Yotei Mountain, Hokkaido

The weather was too snowy to have a clear view to this famous iconic mountain in Hokkaido.  This scene appeared only for a minute but then the winter cloud covered it again.

I find a recognition from this warm cozy restaurant, Muzu, Hirafu, Niseko, Hokkaido

As this area is quite westernized, I felt like trying some western food.  There I tried a very nice burger (avocado blended sauce and mixed with a zesty tomato sauce).  The fries was also not to be missed.  Time to put aside the calorie count.  The view of the cafe was awesome.

There was an incident that I said "thank you" to the waiter of this restaurant.  Some inconsiderate (actually it's quite a norm nowadays) "phone" people listened to the voice clips from the others.  So the waiter came to their table and asking them to turn down the phone's volume.  As he noticed my affirmative supporting gesture, he gave me another "cool" look.  When he passed by, I told him "thank you".

Sometimes I really hate people abusing their phones for using it as a low band device - walkie talkie or memo taker, pager.  Why pay for over US$1k for a high tech device but use it in low tech!  They even forgot one important function "calling".  When it's just only one person to one person communication, why not make a call?  

Hirafu, Niseko, Hokkaido

Hilton Niseko provides a shuttle bus service to this nearby town (famous for skiiing too).  It's a bit stressful to take this hotel bus because the skiers took 2 seats for 1 person - 1 seat for their skiing equipments.  Ain't it "environmental"?  Where are those environmental advocates?  So I had to climb up to the ski centre (the first stop) for getting a seat.  Besides, in considering such a big hotel as Hilton, they shouldn't serve the shuttle bus every 1-2 hours.  Some smaller resorts even runs their shuttle service every 10-15 minutes.

Back to this town, it's quite westernized as it's crowded with many Canadians, Australians (those working holidays).  Naturally some very western food can be easily found.

Greenleaf resort Niseko, Hokkaido

When most people often claim for environmental issue, I'd consider skiing and quite many other high speed sports should be on the list.  Look at how many equipments were carried and even checked in on the plane for a long flight.  Just like how I often claim those scuba diving.  When I saw people wearing this and that for sports, I thought about even when I was a kid, I just dived in sea water without a goggle.  

On-diet with Hilton Niseko, Hokkaido

Noticed this hotel hired quite many interns.  I don't mind about it but not in a peak season like this.  The receptionist repeated asking guests the same question over 5-6 times.  It was a bit bothering to get a table and unavoidably a long queue.  I also felt like I was taking a diet from the breakfast here.  

Hilton Niseko, Hokkaido

The room was far from what was posted in the hotel website.  It's not even up to the Hilton's standard.  Old air-conditioning system, poor sound proof, no humidifier....  The hotel lobby looked very different from the room.  So it told what this hotel cared.

Hilton Niseko Village, Hokkaido

A vision of an unmanned restaurant,

As when I climbed up and saw this village with lights on, I had the vision of my favourite animation movie "Spirited Away" of where the greedy parents took the food without permission at an unmanned restaurant.  The restaurant was exactly like this one I saw.  

There I had the vision people feeding the River Spirit with food because the River Spirit would throw out gold.  The River Spirit grew bigger and bigger and ate those people when there was no more food.  This is what nowadays most people are doing.  When they get into the greed, they are eaten by the greed.  However, when I talked about this to others, no one cared what I was talking about.  Not sure if it's my lingering thought.  I had some strips vision of neon green and white during those few days in this area.