後記
One chat stand旅途中遇上不少人，大家好像有一個不成文的規定－－無論大家所分享的有多深，分別時總不會問對方的名字，更不會留下聯絡方法。大家既是萍水相逢，能分享生活的點滴已是難得，不必留下任何掛慮。
就如徐志摩的偶然：
我是天空裡的一片雲，偶爾投影在你的波心，你不必訝異，更無須歡喜，在轉瞬間消滅了蹤影。你我相逢在黑夜的海上，你有你的，我有我的，方向；你記得也好，最好你忘掉，在這交會時互放的光亮！生命的過客多的是，如果要花盡心思把他們都留下來的話，可沒那麼多時間及精力。
一個人身邊的朋友都會問，一個人寂寞嗎？能夠跟一個志同道合的人一起分享生活當然是好事，但如果只為了害怕寂寞而勉強自己跟另一個人一起走，倒不及自己一人來得輕鬆自在。
更何況，有些路總要一個人走。
Day 11-15: 24-28.7 (Mon-Fri) Tokyo
星期一早上到朝市早餐後步行到海邊看看。
星期一下午終於結束北海道 10 天旅程飛往東京。
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
老實說，不太喜歡東京。
有點後悔安排了 5 天時間（其實只有 4 天）留在東京。
有點後悔沒有做好資料搜集也沒有好好安排其他 side trips （心想第一次來東京， 4 天應該有很多可以看的）。
也有點後悔買了一本本地出版的旅遊書。它們所表現的都是一種消費文化，所介紹的大多是買的吃的。回到香港後才驚覺有很多地方 first-time travellers 應該去的（而我也有興趣的）我都沒有到過（例如皇居；我承認我的興趣有點「老人家」）。
1. 旅館在北海道我比較沉默，跟當地人只能用簡單的日文及英文溝通。來到東京後我說的話可多了，其中一個原因就是下榻的日式旅館招待的大都是外國背包客。每晚在 common room 總會遇到不同國籍的人（大都會說英語），大家可暢所欲言地談談旅遊、生活、自己。
還記得在東京最後一晚遇到三個從比利時來的青年，他們蠻有意思的，大家談得興高采烈，他們還建議到 karaoke 唱通宵呢。當然最後沒有答應。
貴美http://www.kimi-ryokan.jp/2. 兩個海港城、三個旺角、四個銅鑼灣這五天我所到的地方不外是六本木山 、原宿、澀谷、新宿、築地、銀座、台場、秋葉原... 都是這些吧，我也分不出哪天到過哪些地方。感覺每天都在逛兩個海港城、三個旺角、四個銅鑼灣。偶然闖入 Anges b 及 Burberry ，看見到都是香港人。
三鷹美術館、原宿 au building 及銀座的 sony building 是我最喜歡的地方。
3. 街頭兜搭每一天在街上總會遇到不少人上前「兜搭」--男的、女的、中年的、年青的、穿便服的、穿西裝的、穿制服的。他們手上沒有宣傳單張甚麼的，實在令人摸不著頭腦。
(表參道：感覺似三條豪華 Park Lane。)
(最喜歡的還是吃。)
(Sanrioland: for kids only)
(No chatting on phone on train or metro)
(超市買的食物）
（淺草）
（我就是乘這個宇宙船由淺草到台場）
（宇宙船內的一角）
（台場：那個自由神像當然是假的。）
（台場商場）
（台場小香港：有點陰森）
（日本人都喜歡摩天輪吧）
（晚上的澀谷：人多得令人喘不過氣）
（東京的網吧蠻有趣的）
（網吧內自助無料飲料）
（還有多不勝數的漫畫。待上一整晚也不會覺得悶。）
（築地的魚生飯）
（六本木）
（到三鷹美術館的貓巴士）
（天空之城的機械人啊）
（上野）
Day 10: 23.7 (Sun) Onuma National Park (大沼國立公園) + Goryokaku@Hakodate（五稜郭）
自從那次深夜在中大目擊那件事後，一直都想試試，可惜沒啥膽量。今次在大沼、小沼終於可以一嘗那種快感。
早上雖然欠缺陽光，但天氣清爽，不時飄來陣陣涼風，最適合郊遊。在朝市吃過早餐後就出發到在函館不遠處的大沼國立公園。雖然是星期天，但早上公園的人不多（我中午離開時才見到人潮）。一到步就立即租單車四處去，還遇上日前在洞爺湖的那個香港家庭呢。我跟他們寒暄了幾句後就隨風而去。
大沼、小沼其實沒啥特別（大埔的大美篤比它還美呢），但在微風中踏單車感覺真的一流。而且因為人少的關係，我還可以毫無顧慮地由高地直衝下去，感受前所未有的自由。當然那種快感不及由 NA 直衝 CC (由中大山頂衝下山腳，爽），但以我的心臟負荷程度，在大沼、小沼踏單車已令我興奮不已。
早上做完有氧運動，心情大好。下午返回函館，步行到五稜郭看看。晚上下著毛毛細雨，但我還是到了山頂試一試運氣，可惜依然是甚麼也看不見。
小插曲：那天晚上回到民宿後，我獨自一人到附近的自助洗衣店洗衣。那間洗衣店位置頗偏僻的，而且入夜後四周都靜得很，我心裡難免有點不安。怎料我在等乾衣其間，洗衣店門外突然有輪私家車停下，我隱約看見那個司機是男的，內心不禁害怕起來。萬一他是個變態殺手怎辦？我的心跳加速，一邊想對策一邊祈求衣服快點乾。幸好那個人一直沒有下車。我待衣服烘乾後即急步離開洗衣店，到了大街還回頭看看有否異樣呢。回想過來，那人可能是洗衣店店主，這個時間前來收錢吧。
（朝市的「朝市拉麵」早餐。看起來不錯，但帶子有點腥。）
（大沼國立公園）
（公園有個小型農場，可以跟山羊近距離接觸。牠們一看見我步近即時彈開。）
Day 9: 22.7 (Sat) Hakodate (函館)
The Japanese breakfast set was included in the hotel stay plan. I love that 'hot spring egg' (yes, I'm an egg lover!).
I left early for Hakodate. As a harbour city, Hakodate is famous for its fresh seafood, so the first thing I did when I reached Hakodate was to try its sashimi don (raw fish rice).
Tram is the major transportation in Hakodate but I didn't ride any in this trip. Actually, its main sightseeing spots are within walking distance, so with plenty of time I nosed around the town on foot.
Most of the architecture in Hakodate was in Western style as the town was served as a trade port with other foreign cities in the past.
Hakodate is also famous for its night view. However, as the weather was not good, I failed to see any night view up at Mt. Hakodate.
(The breakfast set offered by the hotel.)
(My tripmate and I :))
(I don't eat crabs. Yet, they are the specialty in Hakodate.)
(The 3-colour sashimi don at the Hakodate morning market)
(The drizzle didn't stop throughout the day. I was like having a 1000-degree shortsightedness at Mt. Hakodate and couldn't see anything further than 10m.)
I stayed at Sumitomo Inn（住友）in Hakodate. Clean, tidy and close to the JR station. The Taiwanese host is helpful.
http://www.sumitomo-inn.com/
Day 8: 21.7 (Fri) Lake Toya (洞爺湖)
經過了一日的情緒失控，無論精神或體力都透支（只怪自己任情，只吃了一個蜜瓜作晚餐，其實昨天我連午餐也沒有吃呢），早上起來時異常肚餓。幸好 Grand Hotel 的早餐自助餐 grand 得很。食物雖不是甚麼名貴的東西，但種類及新鮮程度比得上高級酒店的 dinner buffet。早餐過後我就出發到洞爺湖。我飽得連午餐都不下呢。
到達洞爺湖時差不多正午時份，天氣稍為晴朗，我的心情也好了點。我看著大海（其實是個湖，但沒關係吧），大海也看著我。在大家互相凝視的一刻，心裡有一點感動。大海彷彿明白我的悲哀，溫柔的告訴我：「不要再傷感。」
有研究報告指出，居住在海邊的人患抑鬱症的機會比較低，因為居民的飲食以海鮮為主，海鮮中的 Omega 3 有助舒緩人的情緒。但我相信還有另一個原因。海的闊、天的藍令人感受到最簡單、最原始的幸福。
這晚下榻的日式溫泉旅館規模比較小，但環境清幽，感覺很好，價錢還十分相宜呢。依我所見，住客都是日本人，所以職員遇上我這個不懂日文的初時有點手足無措，但亦能用簡單日語及漢字溝通。
山水和風旅館
Day 7: 20.7 (Thu) Tokachi (十勝) + Noboribetsu (登別)
Morning: Tour to Mt. Tokachi and peripheral areaI woke up in the very morning and joined the free tour organized by the host to Mt. Tokachi and the surrounding area. It was freezing but I didn't bring enough clothing, so I had to cling to my cardigan-the warmest garment that I had-throughout the trip.
After that, I got back to the hostel to have my breakfast and set off to Noboribetsu.
(Mr. Saito introduced different interesting spots with the help of his note :) Of course I didn't understand what he said but I enjoyed the fresh air and the scenery.)
(Mr. Saito and his son)
(My breakfast ^^ I love the egg.)
(I could finally snapped a shot of the resort.)
Afternoon: Noboribetsu
I took a train to Sapporo with a shogi master whom I met at Bibi and changed another train to Noboribetsu. On my way, I was actually happy with myself being able to manage my trip and myself so well, so far. However, my emotions took a U-turn when I arrived in Noboribetsu.
The town looked abondoned in drizzle. All the stores lining the Hot Spring Street were closed and there was barely anybody strolling around. An anonymous wave of despair grasped my heart but I couldn't quite place it, not at that moment. I couldn't stand being engulfed in such a gloomy atmosphere that I got back to the hotel right after a short trip to Jigokudani (地獄谷) and soaked myself in the hot springs.
However, I couldn't shake off the gloomy feeling. For an instance, I didn't know whether I was suffering from the City Withdrawal Syndrome or it's my dark, gloomy self clawing its way out. Without the protection of the city hustle and bustle, I came to face myself with naked honesty.
A person popped up in my mind (no, not my ex-boyfriend) and I started to get flashbacks loaded with his image. It was a bit funny coz I didn't have a lot of interaction with him and I didn't realize he had taken up so much of my memory. What my mind has been silently supressing suddenly went loose and hit me hard. I felt trapped in my own gloom and failed to detach myself from it.
I broke in tears at the spa, ignoring the curious glare from others. That's one of the nice things about solo travelling--you don't have to feel embarrassed or shameful unleashing your negative emotions.
I cried nonstop until nightfall. That night I got myself a big Hokkaido melon for dinner. Another nice thing about travelling alone--you could go crazy without being stopped. After I gulfed the whole melon, I soaked myself at the spa again enjoying the comfort of being with strangers. I couldn't fall asleep until early morning.
(A bear at Noboribetsu JR Station)
(The Hot Spring Street looked gloomy.)
(I stayed at Noboribetsu Grand Hotel (
http://www.nobogura.co.jp/) which is really grand! The Japanese emperor has once stayed there for vacation.)
(表參道：感覺似三條豪華 Park Lane。)
(最喜歡的還是吃。)
(Sanrioland: for kids only)
(No chatting on phone on train or metro)
(超市買的食物）
（淺草）
（我就是乘這個宇宙船由淺草到台場）
（台場：那個自由神像當然是假的。）
（台場商場）
（台場小香港：有點陰森）
（日本人都喜歡摩天輪吧）
（晚上的澀谷：人多得令人喘不過氣）
（東京的網吧蠻有趣的）
（還有多不勝數的漫畫。待上一整晚也不會覺得悶。）
（築地的魚生飯）
（六本木）
（到三鷹美術館的貓巴士）
（天空之城的機械人啊）
（上野）
（朝市的「朝市拉麵」早餐。看起來不錯，但帶子有點腥。）
（大沼國立公園）
（公園有個小型農場，可以跟山羊近距離接觸。牠們一看見我步近即時彈開。）
（函館的特色電車）
(The breakfast set offered by the hotel.)
(The buildings look cute!)
(I visited all the places of interest in just an afternoon--on foot. I even visited the graveyard for foreigners.)
下午坐纜車到昭和新山四處看看，我還找到了我的旅伴－－知床小狐。就這樣，我倆一起上路。
(Mr. Saito introduced different interesting spots with the help of his note :) Of course I didn't understand what he said but I enjoyed the fresh air and the scenery.)
(Mr. Saito and his son)
(My breakfast ^^ I love the egg.)
(I could finally snapped a shot of the resort.)
(A bear at Noboribetsu JR Station)
(The Hot Spring Street looked gloomy.)
(I stayed at Noboribetsu Grand Hotel (http://www.nobogura.co.jp/) which is really grand! The Japanese emperor has once stayed there for vacation.)
(My melon dinner)
