Gym removed Hulu. Boo boo.
I still have 4 more episodes to complete the Suites Season 4.
Today, TV is broken for a machine (the image was frozen)that was available; I finished reading a magazine before my one hour session ended.
WiFi is not available.
What shall do there?
In 2008, Japan hosted the G8 Summit Meeting at this hotel, the Windsor Hotel Toya.
This hotel is located on the mountain so it made easy to protect VVIPs.
The hotel is overlooking Toyako (Toya Lake) and can enjoy view of Yoteizan (Mt. Yotei).
My room is facing at ocean with nice view of sunset.
Tonight, it was French and I don’t need to explain how delicious it was…a picture speaks itself.
After dinner, discovering hotel…
On the way to the hot spring bath, we looked down fireworks because the hotel is on the top of mountain, 625 m above sea level.
The hotel extended to build a hot spring bath that is why a hallway is so long to reach there; but it’s worth dipping for a good night sleep.
The next morning, I woke up and surprised to see how white it is.
Even at hot spring bath…
And breakfast…
The hotel is famous for freshly baked breads so I decided to have American breakfast.
I love to have a glass of morning champagne♪
Oh no, it’s time to say Sayonara to the Windsor Hotel Toya.
Sayonaraaaaaaaa
I woke up and went for a morning dip.
I could see Yoteizan (Ezo Fuji: Hokkaido Mt. Fuji) in front of me while dipping in an open-air bath.
Sun just sat on the summit of Yoteizan like Diamond Head.
I felt energy rising in me as if I were charging from these great nature.
First, I stopped at Nikka Whisky Factory in Yoichi.
I used to watch a morning TV drama series “Massan” which was based on the life of the founder of Nikka Whiskey, Mr. Masataka Taketsuru.
This place was used to shoot the drama so it’s fun to walk around remembering stories.
These cute whiskey barrels are everywhere!
I wish we could stay here longer because we could try rare kind of Nikka Whiskey (I tried 20 years), and free whiskey: apple wine, Taketsuru Pure Malt and Super Nikka.
Seriously, I wanted to spend more time there to appreciate these drink.
Next, went to Otaru, famous as a canal city.
I visited Otaru few times, therefore I decided to visit Old Aoyama Family’s Guest House.
This family made wealth with herrings.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take photos of breath taking rooms and furniture.
These are real and good craftsmen works.
Imagine this is just an entrance…
After visiting Old Aoyama Guest House, I quickly returned to Otaru City Centre to eat a kaisendon (seafood bowl).
Before reaching hotel, quickly stopped by at Kyogoku Fukidashi Koen (Kyogoku Spring Source Park) to collect spring water.
I shall enjoy fresh spring water tonight.
I didn’t have a dessert at lunch so I enjoyed dairy farmer’s ice cream before heading to hotel.
Tonight’s hotel is the Windor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa!
I will post about this hotel later.
I arrived Tomakomai Port exactly at 11:00 hrs.
First, visited the Northern Horse Park.
I patted few ponies thinking of my late Grandpa.
Hokkaido is famous for breeding race horses.
My Gramdpa looked forward for weekends to watch horse races.
He was a social player because he enjoyed calculating odds, not much of a gambler.
Dairy farming is one of major industries in Hokkaido.
I enjoyed milk and haskap (blue-berried honeysuckle) ice-cream, pudding, hot milk and iced coffee at the Kitchen K’s Garden.
Shikotsuko (Shikotsu Lake) is a caldera lake.
Shikotsuko is surrounded by mountains: Eniwadake (Mt. Eniwadake, top), Fuppushidake (Mt. Fuppushidake, bottom right) and Tarumaesan (Mt. Tarumae, bottom left).
Unfortunately, the summit of Tarumaesan is covered with clouds.
According to a tour guide, the summit looks like a bucket being placed upside down and it’s an active volcano!
We drove by Yoteizan (Mt. Yotei), also known as Ezo Fuji (Hokkaido Mt. Fuji).
Yes, it has Mt. Fuji’s shape.
Then checked in at Hilton NisekoVillage.
This hotel is famous for skiing and golf.
I wish I were here for golf today…
Hotel expanded a shopping and restaurant area in the premise; walked around this area after a buffet dinner.
This hotel has a natural hot spring that flows directly from the origin; I enjoyed open-air bath.
I became thirsty after taking a bath.
It’s nice to drink a glass of Niseko Ezo Porter Beer (Hokkaido local beer) and Niseko Highland Mountain Grape Wine (local sweet wine). fufufu
I started my day going to gym today because I wanted to watch an episode of Suites. hahaha
I came back home to take a bath; I like to take a bath in the morning.
It’s very relaxing.
Then I went to beauty salon.
I look forward to going to beauty salon because I enjoy talking to my beautician.
We talk about everything and surprisingly we can share many stories, too because we bump each other often: on the street, at a station and a restaurant.
After chatting, I brewed Peet’s Coffee.
It’s nice and rich.
Peet’s Coffee originated in Berkeley, California.
And this Peet’s Coffee inspired founders of Starbucks to start coffee shops.
Yes, it’s that nice.
I bought few packs when I visited L.A. last time, July 2015, but I finished them.
Recently, I got supply from my American friend.
When can I get my next supply…?
It rained heavily in the morning; and a weather alert was announced from a speaker.
However, rain stopped when I finished my brunch (roti canai, peach, banana and pineapple & mango juice).
After my brunch, I went to my monthly magma spa @ Marunoichi Bricks Square.
The weather was okay then.
The weather is crazy in Tokyo nowadays.
Typhoon 7 is passing by Tokyo.
Hummmm, I might need to wear rain shoes tomorrow…?
This is a pair of waterproof shoes; isn’t this cute with a ribbon? hahaha
It’s Japanese summer holiday season: Obon Festival, internationally known as Lantern Festival.
It’s not Japanese national holidays because I think it’s more ritual, Buddhist ritual.
However, most of companies are closed this period and today was rather a quiet day in the office.
I think it’s a nice summer break, but oh well, I was at the office.
Now I have craving for tomato juice.
Do you know that tomatoes for tomato juice are specially developed to make tomato juice and these tomatoes are more rich in lycopene and other nurious elements than fresh tomatoes that we enjoy for salad?
It’s hot and I’m weak; I better drink more tomato juice!
I found Kagome Premium Tomato Juice (non additives) for 2016 limited edition.
I cannot tell what’s so special about this, but it made me feel healthy. hahaha
It’s time to renew my membership for gym.
I try to go to gym regularly on Monday to a nearest gym from my apartment.
I’ve been signing up for the premium status so that I can get one free magma spa (or commonly called a stone spa) session for 80 mins every month.
I was so surprised when I found out the last time I went for a magma spa was in last July.
It’s been a year since I went last time!!!
I felt ashamed because a staff gave me a towel for being a loyal customer…
I should include a monthly magma spa session as one of my routine!
I sweat, sweat and sweat and feel good.
I was just lying there, but I feel so tired and sleepy now… Why?
At home, I ate a huge plate of salad with sesame seed dressing.
I made a salad with vegetables, smoked salmon and steamed chicken.
This steamed chicken, called salad chicken, is innovated by convenience stores.
It’s very popular among Japanese now.
It’s healthy, low calories, delicious and cheap – it’s sold at any convinience stores.
I don’t need to cook; it’s ready to eat.
I bought alpensalz flavor this time and this product is available in many brands such as the Seven-Eleven and flavors such as herbs.
This product provides good protein, yet low calories, for people on diet.
I should consider replacing my meals with this. Hummm
I learned from my big mistake that I should keep my skin simple.
I thought of applying minimum makeup to keep my skin healthy.
It’s been hot in Japan and I will rinse off all my makeup with sweat by the time I arrive to the office.
Yesterday, I skipped one process: foundation.
I put makeup on eyes, eye brows and lips.
However, whenever I look into a mirror, I thought I look sleepy.
I felt unease.
Makeup is not just enhancing the look.
Simultaneously, I’m processing my thoughts, feeling and mode to start a day.
sonokotchi 