A Longer Trip to Hokkaido

[drron]

So I left quickly and so had time for another Flower garden. Fortunately it was straight down the road that the park was on. You can see the park and lavender from there.


So this was the place.




Again this was obviously a very big tourist venture with a huge carpark and separate bus parking area. However it obviously wasn't at peak so the bus parking area was closed and no admission fee. The locals obviously knew that it wouldn't be crowded so the were 4 brides with their partners having photos taken.






The pathways were covered with crushed shells which added to the picture.

 

[drron]

And for those thinking their drones could get great pictures this sign was nearly universal.

 

[drron]

Back at the hotel for a little rest before taking mrsdrron for a walk t hrough the Ningle village. It is part of the hotel property. Fascinating craft shops.












We went for a coffee.

 

[drron]

After that it was time for dinner. Drove around Furano and gave up after restaurants we might have liked were closed or full. So we went to the Co-op supermarket and bought some sushi and wine. I already had 2 beers waiting back in our room.

 

[drron]

When we got back to the hotel a Chinese tour group had arrived by bus. The checkin line was horrendous.


The ones who had already checked in before the group arrived were lined up trying to get dinner reservations. A few would obviously out of luck as I heard one couple being told there was only the dinner buffet available at 9pm.
The clouds had also descended.




The next morning we awoke to a glorious day. Of course we were leaving Furano and driving to Kushiro.






I had been using google maps to find the best route. After aa while I noticed route 38 ran all the way from Furano to Kushiro. Although it would take a little longer I didn't have to worry about navigation. It was a lovely drive through a few little towns that were decidedly down at heel. A couple of ski resort and lovely rivers.
We made a stop in Obihiro approximately half way. We went to a 7-11 and bought a couple of drinks and snacks. I had a curry bread which was nice.


The last part of the drive was along the coast. There were a couple of mrked scenic spots and I was looking forward to this bit. But this is what we found.




Apparently this south eastern coast in July/August has 20+ days of fog.

 

[drron]

Then we got to our hotel and the view was the same. Fog.








Our room.








Late afternoon and the fog began to lift.

 

[drron]

We decided to go for a walk. Close to the hotel was MOO. A building with shops, seafood vendors and restaurants. Some nice stuff in the shops.


But the restaurants were nearly all closed so we went for a short walk up river.






But walking back along the river side of MOO there was a tent structure. turned out to be a Robata restaurant - mainly seafood grilled over an open fire. Had a look in and looked ago so we asked for a table.


You first have to buy tickets and then use them with several different vendors when selecting what yo want. I had to keep going back to buy more ticket. Now for our food.








oysters were superb.

The oysters and scallops were superb. We had a skewer of 4 scallops, 1 very large scallop on the shell, 2 oysters, 2 bacon on asparagus sticks, a skewer of tomatoes, an onion, a large piece of salmon, 2 glasses of Chateau sav blanc and a Sapporo beer. All up it cost 4200 yen - $A42. Great value.

 

[drron]

It was extremely hot in the restaurant for some reason. Leaving it was sunset so we took a few pictures. Disaster struck for Mrsdrron - her phone died. Hoping it was just overheating i turned it on the next morning and was able to download all 3700 photos she had. It then died again and hasn't worked since. So my shots of the sunset and some of the fishing fleet.

 

[cosi]

View attachment 397607

Hard to image for 6 months of the year its all under snow and the outside temperature is -20C+

 

[trendwhore]

Not a fan of the Bear curry? Surely worth a punt.

Hokkaido has a lot of flowers haha

 

[drron]

Not a fan of the Bear curry? Surely worth a punt.

Hokkaido has a lot of flowers haha

No the old greenie in me doesn't think it is appropriate. Just like I have avoided the restaurants here who advertise whale meat.

But on with Kushiro. We took bit of a walk around the fishing port.








A lot of old type roses in Hokkaido.




And the view when we got back to our room.

 

[drron]

Breakfast the next morning. started once again with a very nice soup curry. then the rest of the buffet.




I met ravioli.














And my plate.

 

[drron]

Breakfast was in the top floor restaurant. nice views and a better day today.


We had planned to go tothe Crane sanctuary and Lake Akan. First we stoppe d at a Michi-no-eki and refueled plus had a lokk at the shop there. I nearly bought a bottle of gin there. If I see it near the end of our journey I think I will buy it.




Some interesting combinations.


Advertising her shaved kelp line.




Beautiful wood work.


Along with fresh food.

 

[drron]

Time to get back to the TR. The reason for the break will become obvious in the next week or two.
Our next stop was the Akan International Crane centre, In the early 50s the red crested crane was heading to extinction in Japan.Less than 200 in the wild. A farmer began feeding them corn over winter. They survived and more turned up in subsequent years. It is now part of the Foundation set up years ago.

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It is down a short street from the main road to Lake Akan. The first sight we weren't expecting.


Beautiful grounds though we didn't have time for a longer stroll..



And the Entrance.


A very pleasant and helpful woman on the desk. Lots of interesting photos.








Then it was out to the birds. There are a few in cages. The red crested crane in the first cage was not interested in posing but I got on very well with the white-naped crane in the next cage. They have a completely red face. I was imitating the noises the red crested crane was making and this one ran up to see me and then followed as I moved along.

 

[drron]

About 40 minutes later we had to go past the cages again to get inside. He was down the back of his enclosure but when he saw me ran up to the front. The bird whisperer hasn't lost his touch.
In a much larger cage was another red crested crane.


Then in a large open air enclosure yet another who was said to be injured. Obviously nothing to keep him if he could fly.

 

[drron]

Looking out over the property.


Then we got lucky. A wild red crested crane flew in.






But then it flew off again.
The building from outside.


So back inside for more exploration. A few stuffed birds of which the eagle looked majestic.


And a couple of exhibits of a crane nesting.




Back into the sunshine. These wild type roses were frequently seen around Hokkaido.

 

[drron]

Here was a memorial. I am not sure Google translate was accurate as it refers to the Crown Prince who is in the sky.




A butterfly.


But it engaged in a sexual act.


We were going to go to Lake Akan but that would have been very rushed so now we headed to the Kushiro Marsh Centre.

Kushiro Marsh Observatory｜What to See & Do｜HOKKAIDO LOVE! -Hokkaido Official Tourism Site

The observation and exhibition facility, whose building is designed in the motif of the "yachibozu" found in the marshlands, offers a panoramic view of the marshlands from the observation room on the third floor and the r…

www.visit-hokkaido.jp

Walking from the car park there was a mother deer with her fawn.







On the ground floor there was a craft exhibition. Some nice vases.

 

[drron]

We then went up to the observation level. you can see the sea and Kushiro.




The all round view.








And you can see the deer.


But there are always some stupid tourists. this family kept pestering the deer. The fawn was obviously distressed as it kept very close to mum. Eventually mum took some of the proffered grass from the kids so they got their pictures. We ran into the family downstairs and they were Chinese.

 

[drron]

Some interesting displays.






And the variation of the marsh area over time.






And this sign at the centre, Explains the comings and goings at the hotel. It was a working party on the Pacific Bluefin tuna.


But back to the deer.

 

[drron]

When we spent a little time watching the deer we saw that mum had a problem.




She has had a below knee amputation of her right hind leg. No wonder she likes the esy pickings at this Centre.