
Our hotel, Panorama, was a short walk away from the bus station and a 5-10 minute walk to the bottom of the ski-field. They kindly took us around to the ski rental shop where Andrew was kitted out for 4 days of skiing


Skiing conditions were not the usual metres of powder (about half normal falls this year) but he managed to have a wonderful time. Skiing conditions got better half way through our stay with a couple of 20cm falls. Four days up and down the slopes he managed to meet 2 people from Wellington and a Japanese man who spent his winters in Wanaka. He noted that the equipment was sized for smaller framed people.

Lunch was routinely at a restaurant at the bottom of the gondolas. Ordering through a self service machine – no problem for us with our lessons in Tokyo. Every day Andrew had the TonKatsu curry. And we watched the locals taking 10 minutes naps after their lunch.

I spent my days walking around the village and turning up at the restaurant for lunch – amazing how the day disappears on that routine.

I did have one day trip out to Matsumoto, home of the 16th century Wooden Castle

We didn’t manage to get into the restaurants we wanted to in the evening – note to self – MAKE RESERVATIONS! We survived and on our last day in Hakuba managed to have a good Japanese restaurant even if Andrew was a bit dismayed at the idea of sitting on the floor at low tables. But give him an indoor grill, some sake & a beer and put him in charge of the tongs and all discomfort is forgotten.

No comments:
Post a Comment