Day 04 (24th Dec, Tue)
Hakodate – Rusutsu
(B/L/D)
Hotel: Rusutsu Resort (Hot Spring) or similar
One’s image of Hokkaido invariable comes together with some of the
freshest seafood caught from the surrounding seas. Over at the
Hakodate Morning Market is
where you can experience it all for yourself. Get all your senses
engaged in this bustling market where ‘fresh’ is the keyword of the day!
Other places: Silo Observatory, Lake Hill Farm
It was day 4 and it's Christmas EVE! Though we've not Christians and we're passed clubbing or have fancy countdowns for Christmas, this is an important day as we're heading to the highlight of our trip, to Rusutsu ski resort! We were up bright and early (with an obligatory onsen), and a half-filled tummy as we're heading to the Hakodate wet market! The highlight was the catching of live squid and having it sashimi-ed immediately. *gulp*, price was only SGD$10 but the thought and sight of it was a little too much for me. Never a fan of squid, this was the freshest a squid can be and yes, the legs are still moving (in YOUR MOUTH!). It was more 'fear factor' than to enjoy the squid. Sorry no videos here as it's...pretty traumatizing!
Went around other stores for Oyster and Clamps! YUMMY
Personal highlight was the Uni, recommended by the nice tour-guide Hase-san, this is as perhaps as pure Hokkaido Uni can be - light, sweet, creamy all with the right level of saltiness.
A fellow traveler took my squid and this is what is left.
Kinki fish, expensive stuff (can be $100 a fish), but this fella is cheap as it's sort of preserved already
Enroute it was to a superbly nice location for lunch at Crawford Inn.
We had the best table in the restaurant in my opinion, with a large window and superb lighting, and off I went outdoors!
Crawford Inn offers bird watching activities and on this cold but windless day, it was mightily comfortable to wander around (while waiting for lunch to be served)
Beautiful crystallites bouncing sunlight.
Another view of Crawford Inn.
The touristy couple.
"nuff Said. Hokkaido 4ever!
Residents would clear snow daily off sidewalks and roads using plastic shovels. Here's a wrong demonstration!
A poor little pretty bird KO and died at the door into the restaurant.
Great food, perfect lighting.
And it got better! Beef briskets cooked almost to perfection! My current definition of good beef is the ability of the beef to be eaten with just a fork and I can BITE off the beef. RAWRR!!
More lovely sights outside Crawford Inn! Love this place!
It was off to this Mount Showa, ugly slap of fresh volcanic spews.
Sore point of the trip was visiting this bear park, horrid conditions, of feces everywhere, lack of toys/activites and overcrowding. DO NOT VISIT THIS PLACE.
Things got better and prettier as Mount Yotei (Hokkaido's Mount Fuji), got into sight and the lovely Sunset colours came in.
Touristy couple at it again.
It was a stop at Lake Farm Hill. Ultra-pretty, set in a postcard literally. Superbly made ice-cream and other little things, Lake Farm Hill is known for activities across the four seasons! Worth a visit!
I had some red bean + ...something. Yummy - max though the cone was yucky (prefer regular cookie-biscuit kind of cones)
Signs of winter is everywhere with icicles forming!
We finally reached Rusutsu and it's not known as a hot-spring hotel and hence the expectations are different. We duely checked-in, check our ski rental stuff, took a nap and went for a 'surprise' dinner. FMJ arranged for a special Christmas Eve Party just for their guest! With singing, Bingo and other activites!
Apologies for the ugly state, but serves to remind myself that it was the best crap I had for the trip thus far and I was spamming like mad.
How much sashimi can you eat?
Oh, Beer was FREE FLOOWWWWW!
Until I went to the alcohol counter, MY OH MY. Lovely selection of wines and Sake but alas ..it was difficult to eat/drink so much within 1.5 hrs.
At 8:45pm, we hurried to the 'main' area, OUTDOORS to wait for their special event of the resort. In the bloody cold night, we were treated to a host rallying the Christmas spirit, synchronised skiing from international as well as local skiiers and finally a 10 min long fireworks display! Merry Christmas! The Trip just got to the MAX and the next day was the Day of DAYS!
Hokkaido 2013 Part 4
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