Sorry for being "absent-minded" for a long period. The last time I uploaded was April 7th. So, it't been over two months that I haven't written anything on my blog.
Well, many things have happened around me. But, please allow me to write only two things this time. One thing is that rainy season is over in Okinawa last week or so. We've been enjoying the clear sky and the arrival of long summer season, which is expected to last well until October. If you are an aficionado of water activities, Okinawa is one of ideal locations you might want to take into consideration for your summer travel plan.
Another thing I want to mention is that people of Okinawa, like people in many other regions on the peripheries of China, cerebrate dragon boat races. The history of dragon boat race in Okinawa dates back long before the modern age and many fishing communities in the southernmost prefecture of Japan organize dragon boat races.
I'd like to introduce Takara Dragon Boat Club from the town of Tomishiro in the southern part of Okinawa because this club has been invited by Hong Kong Tourism Bureau to take part in the international dragon boat race there.
I remember the team well because they are the regular finalists in Nago City Mayor's Cup dragon boat race in August every year. So, there is no doubt this team is certainly one of the strongest in Okinawa. According to Okinawa Times, a local news paper here, reported the team was invited two years in a row from the tourism bureau on behalf of Japan. Such an honor to take part in the international race in Hong Kong.
If you are lucky enough to be traveling in Hong Kong this weekend, today is the second day of the 3-day international boat race event there. For the details, please take a look at Hong Kong Tourism Bureau's homepage.
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/sports-dragon-boat-race.html
Nago City Mayor's Cup is coming up in August. We had a dragon boat race team a few years ago from Hong Kong Institute of Technology and they did very well on the race. This kind of cultural exchange has been taking place in Asia and in the rest of the world. What I want to say is that there are many types of boat races throughout the world, and dragon boat race can become, I believe, one of Olympic sports, since the rule of the competition has been clearly set up and there are so many teams around the world.
Good luck for all the participating team of Hong Kong Int'l Dragon Boat Race.
