Okinawa and shiisaa

[Drax]

Oh....

And don't click here if you don't like spiders.....!

[kyarazen]

eeeew!

isnt that some sort or golden orb spider? i had one dangling on my helmet when i was bashing through the jungles during military training, probably busted a web or something.. gross!

[jayinhk]

I almost walked into one face first when I was younger...something told me to stop. I did, and saw one about 4" from my face. I'm lucky I didn't break my neck, because I took two hops backwards down a rocky trail!

[Drax]

*shiver* I stayed well away... not sure what I would do if one of them touched me, even if they're not poisonous. It would probably involve a lot of screaming and flailing.

I did some searching. People seem to call them banana spiders, but they do appear to be some sort of golden orb weaver...

[jayinhk]

Right on, and they are everywhere here in Hong Kong!

[Drax]

I had a bit more time on this last trip to Okinawa, and picked up some tea.

So I got some sanpin cha (the jasmine tea), but I also picked up some ukon cha, which is apparently a turmeric tea. That will be interesting!

I also picked up some gyokuro and a washi canister. Photos below!

http://qaantar-tea.tumblr.com/post/127306564805
https://instagram.com/p/6rvmwpOw2L/?taken-by=qaantar

[jayinhk]

I have the same gyokuro! I didn't try the turmeric tea, but now I wish I'd picked some up, as it's great for your health!

[Drax]

How did you like the gyokuro? I won't be able to brew it until I get back.

I think it was 1500 yen, which is very cheap ($12 USD).

I need to try to go back and pick up some more sanpin cha (for a friend) -- want me to pick up an extra ukon for you?

[jayinhk]

I think it's decent-tasting stuff, but I suspect it's really kabusecha at that price!

Didn't realize you were still in Okinawa! Sure, I'd love some ukon! You might want to try some goya (bitter melon) tea too. A lot of people swear it adds to Okinawan's longevity!

[Drax]

Hrm, the kiosk where I purchased the gyokuro also sold matcha, sencha, and tamarokyucha (among others). I wouldn't be surprised if some things were not quite the claim, but we'll see... even if it's a good kabusecha, that's a great price for it.

I'm here for the rest of the week, although I'm going to be pretty busy with work (well, that and the typhoon due to hit tomorrow). But I should get a chance to get back to that grocery store and get some more ukon. I'll look for goya as well. This place had a number of herbals, so there's a good chance they'll have it.

[jayinhk]

I'm guessing the kiosk was at an Aeon store. I have one of those canisters too (in a different pattern)! Ironically the canisters are made in China for the Japanese market.

That storm looks like it'll peter out before it hits Okinawa btw. I'm flying into Taipei tomorrow night...I'm hoping it isn't bumpy. I HATE turbulence.

Need anything from Taipei?

[Drax]

Yep, at an Aeon. Good to know about where they were made. Oh well.

The storm passed today, but I was at work for the worst of it (ok, so I did drive in at 4 am). We dropped by the grocery store again and I picked up some ukon, so I'll drop you a line when I get back.

Have fun in Taipei...! Take some nice pictures to share if you get the chance. Does Taipei have anything local tradition similar to shiisaa....?

[jayinhk]

Good question re: shisaa type creatures. I'll have to do some homework now!

[Drax]

Ok, I thought I would write this here "for the record" (and my memory is poor, so this will help me later in life).

As far as I can tell, "sanpin" is a Japonification of 香片茶, or xiāngpiànchá, which is a way to name jasmine tea in Chinese. It would normally be transliterated as "shanpen" but of course things get corrupted over the years....

[jayinhk]

Interesting tidbit, and makes perfect sense!