Category: Flower

Posted in Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Place, Surprise, Travel

The Windsor Hotel Toya

Posted on by sonokotchi


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


Posted in Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Place, Travel

Hokkaido Trip (Tomakomai – Shikotsuko – Niseko)

Posted on by sonokotchi

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

Posted in Feelings, My Flower Arrangement

Tonight’s Flower Arrangement

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had a busy day and I needed flower to calm me down.

Tonight we use a photo frame and arrange flower as if it’s a part of painting.

I arrived class late and my mind was in the mess; it took me some time to decide flower and design.

I didn’t have time to check the size of photo frame, but I think I did pretty okay.

When I finished arranging it, I felt peaceful.

I don’t have an empty photo frame at home so I arranged it like this.

Posted in Feelings, Flower, Food, Shopping, Travel

Scandinavia

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had a big lunch at the Imperial Hotel. 

In Japan, we call buffet viking. 

Why? 

This Imperial Hotel imported the Scandinavian meal style, Smorgasbord to Japan, but it’s difficult to pronounce it. 

The hotel named it, Viking because the area was famous for Viking. 

I had a Japanese smorgasbord lunch at where it’s originated in Japan. 

I ate many plates of food till I wowed my office mates. 

I decided to have a light dinner. 


I found these made-in Sweden Smoothes. 
Yes, the products have been there at the shelf for long, but I didn’t pay attention nor it didn’t catch my eyes. 

Today, I enjoyed a blueberries smoothes. 

The packaging is simple, but it’s rich in flavor, very blueberries! 

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Place, Shopping, Travel

Sayonara Scandinavia 

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had few hours before heading to the airport.
I slept very well last night.

I took a big breakfast preparing for a walk to the City Centre.


Forum is a nice shopping mall.

I shopped at Moomin Shop and Vero Moda.

Of course, I stopped by at the Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki.

I bought a nice Hard Rock Cafe Finland cap.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to enjoy a cup of coffee at Hard Rock CAFE. Ahhhh


There are many types of trams running in the town as transportation, pub and sightseeing car…?


The park was decorated by Japanese artist Kusama Yayoi’s polka dots.

I heard that her exhibition will be held in Helsinki soon.


It’s a nice sunny day; people came to the park to enjoy sunshine.


Central Station


Okay, time to say Sayonara to Helsinki. Sob sob.


Now I know why FINNAIR serves blueberry juice – it’s Finland product.


I’m thirsty and hungry because I walked around the town and skipped lunch. 

At the airport, I was busy for last minutes shopping.

I didn’t have time to relax at the lounge. hahaha

Wow, Marimekko and iittala, two famous brands!


Dinner was served.


Amuse bouche: root vegetable pie with roasted swede mayonnaise.

Main dish (Combination of Japanese and Western main dish): miso soup, vendace roe jelly, simmered duck in red wine broth and Osso bucco, quinoa, and smoked tomato sauce.

Desserts: Finnish cheese, cup cakes, blueberry Finnish organic JYMY ice cream and coffee.


I took American breakfast (scrambled eggs, poultry sausage, broccoli, potato wedges, yogurt, fruit, croissant and orange juice) just before landing.

Sigh, it’s Japan all right.



Unfortunately, I’m home.


Thank you for traveling with me.