We left home to catch our night flight (Japan Airlines) after bidding a most sentimental 'goodbye' to the girls. Urged them to please look out for one another and be nice to Selina :) ...
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A Dream Came True
I finally made it to Hokkaido! My husband (AKA Grimlock) and I were there for a week from 15 to 21st Oct 2007.
My fascination with Hokkaido stems from all the lovely images I've seen of the place from the TV programme, Japan Hour. My sister visited Hokkaido a few times, and her tales and photos fuelled the desire. Not forgeting all the enticing reviews and photos in the magazines and newspapers.
I first wanted to visit Hokkaido three years ago for my honeymoon. We paid our deposit for a group tour and were informed the very next day that the tour was cancelled.
In the midst of waiting for the 'right' timing (I'll spare you the details), visiting Hokkaido evolved into a dream.
This year, I "pushed" for this dream to become a reality (well, we hadn't taken a vacation for two years). Originally I'd have loved to catch the sunflowers bloom in August or lavender bloom in September but our work schedules didn't permit us to do so.
Hokkaido and I were almost "not meant to be". I wanted to explore going there on our own but the domestic flights were heavily booked and the estimated total costing looked intimidating too. So we started to look around for a group tour and even these were going like hot cakes with long waiting lists. I was very near to making one successful booking but someone else beat me to it. Can you believe it? Finally, we got through with CTC for a "7 Days Hokkaido New Adventure" package. Up to the eve of our departure, I asked myself if this was for real.
The vacation was superb. Hokkaido lived up to its reputation. The scenary was so beautiful. The weather was cold (my padded jacket and sweaters kept away in the cupboards finally saw the daylights). We had lots of Japanese food (my favourite 'comfort' food) - the seafood was ichiban! I absolutely enjoyed myself!!
The trip meant a lot to me, hence this journal. I want to encapsulate the memories and the experiences. I took close to 300 photos of the trip and a few video clips. The only editing done to the photos is cropping. It was tedious writing out the narrations and sorting out the photos and uploading them, and all the scanning. Still, I got down to doing it. The work is finally done. I can now relive the moments again.
北海道，我为你倾心！(Hokkaido, I've fallen for thee!)
My fascination with Hokkaido stems from all the lovely images I've seen of the place from the TV programme, Japan Hour. My sister visited Hokkaido a few times, and her tales and photos fuelled the desire. Not forgeting all the enticing reviews and photos in the magazines and newspapers.
I first wanted to visit Hokkaido three years ago for my honeymoon. We paid our deposit for a group tour and were informed the very next day that the tour was cancelled.
In the midst of waiting for the 'right' timing (I'll spare you the details), visiting Hokkaido evolved into a dream.
This year, I "pushed" for this dream to become a reality (well, we hadn't taken a vacation for two years). Originally I'd have loved to catch the sunflowers bloom in August or lavender bloom in September but our work schedules didn't permit us to do so.
Hokkaido and I were almost "not meant to be". I wanted to explore going there on our own but the domestic flights were heavily booked and the estimated total costing looked intimidating too. So we started to look around for a group tour and even these were going like hot cakes with long waiting lists. I was very near to making one successful booking but someone else beat me to it. Can you believe it? Finally, we got through with CTC for a "7 Days Hokkaido New Adventure" package. Up to the eve of our departure, I asked myself if this was for real.
The vacation was superb. Hokkaido lived up to its reputation. The scenary was so beautiful. The weather was cold (my padded jacket and sweaters kept away in the cupboards finally saw the daylights). We had lots of Japanese food (my favourite 'comfort' food) - the seafood was ichiban! I absolutely enjoyed myself!!
The trip meant a lot to me, hence this journal. I want to encapsulate the memories and the experiences. I took close to 300 photos of the trip and a few video clips. The only editing done to the photos is cropping. It was tedious writing out the narrations and sorting out the photos and uploading them, and all the scanning. Still, I got down to doing it. The work is finally done. I can now relive the moments again.
北海道，我为你倾心！(Hokkaido, I've fallen for thee!)
Home Alone
The more challenging part of going away was arranging for someone to take care of the girls. This was our first time entrusting them to someone else and the thought of it did get scary at some point in time.
We ruled out the boarding option way back; heard more horror tales than positive accounts. We've no family member, friend nor neighbour who could help. That left us with engaging a cat sitter, which meant leaving the house keys to a stranger. Some inhibitions initially but well, we wanted minimal adjustments for the girls.
ST recommended his contact who cat-sit for him on several occasions. I came across this website some time back: www.geocities.com/kittycarecatsitting. After 'cracking' our heads, we decided to engage one of KittyCare's cat sitters, Selina.
Most of Selina's daily sms updates reported of the trio going into hiding when she was in the house. Mikki emerged from hiding and allowed some chin scratches in the last 2-3 days. She was right behind the door when we touched home. Skoda and Braun were on high alert and took a while to "grant us clearance" (process our scents).
I used to drag my feet back home after a vacation but this time round, I actually was looking forward to coming home :) It was so good to see them again!
We ruled out the boarding option way back; heard more horror tales than positive accounts. We've no family member, friend nor neighbour who could help. That left us with engaging a cat sitter, which meant leaving the house keys to a stranger. Some inhibitions initially but well, we wanted minimal adjustments for the girls.
ST recommended his contact who cat-sit for him on several occasions. I came across this website some time back: www.geocities.com/kittycarecatsitting. After 'cracking' our heads, we decided to engage one of KittyCare's cat sitters, Selina.
Most of Selina's daily sms updates reported of the trio going into hiding when she was in the house. Mikki emerged from hiding and allowed some chin scratches in the last 2-3 days. She was right behind the door when we touched home. Skoda and Braun were on high alert and took a while to "grant us clearance" (process our scents).
I used to drag my feet back home after a vacation but this time round, I actually was looking forward to coming home :) It was so good to see them again!
About Me
Blog Archive
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2007
(8)
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October
(7)
- Day 7 (21 Oct): Narita - Singapore
- Day 6 (20 Oct): Sapporo (扎幌) - Chitose (千岁) - Hane...
- Day 5 (19 Oct) :Sounkyo (昙云峡) - Otaru (小樽) - Sappo...
- Day 4 (18 Oct): Noboribetsu (登别) - Furano (富良野) - ...
- Day 3 (17 Oct): Lake Toya (洞爷湖) - Sobetsu (壮瞥町) - ...
- Day 2 (16 Oct) - Haneda - Sapporo (扎幌) - Lake Toya...
- Land of the Rising Sun, Here We Come!
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October
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