We have just returned from what has become our annual trip to Japan – to Niseko in Hokkaido, to go skiing.  We also went to Korea on this occasion.

Japan first.

Here are a couple of clips of Andrew and Nick skiing:

<.avi files> – Andrew skiing  : Nick skiing.            …… Double-click.

<.wmv files> – Andrew skiing 2  :  Nick skiing

We were in Niseko, as previous years.

Over 2 metres of snow fell whilst we were there.  The skiing was good, therefore, but the visibility poor.  Some great times, though.  Great restaurant meals and good family time.  Andrew came up with a good new description of the way our family runs: “Our family is a democracy, but Mum has three votes, and decides on all ties”.

Great food, some superb restaurants, including “Kamumura” and “Iki”

Previously I have known little of Korea.  A little from M*A*S*H, a little from other sources, but really not much.  Now I know a lot more, and have a great appreciation for the Korean overall.  A culture which seems to blend the best of Chinese and Japanese, although Koreans might say that they were the originals, with some justification.

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There are many old buildings found even in the centre of Seoul, as this view (of Gyeongbokgung Palace front gateway) shows.

The history and culture are terrific, and the scenery beautiful even in the middle of winter.  This view was taken in the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a day outing from Seoul, and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We also visited the “DMZ”, or Demilitarized Zone, between North and South Korea, and learned how 85% of all Koreans want re-unification (although at least 20% want some adjustment of economic status first!).

The scars are still raw, it appears.  This is a steam locomotive stranded in the DMZ at the cessation of hostilities.  Actually there are over a thousand bullet marks in it from before firing ended, and I think it is unlikely to move again under its own power ….

In early January we went to Japan, to go skiing in Niseko.  We flew Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, and came back that way also.  Niseko was excellent: they’ve had 9 metres of snow already this season!

We saw Mount Yotei (the local volcano)

We also had some excellent skiing.

… and snowboarding.

David skiing

Sue skiing

We went to Hong Kong on the way home also.  There were several highlights, including High Tea at The Peninsula Hotel.  So we have now been both to Raffles in Singapore, and The Peninsula in Hong Kong.

Sunday, Feb 19, 2012

Skiing again

These are the finalized pictures from Nick’s collection.

Nick skiing jumping

Sue and Nick in cable-car bubble

Friday, Jan 13, 2012

Skiing 2

Update on Hakuba.

This is our last day, and I have actually finished, although the two boys remain on the slopes.  My knee has held out over the week and I certainly do not want to push things too far.

The whole resort is good – Hakuba-One, Hakuba 47, Goryu, Iwatake and Cortina (although why anyone would want to name a skifield after a very in distinguished car, I don’t know!

The weather has continues to be good – enough snowfall, but plenty of sunshine.  No crowds!!!  We have never had to wait more than a few seconds for a lift, and although the conditions are great, very few pele seem to be taking advantage of it.

The hotel has been excellent, about 100m to walk to the nearest lift.  We’ve eaten a variety of Japanese food, much of it excellent also.  Our day “off” skiing was spent going to see the snow- monkeys (macaques who have learned to keep warm in winter by using the hot springs!) and the biggest Buddhist temple in Japan.

So overall a great holiday so far.

Tuesday, Jan 10, 2012

Japan skiing

The Australian Coulsheds are currently in Japan, skiing in Hakuba.  A year ago our trip to Niseko was almost the first thing that went on this website.  So a year later here we are again.  Well not quite: Hakuba is a lot further south. One of it’s attractions is that it is only a 90-minute Shinkansen ride from Tokyo station (plus an hour’s bus ride to the hotel), instead of a flight to Sapporo then a three-hour bus ride to Niseko from the airport.Hakuba is much less Australian, which may seem an odd thing to say, but not after you have experienced the wall-to-wall Aussies in Niseko!  It’s also much less cold, and the sunshine is welcome.  We’ve had good weather here and excellent snow.  I (David) have had to greatly restrict what skiing that I can do, because of my recent leg injury and then more recent surgery.  However by just doing a small amount, only on very smooth slopes, and concentrating on the best technique that I am capable of, I have been able to avoid any worsening of my knee problems (I think).  What has been even more amazing is that after the new year holiday period was over (5th Jan) almost everyone seemed to leave, and the slopes have been almost deserted.  Ski lifts almost to ourselves.  Absolutely no wait for cable-cars.  Pistes completely empty in front of us.  No ice.  Fresh snow.

We’ll happily come here again!

So, here we are.

David Skiing

Sue skiing

Nick snowboarding