Right, as predicted, I am now back in Sapporo, in fact I'm staying at the same place as last time, which is fine by me as they've got free internet access in the lobby, and my e-mail actually works here, only problem being it'd be nice to sit down while writing a long entry.
I'd like to thank people for commenting on one of my entries for once. Apparently some of you do actually still read this, so I'll start by answering some of what you asked.
Yes, somehow I did manage to forget to mention the earthquake in my last entry. In case you haven't heard about it (don't know how big a news story it is back there) a magnitude seven earthquake struck somewhere offshore, the nearest big city being Sendai. I did feel it where I was at the time (Kushiro), and it was somewhat disconcerting especially since I was on the fifth floor of my hotel at the time. In the end though it's only effect on me was to make me wonder down to the lobby where I felt slightly embarrassed since no-one else seemed to have paid it any attention before wondering back up to my room.
As for sheep, no I didn't actually see any. I hadn't heard about them though so I wasn't particularly looking out for them. I did pass through Furano, the centre of lavender production, but I didn't stay there long and I think it is the wrong time of year so I didn't see any lavender either.
Now since the last entry I went and stayed at Asahidake-onsen for two nights as planned, the main activity there being to climb up the mountain, Asahidake, which is what I did yesterday with my one full day there. Even with the cablecar to skip most of the lower slopes, it still took a fair while to reach the top, climbing mainly over the volcanic rocks, but the view from the top was incredible. The whole endeavour was helped by the beautiful weather, meaning that though there was still snow on the ground in many places it was actually pleasantly warm and I I felt truely grateful of my sunglasses for once.
Today has mainly been spent travelling back here to Sapporo, though the journey itself was not an especially long one, the irregular buses from Asahidake meant I couldn't get started until 11 o'clock, so didn't make it here until 2.
That's enough for this entry I believe. Let me know in the comments if there is anything I've forgotten.
One last note on future plans, I'm heading off to Aomori, back in northern Honshu tommorow, where I plan to stay for a couple of nights, after which I'll pick up my rail-pass to head back down towards Tokyo.
Posted by Haifisch at May 30, 2003 10:07 AMThis has got nothing to do with your journey, but thought you might like to know, in case it isn't in the news there, that Beagle 2 has successfully launched on its way to Mars. (Monday evening British time)
Posted by: graham at June 2, 2003 10:33 PM