will i am's delayed diary

After three nights in Biei, we checked out of the AirBnB. Started bright and early because we had a four-hour drive ahead of us to Lake Toya . Our first toilet and kōhī break was at Sungawa Highway Oasis, one of the few big ones along the way. Somehow, we were lured into the souvenir shop, and that cost us nearly an hour and nearly JPY5,000. LOL. Bro got a Kaonashi soft toy and that became a regular feature in our photos. Continued our journey without getting waylaid, and we arrived at noon. Parked our car at one of the free public car parks, and walked to the touristy lake area. Grabbed a simple lunch at a Seicomart-- just a couple of sandwiches. Our first photo craze was a bunch of wisterias and azaleas behind The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort. A bad case of flower deprivation since Biei. Once we had gotten that out of our system, we headed to the Nakanoshima Cruise Pier to catch the TOYAKOKISEN cruise to Nakajima Island , which is in the middle of Lake Toya. Print out a co

Once again, I reward you with a cutie break. Today's spycam cutie is a contribution from my darling KH. An excellent poly boy specimen with strong-looking legs. If you ever order Coffee Cory from the counter at Jewel Cafe , definitely go for the fresh cream ( and fresh meat ).

In a major change of direction, our third day was spent in the mountains. Drove about an hour up to the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway station. Mist covered most of road up the mountain as we had started our journey pretty early. The ride up to the Sugatami Station only took a short ten minutes, but the view was breathtaking. As beautiful as I remember it. The Sugatami Station is 1,600 metres above sea level, and is the starting point for hiking to the summit. For the less adventurous, there's a short circuit around Sugatami Pond that only requires a pair of gum boots. Now they charge JPY300 for boot rental, but they provide insoles as a value-add. During my last trip, the rangers didn't mark the trail, so KH and I didn't complete the circuit. The wind chill prompted me to wear another layer of clothes, and the glare made me put on my sunnies, which was a mistake! I took off my glasses and put it my jacket's inner pocket, which wasn't a pocket at all. So whe

Seeing that my NHK style travel documentary posts had put my readers into a coma, it's time for a breather. Today's MRT Celebrity, Sporty Sean was brought to you by the one and only KH. KH spotted this bicep-y beauty during one of his business trips in Singapore. Looks like some post-work physical activity judging from the work bag between his legs. Perhaps he also had something else between his legs. Haha. Anyway, my only wish would be for his shorts to be shorter! Enjoy.

Breakfast in Biei was a simple affair at home. Mum boiled eggs and blanched some asparagus that she had bought from Furano Marche, while sticks of coffee premix was provided by the host. The second day of our trip turned wet with constant drizzle.We didn't have far to go, as all of the planned sights were within Biei city limits. Hokusei Hill Observatory wasn't very impressive. Once again, its because we came in the wrong season. Took leisurely walk around it and ascended the unique Observatory that looks like a pyramid squatting an a grassy hill. At the top is a great vantage point of the surrounding landscape. Next came the tree-hunting. Doesn't sound exciting, but the drive around the rolling farmlands of the Patchwork Road is really beautiful. One of the famous trees in the area is the Ken and Mary Tree , a talllllll poplar that was made famous in a 1977 commercial. Another tree was the Seven Star Tree . Due to age, it doesn't look as lush anymore, b