My Hokkaido Trip: xxalice18xx

xxalice18xx

Aug 08, 2006 11:08

22/7/06 (Sat)

Flying to northern island of Hokkaido tonight TL710 @ 2240pm
Morning went suntanning with Jennifer, then went to Leonard combat class
After combat, went to Amoy for lunch (lor mee & chor kueh teow :p)
Rent a 3G Handphone from M1 (yah Japan damn high tech - only 3G phone can be use there)
Took a mrt ride to the airport, bumped into Stan & Eve @ Tanah Merah MRT Station :)
Meet our local tour leader, Judy, who is leading the trip to Hokkaido
Before check-in, called him & he talked so fast, background KTV again! Heard some noises...... ???? Still have to work on a Saturday??? puzzle
Flight was ok but didn't really sleep well. Food so so only
Singapore Soccer Team (young potential players) was on the same flight

23/7/06 (Sun)

Arrival Narita Airport @ 6.15am (Japan time/Sin time is 5.15am yawn)
After customs clearing, hopped on a bus to take a domestic flight to Hokkaido
Journey from International Airport to Domestic Airport is about 1h 20min, sleep on the bus, while the Japan tour guide was talking :p
Next boarding time is 11.20am, sitting at the airport, feeling sleepy still :(
My girl friends are busy with the International Calling Card :)
Arrival in Hakodate at 1pm. Head for lunch first. Food was okie.
Sight seeing & take a few shots (Goryokaku Park & Trappistine Convent)
Tonight we are staying at Alan & Charles Resort with dinner provided.
After dinner, ascend up to Mt. Hakodate for a nice fantastic night view. Weather was cold & foggy. Took a cable car ride. Only manage to see some lights upon reaching the foot of the hill.
Back to hotel, and a few of us went to dip in the hot spring. 1st experience. Quite relaxing. Dipped for 10 mins and then showered and head back to room to sleep

24/7/06 (Mon)

Morning call 6am (gosh Sin Time is 5am)
Shared room with Phylicia - she said I snore (???) & slept so soundly
Breakfast ok lah, i ate only potatoes salad & sweet corn soup. Dunno why not much appetite.
Today we are going to famous Morning Market of Hakodate. You can find lots of fresh seafood & fresh fruits.
Next is Mt. Showa - still can see smoke coming thru holes at the interesting landform that was raised from a farmland after 2 years of volcanic activities.
Visit the Bear Ranch, where you can feed the brown bears and see them playing & living together. (p/s : the bears are very tall & big size)
Then drive to Noboribetsu, where you find the famous Jigokudani or Hell Valley. Walk through the sulphurous valley and you will get to see boiling ponds & steaming streams.
Before dinner, enjoy the hot springs facilities again.
Overnight at Norberibetsu (shared room with Yoke Luan). Traditional Japanese Tatami style.

25/7/06 (Tues)

Morning call 6am again! Enjoyed the hot springs facilities again before checking out.
After breakfast, drive to Furano, visit Cheese Factory, taste the different varies of cheese. Bought 2 pieces of cheese cake, very nice
Next is the Winery where you get to see the different type of fruit wines. Bought a bottle of fruit wine. Plan to drink it with Rhys & Alvin & the rest
After lunch, visit Tomita Farm, fields of lavenders & seasonal flowers bloom. Took a few shots only. Tired the lavender ice-cream & bought some lavender products
Before checking in hotel, proceed to Sounkyo Gorge, situated at the foot of Mt Daisetsu-zan National Park, consists of many cliffs, 100 metres tall. Sounkyo Gorge is most popular for its many waterfalls, of which Ryusei-no-taki Falls and Gina-no-taki Falls also known as Shooting Star falls and Milky Way falls respectively.
Tonight shared room with Jacqueline. We went to hot spring facilities again before dinner :p
Slept at 10.30pm (Japan Time/Sin Time 9.30pm)

26/7/06 (Wed)

Morning call again 6am....... Didnt go to hot spring, had a quick shower & ready to check out.
This morning we head to the charming town of Otaru (Sapporo), a lively town famous for its canals.
Had a cup of coffee & cake @ 750 yen, whereby you can bring back the cup & saucer for souvenir
Visit the famous Kitaichi Glass Shop reputed for its unique lamps and hand-blown glassware.
Next is Otaru Music Box Museum, where you can see the beautifully crafted music boxes and the music.
After lunch, shopping, shopping, shopping. Bought 2 boxes of Hokkaido famous white chocolates at a duty free shop. One for him one for myself :) Also bought a simple top for myself @ 1050 yen
Then visit the city of Sapporo where the famous Odori Park is the site for the annual Ice Festival. Next is the Russian-style Tokeidai Clock Tower, which was built in 1878.
After dinner & check in hotel, we went out to try its famous ramen... yummy... Our Japan Tour Guide, Kim Ng joined us.

27/7/06 (Thurs)

Morning call again 6am. This morning, we will hitch a domestic flight to Tokyo - the city of Japan
Say bye bye to Kim Ng, our tour guide. We exchanged handphone no.
Upon arrival, can't stand the weather in Tokyo. Hot & Humid (worst than Singapore)
Visit the hip area of Harajuju where you find the latest & hippest fashion in the many shops... 100 Yen shop is here too
Then we visited Asakusa Kannon Temple/Imperial Palace East/Ueno Flea Market/Odaiba Park
Before dinner, we went to a central mall shopping area. It like walking around in a stimulated 18th century town in southern Europe.
Took photos of Rainbow Bridge which symbolizes 'Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco', Tokyo Tower which symbolizes 'Eiffel Tower' in Paris, not forgetting 'The Statue of Liberty' is also guarding the Tokyo Bay.
Stayed at a hotel near Narita Airport. Called him & say I missed him

28/7/06 (Fri)

Morning after breakfast, free time. While our other tour mates are heading home, 6 of us extended 1 more day in Tokyo.
We took the airport limousine to our hotel, Sunshine City Prince Hotel.
While waiting for the airport limousine, Phylicia luggage was spoilt.
Cost us 3000 yen for one way trip. On the bus, Jac asked me to share room with her.
Reached hotel around 12.30pm. Check in and went out for lunch.
After lunch, me Jac & Phylicia do our own shopping while Yoke Luan with her sister & mum do their own shopping
The streets around our hotel is very busy & packed. Alot of shops & people
Bought something for my niece, my colleague & for him
Bought 2 Adidas gym bags (for sale)
Dinner at Sunshine City Shopping Centre, I ordered chicken ball ramen, taste good
Head back hotel room for showered & rest.

29/7/06 (Sat)

Last day in Tokyo. After breakfast, do some last minute shopping. But I have no mood, my left shoulder hurt.
We rested at the hotel lobby before our departure to Narita Airport to fly back Singapore, my home.
Upon checking in all of luggage, we had ice-cream at the airport.
Bought a Nike bag at the airport.
Flight depart at 1825pm. Finally on the way home....
Arrival Singapore 12.30am (30/7/06)... home sweet home