Hokkaido Day3: Freezing Day and Snowmobile Ride

Daddy woke up early to have another go at the onsen which he enjoyed to much the day before. While the rest of us enjoyed our sleep in a little longer. 

We packed then headed to the restaurant to enjoy our buffet breakfast. Somehow Mei-mei kept complaining that she felt itchy and when I checked she had bite marks. I think it was the lavender pillow which we slept on. It may have had bugs. Either that or she was allergic to it. Luckily I had a small container of Tiger Balm (thanks to a friend who recommended that I brought it along). It was a life saver and she stopped scratching after I applied it for her.  

It's another snowy day. And we were all drowsy on the way from the hotel to the Hokkaido Shrine. The bus had to stop a distance away and we trekked our way to the shrine. Here are the both of you playing with a large snowball:

And here we are at the shrine:

Then we trekked back to the bus. We got a little lost on the way and finally made it back to where the bus was waiting for us. Another journey in the bus and it was lunchtime. What a feast!

Salmon

Abalone

Snow crab

As usual, Mei-mei got her special meal served in her special bowl:

Such a cute bowl

All smiles!

Goofing around with Chim Poh in the snow

Look at this bicycle stuck in the snow!

We headed to the next stop which was a snowmobile ride. No pictures of us in our cool gear as we left all our stuff on the bus so that they don't get lost while we are riding around. Daddy rode with Mei-mei as I was afraid that with my slow reaction, I may not be able to catch her if anything happens. So Ko-ko was stuck with me and he was grumbling that I was driving it too slow. Too bad he was underaged to be allowed to ride on his own snowmobile. 

Dinner that night was delicious. We had ordered the Wagyu AAA and AA the day before and that was what was served to us. 

And then we were brought to the hotel which we would stay at for a couple of nights. 

And of course as usual, we visited the nearest convenience store for beer, fresh cold Hokkaido milk and of course cup noodles.

We'd visit Ah Kong's room for drinks and chat and to have supper. Can you imagine that the milk would keep cold just by keeping it by the window?

Then it was time to call it a night after a long, long day.

Hokkaido Day2: Evening in Noboribetsu Onsen

Our day ended with a quick stroll at Jogikudani also known as Hell Valley. Then we hopped back on the bus and headed to the onsen hotel which we would be spending the night in.

Before arriving, our tour guide gave us advice on what we can and cannot do in the onsen. 

And this is our room. There is no bed! Ahaha.. just a table and seats (on the floor). 

As we had a little traveler, we were even given kiddy toothbrush set. 

The Shochu and Whisky which daddy had bought at the ski resort:

We had dinner in the hotel. It was buffet and while it was crowded, the selection was amazing. No time for photos *burp*

We headed back to the room and then got ready to go to the onsen:

The boys went to the men's onsen while us ladies (and girl) headed to the ladies onsen. It was hot and mei-mei refused to get into the warmer onsena, even though there was one salted one which was supposed to be good for her eczema.  

Ended the night with drinks and we all went to bed. 

Hokkaido Day2: Lake Toya, Bear Ranch, Mt. Uzuzan

The bus brought us to Lake Toya, a volcanic lake, we all hopped off to have a look at the view and take pictures. It was sooooo cold, we quickly had our pictures taken and hopped back into the bus 

A short ride later, we arrived at the bear ranch. There was a souvenir shop which we walked around for a while, then headed to look at the bears. We bought apples and snacks for them. The bears were really cute, the moment they see you with food, the will stand on the hind legs ans wave at you to throw at them. You both had a wonderful time throwing food at them. Mei-mei was lousier with her aim. Daddy managed to throw right into their mouths several times.

Daddy bought some ice-cream for the both of you (he shared with Mei-mei) while waiting for the rest of the group to finish with their shopping:

And here is Mei-mei chasing daddy everywhere for ice-cream, despite her already trembling from the cold. The people who saw her were laughing at her antics:

We were given lunch before heading up the ropeway. Here is Mei-mei's feast (Wow!!):

We were all given this wonderful spread:

And this was the view of Mt. Usuzan from the ropeway:

It was so cold up there that daddy's camera could not work. It froze. Poor daddy he was so sad that he could not take pictures.

There was a pathway to walk further up the mountain. But it was too cold that daddy had to turn back with Mei-mei while we continued on. Here's a wefie we took:

After that we hopped onto the bus to head to Noboribetsu.

Hokkaido Day2: Morning in Rusutsu Resort

We woke up and dressed up as we wanted to have breakfast and head out to play in the snow again. Here you are posing with an antique car:

And then.. everyone had fun in the snow:

Attacking Chim Poh

Having fun

Attacking daddy

Having fun with daddy:

We headed to the outside of the resort to enjoy the view. Here is the mountain.. so lovely:

On our way back, you requested for a picture with the "talking tree"

Then we checked out and hopped on the bus to head to our next stop.

Hokkaido Day1: Rusutsu Resort

It was such an early morning. And a good thing we opted to stay in Sama-Sama Hotel. We all woke up, showered and headed to the airport via the free buggy-shuttle. The tour was very well arranged and we met with our tour leader who had everythng ready for us all. Checked in and went to the departure hall where we headed to the Plaza Premium Lounge to have breakfast. 

Soon it was time to get ready to get into the plane. We all got to sit together in a row. Mei-mei had special food for child and it was even specifically listed as "No Peanuts". Look at this:

But you were not feeling well during the flight, complaining about your jeans being tight (I think you had a bloated tummy). And just as we were about to land.. you decided to vomit! Yup... sigh. The stewardesses who were already seated and belted and to get up and give us lots of wet towels, tissue paper and bag to throw the yucky stuff into.

Once we landed we headed to clear immigration and while daddy waited for the bags, we headed to the restroom to change. Luckily I had packed extra as the tour leader had informed and reminded us to pack spare clothes as the earlier flights had to be stranded in the airport due to heavy snowfall.

Finally we got into the bus for a rather long ride to the Rusutsu Resort. It was a massive resort and the tour guide showed us the many restaurants which we could dine in. We decided to have dinner in the  Restaurant Oktober Fest. Here's the only picture I took of the food we ate:

Oh and of course the Sapporo beer:

Dinner was a bit hurried as we had arrived late and the restaurant closed at 9pm!! (Last serving)

We headed back to our rooms to suit up  and keep our bags after dinner so that you both can enjoy the snow.. 

Mei-mei all smiles as she plays with snow for the first time

Well, Ko-ko also seemed as delighted as Mei-mei

Christmas Dinner

Dinner was planned to start at 3pm. But in the end we started at around 6 pm. First on the menu is crostini.. cheese and tomatoes on baguette. We also had a ham platter. All these served with white wine:

Earlier, daddy had already cooked the pasta sauce. It was for Spaghetti Marinara. After we had eaten the appetizers, we continued with the main course with red wine:

Here you are wolfing down the big pate of pasta:

And here is Mei-mei enjoying her "tomato sauce"pasta. She said that it was the best pasta:

To finish the leisurely Christmas dinner, we had a cheese and dried fruit platter:

And the finale for the night was opening presents for you kids. As we had to leave early the next day, you guys got to open your presents on Christmas eve.

Movie Time

We took a day off earlier than the shut down to spend some time with you kids as we had not taken a day off the whole school holidays. Movies and a little Christmas dinner shopping was planned. Since the movie to watch was "Rogue One: A Star Wars Movie" which would not have suited you, I booked tickets for "Sing" for you and me while Ko-ko watched with daddy.

Brunch was a yummy quick lunch in Mandarin Cafe followed by a quick drop by Citibank and then we headed to Gurney Plaza. 

Here are some pictures of you all posing with the props before movie time:

You said I did not take a picture of you with the WHOLE prop.. so have to take another picture:

Tried to take a picture for the both of you while daddy queued to buy water, but could only take of Ko-ko as you were too short.

Had to wait for daddy to carry you so that I can take a picture with the both of you:

As usual halfway through the movie, you complained and said that you wanted to go home. But after some persuasion, you stayed and loved the ending. You were dancing to the songs being sung in the finale.

Before going home, we quickly stopped by Cold Storage to pick up some stuff which daddy needed to cook our Christmas eve dinner.

Cycling Fun

Safe and Sound

Ask you to hold on to the bread, and thjs is what it get!!!