Dewy Dew Dew Hokkaido Vacation (Part III)

Day 7: 10 July 07 (Shiretoko)
Drive from Abashiri to Shiretoko

*** Check in at Iruka Hotel, Utoro (Highly Recommended)

1 night stay at Iruka Hotel (9450yen/pax)

They say you might chance upon dophins if you're lucky, it's a great dolphin-watching spot, that's how the name of the Hotel came about.

If you can't see any dolphins, you will still get the see the very very special "Cloe-ne", an angelic-looking creature that lives in the freezer of Iruka Hotel. You can only see it when you go ice-diving and they have kindly show us this cutie, without having to go for an ice-diving trip during winter.

I thought the mascot of Utoro is a fictional character... now i know it's real....

Outdoor Onsen with Gorgeous view of the sea.

From Abashiri, take road 244 until Shari town, then onto road 334 which will lead you to Utoro – Hotel is on the way reaching Utoro. (Abashiri - Utoro about 80 kms).
Highlights:
Kamuikka Falls

Pretty sight! with sea gulls frollicking in the sea breeze and perching on the cliff side.

We also get to see deers as you take a little stroll to the viewing point.

Furepe Falls - Treak cancelled due to weather.. (Sad.)
Supposed to be an "onsen" waterfall, the one of the few outdoor onsen that allows you to bath with clothes on and mixed (males and females).

Shiretoko-go-ko
Supposed to bear able to have bear-sightings if we're "lucky"...but, due to weather... I guess the bears are hibernating in their warm and comfortable den, tucked snugly against the cuddy, fuzzy bodies of their mother bear.

We only managed to visit 2 or 4 of the 5 "ko" due to the wet weather, and perhaps some "bear sightings", the autheorities have closed off the route to the last 2/3 "ko".

The lake looks mystical against the greyish-white skies and slightly misty air. I could imagine it would have been even more spectacular against the backdrop of sunny blue skies with the calm, pristine waters reflecting the beauty surrounding it. Perhaps, if we're lucky... we could even chance upon the baby bear and its family in the distance.

** Dinner @ Iruka Sumptuous. Check this out!


Day 8: 11 July 07 (Shiretoko-Mashu-Kussharo)

* Breaksfast at Iruka

Off we go... to catch the sunrise at the pass. However, due to the heavy fog at the mountain top, we catch any sunrise. But we were happy that at least we didn't pay to take the tour coach..and we didn't have to brave a walk out against the chill... And of course, I thought misty mountain passes is quite a sight too! Mystical, mysterious and magical! Ah Q spirit helps at times... :)

* Lunch @ ... Wagyu Sashimi Don. Yummy!
I have never tried wagyu sashimi...this is my first. AND it's quite good! I can still remember the the sweetness as I chew on the tender, smooth wagyu slices...

Highlights:
*Sunrise at Shiretoko Pass
- Check the weather and season beofre you go.. We were driving so we tried our luck.
*Shiretoko peninsula cruise
- SHouls be beautiful, i imagine... however, we had a drive through the mysterious passes instead.
*Mashuko, Kussharoko, Bihoro Pass, Io-zan

Another mystical sight... it's known for it misty atmosphere...

Before we reach Akanko town, we drop by to try the Best soft-serv and the natuaral "ashi - onsen". You just got to dig a pitch huge enough for your feet, and soak in the steamy hot puddle. Quite hot, so go to do it slow.

But once you adapt to the warm water, it's quite heavenly in such cold weather.

* 1 night stay at Minshuku Kiri (3160yen/pax)
At night, we were invited to Hoshina-San's party! Nice cosy log house, joyous laughter of kids and warm hospitality made our short stay at Akanko memorable.




Day 9: 12 July 07 (Akanko)


Highlights:

*Akanko, Onneto
*Minshuku Kiri, then to Wu-san (at Kushiro)


Day 10: 13 July 07 (Akanko-Kushiro)
Kushiro Shitsugen 2000 Car Drop-off
*1 night stay with Wu-san

A nice guy with little words. Despite his busy schedule, he still squeezed out time to bring us out for dinner...



Day 11: 14 July 07 (Kushiro-Tokyo)
1020 Depart Kushiro
Highlights:
Shopping – Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku Prada flagship store Burberry Blue label…after much search we finally found the store in the wet wet weather. However, much to my disappointment, the series (bags) wasn’t quite to my taste. Disappointed.



Day 12: 15 July 07 (Tokyo-Singapore)
Highlights:
Yoyogi park Harajuku Freak Show - But didn’t go due to wet weather…
1515 Leave Tokyo
1645 Narita Airport
1815 Depart Narita

~ The End~

Dewy Dew Dew Hokkaido Vacation (Part II)

Day 4: 7 July 07 Rebun-Wakkanai

0546 Arrive Wakkanai (Hanatabi Rishiri)

Ferry from Wakkanai to Rebun (Kafuka), 2200Yen (0620-0815/0730-0925)

Mt Rishiri ~ from Rebun Island

Highlight: Trekking on Route # 4?

Still a long way to go...

Ferry from Rebun (Kafuka) to Wakkainai (1620-1815/1725-1920)

* Dinner @ Takechan – Tako Shabu 1 night stay at Wakkanai Moshiripa Youth Hostel (3960yen/pax)
Nice cozy Hostel...



Day 5: 8 July 07 Asahikawa-Asahidake-Biei


0710 Leave Wakkanai (Super soya 2)

1045 Arrive Asahikawa

*Left lugguage at Mazda Car Rental.


Lunch @ Santoka’s Shio Ramen lunch Supposedly famous ramen chain in Asahikawa. Hear that it’s coming to Singapore!

Direction: Follow Midoribashi-dori from the station out to the 3rd major intersection, (with spotlight) on the first floor of the Midoribashi building on the left corner. If reach Yonjo-dori, overshot by one intersection.


Pick up car and start off our road trip!!


Highlight:

*Asahidake onsen (1hr away from Biei & Asahikawa)

Asahidake Ropeway (0600-1900, 15min interval, 2800yen)

Option 1: Summit Hike – (1-2hrs 1way) OR

Option 2: Circular Trail – (30-60mins) - We took this, but due to some detour, and lots of time spent at taking pictures, so we spent about 90mins on the trek.

The breathtaking scenery and beatuiful blooms is just so irresistible...

Another shot with Asahidake in the background

*Biei

*1 night stay at Bibaushi Liberty Youth Hostel (4,880yen/pax)
Nice little hostel, warm and cosy. Touch of the countryside. Private room with shared bathroom.



Day 6: 9 July 07 (Furano-Sounkyo-Abashiri)

Highlight:

Biei/ Furano – Lots of flower fields, patchwork fields and endless vast pastures for phototaking Sounkyo Gorge/waterfalls

The cute little house - a typical scenery on any japanese cartoon

The empty field opposite the sunflower field...

Farm Tomita - The famous colourful flower field

And, of course....

The Special place....

*Left Furano/Biei and head toward Abashiri by 5pm (estimated drive of 3hours)

It was a long...hard drive.... especially amidst the heavy fog. Luckily, the visibility became better as we went drove towards Abashiri.

* Packed dinner at Conveni Store during the Driving stops

*1 night stay at Hotel Sun Abashiri (4,000yen/pax)

~ To be Continued ~

Dewy Dew Dew Hokkaido Vacation (Part I)

Had been looking forward to this flora wonderland... Finally been there, done that. Here's a brief overview of the trip. I will include the full itinerary here to benefit whoever's planning a F&E trip to Hokkaido! (However, due to some snippets on our first-hand experience, the blog entry become excessively long..so this will be split a few parts):

Day 1 – Singapore-Tokyo, Asakusa
0640 Arrived at Narita Airport
Train transfer 1,080 yen (Narita -Asakusa)
0830 Checked-in Khaosan (near Asakusa Station) for 1 night (2,630yen/night)
Went to Asakusa
*Lunch @ 大黑屋: Tempura Set at 1,730/pax
(only starts around 11plus, 12.)

As you can see from the background, it's a very popular restaurant...
But somehow, I don't really understand why.

Highlights:
- Asakusa, imperial castle

- Roppongi

- Tokyo Tower

We met Eugene's friend for Dinner after a visit to Tokyo tower.
***Dinner @ a Local restaurant (can't remember the place, but it's very nice)
We had a sumptuous meal with so much dishes, I can't remember them all. What left the most impression is a type Sashimi from a kind of fish in season. It has a maroon red flesh, with a special kind of sweetness and goes really well with sake.

Day 2 – Tokyo-Hakkodate
Early visit to Tsukiji Fish Market
***Sumptuous Breakfast at Daiwa Sushi: Nigiri Set @ 4,300 yen - worth it!

(note: The set wa supposed to be only 3,500 yen, but we ordered Otoro sushi after that. We were really full, but the nice chef made us a "Special" Otoro sushi - I thought the 800Yen was worth it.)

The Chef incharge of our Nigiri seto.

Check out the Queue, So better be there early to beat the crowd...

Highlight:

- Tsukiji Fish Market and Breakfast at Daiwa!

- Stroll down to Ginza from Tsukiji Market

- Went back to Asakusa for a few pics with blue skies (the sky was greyish the day b4)

1115 Left for Haneda Airport
1300-1420 Flight from Haneda to Hakodate Airport
Transfer bus to Hakkodate JR Station (20mins from Airport, 300Y)
1500 Hakkodate JR Station
( Booked Hanatabi Reshiri tickets and exchanged our 3 daysHokkaido Railpass for use from Day 3 to 5. There's also a Tourist Information Centre on the right side of the station.)
*Check-in @ Niceday Inn (3,000Y/pax)
Address: 9-11 Otemachi, Tel: (81) 0138 22 5919
Direction: Hakkodate Station, take the west exit out of the station and walk stright pass the morning market, after crossing the wode, tree-lined avenue, take the 3rd left (across Kokosai hotal entrance) Inn is a white, 2 storey building on your right.

Saito San - Nice lady

with a Nice cosy lodging to make us feel at home.

*Lunch : Curry rice

Highlights:
- Stroll towards the harbour, which is within walking distance.

- Therefater, stroll towards Hakodate-yama foot, also known as the Motomachi District, which houses some historical buildings like Russian Orthodox Church and Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward. Our ultimate destination was the summit of Hakodate-yama for the renowned postcard-quality night view.

So, Don't miss! Hakkodate night view

(Note: Another spot worth a visit is the Goryo-kaku - Japan's 1st western-style fort in the shape of a star. We didn't manage to see this due to time constraint, though we managed to get a glimpse of it from the sky as our plane flew in towards Hakodate Airport.)

Do you understand why Hakkodate

has one of the World's most beautiful night scenery? Humm.. somehow,

the photo doesn't do the place justice

Mt Hakodate Ropeway (between 10am to 10pm; 640 Y one-way, 1,160 two-way)
Recommended time: When the sun is setting, so you get to see it at sun down and at night.
We took one-way and a bus down

*** Dinner @ 海鮮炭焼そーらん亭 (かいせんすみやきそーらんてい）（recommended)

Operating hours: 17:00 ~ 00:30 (No rest day, Only Cash)

Hakkodate is famous for its fresh, live seafood as it's a key seafood trading centre. イカ（ika）~ meaning Squid, was in season when we were there.

As such, we decided to look for a nice restaurant with good イカ (Ika) dishes and not too far from Niceday Inn. And there it was... 海鮮炭焼そーらん亭 (Kaisen Sumiyaki Soran Tei).

I'm glad we went there. It was said to be about 5 mins away from　函館駅　（Hakodate JR), but I think we took about 7 mins. Night was rather chilly after one whole day of incessant rain. But I guess the cold chilly walk in search of good food is all worth it!

We had grilled fish, the famous イカめし (Ika Me Shi ~ stuffed squid with seasoned guitunous rice), イカ刺身(Ika Sashimi), Roast duck slices and Bacon asparagus 焼きとり (Yakitori)。

Oh, I must say the Ika Sashimi ~ was so, so fresh! It was still swimming in their tank, and they only cut it just before serving. It was So fresh that the tentacle twitched when I bite it, and sometimes, it might even stuck on to the roof of our mouth... hee..sounds rather scary. But it's really so fresh, you can taste the sweetness of the transparent flesh. And note that I used the word "transparent" and not "translucent".)

The food's so nice, we only remember to take a picture mid-way through the meal ...

All these good food (no alcohol) for only 2,720 Yen/pax?!!

Day 3 – Hakodate-Sapporo-Otaru
***Breakfast @ Morning Market Asa-ichi: Seafood Donburi
Sluurp! Cheapest, freshest seafood donburi I ever had, topped generously with Uni, salmon roe, bits of kani (crab)... Argh... thinking of it makes me drool.

This is the Owner of the restaurant with

the freshest and most delicious Kaisen Donburi I ever tasted.

Train schedule(highlighted timing is what we took)
0704 Depart Hakodate 0830 Depart Hakodate
1018 Arrive Sapporo 1147 Arrive Sapporo

*Leave Bags at train lockers to travel light.

Sapporo is a cosmopolitian little city in Hokkaido, though not as crowded as other cities like Tokyo. As such, it is not so appealing to me. We merely stopped by to look at some attractions.

Highlight:
Sapporo Park, Tokeidai (Clock Tower), TV Tower (shaped like Eiffel Tower)

Next, to Otaru.

Train schedule
Depart Sapporo 1044 1114 1144 1214 1244 1314 1344
Arrive Otaru 1116 1246 1216 1246 1316 1346 1416

We walked down the street infront of the train station, in search of the well-known canal called Otaru Unga. Along the canal are several historical buildings like Mitsui Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Coproation (still in use), Bank of Japan and etc.. Further down, there's a stretch lined with rather interesting shops selling pretty ornaments made from glass. The area is rather touristy, but still nice.

*Lunch @ Sushiya Dori
Nice set lunch.

Highlight:
Otaru Canal, Kitaichi Glass, Orgel~musicbox , Traditional architectures like Nippon Yusen Co., MSMBC and Bank of Japan.

Otaru is supposedly famous (or rather, JNTO is trying to promote Otaru as) The place for handmade/personalised musicbox and glass-blowing little town. Initially, we were tempted to get our own personalised music-box with our selected tune..But after browsing at the materials on display, we managed to pull ourselves out from this gimicky trap.

Otaru Canal - A rather Romantic place at dusk

with gas lamps lining the walkway besides the canal...

Even the interiors of the shops got a unique 'feel',

created with crystal glass lamps hanging down from its high ceiling

Train Schedule Back to Sapporo
Depart Otaru 1534 1604 1634 1704 1734 1834 1904 1958
Arrive Sapporo 1606 1636 1706 1736 1807 1906 1936 2043

* (Intended) Dinner @
- Ramen Dinner at Susukino/Shopping; OR
- Shin/Ramen Yokocho
But……due to a series of unfortunate event, in the end... we only had some Onigiri (rice roll) from Conveni Store at Train station. In fact, I didn't even had any dinner I think..

2305 Departed Sapporo (Hanatabi Rishiri 6300yen/pax)
It was an Overnight train - we had to share the sleeping berth with 2 other people. It was Quite a good concept to use curtain to give us some privacy within the limited space given to us.

~ To be continued~

It's a beautiful sunday~

Thanks dearie...

Gluttony tour in historic Melaka

A short 2 Days 1 Night trip to the historic town of Melaka proved to be quite fruitful as we got to try 4 to 5 different types of food All within the span of 3 Hours!

The famous chicken rice balls, Gula Melaka Ice kacang, Noya Laksa, Asam Laksa, wanton noodles, ondei nodei and KFC (which is supposed to taste better in M'sia). We rounded up the food tour with Satay Celup and dessert at pasa malam stalls. At the end of the day, my tummy is close to bursting... Check out the yummilicious foodies:-

Three different types of ice-kacang topped with Gula Melaka...

Three different types of Laksas...

Absolutely chunky& nutty satay gravy to cook your "satays",
so cheap, it's almost like buffet-style...

Refreshing tangy lime juice to quench

your thirst in the Super hot weather...

Huge selection of snacks...

I couldn't help, but to eat non-stop...

Other than the food, there are some interesting places that's worth a visit when you are there... Like the pasar malam (night), which sells cheap knick knacks, and light snacks and also freshly baked traditional pastry. Oh, it's also where I found this little wooden toy, which amuses me quite abit:-

So much so that I spent a rather long while at the stall,

I thought I might as well get it home..

And there's also the Orang Utan House - I like the colourful and quirky paintings on the walls.

Bintan Getaway

Check out our Room, right on top of the little hill. I thought it'll be cool, but the view was blocked by the lush shrubs growing right in front of our little hut..or rather half a little hut. When I opened the door, I was even shocked. 2 beds and a long dirty-looking couch, stacked with 2 huge cushions with yellowish taints. "Could THAT be my bed....?!!!"

Fangster laughed. "Yes..looks like it... You were the last to confirmed, so you go tto have it.."
"Sob, sob..." "But I paid for my equal share..!! Look! "My Bed" looks like it's gg to collapse anytime!", I shierked pointing at the slanting wooden legs of the dirty-looking couch.

After all the drama and shock, we consoled ourselves that at least we got hot shower, and air-conditionng in the room. We finally got changed and went to check with the receptionist about the 3rd bed that we paid for.

Trying to Look excited after all that drama..

Room 45, hope after the takeover by Nirwana, they will do something abt the conditions of the rooms at Mana Mana..

Day 1 - was quite tiring with all the travelling on the bus, paddling and exploring the resorts in Bintan. We checked out Nirwana which is just besides Nirwana Garden (previously known as "Mana Mana"). Thereafter, we went to Bolei Bolei market and then to the reservoir for some kayaking. But in the end, we did the paddle boat only. Though it's only a reservoir, it's a really huge one, with lot's of current due to the strong wind. Boy, I was wrong when I thought the paddle boat was easy... it really work out your thighs!

The guys at the reservoir were really nice as they tried to entertain us as we were waiting for the next shutter-bus that take us to Bintan Lagoon Resort. They showed us the little enclosures with some deers. Offer to take us for a boat ride (motor-boat) for free. They even brought out their hand-made fishing rod and morsels of squid for us to do some fishing. Haha.. but there's no luck, I don't think the freshwater fish eat sotong.

Bintang Lagoon Resort looks really good. A spacious resorts, with a nice beach for surfing (strong waves) and nice pool to chill. We made a mental note to come here next time if we ever comes to Bintan again.

We ended up the night with a nice dinner at Bolei Bolei Market. Spend above $50 and you get a free private transport back to your resort. Nice deal - easy to hit $50 for 3. Food was not bad, but be cautious of the french bean-lookalike when you order Tom Yam soup! I think I save my friends when I sunk my teeth into the juicy looking french bean. Arghhh..! It's a super, duper potent chilli padi! When you thought red means more spicy. I think that's the most spicy chilli-padi I ever tasted. I spent quite awhile to relieve my "fried" tongue.

Day 2 - Was really nice. It's supposed to be a chill and lounge around day for us. Been looking forward to this part of the program, think it's the highlight of the trip.

We chill around at Mana Mana's beach and then move over to Nirwana's infinity pool to soak in the jacuzzi and pool..

We discovered that lunch at Mana Mana is in fact better than Nirwana, though it's cheaper. And the beach at Mana Mana definitely looks more inviting... So, for the beach, go to Mana Mana - if you're not particular about the rooms.

Check out the beautiful beach at Mana Mana!

Woo hoo... Looks like a really good place to lounge around...

But, of course we didnt on our 1st day - We did some paddling at the reservoir. Haha... do you remember how your parents would go dating and take this kind of paddle boat? So retro right? I think there're no more paddle boat in Singapore now.

Having great Fun at Nirwana's infinity pool.

Admiring the beautiful beach at Mana Mana for the last time ...

A Wonderful getaway trip for a weekend! Easy on my pocket, yet you go the great beach package!

Another Backpacking Adventure in Eastern Europe

Day 1 to 3- Hungary, Budapest

Eventful trip - celebrated Hungary' National Day wth 1.3 miliion people. Spectacular Red Bull Air Race World Series, fireworks display and witnessing our very first stampede as the storm striked. Also tried the most expensive restaurant in Hungary - Gundel.

St Stephen's Basilica

The Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest

Party with Albert and his childhood friend at Margaret island

Day 4 to 6 - Vienna

Palaces and museums, freshly brewed coffee in traditional coffeehouses, and the ever famous, overpriced and over-rated sachertorte at Demel. The hot chocolate is good though..

Train ride from hungary to
Vienna

The Gloriette at Schonbrun Palace

Kunsthistorisches Museum

St Stephen's Cathedral at dusk

After a visit to Melk Abbey, we cruised along the Danube River through the Wauchau Valley of Austria. Schonbuhel Castle in the Wauchau Valley of the Danube River in Austria Danube River

Bidding farewell to our wonderful host and Friend, Benjamin. We all looked extremely sleepy with our half-open eyes at 6am.

Day 7 to 8 - Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov

A little fairy-tale town, with rivers running through. Could I say romantic too?

Krumlov hrad, also called the Schwarzenberg Castle The Vltava

This is one fo the place I love most in the whole trip, it's so beautiful...

Day 8 to 9 - Czech Republic, Prague

One of the most well-visited tourist spot in eastern Europe.

Jewish Tomb

The not-so-romantic Charles Bridge

Having our last dinner with Michael

Day 10 to 12 - Poland, Krakow and nearby towns

Not a very popular tourist spot among asians yet, but I believe it will becoome one very soon. So visit it while the prices are still relatively cheap and attractions are not overrun by tourists.

Amazing Saltmine Chapel - the Chapel of the Blessed Kinga,built 101m underground

Cloth Hall at dusk

My All-time favourite pic...

take away all the ppl, and I feel like I'm back to the 1800s..

Traditional University - Jagiellonian University of Krakow, Poland's oldest

Auswitch Camp I - The Railway to hell

Trekking at the Tatra mountains

Babara (in red) and her flatmates

Day 13 - Poland, Warsaw

It was raining for the whole day... skies were gloomy, pavement wet, wet.. it sort of dampen our mood for sght-seeing. But doing it in raincoat for the whole day was quite an experience too.

Rainy days...
The Captain navigating under the rain,

while the clever runner seek shelter and take pictures of beautiful town square

Day 14 to 17 - Lithuania

Our final destination and our initial purpose of this trip: To visit Avydas and Jolita in Lithuania. It was like meeting a long lost friend when we first met him at the bus station.

The reunion with our first hospitality club/couchsurfing guests turned friends.

Hill of crosses

We crashed with Andrius, his girlfriend and Tibet at his attic apartment.
Tibet, the boss of the neighbourhood. So far, no cats could take his place on the roof of Vilnus.

By the Lakehouse...

Day 18 - Stopover at Finland, Helsinki

About 6 hours on this lone trip.. yet I managed to cover all major spots of Helsinki and even managed to buy back some souvenirs for my friends.