Owlicious

Monday, May 27, 2019

Hokkaido trip day 2 - Sapporo

Day 2 - Sapporo 14/4/2019, Sunday

My plan was to do a little hike at (1) Maruyama Koen 円山公園, then head to (2) Seafood market for some food.

Next ,(3) for the Shiroi Koibito park 白い恋人パーク, explore (4) and a relax at a local onsen at (5). Head to (6) to collect more informations and food, food , food!!!!

sounds great. all along Tozai line except to Sapporo station.

*******

I must have been too excited or either I had too much green tea, I couldn't get to sleep til 4am, but I was ready at 7.30am for my new adventure, really excited to explore and enjoy.

will be climbing these stairs everyday for my stay. fortunately only 3rd storeys.

A brief breakfast at the nearest 7-11, sadly no oden. May be too early. This is an important mark for me. For other days, I tried different routes between my stay and the station. once I see this, I know I am on the way back!

I didn't enjoy the tomatoes drink , other mornings I have fresh milk or yogurts. delicious.

Today is good to start with a donichika card. It cost 520¥ for a whole day subway ride only. This is available for saturday, sunday and holiday. other days it will be 830¥. It could save some ¥ and no hustle and bustle for each trip, fast and easy.

(It is very easy to purchase the card from the machine. they have it in English. Choose English, put in the money, choose 'subway only', choose "one day Donichika," that's it. it will dispatched the card. don't forget to collect the change.)

Maruyama koen is just a short walk from Maruyama koen station. The air is fresh and crisp, I love the occasional breeze kissing me. It's not too busy , there were both locals and visitors.

signages are everywhere

easy walk, slight slope not so noticable.

they 'sing' quite a bit, but they don't disturb you

they are pretty huge

The body is bit purplish and bluish green. quite pretty

so people tie the bad luck 'kyo' fortune slip here. it is believe god will convert it

Chozuya (a Shinto water abulation pavilion

Before they pray, they will use this water to cleanse their hands.

-hold the ladle with left hand, pour the water to clean the right hand.

-then hold the ladle with the right hand, clean the left hand, pour some water and cleans the mouth,

-clean the left hand.

-lastly, hold with both hands , put the ladle vertically to wash the ladle. place it back nicely.

the water is cooling.

saw this happy squirrel and follow him a bit. I wish I have some conflakes for him.

owl!!!

twin?

Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, 北海道神宮
I read somewhere that it was burnt down in 1974 and restored in 1978

exiting from a different gate, who cares? it's holiday! explore !

there are still some frozen snow. Is the hole is created by some little creature?

Two station away is (2) Nijuyonken, it's about 10 minutes walk to the seafood market. I had this ... that I saw on some Hong Kong tv 's food treasure programme. Good but not to my expectation. too much rice or should i say too little ingredients? It's really very filling!!!

to the seafood market

There are a lot of shops along here, mostly selling seafood. And most of them has a eating place too. so much to choose

Another 3 stations to Miyanosawa where I visited the Shiro kobita park. At this time, there aren't any flowers and a part is closed for renovation. Nothing much now, but the cool air makes it very comfortable to laze around even when the sun is quite strong. most people will share an ice-cream and buy some chocolates here. I think when the place is ready, it will be better. I believed it will be very pretty in summer with florals but will be crowded too.

musical performance every 10mins. I watched 3 times!

a lovely scenic view from another entrance.

On my way out, I missed a step and fell but protected my camera. I managed to hold my camera with my right hand high and landed on my right knee and left hand. Others around were very kind and came to asked if I am alright. I think they are from China. Thank you. I was bleeding a little and my jeans stain. I decided to change my plan and head back to clean the wound.

I stopped at the information counter to collect some brochures. Seriously, this guy was trying to promote more chargable tour to me than to inform me about Sapporo . well? I collected some brochures and left.

Maruyama station

owl

Odori station - there is an exhibition on.

Odori station, changing line to Sapporo

In the evening, I walked to another sushi restaurant my host recommended, coincidently I mark the same restaurant too. There was a queue, but it was worth the wait. The atmsosphere is lively though a little noisy sometimes. The workers happily did there round of drumming and calling. the customers happily enjoyed their food. I noticed I am the only not-japanese. I didn't know why, but I love the occasional drumming and shouting atpmoshere. One will say something, then the others will follow and they sound like echo. I will bring Mr. hubby here when he arrives .....

I popped in to the Anything recycling big bang Sapporo which was just opposite the restaurant. It is a great idea to recycle. Some can save money and good for global warming too.

On my way back, I stopped by Diaso. It is huge, isn't it! 2 floors of shopping! Nothing to buy, but came out with 2 bags.:)))

A happy way to end the day.

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Day 1 Singapore - Sapporo

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Hokkaido Trip - Day 1 - Singapore - Taipei - Sapporo

Singapore - Taipei(transit) - Sapporo 13/4/2019,saturday

Taipei airport's transit area

After a long searching and planning, I am flying to Sapporo finally!!!

Sapporo, kite imasu !!!

I tried to learn some Japanese, hopefully I can use them. hmm......

hiccups :-

1. Mr, hubby booked a car to drive me to airport but was cancelled last minute. Then we grab there, cheaper. yay!

2. our favourite noodles store failed us. the soup was so clear and tasteless. my noodles were soggy. could it be wee hours blues?

3. then we went to the wrong terminal to check-in, worse still the skytrain were under maintenance. Fortunately, buses were arranged to transfer us. We went T3 to eat, went to T1 only to realise Scoots is at T2!

Hopefully that's all for the trip. (keeping my finger crossed)

Flight details

Scoots FR892 Sin 0200 - Taipei 1100/1200 - Sapporo 1705

Important things to check

- Do confirm the correct terminal that you are flying and landing

- Always check electrical points in the new country, always carry an adaptor.
we will have so many things to charge, hand phone, camera battery, laptop, go-pro etc.,

- Must check the weather and bring the right clothing, especially we only got summer in Singapore.

- I will always book my stay early to avoid higher rates, especially if coincide with the country's holidays. For this trip , we will coincide with Japan's golden week.

(at least this was my recent experience, we wanted to do some changes but due to the golden week, the stay available was really expensive.)

- check the wifi

( I prefer to book from our airport as it is much convenient. For this trip, our car rental (a week later) provides the free wifi, so I have to buy the sim card in Sapporo for my first week stay) where my problems came on arrival.....the guy at the counter did the connections for me but cannot use at all.:(((
Later, I went to a phone shop, he can't fix it at all either. I didn't know what when wrong, but I had to call back home to contact my stay (airbnb) to fetch me from the station.
- have the contact number and address , especially for airbnb stay for the first night. If hotel, then it is much easier, get the name and the station to alight.

At our check-in area, the lady security went round telling everyone to prepare the passport and ticket, computer out, pour away water.(even before the counter open) I am sure it's not her usual routine but she did a good deed. The other colleagues and passengers will be able to check in more smoothly. Thank you, madam.

As we had bought our tickets with 3rd party, Scoots biz does not allow internet check-in nor food selection . Eat what is given but you can still choose a drink.

luxury rest area

be the next millionare?

I want!!!

Singapore Changi airport terminal 2 ↑↑↑

beautiful view

← lovely design

transit at Taipei ↑↑↑

Arriving at Chitose airport, my wifi failed to work, worse still, I proceeded to the bus-stop, just to realise I did not have my jacket with me!!! I left my luggage at the bus stop and ran back to check but in vain. I ran back to the bus stop just in time to catch my bus.

According to my airbnb's advice , the next bus is an hour's time but I didn't understand the timetable anyway. I asked the driver my place, he reply 'hai' and nodded his head, so I took the bus.

I was hoping the owner will come to the bus stop even I couldn't reach her. (In our conversation that's what I mentioned, but I think she didn't understand) I waited for a few minutes and asked for help for passer-by. The sky was getting dark and cold. Luckily, I met a nice man who helped me. I love Japan.

My worse mistake I didn't print the owner hp! He brought me to a nearby phone shop who cannot connect the wifi either. Finally I called home for the details and managed to reached the airbnb owner.

In a foreign country, dark and cold, a helpful hand really warms your heart.

Arigato gozaimasu, Koji Okuyama san.

on my way to my stay, in the bus.

After I settled into my stay, I head to the nearest restaurant she recommended. It was a good one indeed. スシロー札幌白石店 Sushiro Sapporo Shiroishi Shop , $.