Sapporo Day One

It is 7am and I am on a bus headed for the airport while reading a special report on the plane that landed in the Hudson River in New York. It is not helping my pre-flight nerves! Dawn, Jon and Sam are with me and Sam isn’t happy about getting on the plane either.

We met Carrie and David at the airport and after checking in my ridiculously big bag, passing security and taking my anti-panic pills, I was feeling much better. Sapporo here I come……again!

I could never forget my Sapporo holiday with Micchan and Anthony two years ago. It was one of my best in Japan. Now here I was, same city, same snow festival, even the same hotel; but I knew it would be a totally different holiday.

I could type for hours if I went into all the details so here is the short version:

* I was a little concerned by the lack of snow when we got to the city
(How can you have a snow festival with no snow?)

* We found one of the restaurants that Terry had recommended in the first afternoon. Curry soup at the Suage restaurant was our first (and best) meal.

* After our late lunch/early dinner Sammy was tired so Jon took him home.

* As today was supposed to be the only clear day, I begged and pleaded with the rest of the gang to go to the Mt. Moiwa night view.

*After much complaining, a long tram ride, a short walk along some very icy roads, a ropeway ride and a snow plough ride to the top; we were there! Last time I came there was a snow storm and by the time Micchan, Anthony and I were at the top, we couldn’t see anything.

* Thankfully this year it was clear and we got to see the entire city.

* By 9pm we were down the mountain again, partially frozen and very sleepy.

* We stopped in at a convenience store near the hotel for supper and a warm drink then settled in for an early night.