We drove from Noboribetsu to Hakodate. The plan was to stop for strawberry and apple picking on the way. But when we reached the farm area, we saw that all the apple trees and strawberry fields were empty, and found out from one of the farmers that we were 1 month late! All the fruits have been harvested already. We could only buy apples and apple juice.
So we drove on to Hakodate, about 200 km away. When we left Noboribetsu, we were on snow-covered roads but the weather was still pretty good.
We even got excited when it started to snow while we were at a pee-stop.
Then as we drove further, it began to snow heavily. Quite a nerve-wrecking experience driving in the snow.
Because of the weather, we couldn't go to the Onuma Park where we were supposed to be able to do ice-fishing and ride snowmobiles on the frozen lake. We did managed to get a really good meal at Kurobeko Yakiniku.
We were relieved when we finally arrive at our hotel - Dormy Inn Express Hakodate Goryukaku. It was a simple business hotel conveniently located. More importantly, it had a laundry room, and served free ramen for supper!
After we settled down and rested for a bit, we headed out for dinner at a highly-rated seafood restaurant - Hakodata Seafood Kaikobo.
When we stepped in, the restaurant manager actually told us that the restaurant was full. Apparently it's a really popular restaurant and requires booking way in advance. But we gave a pathetic look, and I think the fact that we spoke English (and not Mandarin maybe) and had a brood of children, they actually made room for us and gave us 2 private rooms. The food was good, but pricey.
The plan for the next day was to go to Hakodate Fish Market. But just after we parked, it started to rain, and we decided that's not good weather for walking around in the fish market. So we decided to go to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.
It wasn't a fantastic shopping mall. But there was a Lego play area, which the kids enjoyed tremendously.
And they also sold postcards and stamps, and had an old school mailbox. So I got Nadine to write a card to send home. She decided to write to Tita. She was so excited when the mail arrived!
The rain finally subsided, and we quickly made our way to the fish market.
We didn't walk too much because of the cold and drizzle. Went into a restaurant for lunch, and then had to do a part 2 of going to McDonald's again, for the kids.
Because of the rain, we couldn't go up to Mount Hakodate too. The cable cars were suspended and there was no way to go up. Night view up there was supposed to be fantastic. Ah well ....
So we headed back to the hotel. But instead of resting in, our family decided to go for a tram ride. We took all the way to Hakodate Station, bought some snacks, and went back to the hotel.
By the time we got back to the hotel, it was snowing again. Aunty Wendy and I decided to be adventurous and headed out into the snow, to go to the convenience store nearby. It was quite fun actually to be in that heavy snow. Not something we can ever experience back home!
Everything was covered in white within 15 min.
Snow-covered roads, rooftops and cars the next day.
We then saw in the news that this was another snowstorm, and the airport in Sapporo was once again grounded. Thank God we got out of Sapporo before another snowstorm!
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