Jaded about jade

I started my project studying jades with much enthusiasm. Was trying to explore the iron content of jades of different hue; heat treat them to high temperatures up to 1100 degree celsius, then see what happens ...

But now, having a horrible writer's block. Simply can't get much analysis out for my first draft. Seas of data, tonnes of graphs ...

Tired and Jaded

Matcha Balls!

A green tea cafe at CityLink. Matcha Ice balls with warm milk.

Melting ... Melting ... Melting ...

Melted.
Result: A superb matcha latte!

Hokkaido 北海道

Hakodate 函館

Took a domestic flight to Hakodate. Took this. Hmm ... I don't know Pokemon has its own airline.

After a 2 flights and a shuttle bus, finally reached our hotel. I'm glad I haven't return my chinese language to school. Japanese kanji characters are rather similar to the traditional chinese. So I am able to guess the meaning and navigate my way around.


Sadly didn't managed to catch the famous night scenes from Hakodate Hill- it was foggy. The scene is supposed to be the 3rd best night scene in the world. ( The first being Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, not sure about the 2nd though) Below picture is a consolation taken from my hotel room.Then went to the onsen. I can see the same scene from the onsen. Cool!

Went to this famous landmark at Hakodate.
In the hotspring region, there are mini hotsprings by the road side to ease sore feet after a long walk.
Morning fish market. Amazed by the vast variety of seafood.
Some morning market scene.

Lake Toya 洞爺湖

Hokkaido is more of a place to relax and de-stress rather than having fun. Lake Toya is also another hotspring region. Nice, peaceful and serene.





Another footsoak hotspring in the park
The park is meticulously taken care of.
Spring and Summer is the time when beautiful flowers bloom. Caught some flowers. I hope I identified correctly. This is believe is

iris.

tulip

I'm not sure what's this is English, but I believe the chinese call this 牡丹。

daisy

Fireworks by the lake at night.

Sapporro & Odori Park , 札幌 輿 大通公園

Sapporo 札幌
After the trips to hotspring region, arrived at Sapporo, the 5th largest city in Japan, the capital of Hokkaido.


Stay near 狸小路，Tanukikouji. Lots of cheap shopping and meals are just a stone's throw away.



Walking distance to Odori Park 大通公園.

People cycling to work.

Nice sumptuous dinner.


We were lucky that there was some sort of festival at Odori Park during our stay. Went there after dinner.

Farm Tomita at Furano 富良野, 富田農場

On a train ride to Farm Tomita. There is this special Lavender Train for the flowering season.

The train ride


On the way there.


At Farm Tomita.富田農場
It is actually a lavender farm, but the lavender has yet to bloom. I think it should be somewhere in July. Anyway, the flowers are beautiful enough for me.


Wonderful place to sit down to take a break, have an ice-cream and enjoy the scenery. I recommend the melon flavour. However, it lavender seems very popular. I find the flavour rather mild, but it is actually very nice as well.

Polishing of lavender soap.


Rice field at Hokkaido, Furano.

Otaru 小樽

Otaru is a town with quite a bit of European influence. Some parts of the Japanese movie 'Love Letters' were filmed there. I haven't seen the film, but apparently it won multiple awards.

A few things the town is famous for: glassware ...


And the musical box.



As usual, me being a bit naughty and itchy hands ...






I would like to add another to do item - eating the pasteries.

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Link to Central Japan trip in 2007.
Season: Late autumn
http://ykwee.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html
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