Hokkaido – Hakodate to Rusutsu- (Day 4)

Today we will depart from the south western tip of Hokkaido and travel back up to the central area (back towards the direction of Chitose).

The journey would be long and arduous as we would have visited most of the places on the itinery when we drove down south. So feeling adventurous and willing to take a few detours here and there, we asked our group mates for new places to have our lunch and visit.

We totally skipped the Kelp (Konbu) Museum and proceeded straight to Onuma Quasi National Park. (another site) This is a park that is centered around lake Onuma and is actually a marsh land and yes … Onuma Prince hotel (the hotel we stayed in night 2) is located at the other side of the lake… so that actually gives you an idea how big this lake or marsh land is.  Unfortunately on that morning, there was some Marathon event and the recommended car park in our itinerary was not accessible.  in the end we paid 500 yen for the parking after going round the vicinity.

I would have expected much more from the national park … but I guess that morning , the sky is extremely cloudy and it makes the lake very gloomy.  The cold winds did not help either.

The interesting thing about this part of the lake is that it is connected by lots of small islands linked by bridges, forming a pretty picture. But like I said, on that day .. it reminded me more of a marsh land instead.

We did not stay there for long and drove off for lunch at a crab market (kani ichiban) hopefully to lift our spirits there.  This place was recommended by one of our team mates.. they were very helpful.  They gave us the map codes even recommended one of the restaurants there.  Luckily the place was not that far out of the way and we located the area easily.  The whole place was beautifully decorated by rows of colorful tulips as well but the flowers are not in full bloom yet.  The car park was huge and I guess this must be a tourist hot spot and the car park was to cater to bus loads of tourist hungry for crab meat.

Anyway lunch there was good! The unagi (eel) bento was delicious and not to mention the salmon roe! wonderful! I have not tasted such fresh salmon roe in Singapore … ha ha …

While we were enjoying our lunch, we received an SMS from yet another team mate informing us that a certain park’s cherry trees are in full bloom. We got the map codes, pin point the location on our GPS and we were on our way after lunch…  I felt so blessed to have such kind and adventurous team mates during this trip. I guess this is also what makes the trip very different from others and why I enjoyed it so much.

The park is called Sobetsu park (photos of cherry trees in bloom) and the trees are all cherry trees.  I am not sure what variety of cherry trees these are … but definitely differnt from the kind I saw earlier.

After the park, we made our way to a broken town called Nishiyama town (sorry guys cannot find any webby on this town only some pictures).  What is interesting is about this town is that the town was devastated by earthquake and  volcano eruptions some time around March 2000.   The entire devastated town was then preserved as a tourist spot letting people witness the raw power of the quake then.  We can even see thick smoke of sulphur escaping from the fissures by the side of the road.  All in all, the site is not pretty but educational.  It is not pretty because I keep thinking how many people had died here during that very eruption and earth quake… mobid yes… but I cannot help it.

After the depressing scene you would have tot we had lost all our appetite… but wrong you are.  Nothing comes between me and my ice cream.  Especially ice cream from Lake Hill Farm. (sorry guys .. no English version).  It is a small stall by the side of the road selling many variety of yogurt and Ice cream.   to be able to survive in such a ulu place selling only yogurt and ice cream their ice cream and yogurt must be very nice indeed and after tasting them … I know why .. for it is totally yummy !! The scenery is great too, with a mountain as a back drop. ( I sort of suspect that mountain is Mount Showa… but never got the chance to confirm).

After a wonderful feast of (cheese and milk flavored) ice cream and (banana) yogurt, we drove towards the mountain, towards our resort for the night Rusutsu N & S hotel.  This resort is extremely huge. with a north wing, south wing and a tower all located at different places.  This is also the only resort that I forfeited the chance for a hot bath as the facility is located too far away from my room.  This resort is a ski resort and functions as an amusement park and a golf club all rolled into one.  Very impressive indeed with an indoor merry go round and an indoor music fountain!

We are also spoilt for choice when it comes to dinner.  In the end we decide to go for the French fine dining again .. 🙂  and the standard is just as good, if not better.

The rest of my photos for Day 4.