Sunday, March 25
A Much Needed Getaway, Hokkaido Once AgainIt wasn't a honeymoon, nor a romantic getaway.Because this trip was mmm, not the usual kind for a city dweller.No shopping, no buildings..We were free from the concrete jungle..We felt a sense of familiarity yet at the same time more mystical than ever.We shut ourselves from all internet, all phone calls.Scaling the mountains, gliding down the gorges.Rolling in the snow fields, watching deers cranes and foxes brush us by..A trip that incites the 5 senses.We did it the Japan Hour way, with a tinge of adventure.This adventure is absolutely what I wanted in a trip..Exploring a country in depth, not mere touch and go.Everything so white and pure..Nature seemed to be touched by the hands of Gods who loved white so much that they sprinkled beautiful light flakes that binds together significantly.Roads are so straight the hugged the curves of Earth.We get to see the end of the road where the sky meets the Earth.Every angle, every dimension tells a story of the trees.From Spring to Autumn to Winter..These are trees that embrace change gracefully.*****The White Getaway Part 1:ObihiroDepartureAs I fought the endless trouble that brewed at work..We struggled to leave office on time.Rushed home, changed to my running gear..Off for an hour run.After checking and re-checking the luggageWe finally board the cab.
I wanted to travel light on board.So I checked everything in.Trying to make ourselves as comfortable as possible for the overnight flight.We woke up to this :)
ANA had two delays.We were already delirious with exhaustion..So the disappointment with the airline was easily enhanced.Our connecting flight buffer time was reduced from ninety minutes to twenty minutes.We practically dashed from check points to check points.They made up their delay with another delay on the connecting flight so that the 5 pairs of passengers could make it in time.As the plane descends through the clouds..
*****We were famished by the time we collected our luggage.Walked around a little..New Chitose Airport did not change much.Big groups of skiers lugged their huge ass ski bags from point to point with style and charisma..My urge to ski was re-ignited.Lunch at the airport was surprisingly good and cheap.Tenpura prawn rice with Udon bowl
Lobster rice bowl
Before the last trip, I did not like ramen.But I was changed.Before this trip, I did not like Udon.But again, I was changed.I just had not come across a tasty Udon bowl in Sg.A Santouka ramen bowl already cost us 1100 yen.This entire meal (2 sets) cost us a mere 1500 yen.
This sumptuous meal easily taste better than 90% of the Japanese restaurants in Sg..And the chef was a young lass with thick make up :)We took out our scarves, ear muffs, gloves..Changed into my boots..We went out of the airport to see how cold was it.
Thinking to ourselves,"Ok we can survive for the time being without more inner wear since we would drive straight to the hotel"(We only learnt that we were so wrong after reaching the first hotel)*****As we went to fetch our rental car..
The original plan was to go straight to Akan after we touched down.From New Chitose, it was not possible in that 6 hours drive.We may end up getting caught in the dark since nightfall begins at 3:30pm.So we had to stop over some where.It's a wonder how we entered a mountain tunnel with clear skies and no snow..Only to come out at the other end of the mountain foot with heavy snow and poor visibility..Quite an apprehensive drive if you ask me..From SG roads to these roads..We barely slept on the plane, the roads are slippery, we can't see shit.An adaptation of extreme climate change..It was a good thing we did not attempt the 6 hours drive to Akan.
After half an hour's drive later..We went into another tunnel and we came out to another world.The skies were finally clear..But nightfall began.
After more wrong turns and slippery skids..We finally made out our destination.ObihiroLocated around 3 hours away from New Chitose Airport..The only designated city in the Tokachi area..At least,The close proximity allowed us to get used to driving in that thick snowfall.When we reached the hotel,The car park was quite a walking distance away.
The plan was to go to the boot to get our luggage and go straight to check in without our down jackets.The minute we stepped out into the cold..WE FROZE!!There was no way we can make it to the hotel lobby without suffering from hypothermia.In that shivering state..We went back into the car shut the doors and quickly put on our down jackets..Then we went back out again did a half run to the lobby dragging our luggage.The temperature is..Insane.After check in..We piled on layers on ourselves and stepped out back into the cold..Wanted to check out Kita no Yatai for dinner.An alleyway of unique food stands that is open all year-round, and offers foods from many different countries.But it was very hard to locate that area in the dark cold night.We must be the only two fellas who braced the cold at that hour cos the streets were all empty.Found this shop that sells Taiyaki (たい焼き)..Never had we come across such generous fillings that are oozing out with every bite..
We bought Oden (おでん) from Lawson food cart too..This Japanese winter dish resembles Yong Tau Hu..It consists several ingredients such as boiled eggs (玉子), daikon radish (大根), konnyaku, konbu (昆布) and processed fish cakes stewed in a light, soy-flavoured dashi broth.Very light and savoury :)
Hokkaido Hotel (Obihiro)I thought this hotel was worth mentioning.Its red brick exterior made it stand out in the cold city..Love the outdoor hot spring bath too..And needless to say,Service was impeccable.
-Adapted from the website-The room..
The entire hotel exteriorThe Hidaka Wing is a popular choice for hosting weddings because of its arches :)
And the morning view..
So we bid goodbye to our first stop and set off for Lake Akan..The hotel staff of Hokkaido hotel stood outside watching and waving till we drove off..We are loving every bit of this trip..***** Labels: dear, hokkaido, photo logs, thoughts, travel
irony @
8:42 PM
