Manta rays and glass blowing in Ishigaki

Now we have just returned the keys for the apartment and checked in to a hotel in Shibuya. Tired after last couple of days packing, cleaning and fixing the apartment for the move and thinking back on last week's nice trip to Ishigaki island - here's a few photos.

First night at the hotel beach and we jumped into the warm water as soon as we arrived.

Diving with manta rays was really exciting (well, not diving with them as like we socialised but they were not more than 5-10 meters away from us at some times). We stayed still on the bottom of the corals and they came gliding over us. Not without getting a bit nervous.

Kai really enjoyed being in the water. Good to see, in Australia he wasn't too keen on getting in the water but it was a bit colder at than time and he was only 3 months old. As soon as he noticed he could make a lot of sound by splashing his hands in the water he couldn't get enough of it.

BBQ dinner by the sea after sun set. Very nice way to spend an evening and they literally had to kick us out from the "all you can eat" buffet when they wanted to close the place.

We found a place where we could try blowing our own glass. Very fun and with a little help from our friends owning the shop we could manage to make our own glass cup. I have to admit I wasn't too happy with the first one and had to make another.

A nice area on the north part of Ishigaki with beautiful beaches and corals close to the beach on shallow water good for snorkling.

Like diving in a fish tank even just off the beach. We bought a water proof camera before the trip and it was fun to play around taking some photos and record some videos while playing and swimming in the water.

Kai playing with his first water toy - an inflatable mattress from 100 yen shop. Wouldn't trust it in a life critical situation but it didn't brake during the 20 minutes he was using it.

On a neighbour island where we went up a river boat into the forest and took a 2 hour hike to see some "rain forest like" nature and a few waterfalls. Beautiful and a good exercise.

Ishigaki is well known for water buffalos so we took a ride on a wagon pulled by a buffalo. Instead of using a stable the animals are kept in a small pond. Looked quite fun but must be very nice in the hot summer.

Last morning on the beach. By for now Ishigaki island, I wouldn't mind coming back!

More photos on picasa.