Another full day visiting Iriomote, this time we aim for some famous waterfalls upstream from Urauchi river, Mariyudou waterfall , Kanpirei waterfalls, and maybe even Mayagusuku waterfalls.
Iriomote map, as you can see only one road! A place to start a taxi driver career, 😉
We first start by taking a boat up stream on Urauchi river. That part would be virtually impossible on foot, the river is here subject to tides and on each side, you have a mangrove forest.
Mangroves Same river, same day and same time… light and weather change quickly on those islands
CliffsThe river is wide but shallow and still subject to tides, although we have been going upstream.
After this short boat trip we continue on foot, the last boat back is only 4 hours later. The track is very well marked, at least to first waterfalls which is the usual walk for tourists. It only takes ~45’ to reach these first waterfalls.
Mariyudou waterfall, the path goes past this first waterfall. On the way back we find an alternative to get closer – but upstream =>
Maintaining these paths and sign posts must be a real challenge. The wild semi-tropical vegetation seems to never rest…
The last two (oogomadara & ryukyuasagimadara) are probably the ones we took pictures of…Those steep paths must be like torrent under the real Iriomote rain.
The best map on Iriomote was to be found in the middle of this jungle!
The path was sometimes somewhat acrobatic:
Muddy….
Or simply slippery ( note the use of umbrella to maintain full balance)
And still those marvellous trees, ferns, and other kind of vegetation all new to us…
Otani-Watari growing at the first occasion, here on tree trunks.On all sides, over and under… if you don’t like green, don’t go there!Sometimes we cannot tell if we are walking under roots or creepers (lianes)Buttress root trees …
A special one for Pop!Once more ….Pictures don’t show well, but most trees are of really impressive sizes (diameter wise)Could of a looking-glass tree…
Right in the middle of this vivid green, sometimes a touch of colour.
All this into memorable landscapes:
Best illustrated as panoramic photos
On our way back it was low tide:
Back home we prepared some たこ焼き (Takoyaki), together with Sawako and Thane. For this recipe we used the octopus that were caught the other night:
Boil the takoYou then need a takoyakimachineAlso fun to watch.
Chop the tako…. and then the fun begins!!Once you’ve had enough fun, they should get round and cooked… so they can be eaten!
