一個人在途上

後記

2007-09-23T12:26:00.000+08:00

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

2007-09-23T00:42:00.000+08:00

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）

2007-09-22T20:37:00.000+08:00

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。）

（函館的特色電車）

Day 9: 22.7 (Sat) Hakodate (函館)

2007-09-16T01:34:00.000+08:00

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 buildings look cute!)

(I visited all the places of interest in just an afternoon--on foot. I even visited the graveyard for foreigners.)

(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)

2007-09-15T18:07:00.000+08:00

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。

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。

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

http://www.sansui-hotel.com/

（房間很大啊 ^^)
（旅館的晚餐是在房內吃的，很好吃啊！）

晚飯過後便到了湖邊參觀花光會，蠻熱鬧的。

這晚泡了溫泉後，很快就入睡了。

Day 7: 20.7 (Thu) Tokachi (十勝) + Noboribetsu (登別)

2007-09-02T03:58:00.000+08:00

Morning: Tour to Mt. Tokachi and peripheral area
I 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.)

(My melon dinner)

Day 6: 19.7 (Wed) Biei Twinkle Bus + Asahikawa Zoo（旭川動物園）

2007-08-26T14:00:00.000+08:00

早上於旅館吃早餐，同桌的日本人對我這個香港來的單身女仔很感興趣（其實是感到奇怪...日文文盲卻獨自跑到老遠的地方去），不停用英文單字及日本漢字跟我溝通。我還跟同房的麗子交換了電郵。起初我還以為她是個十九、二十歲的女孩，但交談後才發覺她已是三十多歲！日本女生的保養工夫真的很厲害！（只怪我不懂日文，否則我一定要向她請教。）

(The Biei clock tower in sunshine.)

早上: 美瑛 Twinkle Bus

離開青年旅館後，我拖著行李到了美瑛坐 Twinkle Bus 遊拼布之路。早上的天氣還不錯。

(This tree has a name...which I forget. It is quite iconic in Biei.)

(Well... for this tree, I forget the name again. Seems that it has appeared in some old ads.)

下午: 旭川動物園

一直都沒有打算到旭川動物園（不喜歡觀看陸上動物被困在細小的空間裡），但想不到任何地方來填補下午的時間，而且網友都說旭川動物園是個不錯的地方，那我就 drop-in 看看吧。

我這個方向白痴當然又再次迷路。巴士司機把我掉在四野無人的地方，指指對面馬路的巴士站就絕塵而去（他可沒有收我車資啊），我只好在雨中等待救援。幸好不消一會，那個巴士司機駕著回程的巴士到站，手中還拿著動物園的巴士路線，著我坐在巴士前方，好讓他通知我在正確的位置下車。就這樣，我成功地（自己騙自己）到達旭川動物園。

動物園著實令我失望。那些動物看來很可憐，就連森林之王也沒精打采（當然咯，美味的人類在玻璃窗外晃來晃去卻不能把他們吃掉），我拍了幾張照片就走了。

(The bus driver dropped me off here. Felt rather helpless at first but luckily got to my destination at last.)

(有點像匯豐銀行鈔票上的獅子。一直被關在細小的地方，神情看來有點抑鬱呢。)

晚上: Resort House Bibi （http://www.biei.ne.jp/bibi/index_e.html）

到達美瑛車站時，民宿的負責人已經在等候。要他們在預約之外的時間提供接送服務，真不好意思（因錯過原定的火車，所以遲了）。

Bibi Resort 是齊藤先生一家所經營的民宿，他們對所有賓客都很熱情，很受台灣人歡迎。我住宿當晚就遇到七、八個台灣人。難得的是一人旅客也會接待（很多民宿因為規模小，所以都不大願意在旺季接待一人旅遊的）。初時還以為要別人分享房間（其實這個我不介意的），到達後才知道我被安排獨自入住一間三人房（到達民宿時看見門外掛了「沒有空房」的牌子，可見他們由始至終都沒想過要求客人跟陌生人分享房間）。

齊藤老先生雖然不懂說英語及普通話，但晚飯時間後他會拿著紙筆跟你聊天，十分可愛。我還試了他們建造的半露天風呂。獨自浸在熱水中，望著外邊寂靜的田野，感覺很 raw。

雖然打從第一天行程開始天氣一直都很差，但一路上遇到的都是友善的人，令心情輕鬆不少。

Day 5: 18.7 (Tue) Hinode Park (日之出公園）+ Furano Twinkle Bus

2007-07-08T20:41:00.001+08:00

Morning - Hinode Park
It had been raining hard since early morning and thus I was forced to cancel my bike trip in Biei in the morning and resorted to a sight-seeing bus (Twinkle Bus) tour. However, the Biei Twinkle Bus was fully booked that day and thus I decided to go to Hinode Park in the morning.

(The clock tower at Biei JR Station. The weather was not good then.)

It turned out that my luck wasn't so bad after all as the rain had finally taken a break to let the sun shine for a while shortly after I arrived at Kamifurano.

(A lovely house on the way to Hinode Park)

I was drenched in joy (and sweat) when I finally reached Hinode Park. Not that I didn't lose my way but Hinode was actually a more lovely place than Farm Furano. That it's less crammed and commercial made it more comfortable to nose around (ok, that bit of sunshine counted).

(See the lavender in the background? ^^)

(The love bell is the icon of Hinode Park. Some Japanese will hold their weddings here.)

(I really love the leisure environment here.)

(You could view part of the town there.)

Afternoon - Furano Twinkle Bus
Rain started to pour and my mood took a U-turn when I got to Furano. I had a quick lunch before I took the Twinkle Bus to tour around Furano. That was the first time in my life that I wished so badly I could drive.

Stop 1: Deserted House
There were a lot of interesting cottages.

Stop 2: Goro-no-ishi-no-ie

Stop 3: Furano Jam Park

Stop 4: Anpanman Shop

Stop 5: Furano Cheese Factory

(Cheese and lavender ice-cream from the ice-cream factory nearby)

Stop 6: Ninguru Terrace

Last Stop: Furano JR Station

(The train and the captain looked so nostalgic.)

(For my sister. I got these from the Anpanman Shop ^^)

I met a cute French guy on the train and that lightened my mood a bit :)

Evening - Dinner at Youth Hostel
I was so hungry that I had already wolfed down my supper before I remembered to take a photo.

Finally, the rain stopped while I was having the supper and the sky looked really nice.

Day 4: 17.7 (Mon) 富良野

2007-07-08T16:22:00.000+08:00

Sapporo International Youth Hostel is indeed a wonderful place (there are 2 youth hostels in Sapporo. Look for this one as the other one is a bit old). It's conveniently located, well-equipped, cheap, new and clean. What's more important, the bed and pillow were soft and comfortable! I had a sweet sleep that night :)

Furano and Bibaushi
I left in the very morning to catch an early train to Furano. I left my luggage at Liberty Youth Hostel at Bibaushi where I would spend two nights and then took the Lavender Express to Farm Tomita.

Liberty Youth Hostel
http://www.biei.com/liberty/index-folder/liberty01.html

(Situated just next to the train station, it looks like one of the wooden houses in Britain. A lovely place.)

Farm Tomita
I marvelled with others on the train at the breathtaking scene of Farm Tomita afar. Stripes of different flowers sparkled like a rainbow in the sun. However, the weather deteriorated rapidly. By the time I arrived at the farm, the sunlight had already been blocked by a thick blanket of clouds. I could even smell a rainstorm coming.

I had my late lunch at the food stalls there. I loved the freshly baked melon bun so much that I had finished it before I remembered to take a photo of it.

Before I could take enough photos, rain started to pelt down and didn't stop until midnight.

I wanted to visit some parks in Furano but my mood was totally ruined as I was drenched in rain. But it warmed my heart that people were nice to me.

I still remember I was waiting for the train heading back to the hostel alone at a small train stop in the late afternoon. It was raining cats and dogs and I had to hide myself in a shelter. It's really rural and I couldn't spot any human beings in sight. Suddenly, a car stopped near the train stop and a man walked out of the car toward me. I thought he wanted to offer help but I couldn't understand his Japanese. I told him I was fine and was waiting for the train to the hostel. I was not sure if he understood what I said but he said some Japanese then left.

Anyway, I took a warm bath right after I was back at the hostel and had a nice chat with others at night.

Day 3: 16.7 (Sun) 北海道大學 revisit + 小樽

2006-08-21T04:00:00.000+08:00

As the travel package includes only 2 nights of hotel accommodation (actually I don't really like staying at hotels--it's expensive and boring), I dragged my luggage to a youth hostel the first thing in the morning where I would spend the last night in Sapporo.

Sapporo International Youth Hostel:

http://www.youthhostel.or.jp/kokusai/index.htm

Hakkaido University

I parked my luggage there and started my third day with a revisit to Hokkaido University. I really like that place! It really fits in my schema of a real university--patches after patches of green area, historic yet classy buildings with worn-off exterior, statues standing at different spots silently telling the history of the place, people strolling around enjoying themselves.

Otaku

After the morning walking tour at Hokkaido University, I took the train to Otaku. As I didn't sleep well in the past couple of nights (because of the sandy pillow and the creepy feeling of staying at a novel place), I quickly dozed off once I settled down. In fact I had an energizing nap on the train. When I opened my eyes again, I was just 15 minutes away from my destination.

The first thing that I did was to head to Sushi Masha (壽司政) for lunch.

After that, I nosed around the streets lined with interesting shops.

(Rich yam ice-cream ^^ Lovely!)

(A tree hanging lots of glass pearls)

(A workshop showing passers-by how to make glass)

(Another favourite of mine--Hokkaido melon)

(A music box at the entrance of a shop)

I was a bit disappointed with the Otaru Canal. It's rather short and actually not special.

Last night in Sapporo

On the train back to Sapporo, I met a traveller from Tokyo. The train journey passed quickly with a nice chat.

I seized another chance to experience the last-minute stock clearing sale at the department store. It was rather exciting in fact. The salespersons holding mics and amplifiers started to lower their price 30 minutes before the closing time. The price was further reduced with every minute passing. If you're lucky enough, you could get something very decent at an attractive price.

(That's what I got from the supermarket :))

Day 2: 15.7 (Sat) 暴走札幌

2006-08-12T01:01:00.000+08:00

昨晚睡得不太好。一個人住酒店始終有點害怕 ^_^" 而且酒店的枕頭很「沙」，很不舒服。

今天 dress up 去逛街，很爽啊～～日本全國正被一大片雨雲帶籠罩著，所以今天整日都很陰暗。不過，不用被太陽曬天氣又涼浸浸的，很舒服呢 ^^

這張相可是在早上拍的啊！

第一站：電視塔及大通公園

我這個方向白痴雖然成功找到了在地鐵站旁的電視塔（其實一點也不困難，除非你有視障），但要從電視塔走到時計台卻十分困難（雖然這兩個景點很近）。當我拿著地圖迷茫地站在路中心時，有位伯伯走到我的身邊用日文跟我說話。我惟有用我有限的日文對他說：su-mi-ma-sen wa-ta-shi wa ni-hon-go ga ha-na-se-ma-sen（對不起，我不懂說日文）。我指著時計台的位置，示意我想到那裡。他說了一段日文，然後著我跟他走。一路上他不停地跟我說話，可是我只聽得懂一、兩句。以我有限的日文，我只可以表達到「我是從香港來的旅客」及「我是一個人旅行的」這兩句。

他帶我到了時計台後，還告訴我如何到舊市政廳。我連忙用我笨拙的日文向他道謝及鞠躬。

第二站：時計台

第三站：舊市政廳

第四站：白之戀人朱古力廠

好像童話世界的朱古力廠啊～（朱古力餅應該不會是在這裡生產吧...）

看這個木偶劇時遇到一對日本夫婦。他們著我坐在他們身旁的座位，因為看得比較清楚。後來他們知道我是一個人來旅行，替我拍了張全身單人照（我的自拍照只拍到半身呢），還告訴我中午十二時花園的鐘樓會有表演。

這個就是鐘樓的表演了。

昨晚在薄野拉麵橫丁的味之時計台吃拉麵時看到鄰店擠滿食客，所以今天決定到那間麵店吃午餐。這個拉麵不錯啊，但當然是昨晚的比較好吃～

要在這裡特別一提這個在 Lotteria 買的奶昔，因為在這十五天的旅程中，我經常買這個來喝。

第五站：狸小路及地下街

類似心齋橋的商店街，有點悶啊～

第六站：二条市場（沒有拍照啊^_^"）

第七站：北海道大學

這裡到處可見綠油油的樹木及大學式的大片草地，配合著帶點歐陸式的建築物，感覺很舒服。相信秋天時會更加美。不過我最愛的始終是中大（中大有山、有水、有花、有草、有小動物、有校巴、有崇志阿叔、有回憶、還有很多很多美好的東西。如果有一片大學式的草地就更好了。那些高層不要再砍樹啊！），哈～

第八站：羊之丘瞭望台

搭錯車當然是我這個方向白痴經常遇到的事。

我在福住巴士站跳上一架本以為駛往瞭望台的巴士，誰知當車駛到總站時才發現不對勁。我嘗試用英文問司機如何到瞭望台，他其實不太明白我在說甚麼，只知道我想到瞭望台但迷路了。他帶我到巴士總站的其中一個站著我等候下一班車，並盡力地向我解釋如何到達目的地。當他駕著巴士離開總站時，還再一次叮囑我些甚麼的（當時我聽不懂呢。後來我才知道他已經通知了其他巴士司機我這個不懂日文的冒失鬼的情況，所以我當上巴士及轉車時，巴士司機都特別照顧我。真的很感激他們呢～）等車時突然想起我忘記付車資，真不好意思啊。

當我跳上另一架駛進總站的巴士時，巴士司機著我坐在他身旁，還用日文告訴我不用擔心（還有其他的，可是我只懂一丁點呢...)。當車駛到一個不知名的巴士站，司機著我下車及往對面馬路轉車（他還把資料寫在字條上）。正當我想付車資時，他用手蓋著錢箱，示意我不用付車資。

當我踏上第三架巴士時，巴士司機同樣著我坐在他身旁的位置及告訴我在總站下車就可以了。下車時他還細心的告訴我車資呢。

他們這樣熱心的幫忙，實在令我十分感動啊～～～

就這樣，我安全地到達羊之丘瞭望台。: )

這座是羊之丘上的小教堂。

原想在這山丘上等待日落，可是山上實在有點冷，而且離日落還有一段時間，所以最後還是沒等日落就下山去。

第九站：JR Tower

因為遲些會到東京，所以沒想過在札幌逛百貨公司或商場。但傍晚時份沒甚麼有趣的地方可以去，逛百貨公司是最好的活動。

我的晚餐就是在百貨公司的超市部所掃的平貨^^。很久沒有吃這麼多飯了。

這是 JR 站外飲食街的其中一個入口。

經歷了一整天旅行團式的暴走，我已經累得不能再動了。雖然如此，我卻很享受一個人遊走的自由呢。很爽啊～～～～～～～～～＾Ｏ＾

而且今天遇到了很多好人，令我覺得很溫暖。

Day 1: 14.7 (Friday) Hong Kong --> Tokyo --> Sapporo

2006-08-11T14:57:00.000+08:00

I didn't sleep until early morning so as to do my last minute luggage packing (I'm the last-minute type of person). It seemed that my luggage was already laden with clothes, toiletries and silly stuff (like a torch which I hadn't even touched it during my trip) before I even set my foot in Japan. Anyway, I had been waiting for this day for a long time and my adrenaline made me a bit tense (or the other way round)--I always thought I had left something important behind. In fact, I had a mixed feeling--a bit worried (coz it's my first time travelling alone and I didn't have a travel plan yet), a bit excited (I was looking forward to some exciting experience) and a bit depressed (I always felt that way... personality problem).

It's very sunny when I woke up which was completely out of my expectation since the weather forecast said it would be an overcast day and heavy rain was coming. So as a sunscreen freak, I felt uncomfortable with just a flimsy coat of sunscreen on my face and my hands and neck vigorously exposed to the intense sunlight.

So far, Hong Kong Internatinal Airport has been my favourite airport, but there is one thing that I don't like--that's the toilet. The airport toilets are all auto-flushed (I couldn't find any manual flush buttons). And the stupid part is, the toilets will not flush itself until you have entirely left the cubicle for 3-4 seconds. So when I walked out from the cubicle after I had used the toilet at the airport, a lady (I guess she was Japanese) wanted to walk in and intended to flush the toilet for me. I stopped her immediately and told her in English: "I think you gotta wait for a while as the toilet will not flush after a few seconds. You know, it's an auto-flushing thing."

She didn't seem to get me and gave me a confused look. And as we were standing near the cubicle, the stupid sensor thought there were still people in there and didn't do the flushing. She then turned to another toilet. Ohno... she must have thought I was an uncivilised HK girl who didn't flush the toilet after use and held others back from using it...

* * * * * * *

The ANA flight was OK. I had reserved the window seat next to the emergancy exit, so I could enjoy a luxurious amount of leg space. I could even stretch my legs ^O^

* * * * * * *

The efficiency of the immigration officers in Japan was really, really low. I had been waiting in the line for almost an hour before I could finally get the immigration stamp on my passport.

After a 5-hour flight to Tokyo, the first thing I did was to buy a bottle of green tea and a novel--I had just found out that I couldn't survive the flight or train trip with just travel books.

My favourite ^^: Green tea--rich flavour

That is a series of Mt. Fuji products at the airport.

There were not many choices of English novels at the airport book store. They only stock top bestsellers (most of the readable which I had already read).

They would wrap novels like this:

That is the autobiography of Helen Keller. A very touching book indeed. It gave me a flow of warm feeling during the flight trip and helped me through the waiting hours at the airport.

*******

The domestic flight to Sapporo was delayed for an hour, so by the time I arrived at the hotel, it was 9:30 pm already and I was starving! I took the metro to Susukino (薄野) and looked for something nice to eat.

Susukino was a Mongkok-like district where streets were bazzing with trendy looking, dyed-haired people and lined with restaurants and high buildings. I must have been too tired as a walk at Susukino made me feel sick.

I headed to the ramen street and got in a small shop. That was the Sapporo-style seafood ramen I ordered. That piece of butter was wonderful!

I was thrilled after the first spoon of soup--it had a really rich seafood flavour. The scallops were really fresh and the piece of pork was so tender that it melted the instant it rested on my tongue. That was the best ramen I had in my trip! And that's why it cost more than HK$100...

That is the new 24-hour shopping mall in Susukino (actually, only rsetaurants operate 24 hours a day). The Japanese are really obsessed with ferris wheels. There must at least be one in major cities.

I headed back to the hotel after a short walk in Susukino and planned my trip for the next day.