Day 3 Aomori & Day 4 Sapporo

Coast line on our way to Aomori

Neat sky on our way to Aomori

 

We had booked an excursion to go “trekking” in the Shirakama mountains. An hour and a half drive to the starting point (after a quick visit to the heritage centre). We were introduced to our Japanese speaking guide and interpreter.

Our group of 29 was split into two groups. Thankfully, the complaining man (the one I mentally was call a “plick”...Japanese pronounciation used) was in the other group. The hike was likely 60-90 minutes, with lots of stopping and (interpreted) talking. I felt badly for our interpreter. It was her first day on the job & our guide was giving her very difficult concepts to translate! There was lots of up and down, but nothing like the walk from Hell. It was nice that we were the only tourists around. This too, was another UNESCO world heritage site. It has managed to escape man’s expansion and intrusion. So still has beech trees native to Japan, but no longer found elsewhere.

We were provided a box lunch. Nothing too frightening...but still Japanese. A couple of rice balls, japanese scrambled egg, shrimp in the shell (cooked), mackeral (cooked), chicken (definitely cooked). And other stuff. 

Then back in the bus & back to the ship. 

We planned our nightime activities very carefully. We wanted to see the evening’s entertainment: The Beatles. Dinner at 7:30. Show at 9:45. It was such fun. A live cover band had us all singing along for most of the 45 minute show. Then bed & unconsciousness. 

Next day...Sapporo! 

We had our day planned. No excursions. We’d take the shuttle bus to the city centre, find a place to have lunch and drink a Sapporo beer.  Only...we weren’t docked at Sapporo, but almost a 2 hour train ride away. We were over the hills on another coast, in the town of Muroan. The 20 minute shuttle bus ride took us to another town, Nakajima, which was NOT the Nakajima which is part of Sapporo. An incredible let down. We walked to the shrine. Had a look at the non existing park. Walked some more, looking for somewhere to (eventually) have lunch. Gave up & went back the ship. 

On the plus side, we went the pub aboard the ship & split fish & chips and Chicken Masala. While we weren’t able to have a Sapporo beer, we had dry Asahi beer instead. 

We are finishing up our day NOT at Sapporo, on our balcony...in the sun. Napping & reading. Perhaps...perhaps...making up for the disappointing day.

Tonight, we push off to begin our 7 days at sea. We get two May 12’s (Mother’s Day). We also start going back in time. Ugh. Travelling west to east is WAY better: Gaining an extra hour of sleep every day. Oh well.

Wonder how cold it will be? Wonder if we will see the northern lights? Wonder if our first port of call will be Kodiak or just somewhere in the region of Kodiak?

We’ll see. Now some sea days to enjoy!