Sydney International Airport

Sydney International Airport became very big. Lots of shops and lots of people. Jeff and I might try to get out of Australia from Canberra by going to Singapore next time.
Shin Chitose Airport

Jeff and I arrived at Shin Chitose Airport this morning. Very tired from our long trip from Canberra. We nearly didnt make the JAL flight from Tokyo to Shin Chitose as Qantas flight to Tokyo wasBaca lagi
Susukino Area Sapporo

Susukino Area in Sapporo. Jeff and I are staying here for three nights. Jeff is still unwell but feels better than the first day in Hokkaido. I ate katsudon for dinner. Haven't done this for a longBaca lagi
Toyohira River, Sapporo

Nice river running through suburban Sapporo
Upstream Toyohira River

I have been noticing at breakfast buffet that everyone serve rice into the rice bowl the same way; an empty rice bowl in one hand, rice scoop thing on the other hand, serve rice in two (or three)Baca lagi
Another night in Sapporo

No trains to Wakanai because of heavy rain. Typhoon approaching from the Southern side of Japan, it's about Sendai now. We cancelled our hotels in Wakkanai and Rishiri Island. Booked Toyako onset (inBaca lagi
Lake Toyako, Hokkaido

Arrived at Lake Toyako today on a bus from Sapporo. It's very nice here. Our room looks over the lake. Some pics later. This is an old style Japanese hotel. A little bit shabby but I would say this isBaca lagi
Still at Lake Toyako

This is our third day in Lake Toyayo. We had breakfast, and sat meditation, and is now about 10am. We have been eating buffet style breakfast here (and elsewhere). We managed to get some nice FrenchBaca lagi
Toyako onsen

Today we went up Mt Usu. It was pretty wild up on the mountain. At the museum located at the top of Mt Usu, we saw how the whole Toyako onsen town came to be, how it came out of a series of erruptionsBaca lagi
Otaru

We travelled from Lake Toyako to Otaru today. We found this place called Otaru Asari Classe Hotel, which is located in the hills about 30 mins bus ride from Otaru Station on a bus. This place must beBaca lagi
Sapporo station

Back to Sapporo Station. Now on train to Asahikawa.
Asahikawa

Asahikawa feels like the Wild West of Sapporo. There are unusual looking people including an old woman with dyed pink hair with matching pink outfit.
Found a small Nepalese restaurant near the hotelBaca lagi
Asahikawa Museum

Rented bicycles and visited Asahikawa Museum. There were some photos from old times showing lives in this place that gets v cold. Lives of children were very different then. The museum had lots ofBaca lagi
Chubetsu River

We cycled along Chubetsu River. The cycle parh goes for a really long distance. We stopped along the way and chatted. Saw this young father with two children. Made me think of the children in the picsBaca lagi
Mt Asahidake

Jeff drove us to Mt Asahidake. It was a magical place. We went for about an hour's walk on a rocky road. It was really scenic. The leaves were already starting to tirn yellow and red. It was prettyBaca lagi
Back in Sapporo

We came back to Sapporo today. We are staying at Mercure Hotel. Its a compact hotel but very nice. We went for a stroll down a shopping area this afternoon and rested at the hotel after that.
JeffBaca lagi
Sapporo station

Last day. Had lunch at Sapporo station. Soft rain outside.
Pics from Tanuki Koji (or Racoon Path shopping arcade) area where we ate dinner last night and the view from the JR Tower (38 floors tall)Baca lagi