Pekan Pahang Bashing 19 to 20 Sep 2009

Sakuraless Hokkaido

Its a Hokkaido without Cherry Blossoms... we peaked about 1 month too early on our 7 Days Package Tour. Tokyo had flowered but Hokkaido did not. Damn...now me and my missus missed the Sakura, Lavender and Sunflower altogether.

Day One (10 Apr 06)

Our flight ETD 2355 hrs, thus considered 01 day. Nothing else to report on cept for the part dat I realised ANA is Star Alliance and I got my Kris Flyer mileage :P.

Day Two (11 Apr 06)

Narita - Chitose
Pilot has a rough landing. The wheelies bounced too much on the tarmac, but we still step onto Narita Airport ETA 0800hrs safe with the groupie of 22 including the Singapore Tour Leader, Nee. Earlier on, contemplated asking her where's her favourite country (The previous guide said 'Perth' becoz dat place got nothing to do, very relaxing...).

Another 2 hours trip from Narita to Chitose Airport, Hokkaido. There, we were greeted by the driver (Sakuraii San) and local tour guide (Shelly San). Lunch was next with Shabu Shabu on the table followed by a quick tour to the Salmon Aquarium in Chitose and the so called Sapporo's Landmark; Odori Park and the Clock Tower.

Haiz...Otari Park got not even a single pulp on its trees and bloody cold (about 3 degrees celcius). So we all headed down to the nearby mall and lazed around, waiting to be ferried to the first hotel of the day. Finally rested at Sapporo Apa Hotel.

Day Three (12 Apr 06)

Otaru - Sounkyo
Otaru Canal. Has a history behind it. Used to be a much larger river in the past dat allows boats to do on their trade business. Then the 'Nippon Garmen' decided to reclaim some land but the villagers put a stop to it, which remains what is a tiny canal today.

Next stop is the Otaru Music Box Museum. Row of shops around the area where we can view beautifully crafted music boxes and enjoy the tinkling sounds if you are a fan of such stuff. This is by its own, an enchanting town with quaint shops evoking a romantic atmosphere.

Highlight of Hokkaido came when we rested at Sounkyo Daisetsu Hotel in Sounkyo. My vote on the best resort of the trip with some deers (nobody in SIN ever saw deers in a bus) along the way and a picturesque view of the backyard of our room. Hmm..really in the mood for love - for newlyweds. First off to the hotspring in our yukatas, dinner, hotspring again and then hotspring the next morning - so therapeutic that my ear wax automatically pop out the next morning :P

Word of caution here - since I have been to communal baths in other countries before, I have no qualms about seeing my fellow sex naked. But for those who have never try it, get used to stripping to the bare except for a small hand towel. Good luck if you're with your parents, as evident in a 'mum and daughter' couple. They did not make it to a single hotspring throughout the trip and we think we know why. Its like would my dad like me to see his thingy?

Day Four (13 Apr 06)

Sounkyo - Asahikawa
Visited the twin waterfalls; Shooting Star Falls & Silver River Falls at Sounkyo Gorge (at foot of Mt Daisetzu-zan).

"Winter Sonata" wannabes at Daisetzu-zan. Gondola ride to somewhere near the peak of the 1984m high Mt Kurodake with a breathtaking view of the winter snow. It was drizzling but easily the best highight of the trip.

Otokoyama Sake Brewery. Enjoying cuppa of top grade sake and spring water from the perpentual snow of Mt Daisetsu-zan.

Day Five (14 Apr 06)

Asahikawa - Noboribetsu
Morning was spent vrooming up in ski mobiles on the supposededly powder-like snow of the Asahikawa Alps. My ego went up a notch when my tour group commented I zig-zag left and right, very solid :P Snow was alas, no longer powder but still great fun throughout.

We made the driver stop at Lake Toya. Beautiful place, lonely duck and some lovely hotspring resorts around dat area.

King Crab (aka Alaskan Crab) Lunch.

"Shiraoi Ainu Village" The centre of the thriving (actually is bogus) Ainu culture.

"Noboribetsu Jigokudani or Hell Valley".
And more Sulphuric Hotsprings at Noboribetsu Mansekaku Hotel.

Day Six (15 Apr 06)

Noboribetsu - Sapporo
"Nijo Fresh Seafood Market" & "White Chocolate Factory"

"Dancing Abalone" & "Kobe Beef".




"Around the area of Tanuki Koji Shopping Arcade in Sapporo"

Day Seven (16 Apr 06)

Sapporo - Chitose - Singapore
Ok that's it. I run out of steam on this blog. Gonna stop here, quit and tend to my two women at home. One wonders how Xia Xue or Rockson did their darned diaries...

Total Damage:

Package for 2 pax: $4,800
Over-priced Fake Abalone: $210
Over-priced Tiramisu sweets: $43
Over-priced Scallop sweets: $43
Other over-priced needless sweets: $40
Over-priced Shu Ji Mei Ren Facial Mask: $130
Over-priced Xiao Wan Zi: $180
Over-priced Japanese Rice 2 packs: $20
(Kanna Con by Tour Guide Shelly: at least $300 on the above over-priced items)
The numerous vending machine drinks we tong lui: $30
Ski Mobile for 2 pax: $285
Kobe Beef (180g): $93
Hokkaido Crab: $230
Hell Valley Clay Monster: $115

Yukatas for our 2 monsters: $76
Music Box Aeroplane Set: $70
100yen shop: $20
Other craps: $300
Overall Experience: $6,685 poorer & got rid of my ear wax.