Follow Me Hokkaido - Day Three (Part 3)

The third hotel Hokuten no Oka is probably the most interesting one we had stayed. The hotel concept is similar to those boutique or Gallery Hotel in Singapore. There are sculptures at each corner of the hotel. Even the dining experience was fun (challenging).

This picture tells all. Not quite, this is just the first course. There were the main and dessert too. But this very night, I had my most stressful dining experience.

Oliver and his 'Japan hour'. Very challenging as the table was lightweight. Any slight movement, it would move. I was very stressed by the two kids running around and about in the dining hall. With the low table and the food laid out while awaiting the other diners, I couldn't eat and enjoy my dinner at all. My eyes would follow every single movement of Oliver and Heidi, afraid that they would knock down other diner's meal. When Heidi finally fell down and knocked one of the tables (thankfully not the food), my heart almost stopped, and I decided to bring the kids away.

Asking Boon Heng to continue eating his dinner, I wanted to bring the kids back to our room, but found the perfect place to wait for Boon Heng. Next to the dining hall was this lounge area which intrigued me. Rarely in Hokkaido or hotel in countries which we stayed (other than youth hostel), the hotel management invested a lounge area for its guests to mingle without the need to get a drink. This hotel not only allocated a space, it had interesting chairs of different shapes and sizes for us to try out. I especially like the sound system which enhanced the mood of the place.
Look at this incredibly handsome looking speakers. I wondered how much this set of McIntosh sound system cost. I may not have the best pair of ears, but the sound generated was unimagineable heavenly.

Notice the bell like looking structure in the middle of the room, it is a fireplace. This place must be romantic during the winter.


This is an outdoor hot bath for tired feets. No chance to use it as it opened during the night time only. sob...

Least of what we expected, a spacious room with many doors. Before coming to Hokkaido, I were expecting the four of us to squeeze into two small beds in a small hotel room. Oliver amused himself opening and closing the doors most of the time when we were back in our room. Heidi looking up and down seeking for "treasures" which I tried to hide away from her.

Missed his cars at home badly, Oliver parked our shoes into the lot neatly. Truly a genetic disorder which he has inherited from Boon Heng.

Follow Me Hokkaido - Day Three (Part 2)

There are many roadside stations along the highway in Hokkaido. Some of these roadside stations offered local delicacies, just like this one at Lake Saroma, which is located on Route 238. Oliver and Heidi were both sleeping in the car (again) when Boon Heng went to get the BBQ scallops which the roadside station is famous for.

Fresh and succulent broiled scallops.

Despite the heavy fog, we drove up Northeast to Cape Notoro, eager to catch the magnificient sight of Sea of Okhotsk. "Sea of Okhotsk" sounds pretty exotic and romantic, right? Probably worth the drive. Hoping that the fog would clear by the time we reached the cape. Our wishes did not come true.

Despite the heavy fog, we drove up Northeast to Cape Notoro, eager to catch the magnificient sight of Sea of Okhotsk. Hoping that the fog would clear by the time we reached the cape. Our wishes did not come true.

I took this picture inside the car with Crazy Boon Heng outside braving the cold weather. Not sure why he choose to stay outside when the inside of the car was warm and cozy. Heaven took no pity on this crazy man choosing to suffer out in the cold, the fog did not cleared out after almost 30 minutes of waiting.

Maybe I should study harder and take higher learning in Geography. I have always been amazed by the working of nature. As we drove further away from Cape Notoro. The fog got thinner and by the time we reached this little seaport town, we could finally see the Sea. Our dear Heidi woke up just in time to share this moment.

Follow Me Hokkaido - Day Three (Part 1)

SOUNKYO TO ABASHIRI

Hotel Taisetsu at Sounkyo. The hotel has three type of hot spings. The Onsen at 7th floor overlooks the Sounkyo Gorge, and such a splendid sight.

Almost all ice-cream parlours in Hokkaido have this huge ice-cream to attract the greedy folks with sweet tooth.

Along our journey on the high ground, snow still covered these beautiful rolling hills.

Moss Pink Season atTakinoue Park.

Simply breathtaking with Daisetsuzan in view during the only Sunny day we had in Hokkaido.

Heidi stretched her hands, wanting to be carried.. not again.

At the Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park, the sky was starting to turn grey.

Oliver is quite a corny person.

Follow Me Hokkaido - Day Two

The first hotel which we stayed - Hotel Mount Racey

Spring in Hokkaido


Rainy Season at Hokkaido. Pathway to Sandantaki Falls.

What a pity that Oliver and Heidi slept when we visited the Deli. Boon Heng and I had to make separate trip to the Deli as both kids slept in the car. Bought the cheese and chestnut and ended up eating the chestnut cake in the car.

Early Spring in Hokkaido is definitely not the best season to go. Almost everyday, it rained. If we had never been to Hokkaido during summer where flowers were full bloom, we could better appreciate the scenic flower park. Only a few flower batch were at its full bloom.

Lavendar season fall between July and September.

Still, flowers cheered us up.

What more could we ask for, Lavendar Ice-cream and ...

Japanese curry rice. Even this simple plate of curry rice is an artisitic piece of work. The restaurant owner proudly explained to us that the rectangle plate represents the four paradigm, with the rice being the sky and the vegetable growing from the soil (black curry).

Quite surprise that we were the only customer when we were there. The restaurant owner shared with us celebrites from Hong Kong, Singapore visited his restaurant, including RuiEn.

At Hotel Taisetsu, Oliver was overwhelmed when the server placed the tray in front of him.
Caught him giving the crooked smile.

Futon bed, how I loved sleeping on them. No worries about kids falling off the bed.

Follow Me Hokkaido - Day One

Maiden trip for Oliver and Heidi

At Narita Airport after a tiring night flight. My arm's muscle was aching all over after carrying Heidi all night long as the air steward recommended us not to use the bassinet - "her legs will be sticking out".

Right after we touched down Chitose Airport, a bus took us the the car rental place to pick up our rented Toyota Corolla Axio. We were taught how to use the GPS and after a round of test drive, out we went. Hokkaido, we have returned.

The reliable GPS with Japanese text. Annoucement in English and good enough for our navigation for the 10 days stay here.

The Cherry Blossom season was over,but we could still see them around the island - according to Yuki, our Japanese guide from Singapore. True enough.

The first place we visited. A restaurant famous for its beef.

Not a good choice, as we spent half of our time 'educating' Oliver and Heidi on the hot plate.


After late lunch, we drove ___ km straight to hotel for a night of good rest.

It was melon season in Hokkaido.