clouds and rainbows: 2009

It was a super cold holiday at Hokkaido.. daily temperatures hovered at below zero degree celsius, and snow rained down on us everyday. Powdery white snow surrounded us everywhere and it's truly a romantic sight. The previous time I visited Hokkaido, it didn't snow that frequently and it wasn't as cold; this time although the tour itinerary is about the same, the experience is totally fresh with different companions. I've enjoyed Hokkaido as much I've enjoyed the company of larling and his family :)

At the Narita airport, where we need to take a coach to Haneda airport for a domestic flight to Hokkaido. A day is wasted just like that due to travelling.

Finally reached Hokkaido and first stop is to visit Asahi Brewery.

Asahi is Japan's best selling beer, followed by Sapporo.

Their super-dry beer is really not bad, even though I don't enjoy beer.

Seafood and Crab prices here is mad high

Mega tako

Crabs and more crabs

Sapporo TV tower at Odori Park

Flecks of snow on my face

Spots of snow again

Yummy ramen for supper

Day 2

Shiroi Koibito - White Chocolate Factory

This place is like the movie Charlie Chocolate Factory.

I simply love this place

Workers in the chocolate factory..

We were saying we wouldn't mind an internship there.. haha

Keychains for Kai Chouz and Cecilia

Astrogal

ma Astroboy

The security guard is so cute, he even offered us their hats for photo-taking.

Otaru Music Box Museum

Sweet heart shape outside the Otaru Museum

Postcard picture of the Otaru Canal

Humongous pumpkin.

It was the same pumkin I took a pic with 2 years ago when i was there. haha

Two years back..

Comparing the pic quality, it really makes a huge difference using a SLR and a normal cam.

For person wise, i don't think there's a much diff? perhaps a few more wrinkles

Otokoyama Sake Brewery.. one of the best sake breweries in Japan

Tatami-style hotel.

It feels not bad sleeping on tatami.. very cosy feeling

Sumptous buffet dinner at the hotel

Yukata that looks like pyjamas

Day 3

Shooting Star Falls and Silver River Falls

Three little pigs

Asahiyama Zoo.
It's brrrrrr cos we hanged out for 2hrs outdoors in the cold to look at the animals..

Here they have penguin parade in the zoo too.. but the penguins here are the bigger-sized ones, unlike the mini fairy penguins that we saw in Melbourne.
leader of the penguins..

All of us went very upclose with the penguins.

the way they walk is so adorable!!

seeeal

Cute little foxy showing out its tongue

Snowmobile-riding.

It's super exp lor.. 15,000Yen for 2-person mobile, which is approx S$200.

But it's worth the money cos it's damn fun and exciting!!

You can't speed on roads but you can definitely speed on snow!

Lavender in the house

In yukata 浴衣.

Most of the hotel guests would wear yukata to the hotel restaurant for dinner then hot spring.

Super enjoyed the hot spring especially during winter, snow was falling down our heads (for outdoor bath).. I would say Japan's hot spring is the best.