(Updated photos on 27 February 2017)
I had to book the nearest hotel away from Sapporo during the Snow Festival's peak weekend as all the hotels in Sapporo were fully booked. The closest I could book online was at this unknown town called Muroran. I was a bit skeptical of this quiet and peaceful town but it brought us wonderful surprises instead. It snowed for the first time during our trip and the countryside's cape was spectacular.
We took a 2.5 hours bus ride from Sapporo Station to Muroran.
We saw many snow capped mountains and thick forests enveloped
in pretty white snow. It gave me a sleepy & peaceful feeling
of a cold winter.
The Donan Bus passed through a tunnel and many
miles of scenic landscapes along the Hokkaido Highway.
Finally, the bus reached the T-Junction where I saw the whole
Pacific Ocean for the 2nd time in my life! The first time was in
San Francisco back in the 90s.
The Donan Bus driver was so polite like a robot
and dropped us off at the small Muroran bus terminal.
He bowed and zoomed off.
We walked less than 1 km and checked into a brand new hotel
that had a beautiful onsen inside for the guests.
There is a post office, right opposite the hotel and my wife
took all her postcards inside to write them. She was still writing
inside until 5 pm of their closing time. She was the one who
insisted that I should never be lazy and send postcards to
all my blogger friends while she posted to all our mutual
friends.
We walked to the nearby supermarket to look-see!
Goodness! Look at how cheap the Fresh Hokkaido Milk!
One liter for less than RM5.00!!
Waaaaah Mabuk! 6 big cans of Sapporo Beer
for less than RM40.00!
Japanese brand alcohols are often sold in Giant Mineral Water Bottles.
Many drink sake like plain water.
That night snow fell from the skies! My wife was so excited
and danced happily like a child on the street.
We enjoyed the hotel's buffet breakfasts that served plenty of
Japanese food with some Western dishes. That saved our money for
lunch as we ate till our stomach bursts.
It was a very cold morning at -3 degrees C and we walked out
to catch a single coach train to Bokoi town.
Bokoi is a tranquil and typical countryside town in Hokkaido.
Oh My God! My nightmare began as I had to walk up the steep hill
for 3 kilometers on the roads filled with snow and ice.
Finally, we arrived at this cape that overlooked the cliff and Pacific Ocean.
Haute Couture By Twilight Man. Ahem!
This is the famous light house at Cape Chikyu.
I stood and admired at this light house covered in snow for a long time.
It is very lonely and stands alone by the sea to give
out precious light to all the passing ships.
It never complains about the cold winter.
Ding Dong Bell.
We pulled our Wedding Bells again happily for
many years of happiness & good health.
We walked over 20,000 steps that day in the bloody cold winter
just to admire the cliffs, capes and ocean views! This small town
does not have buses to this part of hilly areas.
Which way? In Hokkaido areas, they don't display much
signboards with English words. Not even inside restaurant's
menus. Sigh!
Pacific Ocean @ Muroran's Bokoi hills.
Panoramic landscapes by the ocean.
We posted this lovely scenic postcard to Blogger Lina before
going to see the actual place.
Oh Well.... We saw all white snow & frozen rivers instead
at the same spot as the pretty postcard.
at the same spot as the pretty postcard.
The end of my Hokkaido postings.
Next post will continue with Xi'an in China.
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