling rain. Little did we know that we would be living here for the rest of our stay on the island.

arakawa1
The imposing snout-like cliff at Cape Arakawa. An outlying rocky shoal creates a nice protected inlet on the otherwise exposed coast for anchoring the kayaks. The inlet's rich sealife also makes for easy, wonderful snorkeling. The iseki site lies in the ocean just beyond the shoal.

日本の最西端を回って、与那国の南海岸を通りながら、フェリー追い越されました。さて、次の便まであと四日間滞在するに決まっているでしょう。風の強い、にわか雨、低くて黒い雲が空を飛ぶ日だったのに、なんとなく気持ちよかった。石灰岩の絶壁のある海岸をしばらく辿るとそれが終わり、リーフの狭い入り口に入って、比川と言う集落の日本で非常に珍しい自然の港に入った。ここで上陸して、雨でぬれた集落を歩いていた。雨の雫が乗っていた朝顔の青い花は、あちこちの蓬生で咲いました。集落のコンクリートの家の間、突然一軒の古い伝統的な木造の家に気が着きました。壁のない畳部屋は、目の前に広がっていた。これは、日本の古い家の最高の雰囲気。外と中は分けてない。畳に座って、周りの雨を見て、その響きを聞くのは、素晴らしい事でしょう。その時私達はまだ知らなかったのに、この家で今日から泊まる事に成るでしょう。

arakawa2
At low tide, landing on the shoal near the iseki site is easy, but at such time the currents tend to be so strong that only a quick 'flyby' of the ruins is possible. Care is required as the tide rises, since waves begin crashing over the low serrated rocks with little warning. The outlying rocks in the background lie about half-way on a line connecting here to the 'stadium' site.

Back on the sea again, we hurried toward the imposing 50-meter overhanging cliffs of Cape Arakawa, where the mysterious ruins are located. Donning goggles, we began purposely capsizing and scanning the seabed for anything suspicious. The superb transparency of the seawater made the search easy. All around the cape, the bedrock consisted of rather unusually flat sections with long straight cracks running through them – unusual but hardly artificial-looking. But suddenly in one place, the cracks seemed to converge onto a small area of incredibly straight-edged, rectangular looking blocks. We had found the mysterious ruins at last!

iseki1
Leanne dives in the crystal clear waters, lending depth and scale to the iseki 'ruins'.

又海に出て、東にそびえている荒川崎に50メートルの懸崖を目指します。ここは、うわさの海底遺跡があります。シュノーケルのゴッグルを掛けて、技と転覆しながら、遺跡をさがします。海の妙な透明度のお陰で、探すのは早くて簡単ででした。岬の辺り、岩床は普段より大きな平板を成し、多くの真っ直ぐの割れ目が有った。ちょっと不思議だけど、人工までと言えない。でも突然、一箇所だけで、この割れ目が集中して、直角のブロック見たいの集まりが有った。海底遺跡発見!

iseki11
Although lacking geometric regularity, the dead-straight edges of rock all but convince one of the site's human origins.

We parked the kayaks under the overhangs of the cape in a small inlet perfectly suited for the purpose, tying them to an underwater boulder, put on our snorkel gear and swam out to investigate at close range. The ruins are in about 7-15 meters of water, and the unusual-looking area is relatively small, maybe 40x15m or so. Because the shapes seem hewn out of the living bedrock, it hardly looks like the remains of a building or any other structure. But the edges and shapes seem so regular that one can’t help thinking they must be man-made. Adding to this conviction is the uniqueness of the location: if natural, then one would expect to find such formations in more than just this one place. To us, the most likely explanation is that this was an ancient quarry. The people that used this place, lacking sophisticated stone-cutting tools, may have taken advantage of the natural straightness of the fractures in the bedrock, perhaps hammering wooden wedges in to cleave more or less regular blocks from the slab. What they did with these or where they took them is anyone’s guess.

iseki12
Looking down from the surface, straight lines from several angles seem to converge on the 'center' of the site where an irregular rough spot further mystifies the observer.

岬の天辺の真下にあった便利な入り江でカヤックを底にあった大石に結んで、シュノーケル装備を着けて遺跡まで泳ぎ出した。現場は、水深の7-15メートルくらいで、サイズは比較的に小さくて、およその長さ40メートル、幅15メートルです。岩の不思議な形は、直接岩床から切られた見たいですから、この遺跡はビルなどであったの気が余りしません。しかし、この端は完全に直線で並列し、面の部分も完全に平面的で、本当に人工的に見られます。それと、ナチュラルな物だったら、こんな物が付近の数箇所にあるはずじゃないんでしょう。でも、ここだけの小さな一箇所しかありません。色々考えて、是は古代の石切り場じゃないんでしょうか。もうしかして寛淳は道具しかなかったから、古代の人々はこの辺の岩の直線の割れ目を有利にして、木の割り楔を入れて、綺麗なブロックを取れました。このブロック自体はどうに成ったのは勿論、誰も知りません。

iseki21
Nearby, what looks like steps hewn into a V-shaped notch connect one level of the slab with another.

We could find no marks along the edges of any of the rocks that would clearly indicate human interference, however such marks would not be left by wooden tools and in any case the rock has weathered and became covered with sea life over the ages, erasing any minor marks. Of course, one can conjecture that 10,000 years ago or more, when the quarrying (if that’s what it was) likely took place, the sea level was lower because of the ice age or tectonic movements of the earth’s crust, so that this place could have been just on the shoreline. The vertical drop just next to it would have provided an excellent natural berth for a ship onto which the blocks could have been loaded immediately after being cleaved off.

iseki22
In this oblique picture taken from the surface, one can see nearly the entire extent of the artificial-looking part of the bedrock.

岩の端を近く見ても、はっきりの人工のしるしを一つも見つける事が出来なかった。しかし、木で作った道具は、大きな傷を残すはずはないでしょう。そして、侵食や海の生き物の影響で、小さな傷などはもう完全に見えなくなりました。勿論一万年以上前、いわゆるこの場所の活動の時代、海のレベルは氷期や地殻変動の為に今日より低くかったかもしれません。多分、この場所は丁度海岸にあって、隣のドン深い所は便利な埠頭になった。取ったブロックを直接船に積む可能性があったかもしれません。

iseki25
A closeup of the blocky nature of the rock. Although curves and irregularities exist where the rock seems to have fractured 'against the grain', most surfaces and edges are straight and true. Common sense can't discount primitive peoples having quarried blocks of good quality rock from here.

We were truly surprised and puzzled by this place. We expected to find an unusual but nevertheless natural formation, yet it does not seem to be so. So who were the people that changed the shape of this rock slab, and what were they doing? No one knows, but one does not need to manufacture tales a la Atlantis to make this place interesting. Anyone who visits can feel the deep and profound mystery that resides here fully for themselves.

iseki23

この場所はミステリーの気持ちが出ました。期待したのは、不思議なのに人工のものじゃない岩層でした。しかし見るとやっぱり、人工の物でしょうと考えるようになった。でも、この岩を切った人々、一体誰だったでしょう。そして何の為。それは今誰も知らない。だけど、これについてアトランチスっぽい物語を作らなくていいと思います。ここを訪れる人は、深いミステリーの力を自分で感じる事が出来ます。

divers
Divers visiting the site (photo taken from overturned kayak). Yonaguni is one of the most fabled diving spots in Japan, due in large part to the existence of this place. Tour boats disgorge divers and snorkelers, allowing them to drift on the current before picking them up no more than 30 minutes later. If that doesn't turn your crank enough, in winter you can dive with a huge school of 3-meter hammerhead sharks off Cape Iri. We could not find data on how many divers have been eaten to date.

There is another place of some interest nearby called ‘the Stadium’ and after asking the captain of one of the diving boats bobbing nearby for directions, we were able to locate it in about 30 meters of water, and rather farther away from shore than the quarry. As a testament to the amazing clarity of the Yonaguni seas, the whole thing was visible clearly even from the surface. With Leanne holding the position of the kayaks against the current, I took some deep breaths and dove the whole way down to the bottom to investigate. Surprisingly, the flat floor of the ‘stadium’ turned out to be not sand but a gently sloping, enormously large, completely flat slab of rock. The curved, exfloliated plates around it form the ‘bleachers’ of the stadium. As interesting as this formation may be, though, to me it does not seem artificial. I wonder if any geologist out there could elucidate on out how such a thing might form.

stadium4
The 'stadium' site stretched my snorkeling limits with its depth of nearly 30 meters. An enormous, monolithic, gently sloping rock slab forms its floor, and it is surrounded by stepped rock formations loosely reminiscent of bleachers.

海底遺跡の近くにある別のある程度興味深い「スタジアム」と言うポイントもあります。潜りのお客さんが乗った船の船長に聞いて、位置を教えてもらいました。水深の30メートルなのに、海の透明度のお陰で、水面からもはっきりみえました。海岸線から少し離れた、海流の良く感じる場所だったので、カヤックをトーラインで結んだ後、里杏がボートの位置を安定して、私は深呼吸をして、下まで潜りました。びっくり程の事は、スタジアムの中心にある大きい平らの所は、砂じゃなくて、巨大で完全に平板な岩だった。周りの丸い観覧席みたいものは、剥落した岩板と見られます。しかし、このフォーメーションは不思議なのに、中々人工の感じはしません。読者の地質の専門家がいれば、この生成に着いてのコメントをどうぞ。

stadium5
An overhead picture of the stadium, taken from the surface. Though the image has been manipulated a bit to enhance contrast, it is nevertheless a testament to the clarity of the water - the rocks are 20-30 meters down! It's interesting that like the iseki site, there seems to be a point on which many lines converge. The entire right side of the picture is part of a gigantic rock slab. To get an idea of the scale, the area pictured is maybe 25 meters across.

asagao

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Slideshow in Amakusa 天草でスライドショー

yonaguni

On Saturday July 26th we will be presenting a slideshow about our trip to Yonaguni. Doors open at 6:30 and the show will start at 7:00. The slideshow will be held in Amakusa City on the third floor of the Central Community Center in Funanomachi (Chuoukouminkan). Everyone is welcome! Admission is free with donations going towards PROAN, a charity organization which helps fight poverty in Mexico. The slideshow will be in Japanese. Anyone interested in volunteering, please send me your contact information in a comment. We could really use some help!
与那国の旅について7月の26日(土曜日)午後 6:30 開場、7:00 開始報告会はします。場所は天草市船之尾町、中央公民館3Fです。興味のある方はどなたでも参加してください。(報告会は日本語で行われます)
メキシコの恵まれない子供たちへカンパをお願いします。
[代表団体PROAN(Programa de Apoyo Nutricional)]

ボランテアをしたい人は是非連絡してください。手伝いがとても必要です!Commentの所に連絡先を教えてください。よろしくお願いします。

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Women's Kayak Tour 2008 in Amakusa

3dview_500 copy

今年のシーカヤックアカデミーで「おんなのこ あつまれっ!」の講座がありました。この講座は三重県に住んでいる平山泉さんが担当しました。私は天草のローカルカヤッカーですので彼女のアシスタントとして参加しました。
アカデミーの前の木曜日泉さんと一緒に富岡半島をあちこち漕ぎながら、ここが危険、この浜が上陸可能、この辺の流れが速い、緊急状態になったら色々なシナリオなど、様々の事について考えました。この辺りの経験が多いので核心の四季咲き岬の辺を回る時、私はリーダーになると決めました。
私はカヤッキングとしてたくさんの経験があるが、リーダーとして初めての経験でしたのでかなりその責任を感じました。その一週間前ずーっと色々悩んだ。
やっと日曜日の朝早く起きて、サーフカヤックで海の状態を見に行きました。 日曜日の朝は美しかった。丁度良いうねりが入っていて、波を綺麗に乗りました。その状態だったら岬を無事に回るだろうと考えました。

At the Sea Kayak Academy this year in Amakusa, there was a “women’s only touring” seminar. Izumi Hirayama, a guide from Mie Prefecture, led this course. As I (Leanne) am a local kayaker, I was asked to be her assistant. On the Thursday before the conference Izumi and I scoped the course, determining challenging areas, beaches where we could land, turnaround points, and areas with significant sea currents. We also thought about various emergency scenarios. We decided that I would lead the group around the exposed cape Shikizaki since I am familiar with the area. Although I have a lot of experience kayaking, this was to be my first challenge leading a group of kayakers of various ability levels in a potentially dangerous area. All week I mulled around in my head the various scenarios that could occur. Finally the day of our tour arrived, and with very little sleep I woke up at an early hour and went surfing. I figured there was little sense in staying in bed working myself up. The morning was beautiful with a small swell coming in, creating excellent conditions for easy surfing. Windless conditions with a swell coming in from the southwest set the stage for our women’s tour.

group

今日のツーリングは初心者から西表のガイドのサエコさんまで経験も様々の七人のカヤッカーでした。このダイナミックなチームで半島を回ろうと一緒に決めました。うねりが入っていたので、一緒に地図を見ながら、岬を回る時特に気をつけましょうと決めて、ツーリングの計画を立てました。皆に緊張させたくなかったけど、危険なブーマーについて色々注意するのは重要でした。実は緊張感はある程度良いことと思いました。十分緊張しないと間違える可能性が高くなるだろう。

Seven women with abilities ranging from beginners to experienced kayakers made up the group. Saeko, who is a guide in Iriomote, was the third experienced person beside Izumi and myself. With this dynamic team we would attempt the circumnavigation of the peninsula. Together we looked at a detailed map of the area and discussed the various strategies for the trip. Due to the swell, the area around the cape concerned us especially, with its sunken rocks that can create dangerous boomer waves when least expected. We discussed how we would proceed through this danger-riddled area with noticeable tension in everyone’s faces and bodies. I didn’t want to scare anyone, but at the same time I thought it was very important for people to be aware of the dangers, and act with appropriate caution. I always have thought that a certain amount of nervousness makes one pay close attention to their environment.

やっと海水浴場から楽に全員は波を突破して、出発しました。本当にやっているよ!女性だけのツーリングは始まった!前半は半島の西海岸を通って、うねりがあったから海岸からちょっと離れて漕ぎました。岬の大チャレンジは大丈夫かなー??岬の手前のツツマ瀬で流れが強くなる前にちょっと休憩して、全員の調子はどうですか、大丈夫ですかと確認しました。皆がオケーでしたので進もうと決めました。

girls2

At last we set off from the shore, easily breaking through the surf near the beach. We were really doing it! Seven women alone with no support were going to embark on a journey! The first part of the trip followed the west coast of the peninsula. Since there was swell, we gave the shore a wide berth and paddled happily along. Nearing the rocks known as Tsutsuma, the group convened to check on everyone’s condition. Were we ready for the challenges ahead, or should we turn back? We decided to persevere in going around the cape.

ずっと悩んだ瞬間がやっと来ました。ブーマーが出なくても暗礁の位置を覚えていたが、GPSを確認しながら蛇のように岬を回りました。初心者のパドラーは私のすぐ右側に揃えて、平山泉さんは皆を後ろから守っていた。陸標を見ながらゆっくりゆっくり進みました。全員は間違い無しで岬を回ったから、ほっとしました。灯台を見に行きたかったけど、岬を回って来るうねりのせいで上陸場はサーフゾーンになっていて不可能でした。後二キロ程漕いで、小さい砂浜で上陸して、トイレをしたり、おやつを食べたりしました。

misaki

This was the moment I had worked myself up for over the past few weeks. Threading our way through the boomers, keeping the beginner paddlers directly to my right, we ever so slowly made our way around the projecting cape. The scene was spooky with boomers exploding on either side of us. Keeping various landmarks in alignment, I was able to steer the girls through the rocks with no incident. All members performed flawlessly as we made our way around the exposed point. Finally after rounding the point we could relax slightly, although our planned stop at the lighthouse was impossible due to the swell wrapping around the point, causing surf on the rocky beach. We continued on without stopping until we came to another little beach. Finally we stopped for a snack and a bathroom break.

後半はのんびりで静でした。うねりはもう届かなかったので、安心して、しゃべりながら美しい海岸を見て通った。最後の休憩は曲崎でご飯を食べました。また出艇するとゴールの港まで5分もなかったからスプリントしました。最後のチャレンジで海水浴場までカヤックを運びました。

carrying the boats

The rest of the trip was relaxing and tranquil. Now protected from the swell, we were able to paddle close to shore, enjoying talking with each other, and marveling at the beauty of the coastline. Our last stop was at Magarizaki where we had lunch. From there it was just a short 5-minute sprint to the shore near the ferry port. The final challenge was carrying the kayaks the 300 meters or so across the isthmus back to our starting point.

ツーリング中で明らかになったことは女性だけのツーリング だったら皆に合うような計画をチーム全員で決めなければなりません。一つのリーダーより7人のメンバーの強さをまとめて成功しました。

A big strength in a women’s only group is the ability to discuss the situation together as a team, and come up with a solution that suits all members. There didn’t seem to be a leader, but rather seven different members with a variety of things to contribute to the group.

平山泉さんに特に感謝します。泉さんのおかげでこの素晴らしい精力的なチームが出来ました。カヤック始まったからもう四年になりますが、その間何回か一人で出た事があって、一回か2回ぐらい男性と女性と一緒に漕いだことがあるけど今回は初めて女性達だけと一緒に漕ぎました。

We are all thankful to Izumi, for creating this wonderful dynamic as the group leader. Through her careful guidance she made all members achieve to the fullest of their potentials. Personally, in my four years of kayaking, I have gone kayaking alone only a few times. I have kayaked with other females maybe only once or twice, and I had never kayaked with women only before.

男性と女性は別々過ごしている世界が目的ではありません。女と男、若者と年寄り、黒人と白人は皆平等で暮らす事が大事と思います。しかし、日本ではシーカヤックはまだまだ新しいスポーツです。今は真面目にやっている男性シーかヤッカーが女性より多いと思います。女性は男性より確かに体力が少ないけど、カヤックは力だけで成功するはずはないです。カヤックをする時チームのペースを一緒に決めたり、いい決断をしたり、お互いのことを気遣したり、全員が楽しんだりする事は大切だと思います。

I don’t believe in creating a world where men and women are separated. I think it is necessary for us to learn to live in this world together, men and women, old and young, black and white etc. Since sea kayaking in Japan is still a relatively new sport, I think most of us women seakayakers exist in a mostly male environment. Although women are generally known as the weaker sex, kayaking is not only about strength. It is about working as a team, making good decisions, setting a pace that all members can maintain, and having a good time.

okinawa stamp

Thanks to Saeko for sending me some great photos! Please check out her blog for her version of the trip.

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Wednesday, June 04, 2008

This is Yonaguni - これは与那国

Please refer to other entries for the full story.
PART 1 Across the Sea to Yonaguni - 与那国まで海を渡って
PART 2 This is Yonaguni - これは与那国
PART 3 Pacific Atlantis - 与那国の海底遺跡

We grabbed a couple of hours sleep after our 4am arrival at Sonai in Yonaguni, but we were so paranoid about getting busted that we were up again at first light. Fortunately, nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be happening. The town was quiet; only the wind blew steadily. We called our Iriomote friends at 6am to tell them we’re okay, knowing they’d be up getting ready for another day of guiding tourists. And although we were planning to take the ferry back the following day, we thus began what was to be, interestingly enough, a rather sleepless and foodless six days on Yonaguni.

yonaguni map

与那国の祖内に深夜四時頃着いた後、少し眠っていました。しかし、前日のパラノイアによって、もう六時に目が覚めました。でも村では、何も異常な事は無かった、ただ風はまだまだ強く吹いていました。もうこの日のガイヂングの準備で起きている西表の友達に、「無事に着いた」の電話を掛けました。それで、翌日のフェリーで帰る予定だったのに、与那国の食事をあまり食べない、睡眠時間もあっまりないの私達の六泊五日の滞在が始まりました。

bokujou
Large tracts of Yonaguni Island serve as pastureland for cows and horses, both of diminutive size as if matched to the island itself. The sea is never too far away.
与那国にある広い牧場の景色。自由のある喜んだ牛も馬も、島の小さなサイズに合わせた大きさです。海は、いつも近い。

airport
The Yonaguni airport serves as a convenient access point for tourists, yet only a few thousand visit here every year. The alternative is the 4-hour ferry which only runs twice a week, or of course, the sea kayak which sails at one’s own discretion.
与那国空港は、観光客に便利な島のアクセスポイントです。しかも、一年間は数千人しか訪れていない。フェリーにも乗れるけど、一周に二便だけで、石垣まで四時間かかります。後はカヤックも、マイペースで行ける。

By mid-morning the town policeman walked by our stashed kayaks with no particular reaction, so we forgot about all danger and rented a motorbike to give the 27km circuit around the island a spin. There was much scenery to see, usually dominated by the uninterrupted horizon of the sea. The island’s symmetrical shape gave the impression of being on a giant ship, with Cape Agari in the east as the bow, and Cape Iri in the west the stern. At the top of the tall cliffs of both capes there are lighthouses, and waves were breaking on reefs far below. To avoid some of the cliffs, the perimeter road would wind through the hills for a while, cutting alternately through woods, pastures, and fields, then break out into fantastic stretches along the rocky coastline with the wide Pacific beyond. It was simple but spectacular scenery and we liked it at once.

hills1
Yonaguni scenery is a rich green mixture of hills, pasture, and fields.
与那国の景色は、深い緑の山、牧場、や畑から成す。

朝九時ごろ村の警察官がビーチの近くで置いていたカヤックを気にしないように歩いて通ったから、もう緊張する事は無いだろうと思いながら、村に出ました。そこで道路で島の27キロの一周をしようとして、バイクをレンタルしました。島の景色は綺麗でした。どこでも島の緑の山やドラマチックな岩の後ろに、広い海の水平線。島の対称的な形は、東崎(あがりざき)は、バウで、西崎(いりざき)は、スターンとして、太平洋に浮かんでいる巨大な船が思い浮かびました。格岬の頂上に、灯台があって、眺めは素晴らしかった。高い崖の下、波は岩に当たり続けていました。周囲の道は、海岸の岸壁を避ける為に、たまに島内へ向けて、山の森、牧場や畑を通ると、又突然岩の海岸と海が現れてきます。単純だけど、精妙な景色でした。

horses
Local wildlife loitering about Agarizaki’s wind turbines, all to be admired by passing tourists.
The turbines provide useful electricity, but not without problems. Last year’s typhoon blew the blades off one machine; these flew the better part of a kilometer, coming to rest on a beach below the coastal cliffs.
東崎の風力発電所の近くに、与那国の代表の「んま」が見えます。とてもおとなしいです。しかし、島の自然は逆に厳しい。去年の台風によって、発電機のプロペラーが外れて岸壁のしたのビーチまで、数百メートル飛ばされたそうです。

fence
Along Agarizaki’s clifftop, this steel and concrete railing too is no match for the salty winds that blow from the open Pacific. Here and elsewhere, nature seems constantly at odds with man’s efforts to tame it.
東崎の絶壁の上にある鉄柵も、太平洋からの塩っぽい風に耐えられない。人間と大自然の闘いは、ここでも続いているようです。

agarizaki
Lying on the very prow of the island, Leanne looks down upon the pounding surf sixty meters below. Rounding the cape by kayak in these conditions would not be easy.
東崎の間天辺から、里杏は下の荒れている海を望みます。こんな状況で、カヤックで回るのは大変そう。

chou2
The island’s woods teem with colorful butterflies like in some botanical garden.
まるで植物園のように、島の林で、たくさんの綺麗な蝶が見えます。

tategami1
Yonaguni’s southeast coast is perhaps best known for its cliffy scenery; the phallic Tategami Rock the island’s most famous natural icon.
与那国の南東海岸で、代表的な「立神」と言う岩があります。

road1
The scenic coastal road winds among the island’s cliffs and hills.
海岸沿いの道路は、こんな素晴らしい景色が続いています。

besto1
Stunned by the island’s natural beauty, not to mention the previous night’s experiences on the sea, the Gumbies pose for a tourist shot.
島の景色や昨夜の航海による呆れ顔のGumbiesは、立神海岸で、観光客っぽいポーズをしている。

By 3pm the bike was due to be returned and we ambled back to our kayaks. It was time to move over a few kilometers to the neighboring town of Kubura where after staying the night, we could catch the ferry. The sea along the north coast was windy but protected from swell by the island itself, so the going was easy. At Kubura, with fears of the authorities allayed, we set up camp at the port not far from the waiting ferry, and had a delicious dinner in a seafood restaurant that caters mostly to scuba-diving tourists, who are the island’s most frequent visitors.

kotou1
Featured prominently in a popular Japanese TV drama about a young Tokyo doctor who came to work on an isolated island, this half-derelict concrete building is actually the reason why a good many of the island’s visitors come here at all. On request of friends back home, we too snapped the requisite picture.
テレビドラマの「ドクターコトウ診療所」で有名になったこの古いコンクリートの建物。島の観光客の大部分は、これを見るだけに訪れて来るそうです。私達も、天草の友達に誘って、この写真を取った。

午後三時、バイクを返した後、久部良と言う隣の港に移動する時間になりました。そこで一泊キャンプしてから、フェリーに乗る予定がありました。北海岸の海上は風が強かったが、波は島に防がれて進行は順調でした。久部良で、停泊したフェリーに直ぐ近くテントを張って、村の小さな海の幸のレストランでごちそう食べました。

currents
An excerpt from a large mosaic map on the floor of the gazebo at Irizaki, Japan’s westernmost land, which shows helpfully (and more or less accurately, as far as we can tell) the motion of the sea currents around western Japan.
日本最西端の西崎に有る東屋の床に、この地図が有った。西日本の海の流れを、ある程度精確に表します。

Before going to bed we made plans to paddle out to the ‘undersea ruins’ at the island’s southern extremity early enough in the morning to be back for the 10am ferry. But the weather at 4am was blowing and rainy, precipitating a key decision. We would stay five more days until the next ferry run. We’d be sacrificing an exploration of the coral reefs around Ishigaki and Iriomote, but this island, small as it was, seemed to offer enough to keep us busy. In particular, the undersea ruins, shrouded in mystery and described only by sources of questionable objectivity, seemed worthy of more than a perfunctory, hurried look.

umazaki
On the way to Kubura, Leanne rounds Cape Umabana with its tall and bizarre limestone cliffs. True to its name (Horse’s Nose), ungulates could be seen grazing precariously on the very edges of the cliff.
久部良の途中、馬鼻崎の奇岩怪石を通ります。岬の名前に確実、崖っぷちに草を食っている「んま」が見えました。

寝る前翌日の予定を立てました。フェリーに乗るまえ、与那国の有名な「海底遺跡」を見に行こうと決めました。しかし、予定した朝四時に天気は雨と風でひどくて、止めました。変わりに、次のフェリーの便までの五日間与那国に滞在しようと決定した。石垣や西表の周りのリーフを探検する予定があったのに、この島も、小さいのに、たくさんの面白い物がありそうでした。特に遺跡は、有名なのに、科学的な説明より研究もなさそうですから、お座なりな一覧より、もうちょっと丁寧に見たかったのですから。

dinner1a
At Kubura’s tiny restaurant “Hiko”, this fish in seaweed sauce was the first dish of a three-course, impeccably delicious dinner, accompanied by ample amounts of Okinawa’s own Orion Beer. A fresh vegetable salad with juicy sashimi and fish eggs followed, while fried rice covered with melted cheese capped off our happy stomachs. Highly recommended, especially if you have worked up an appetite diving or kayaking.
久部良のちっちゃい「彦」と言う海の幸レストランで、すごく美味しい夕ご飯を食べました。オリオンビールと共に、三つの皿があって、これはその一つのです。後は刺身といくらのサラダやチーズに被せたご飯もあった。お勧めです!

horse2
与那国の「んま」

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Monday, June 02, 2008

Girls Only Touring! おんなのこ あつまれっ!

3dview_500 copy


misaki


今年のシーカヤックアカデミーで「おんなのこ あつまれっ!」の講座がありました。この講座は三重県に住んでいる平山泉さんが担当しました。私は天草のローカルカヤッカーですので彼女のアシスタントとして参加しました。
アカデミーの前の木曜日泉さんと一緒に富岡半島をあちこち漕ぎながら、ここが危険、この浜が上陸可能、この辺の流れが速い、緊急状態になったら色々なシナリオなど、様々の事について考えました。この辺りの経験が多いので核心の四季咲き岬の辺を回る時、私はリーダーになると決めました。
私はカヤッキングとしてたくさんの経験があるが、リーダーとして初めての経験でしたのでかなりその責任を感じました。その一週間前ずーっと色々悩んだ。
やっと日曜日の朝早く起きて、サーフカヤックで海の状態を見に行きました。 日曜日の朝は美しかった。丁度良いうねりが入っていて、波を綺麗に乗りました。その状態だったら岬を無事に回るだろうと考えました。

At the Sea Kayak Academy this year in Amakusa, there was a “women’s only touring” seminar. Izumi Hirayama, a guide from Mie Prefecture, led this course. As I (Leanne) am a local kayaker, I was asked to be her assistant. On the Thursday before the conference Izumi and I scoped the course, determining challenging areas, beaches where we could land, turnaround points, and areas with significant sea currents. We also thought about various emergency scenarios. We decided that I would lead the group around the exposed cape Shikizaki since I am familiar with the area. Although I have a lot of experience kayaking, this was to be my first challenge leading a group of kayakers of various ability levels in a potentially dangerous area. All week I mulled around in my head the various scenarios that could occur. Finally the day of our tour arrived, and with very little sleep I woke up at an early hour and went surfing. I figured there was little sense in staying in bed working myself up. The morning was beautiful with a small swell coming in, creating excellent conditions for easy surfing. Windless conditions with a swell coming in from the southwest set the stage for our women’s tour.

今日のツーリングは初心者から西表のガイドのサエコさんまで経験も様々の七人のカヤッカーでした。このダイナミックなチームで半島を回ろうと一緒に決めました。うねりが入っていたので、一緒に地図を見ながら、岬を回る時特に気をつけましょうと決めて、ツーリングの計画を立てました。皆に緊張させたくなかったけど、危険なブーマーについて色々注意するのは重要でした。実は緊張感はある程度良いことと思いました。十分緊張しないと間違える可能性が高くなるだろう。

Seven women with abilities ranging from beginners to experienced kayakers made up the group. Saeko, who is a guide in Iriomote, was the third experienced person beside Izumi and myself. With this dynamic team we would attempt the circumnavigation of the peninsula. Together we looked at a detailed map of the area and discussed the various strategies for the trip. Due to the swell, the area around the cape concerned us especially, with its sunken rocks that can create dangerous boomer waves when least expected. We discussed how we would proceed through this danger-riddled area with noticeable tension in everyone’s faces and bodies. I didn’t want to scare anyone, but at the same time I thought it was very important for people to be aware of the dangers, and act with appropriate caution. I always have thought that a certain amount of nervousness makes one pay close attention to their environment.

やっと海水浴場から楽に全員は波を突破して、出発しました。本当にやっているよ!女性だけのツーリングは始まった!前半は半島の西海岸を通って、うねりがあったから海岸からちょっと離れて漕ぎました。岬の大チャレンジは大丈夫かなー??岬の手前のツツマ瀬で流れが強くなる前にちょっと休憩して、全員の調子はどうですか、大丈夫ですかと確認しました。皆がオケーでしたので進もうと決めました。

At last we set off from the shore, easily breaking through the surf near the beach. We were really doing it! Seven women alone with no support were going to embark on a journey! The first part of the trip followed the west coast of the peninsula. Since there was swell, we gave the shore a wide berth and paddled happily along. Nearing the rocks known as Tsutsuma, the group convened to check on everyone’s condition. Were we ready for the challenges ahead, or should we turn back? We decided to persevere in going around the cape.

girls2

ずっと悩んだ瞬間がやっと来ました。ブーマーが出なくても暗礁の位置を覚えていたが、GPSを確認しながら蛇のように岬を回りました。初心者のパドラーは私のすぐ右側に揃えて、平山泉さんは皆を後ろから守っていた。陸標を見ながらゆっくりゆっくり進みました。全員は間違い無しで岬を回ったから、ほっとしました。灯台を見に行きたかったけど、岬を回って来るうねりのせいで上陸場はサーフゾーンになっていて不可能でした。後二キロ程漕いで、小さい砂浜で上陸して、トイレをしたり、おやつを食べたりしました。

This was the moment I had worked myself up for over the past few weeks. Threading our way through the boomers, keeping the beginner paddlers directly to my right, we ever so slowly made our way around the projecting cape. The scene was spooky with boomers exploding on either side of us. Keeping various landmarks in alignment, I was able to steer the girls through the rocks with no incident. All members performed flawlessly as we made our way around the exposed point. Finally after rounding the point we could relax slightly, although our planned stop at the lighthouse was impossible due to the swell wrapping around the point, causing surf on the rocky beach. We continued on without stopping until we came to another little beach. Finally we stopped for a snack and a bathroom break.

後半はのんびりで静でした。うねりはもう届かなかったので、安心して、しゃべりながら美しい海岸を見て通った。最後の休憩は曲崎でご飯を食べました。また出艇するとゴールの港まで5分もなかったからスプリントしました。最後のチャレンジで海水浴場までカヤックを運びました。

The rest of the trip was relaxing and tranquil. Now protected from the swell, we were able to paddle close to shore, enjoying talking with each other, and marveling at the beauty of the coastline. Our last stop was at Magarizaki where we had lunch. From there it was just a short 5-minute sprint to the shore near the ferry port. The final challenge was carrying the kayaks the 300 meters or so across the isthmus back to our starting point.

ツーリング中で明らかになったことは女性だけのツーリング だったら皆に合うような計画をチーム全員で決めなければなりません。一つのリーダーより7人のメンバーの強さをまとめて成功しました。

A big strength in a women’s only group is the ability to discuss the situation together as a team, and come up with a solution that suits all members. There didn’t seem to be a leader, but rather seven different members with a variety of things to contribute to the group.

平山泉さんに特に感謝します。泉さんのおかげでこの素晴らしい精力的なチームが出来ました。カヤック始まったからもう四年になりますが、その間何回か一人で出た事があって、一回か2回ぐらい男性と女性と一緒に漕いだことがあるけど今回は初めて女性達だけと一緒に漕ぎました。

We are all thankful to Izumi, for creating this wonderful dynamic as the group leader. Through her careful guidance she made all members achieve to the fullest of their potentials. Personally, in my four years of kayaking, I have gone kayaking alone only a few times. I have kayaked with other females maybe only once or twice, and I had never kayaked with women only before.

男性と女性は別々過ごしている世界が目的ではありません。女と男、若者と年寄り、黒人と白人は皆平等で暮らす事が大事と思います。しかし、日本ではシーカヤックはまだまだ新しいスポーツです。今は真面目にやっている男性シーかヤッカーが女性より多いと思います。女性は男性より確かに体力が少ないけど、カヤックは力だけで成功するはずはないです。カヤックをする時チームのペースを一緒に決めたり、いい決断をしたり、お互いのことを気遣したり、全員が楽しんだりする事は大切だと思います。

I don’t believe in creating a world where men and women are separated. I think it is necessary for us to learn to live in this world together, men and women, old and young, black and white etc. Since sea kayaking in Japan is still a relatively new sport, I think most of us women seakayakers exist in a mostly male environment. Although women are generally known as the weaker sex, kayaking is not only about strength. It is about working as a team, making good decisions, setting a pace that all members can maintain, and having a good time.

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