Winter Escapade ~a trip to Japan in Winter~

1.KK was up to his gimmicks again, then again you get to see the main entrance of Haneda Airport.

2. After a 2 hour flight northwards. the gang reached Chitose Airport in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The pilot mentioned about the temperature falling to zero and snow was falling. And when we were there, little snowflakes started falling.

3.After checking into Sapporo International Youth Hostel, the gang took a while to recuperate before starting to head off to meet the Shikihanas. Around 5pm, the short winter day comes to an end, and the snow starts coming in.

4. Corin and KK had so much fun with their first taste of a snowdrop coming from the tropical island of Singapore.

5.That night, the gang met up with a host family who actively participated in previous culture exchange programmes. Like most Japanese hosts, their warmth and hospitality was heart-felt despite the language barrier, luckily Miyano-san (and at times Vincent) helped clarify any doubts.

6.The place they had dinner was an economical pub which was laden with authentic Sapporo cuisine such as the famous claypot salmon soup and not to forget gallons of tasty Sapporo biru (beer)!

7. That night they went to the famous Odori Park where the annual winter illumination was held. There was a TV tower which showed the temperature of the place as seen in the picture, a cool 6ºC. Too bad it was already 10pm and the lights were off.

Fortunately there would be more pictures on an illuminated Odori Park on the later days, we shall proceed to day 2 for now....