Our discussion for the day was moved from Ishigaki Island to Yonaguni Island. But today, no formal discussion was scheduled for we had planned to actually visit the underwater ruin and go on a sightseeing tour of the island just toe get the inspiration of the upcoming discussion scheduled on the next day.

While struggling with the headache caused by the hangover from the previous night, we headed for Ishigaki airport and there, we boarded a small plane.

Of anything else, my load was heavy! To tell you the truth, I brought myself an astronomical telescope to observe the stars and carried it in its own large suitcase. Thinking I may be the only one carrying such a large baggage to Yonagumi, I checked my baggage in. But to my surprise, I arrived in Yonaguni finding out that many passengers were carrying such large baggage. I later found out that most of the people visiting Yonagumi are divers and such baggage are filled with diving gears.

After settling at the hotel, we had Okinawa noodles for lunch. For a Menu (literally, those fond of noodles, but also means those fond of good appearance!) like me, there's no better treat than such.

And comes the main event, viewing of the underwater ruin. Considering the elderness of Prof. Mozai (who is 87!), we decided to use the glass boat. But since glass boats are slow in speed, we headed for the site via another boat while glass boat waited for us at the location and switched boats on the sea. We had to switch boats in midst of heavy pitching for the current near the site was very fast. But despite of all the worries, Dr. Mozai succeeded it easily.

To be honest with you, I hated glass boats. I once experienced it in Florida but shortly after looking down at the bottom of the sea thru the glassed bottom, I was attacked by seasickness. But I paid for the ride and wanted to make full of my investment. So I kept looking down until seasickness covered me completely forcing me to lie down. Although I did ride on a glass boat, I ended up not looking down at the sea bottom, but lying down looking up the sky.

This unpleasant memory, again, haunted me. But reaching the location via pleasant boat made it much easier. We all took to the glass boat and looked down on the underwater ruin. Visibility was limited, but stone construction with perfect geometry began to appear.

The ruin at the first sight was as mysterious as I expected to be.

But such excitement soon faded. Again, seasickness covered me, forcing me to retire from the viewing. Not one member of Kitombo recognized, but I could feel my face turning pale. What a shame! But for me, feeling of seasickness was so terrible that I felt I might die!

When we landed, I really felt revived. And now, we will tour the island riding on a microbus. Cold beverage was served inside the bus. Of course there was Orion beer among them. But I was in no feeling for a beer. So, I had some lemonade!

While I drank lemonade, the bus arrived at the cemetery of Sannaiisoba. Sannaiisoba was a legendary tribial chief who was known to be a giant. The area is now a hill, but is said to have been under the sea until quite recently that even today, sea louse can be found within the crevice in the rocks. We visited some interesting spots like Mimiiwa, tortoiseshell cemetery, and the old beacon stand and at last, we reached the Sanninu plateau.

Sanninu plateau, located near the underwater ruin, is known for its stone construction bearing the same geometry as with the underwater ruin. I realized after seeing it with my own eyes that such geometry was in no way identical with those of the underwater ruin. The underwater ruin would appear to anyone as some stone construction that was artificially processed, but the construction of Sannninu can only be viewed as traces of stones that were peeled off regularly.

Prof. Kimura of Rukyu University says that there ware traces of artificial processing at Sanninu plateau but I couldn't make out of it clearly. The triangular field in its center certainly appears as artificial, but not strong enough to counter argue against those who claim it to be of nature.

I took a picture of a quay on which the Phoenician letters are said to be carved. Y-like notches lined little above the center are the letters. Do you see it as letters carved purposely?

After the tour, we went to a Yonaguni restaurant called "Kokkyo (meaning boundary)". Surprisingly, a course menu of giant coconut crab was served. I once had coconut crab in Saipan, but it tasted completely different. The Kanimiso (crab gut) I had in Saipan tasted like coconut, but such of this crab tasted it nothing like it. I was told that coconut crab of this island lives on a plant called Pandanus odoratissimus (Screw Pine) instead of a coconut.

Satisfied with the crab, we returned to the hotel. We were to gather again, at the terrace, to observe the stars with the telescope I brought with me. But to my shocking surprise, I left the key of my suitcase where the telescope is stored at the hotel on Ishigaki Island. What a pity! The stars were beautiful that night. I had no choice by to look at the Andromeda with my binoculars. This time of the year is a good season to view the Andromeda. But with binoculars that can't be fixed, there were no ways of sharing it with the other members who were not accustomed to observing the stars. So, I enjoyed it myself while Mr. @Suzuki drank awamori and repeated that he had a good day. Well, he must have disinfected himself with Awamori last night for he certainly looked to be in good condition today!

Translated by Rie Ishida