Hokkaido Day 6

It was raining on Day 6, which was unfortunate because we are going to Noboribetsu Marine Park. 

But it is ok, the rain is not going to dampen our spirits, we had lots of fun seeing the marine animals, especially the dolphins and the seals, and watching the penguin parade. 

If the temperature is too high, the ground will be hot and the penguin parade will be cancelled. So we are lucky that it rained. 

The castle is where the aquarium is housed at. So big!!

Yuanze is always very curious when it comes to nature and wildlife. He had lots of fun touching the marine animals in the touch pools. Whereas Yuanyi is more curious when it comes to food. 

After marine park, our next destination is Lake Toya, that is one hour drive away. 

We are staying in a very nice airbnb called Hana Toya, that is just right in front of Lake Toya. Pro tip: Hana Toya can be booked on booking.com as well, and do not ask me why, but the booking cost is cheaper on booking.com as compared to airbnb. 

During summer time, there is a fireworks display at lake toya at 845 pm. So I thought it will be super cool to see the fireworks from our airbnb, but lake toya is actually super biggggggg, the fireworks display was actually at the main visitor area, and our airbnb is 15 min drive away from the main visitor area. So the fireworks display is actually quite far from our airbnb, and what we can see is the size of a frisbee at most. Next time if I am going Lake Toya again during summer, I will book a hotel at the main visitor area. 

But first, let me share the photos of our amazing Hana Toya. The most expensive accommodation throughout the whole trip. 

Here it is! Hana Toya!

Hana Toya got 2 bedrooms. Each bedroom got ensuite toilet. This bedroom can sleep three people, or two adults and two kids. The sofa on the left can convert into a sofa bed. Xiaoyu and Yvan took this bedroom. 

The very well-equipped kitchen. Looks damn pro like masterchef kitchen. 

Got nespresso machine. 

Also got complimentary cup noodles. 

Bicycles for us to use. 

Super big tv with netflix and youtube. Yuanze and Yuanyi watch until very happy. 

Washing machine with dryer function. Washing liquid was provided for us too. 

Dining table

The other bedroom. Can sleep 4 adults. Two beds, and two tatami beds on the other side (the pic below). 

This two kids enjoying the time of their lives. 

The living room. 

Wide angle view, of the living room, dining table and the kitchen. 

Private onsen. How cool is that!

Darling cooking our dinner. 

Our dinner for the day! Udon with cabbage, mushrooms and crabsticks! All these bought at the convenience store that is 10 min walk from Hana Toya. I love japan's convenience stores. 

After dinner, the kids played around at the front porch. 

Playing ball with Yuanze while Yuanyi cycled. 

Really enjoyed staying at this airbnb. :)

Hokkaido Day 5

Started day 5 with breakfast at Toretatte, the restaurant (also owned by Akito and Yoko) beside our airbnb.

Breakfast was very homely, tasty and filling. I enjoyed it alot. 

After breakfast, we start to pack our things and check out. Today is a 4 hour drive from Ezura to our next destination, Noboribetsu, a very famous hot spring town. 

I divided the drive into 2 parts, where we will stop over at Sunagawa Highway Oasis for lunch, and then continue our drive to Noboribetsu, hoping that the two kids will food coma and KO inside the car. 

During the drive from Ezura to Sunagawa, I sensed something amiss but do not know what it is. Upon reaching Sunagawa, Xiaoyu showed me a photo and omg, I actually left my grey colour backpack at Ezura. So stupid of me. Haiz. First time it ever happened to me throughout my so many years of travelling. 

Thankfully Yoko arranged for the backpack to be sent to our hotel at sapporo. I told Xiaoyu to tell Yoko that I will pay for the delivery, but Yoko insisted no need. Awww so nice of her. 

Our hotel at Noboribetsu is Noboribetsu Manseikaku. I like this hotel is because is very kids' friendly. There is a kids' playing area, with a rock wall. And there is a snack corner at the playing area. 

And this is also Yuanze and Yuanyi's first time soaking in the onsen. Yuanze totally is in his own element at the onsen, feeling very comfortable and soaking very happily inside the outdoor onsen. Whereas Yuanyi finds the water too hot and only dare to put his legs inside the onsen. As for me, I really miss the japan onsen experience. So glad to experience it once again. 

Our dinner was at the hotel, buffet style. Magnificient food spread, quality of the food is pretty decent. And the restaurant have a kids' corner too! 

Not bad lah, got sashimi. Hahahahahaha. 

Hokkaido Day 4

At Hokkaido, the day already start to get bright at 3 am plus. 

And this morning, Yuan Ze woke up at 5 am plus. Omg I tell you. And he did not want to go back to sleep even after telling him it is still very early. -.-'''

A few minutes later he said he is very bored and I jio-ed him to follow me to the nearest convenience store to buy breakfast, but he refused. 

So never mind, I went there on my own. I love japan's convenience stores. They call it konbini. So well equipped, so many different things to buy, and you see the product display, omg, you definitely will not walk out of the konbini empty handed. I bought some sandwiches, fruit juice and fresh milk for breakfast, tidbits and sweets for the drive later. 

Our first destination for today is Asahimaya Zoo. 

We walked past this container gelato restaurant, and decided to check it out. It was a good decision because the gelato is very nice.

Father duty. Thank you Yvan for capturing this moment.

Our next destination is definitely the highlight of this whole trip. Ezura Farm. Xiaoyu did volunteer work at this farm for a month, and she recommended this place for the kids to experience, that they can never get to experience in Singapore. 

We signed up for the four hour farm tour. First we changed into overalls, and wore farm boots. There was a small episode when the farm owners' dog came out of the house and excitedly ran to Yuan Yi and licked him on the face and Yuan Yi was traumatised and cried immediately. Thank god that Yuan Yi was ok after that and participated in the farm our happily. 

The farm tour consists of farm education such as identifying crops (potatoes, corn), using dandelion stems to make trumpet sounds, harvesting the crops (basil leaves, asparagus), tractor ride, becoming farmers by planting sprouts, and running through wheat fields. The kids really enjoyed themselves. 

The airbnb at Ezura Farm. 

Setting up the tatami. 

The night ended with dinner, where Yuan Ze and Yuan Yi made their own pizza, using the fresh crops that they picked from the field. 

Thank you Akito and Yoko (the farm owners), for the warm hospitality!