Monday, 18 August 2014

Japan '14, Hokkaido - Day 10


Location: Mokotoyama Shibazakura Park

Over 10 hectres of hills and they were covered in Mosspink!
It was another gloomy and rainy day. And VERY cold too.








This is the most beautiful of the mosspinks I've seen in Hokkaido! White with a hint of pink.
The others were usually one coloured.


We spent a long time here at this park scaling the steps and then I spent a really period trying to catch my breath.
The old folks there definitely had better stamina than I.








The moss were about 70% grown.


Although the hills don't seem high from the images, it is actually very steep and the paths were super narrow. But Daddy's a superhero, right? What height? Hahahaha!





Photobombing level: Mother.


They had a go-kart track and I couldn't really understand why people would actually go on it cause it was freezing cold. Imagine driving there and having the cold wind in your face. I mean.. It might just fall off anytime.



Location: Bihoro Pass

This observatory was supposed to have a really spectacular view but thanks to the thick fog on that day, we saw nothing.
And it really felt like Silent Hill. Cold and damp and.. I even had to get my jeans on 
otherwise I'd freeze to death.



Stopped by a restaurant for lunch but it was fully booked so we only went around for some pictures in the cold before heading for some ramen after.







Our lunch location: Ramen Teshikaga



 Location: Lake Mashu Observatory, Akan




Fog, fog, fog..


The only hint of the lake we managed to see.



Headed into the observatory's shopping area to shop instead.
They had all sorts of trinkets and accessories. Some stuffed toys and tons of food.



These long yellow things are actually mascots of the famous Jaga Pokkuru or better known as Potato Farm. Super cute!


Got my hands on some Royce's Amande Chocolat. Almonds wrapped in milk chocolate.
It's my favourite Royce' product and if Singapore had it (and had it at the same price as in Japan), I would buy it very very often.
The Royce chocolates there are soooooo cheap as compared to here in Singapore.
It's ridiculous how such products are so madly expensive here. Ugh.



Daily dose of Hokkaido Ice cream!


Pocky of all flavours but at very reasonable prices. 



Location: Oshin-Koshin Falls, Shiretoko


We decided to skip Oshin-Koshin Falls cause it didn't look too appealing on the handbook of mapcodes we were given. But as we were driving, we saw a really tall and gorgeous waterfall and decided to stop.

Little did we know, the falls was the one written in the book!


Chloe got her seal soft toy from Abashirikoso, lost it and bought another from Lake Mashu's observaroty.
Little did we expect, the staff at Abashirikoso actually sent the seal with express delivery to our last hotel, with the help of our tour leaders to find the seal.
Now she has 2 seals!



After the shots, we all scampered in different directions cause it was freeeeeezing.


Proof.


The falls flow under a bridge tunnel!


Location: Shiretoko Grand Hotel

Traditional room where we slept on Futon. It's a layer of mattress laid on the ground.







Slowly becoming Japanese.

We had a satisfying set dinner meal and then we went for our first onsen experience.
Much as we were shy, we went at different timings to get the feel of what onsen feels like.
And all I can say is I love it.
I love hot baths so.. I actually liked the experience. 
This was the second of three hot spring hotels we had arranged on the trip.

The next day we had a really fun experience driving along winding mountainous roads and also taking self-timed pictures with a gorgeous mountain background!

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