Japan, Hokkaido Day 4 - Skiing

It was skiing day, super excited, cause I thought I will be a pro like on those on television. After that day, I have decided I am so not suitable for skiing.

Decided to go to Kokusai because of the distance. Initially we were worried that we won't be able to ski because the opening was delayed due to lack of snow, but luckily it opened before we flew there.

Bus Tickets of Kokusai

In the early stages of winter, they only have one bus there in the morning and one bus back in the evening. The frequency of the buses will increase as the amount of snow increases. We were damn kiasu, we arrived half an hour before to get the tickets. Haha as the queue grew with pros, my stress also grew.

All geared up

Spent 9400 yen renting the ski (5200 yen) set and clothing set (4200 yen). Actually if you have your own waterproof and light jacket, plus water proof pants, you don't need to rent their clothing set.

Selfie

Before we can reach the snow, we have to take the escalator up. Almost died, because the ski is very heavy, and I had no idea how to go up the escalator while holding the skis. Luckily, I didn't roll down the escalator.

Super pengx because I think I took half an hour to put on the ski.

After that I gave up. It takes me half an hour to put on the skis, 5 seconds to ski and fall, and I have to repeat the cycle again. So I have decided that if I ever go and ski again, I will hire a coach.
However, Eunice picked up skiing very quickly. Haha, that is a difference between a sporty person and a non-sporty person. She tried to teach me, but I totally couldn't pick up. I think she became very pek chek, cause she kept asking me to slant the stick and from my view I already slant it, haha but actually I did not. Plus, I couldn't get myself to stop, and once I fall, I was not able to stand up unless I took out my skis.

Took the cable car up because we bought the ticket that included lift, and we didn't want to waste it. So we took a round trip. Haha, if you are a newbie like me, don't need to buy the ticket with lift, because no chance to go up and ski down.

I'm more suited to have snowball fights than to ski!

And taking selfies too!

After this skiing trip, I feel like I can better understand the frustration that some of the students may be facing. For me, it's a one-off thing and I'm already so irritated, what more for them, when it is an everything issue.

After dinner, took the train down to Odori station and went to the sapporo white illumination light display at Odori Park.

Sapporo Tower

There was a fair going on at there but everything was just expensive.

After walking around, we decided to walk back to our hotel. Thankfully we have google map to guide us back.

Mandatory photo with clock tower

While we were walking back to our hotel, happened to pass by the sapporo branch of the crab place that we wanted to go, and it was fully booked on a weekday night too.

My present from skiing

Japan, Hokkaido Day 3 - Otaru

The holiday is coming to an end, and this is my first blog post of the holiday. What have I been doing! Haha, I'm already looking forward to the December holiday.

Supposed to go for skiing on our 3rd day, but I bought the tickets for Otaru on the wrong day, so since we haven't bought the bus tickets to skiing, 将错就错。The welcome pass comes with the otaru return tickets and a one-day subway ticket. The subway ticket can be used any time.

The snow that morning was damn heavy. Walked out of the hotel to the above image. I think it was the coldest day during the period we were in hokkaido.

Poor shoes can wet 

 My boots got wet, even though when I bought it they were supposed to be waterproof. Definitely not waterproof.

While finding out way to the place, we walked past this railway track and there was this uncle there shoveling. He was super nice, and he gave us a map and told us where to get nice sushi. He really went out of the way because he had to remove his gloves and all, get the map out for us and circle the place for us. He also suggested that we go to the bridge area later in the day when it is dark because it will be more beautiful with the lights. He even helped us to take a photo here.

 The Letao cake is worth trying. Soft and fluffy, and see my cup of hot drink. I hardly drink hot drinks in Singapore, but really couldn't take the cold weather.

I wonder was it because it was too cold so my eyes couldn't open, or is it because my eyes are really small. 

Musical Box Museum

The whole musical box museum is filled with...musical boxes! They have all kinds of musical box, from fairies to cats to build your own musical box - you can select your own box and music. However, the musical boxes there are really expensive. 

Sanrio Musical Box

So many cats

One big cat

 It is super difficult to choose one musical box and with the music you like since they have a lot of choices for you to choos fromm. I bought a piano musical box, which until now, I haven't opened yet.

We asked one of the staff there if he knew where the sushi place was, and he very kindly sent us out of the shop and pointed the way to us. Seriously, so kind!

Kani Don

 As I don't really eat raw food, so I ordered their Kani. Haha now after I came back from Japan, I'm eating much more sushi.

Eunice's sushi

Rainbow Ice-Cream

While make our way back to the bridge, although the weather was really so cold, how to not order their rainbow ice-cream. It's good except the last 2 layers of black sesame and matcha, haha but that is because I don't really like matcha and black sesame.

I think people will be thinking - wtf 1.4 degrees and you call it cold?!?! Haha, but it was really super cold, especially when the wind blew.

Before the sun sets

I jumped, I jumped, I jumped jumped jumped. Haha, luckily I didn't slip and fall, and break my crown.

After the sun sets

I think the view at night was super nice, especially since they had all these blue lighting. Haha, and I think I look damn nice in this photo.