Round the World

We were up and about early today (by my standards). No sleep in's allowed, not even on holiday!

Meghan and the boys cooked up some delicious bacon and eggs, toast, coffee etc, then we were off to the slopes again. Did you know there's about 600 ski resorts in Japan (so I'm told)? That's one down, 599 to go! Tony from White Horse Hotel is a great host, he dropped us off at the Happo snow area and left us to enjoy a perfect blue sky and powdery snow day. Suzie is possibly the best female, Scottish snowboarder in Japan. (She might also be the only one, hehehe). She really knows how to dig in the front rail for maximum face plant effect. She has the black eye and cuts to prove it.

Near the end of the day we took two adjoining quad chairs, climbing way up to near the summit. The view is majestic... it's even better knowing you don't have to ski or board back down... that's what Gondolas are for.

Trust me people - just get there, especially the Aussies. These mountains leave the Victorian ski fields for dead. 1 day lift tickets are approx. $60AU. These are electronic/proximity tickets of course - only the best for Japan, someone should tell then the Winter Olympics finished years ago. The ski runs are huge, the crowds are bearable to non-existent. Right now there's a good 2+ meters of snow.

Tip: if you're not a hard core skier or board rider you could consider the (from memory it was) 3000 Yen for 10 rides pass - the rides are long enough that it could last you the whole day.

At the end of the day we hurriedly made it back to the bus for Nagano and then Tokyo. Then we swanned around Shibuya for a while to find the elusive Love Hotels... to be continued.

Photo's and entries for days 2 and 4 are still coming... and so is Christmas.

Wow, this place is great... it's just hard work if you know nobody and can't speak the language.

I'm soooo ready for some Z's. I just want to send a quick should out to Trent and Naomi - thank you both for your suggestions!

I did get a camera yesterday but I haven't plugged it in to the Mac yet, maybe I'll post some photos tomorrow.

We visited the temple near Harajuku today and saw the freaks on the bridge. I was hoping to see the Elvis gang but I'm told they only shake their tail feathers on Sundays. Alas on Sunday we will either be skiing in the hills or touring Koyoto Either is good for me.

Silly observation: today I found a Coke can in the shape of a bottle, weird eh! I'd like to see cans made from glass too

A quick wrap up of Japan Day 2... for historical pursposes if nothing else.
We rode the trains all day, armed with the trusty 'Best Of Tokyo' Lonely Planet guide - which needs a little work I must say.

• Shinjuku - The view of Tokyo and its smog from the Tokyo Metropolitan Towers

• Akihabara - Camera shopping at the 'Electric City'

• Harijuku - The famous view from Starbucks of the 5 way intersection and the billions of people that make their way through it. Then a stroll thru the streets and shopping areas.

• Gaemmae - Searched high and low for Muji with no luck. We did eventually find it, the next day!