2014 Jan Hokkaido;Japan - overall & pictures

Hokkaido Overall 

Although this trip I had to travel with old people, there are alot of thing unable to do, I'm still the one in charge of planning and looking for direction. I have no problem with that since I also do this kind of thing (when I go on my own trip, I'm also the one who plan). 

The is something I don't like about Japan is that it's super hard to find WI-FI in Japan. Even the hotel, we been told that it's going to be down for a while, we will have to go to lobby to connect, but the connect like shit and it even more different to find in the out. So if you are someone who can't live without WI-FI, you could rent a pocket WI-FI at the airport.  

JR Ticket - 

Many said to get the JR pass when you are traveling in Japan. But for my case, I'm staying in one hotel for the following days, and I'm not travelling out to different town everyday. So it's not advice to get the JR pass. 

So I did some study on JR Hokkaido official website - http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html 

And I read up their website and there are some special offer that even if we don't get the JR pass, we can still enjoy it. Depend on where you want to go, they have different kind of offer for you to choose. These offer had to be buy at the JR counter before going in. It will be better to show the counter which offer are you regarding as they can't really understand english. If you don't get the, the original prices are almost double the price of the offer price, so I mean it, get this offer if  you are not getting the JR pass. 

Attraction - 

Some of the attraction that I had planned but in the end didn't go, I want and will do the next time I go. 

Mt Moiwa 藻岩山- http://moiwa.sapporo-dc.co.jp/index.html

The 531m high Mt. Moiwa-yama has wide foothills that stretch into the southwest of Sapporo. It is known for its fine night view. To get to the summit, there is a need to take the Moiwa-yama Ropeway. From the peak, the grid shape of the city of Sapporo will appear in front of you. 

Asahiyama Zoo 旭山動物園 -

http://www.asahikawafc.jp/asa_eng/show.php?template=item.template.asta.html&item_id=226

Address : Higashi Asahikawacho Kuranuma, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8205, Japan   

It is a very popular zoological garden just outside of central Asahikawa City in the middle of Hokkaido. Its popularity lies in the enclosures which allow visitors to observe the animals from various angles, many of which are unique to Asahiyama Zoo.  

Asahikawa Ramen Village あさひかわラーメン村 - 

http://www.asahikawa-tourism.com/asahikawa/asahikawa_restaurants/ramen_village/asahikawa_ramen_village.html

Address : Nagayama 11-jyo, 4-chome, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 079-8421 

It serve 8 of Asahikawa's most well known ramen shops in a locations. With each shop offering an assortment of ramen choices, it's hard to decide what to eat. Photos of the ramen is place at the entrance of each shop, so you can make your choice easier. 

List of ramen serving there : http://www.ramenmura.com/English-2.html

Rera Chitose Outlet mall 千歳アウトレットモール・レラ - http://www.outlet-rera.com/english/

Address : 1-2-1 Kashiwadai-minami, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-8765, Japan

Hokkaido's first large scale outlet shopping mall is located next to the international airport and terminal station. The mall in the perfect location both for air passengers (tourists) and people from Sapporo and surrounding areas to visit 

PICTURES !!!!

Morning view from my room

Path to train station 

Otaru Chuo Bus stop

yummy lunch in Otara ! 

LeTAO cake menu - tea break set meal

From below shop in Otaru 

Dessert - Melon Ice-cream !! super super yummy

Korea Life - Day 1 (Week 1)

On 23 Feb 2014, I took the afternoon flight of Scoot airline from Singapore; Changi airport to South Korea; Incheon International airport. In between I had to transit at Taiwan; Taoyuan airport. I had been living in Korea for 4 days now

I had decided to come to Korea to study/master their language within a year. I was glad that my best friend PQ joined me in this study trip (but she will in a different level). Many asked me why choose Korea? I can't really answer why. I just like this place, the people, the culture (although is quite same to Chinese culture).

Korea Life - Day 1 (Sunday - 23 Feb 2014) 

My flight trip to Korea and the first night in Korea was a NIGHTMARE !!!!
It has nothing to do with the airline, is all my problem. I was travelling overweight (I have a cabin bag, 2 tote bag and a handbag), they didn't charge me for the overweight and still let me through with no question ask. And we were given extra leg space seat which we didn't pay extra when we booked. We were to transit at Taipei airport, but when we checked in, Scoot issued one ticket to us only, so we thought maybe is because they don't need us to alight the plane at Taipei airport (purely my thinking, don't know if it happen before anot.)

But in the end I was totally wrong, we had to alight with ALL OF OUR THING , go through Taiwan custom screening then we could re-board the plane. I didn't want to block people's path, I chose to leave the plane last so won't block people path, hoping that we will be posted to some where nearer to the front exit. And once again I'm wrong, we had to go back to our seat again! From Taipei airport to Incheon airport was only 2.5 hrs so I had to move my thing again

This time I really waited till almost everyone left the plane then left. Went to the washroom before heading to custom, because wants to avoid the peoples. There wasn't people around us when we headed to custom and was able to clear in last than 2 min. While waiting for my turn during custom, our baggage should be the last few still going round and round waiting for us, but it wasn't. After clearing the custom,  I saw that the baggage belt was still full of people !!! We missed the people during custom, but due to delay of baggage, we will had to wait with them before getting out. Waited for almost 10 min for it , finally can get out of that place.

Before heading out to our hotel room, we get T-Money (EZlink card), SIM card and some food. We thought that we can get the card and call the hotel to come and fetch us, but we had problem with it. Can't call out and there is no data plan, we wasted so much time at the airport trying to get it settle. In the end, we just headed to the information centre and ask them help us to call them. They reached within 5 min, and the drive was less than 5 min. Before the driver went off, She told us the room number, the thing that we should need and just left us!

Once again, we had to slowly move all our thing up to our room. I really don't know how can I move all those thing to Seoul !! Tomorrow, we had to take the shuttle bus back to airport and take the bus to Seoul.

2014 Jan Hokkaido;Japan - Day 7

Day 7 - 12 Jan 2014

Sapporo - New Chitose airport. 

I actually planned to do lot of thing in New Chitose airport as I read up that there were alot of interesting shops. But the rest chose to sleep in instead (with yesterday all the skiing, (actually I slept in too, nearly don't want to wake up). Ordered room service for breakfast then we took our time to head down to do check out. With the thick layer of ice on the ground, we asked the bell boys to help us to get our luggage over the road as we knew that we will never be able to do it ourself !!   

We arrival at the station earlier than we needed to (we bought JR reserve seat last night, since we have so many heavy luggage, it will be easier if we have a place to sit ). Since we still had some time, we seat at the ticking counter area instead of heading up to the platform as the platform is open-air area. We only went up 7 min before train comes into station to be safe. 

Luckily we got the reserve seat, there were so many people on boards this train. We had problem looking for correct counter to check in as we weren't sure if we were under international flight or domestic flight (we will be flying to Narita airport first then to Changi airport). By the time we found the correct counter to check in, we had less than an hours to eat lunch. We had to rush through our food and hurry up the flight

Flight from New Chitose Airport to Narita Airport was around 1 hrs , but there was a slight delay when landing, we arrival Narita airport later as planned. Once again, we didn't had chance to see thing, had to rush cross the terminal to catch our transit flight to Singapore. It wasn't only our flight arrival delay, even the flight out of Narita airport was also delay. Lucky for us, at least we could breath abit.

I will still come back to Hokkaido in future if there is chance in the future !! 

2014 Jan Hokkaido;Japan - Day 6

11 Jan 2014 - Hokkaido ; Sapporo 

This morning, we headed out earlier to Sapporo station to catch the bus to Kokusai resort. While the other were buying breakfast, I went to get the ticket first. It was very very cold but we stand around and waited for the bus. (as we worried that we missed it.) 

Sapporo - Koksai Skiing resort (札幌国際スキー場)

Address : Jozankei 937, Minami-ku, Sapporo 061-2301
               北海道札幌市南区定山溪 937 ， 061-2301
Tel: 011-598-4511 (main switchboard)
Operation hours - till 6 Mar 2014 only (open in Winter only)
Official website - http://www.sapporo-kokusai.jp/en/

Price list  - below list taken from the offcial website - http://www.sapporo-kokusai.jp/en/price_lift.html

There are a few price that you could -
* 3 hrs pass - 3,200 yen (whole day)
* 5 hrs pass - 3,500 yen (whole day)
* Afternoon pass (after 12.30 pm) - 3,300 yen
* 1 day pass
Adults - 4,000 yen (whole day)
Seniors (55 and above) - 3,000 yen (whole day)
G-Seiors (65 and above) - 2,500 yen (whole day)
Junior high and high school student - 2,000 yen (whole day)
Elementary school studnet - 1,000 yen (whole day)
Preschool age and younger - Free of Charge

*School (for first-timer skier , advice to learn from school first!! or else is very dangerous )
Private lesson (1 person) - 2 hrs 16,000 yen ; 4 hrs 21,000 yen
Private lesson (2 persons) - 2 hrs 19,000 yen ; 4 hrs 24,000 yen
Group lesson (with instructor) 2 hrs 22,000yen ; 4 hrs 30,000 yen

How to go -  below list taken from the offcial website - http://www.sapporo-kokusai.jp/en/access.html
Take bus from JR Sapporo train station or JR Otaru
(below website will teach you where to take the bus)

The 100 meter wide slopes make an enjoyable and safe run for beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. There is a 30 degree downhill course fit for advanced skiers and riders, as well as courses fit for all levels of skill.

Bus drive was around 1.5 hrs. The deeper in the bus drove, the thicker the snow is.The moment we reached, I was thinking "How to ski with so thick snow !?!?!? " Never see so much snow before, first time I felt afraid of it.   

The weather was super cold that I can't stand it and just went straight into the resort rather than enjoying the nice view. As we haven't decided which package to take, we went out to the second floor to take a look at the skiing area and sent my grandma up to the restaurant area first. After long time of asking and deciding, we went for the private school group package. 

After rented all the things needed, we headed over to the changing room to get change. One thing I like around Japan is that they are all very clean. They will even clean out the snow before going into the changing room. After struggling with the clothes and the shoes, we started with our first lesson. 

It wasn't easy as I thought. We first started at a baby slopes for 10 min and we have been sent up the gondola !! I was screaming all the way from the top to end. The teacher did taught us how to stop but because we are skiing down fast, I can't stop at all, so I chose to fall down. But because there is snow everywhere, even if we fall, is not that painful too. 

Class should end in 2 hours time but it took us more than 3 hours to reach the bottom. We just wanted to get out from the cold, we didn't even clean the snow off the shoes and went straight into the charging room. While waiting for the bus back to Sapporo station, we had some snack at the restaurant first, and bought the bus ticket before boarding the bus which was stop outside of the resort. Went back to pack after dinner as we will be heading back home tomorrow 

  

2014 Jan Hokkaido;Japan - Day 5

10 Jan 2014

Sapporo - Sapporo TV Tower (さっぽろテレビ塔) ; Tokeidai (aka Sapporo Clock tower 時計台) ; Nijo fish market (二条市場) ; Sapporo Tanukikoji Shopping Street (狸小路) 

Wanted to go skiing today but because we spent too much time having breakfast (at the hotel), and we miss-looked at the timing of the bus schedule (it was for weekend only, weekday only has 4 timing) , so we change our plans and headed for Nijo fish market. 

Departed from JR Sapporo station, we walked for 10min but because it was too cold (was -4.5 degree !!), we routed in to Starbucks for a cup of hot coco before continuing. Actually it should be a 5 min walk but because there were too much snow/ice, is very hard for us to walk. It took much more than I thought it would take. 

While we were finding Nijo fish market, we walked pass some popular attraction (didn't go in at all, just stand outside and see only) - 

Sapporo - Sapporo clock tower 

 Sapporo Clock Tower (Tokeidai ; 時計台) 

Address : North 1, West 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0001 

Tel : +81 11 231 0838 

Official website : http://www15.ocn.ne.jp/~tokeidai/english/index.html

(taken from - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapporo_Clock_Tower )

It is a wooden structure and well-known local tourist attraction. The building is of American design and is one of the few surviving Western-style buildings in Sapporo, a city developed in the 1870s with assistance from the american government. It is known by many as the symbol of the city and is a main feature of almost all domestic and international tours of Sapporo. The clock after which it is named continues to run and keep time, and the chimes can be heard every hour. 

The clock tower now houese a museum introducing the history of the Agricultural College and the development of Sapporo. Admission is 200 yen for adults and free for children , with discount for group. Vewing and photographing the building is very popular among visitors to Sapporo, and visiting it forms a part of any tour of the city. 

Sapporo TV Tower (さっぽろテレビ塔)

Sapporo TV Tower 

Address : Japan, 〒060-0042 北海道札幌中央区大通西1丁目

The Sapporo TV Tower built in 1957, is a 147.2 metre high TV Tower with an observation deck at a height of 90.38 metres. Located on the ground of Odori Park, in the northern city of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. It's open to tourist and you would be able to view Sapporo and Odori Park 

The ground floor of the Sapporo TV Tower houses an information center and a store which sells ticket of the observation floor. The multi-purpose hall and administration office of the Tower are placed on the second floor, and a souvenir shop and restaurant are located on the third floor. The basement connects to the Aurora Tower, an underground shopping arcade 

The lift to the observation deck at 90 metres high locates on the third floor, and visitors are required to buy tickets at the shop on the ground floor. From the observation deck, the enire view of the Odori Park, Mount Okura and Maruyama are seen. Having the height of 147.2 metres, the Sapporo TV Tower used to be the most prominent figure in Sapporo, but recently many high-rise buildings have been constructed around the Odori Park, making the Tower less prominent 

(Taken from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapporo_TV_Tower)

Followed the direction given by the Starbucks staff, we finally found the place.

Nijo fish market (二条市場) 

Opening hours : 7am - 6pm 

Address : Minami 9, Higashi 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 

Nijo Market is a public market in central Sapporo that occupies about one city block. Located three blocks south of the TV Tower at Odori Park, and about a give min walk from Odori station on the Nanboku,Toho and Tozai Subway lines. Both locals and tourists visit the market to shop for fresh local product and seafood such as crabs, salmon eggs, sea urchin and various fresh and prepared fish. The market is open from 7am to 6pm on all days of the week, with individual shops maintaining their own opening hours and closing days. 

(Taken from - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5310.html )

Nijo Fish market 

seafood were showcase for tourist

had lunch here 

We finished all our dried seafood shopping in 5 min. While we were shopping, we saw this restaurant and the rest just went straight in even before I could check out the menu !! Turned out that the food was cheap and nice, they were honest enough to tell us that "this dish is expensive, do you want a cheaper grade?". We laughed and finish our lunch in no time. Saw that Tanukkikoji street was around the corner, we decided to move over, to take a look.   

Sapporo Tanukikoji Shopping Street (狸小路) 

Address : 2 Chome Minami 2 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture 060-0062, Japan
How to go : Facing the 7-chome, Nishi 1-chome-west of the city road south Jonan 2 Article 3 Nakadori line city block (South Article 2/3 south Nishi 1-chome, Nishi-7-chome)
Official website : http://translate.google.co.jp/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tanukikoji.or.jp%2F&hl=ja&ie=UTF-8&sl=ja&tl=en

Conveniently running East to West in the Odori Area in central Sapporo, Tanuki Koji is a ten block long outdoor shopping arcade with everything ranging from clothing, jewellery and souvenirs to nightclubs, cafe and restaurants. If you're looking for some shopping items and don't have the time to explore the intricacies of Sapporo Station/JR Tower, Tanuki Koji is a great place to do some quick and easy street-level shopping  (taken from - http://gosapporo.com/living/shopping/tanuki-koji/ )

Tanukkikoji shopping street 

It is really a good place to shop but there is outdoor. With the current temperature, it was too cold to do outdoor shopping !! After the 5th street, we gave up and try to find our way back to our hotel.There was a kind guy, leaded us all the way to the subway line and walked back to where we was !! Was so tired that, we just have a nap.

For dinner, actually we wanted to eat a restaurant named "Gyu-Kaku" but the waiting time was too long (we reached there at 6pm, waiting time was 1.5 hrs!!), so we went somewhere else instead and went back straight to get ready for tomorrow skiing !

D6 to Korea life

I had been staying home everyday trying to pack my things for this Sunday.
However, everytime I face all the thing that I planned to bring, I gave up packing.
I seriously don't know how to pack all those things in.
Think I need to go through my thing again and take out some of the thing instead.

With just 6 days left, I suddenly feel scared
Scared of what ? I don't know, I just feel that I'm shaking inside
I had not forgotten why I decided to make this decision but suddenly can feel the fear growing rapidly  
Afraid what's might happen when I'm there, what might I go through  
I have to stop myself from worrying so much and just handle thing baby step at a time (when it happen).
Instead of scaring myself, take thing slowly one at a time, there is nothing cannot be solve!
I need to stop depending on other but myself to get over thing that might and will happen there
I NEED TO DO IT !!! I CAN DO IT !!! I WILL DO IT !!! 

2014 Jan Hokkaido;Japan - Day 4

9 Jan 2014 Hokkaido ; Sapporo 

Sapporo - Mitsui outlet park 

Last night, all of them totally rejected my idea of going to the zoo as they rather go shopping. As all had the same thought, I can only accept to change. And truth is at first I was sad and angry that they wanted to change but after that I was super happy !!!!

Took the subway from Shin-Sapporo station to Oyachi station, change to take the bus <大88> to Mitsui outlet shopping center (we went back to the outlet that we went on the first day as my grandma and aunt had not been here and this is the only indoor shopping area ). While waiting for the rest who went to toilet, we found that there were free locker for people to put their things (our big coats can keep one side as there is heater around ) - [There are 2 places with free locker only , level 1 =one after coming in from the North entrance and another is in the middle of the shopping mall (there is no locker in level 2) ] !! Then we headed to Tully cafe for breakfast before we start our shopping.

Tully's Breakfast 

We had our lunch there too. Since we are in Japan, Hokkaido, of course we have to try their sushi, so for lunch we had sushi at <北の匠　回転寿しクリッパー> . While I was shopping with my cousins, the adults had ordered and were waiting for us to come over and eat. We were too hungry that we just started eating and totally forgotten to take picture ! It was very cheap, 6 person for 12,000 Yen !! (cheaper than the lunch we had in Otaru). [There is the offical website of this restaurant but there is no English version, it's in Japanese - http://www.clipper-hisae.co.jp/clipper/storeinfo/kitahiroshima/]

We go on with our shopping after that and I bought a pair of snow boots, a cape, a coat, a T-shirt, a pull-over and a bag. There was some time before the bus arrival at Mitsui bus stop (bus schedule is listed in the bus stop again - I like that they had it on the bus stop, you know when to get ready to go out instead of standing out in the cold keep wondering when is the bus coming), we sat down and wait for it and slot out our thing for us to carry back. Bus was there (on the dot) and we headed back straight to hotel.

We were too tired to go out anymore (and was no longer early - almost 9 pm by the time we reach the hotel), so we just have Chinese dinner <Senun> at the hotel level 30 after leaving our thing in the room. We had to rush a bit as the place closed at 10pm. They served authentic Cantonese cuisine which great view, elegantly set tables and chairs. The food was also up to standard and we were able to enjoy it well despite that we were all tired [ Do take note of the operation time as Japan's' restaurant are not like Singapore , open 12 hours a day - http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/dining/attraction_detail.html?propertyID=1235&attractionId=24948 ]

Have to have very good night rest tonight as we will going skiing tomorrow !