hokkaido: day 1 - what time is it?
DEST: SAPPORO
both a little weary after a short sleep and not having had a holiday in a while but hoping that arrival in hokkaido will re-energise us. last nights stressful, getting the bikes to the ferry, bit is over and we're happy to relax on deck watching the wake fade into the distance. osaka is slowing being washed out of our systems and we turn to thoughts of big skies and animals skipping around happily, beneath rainbows. the weather on the japan sea is perfectly fine and naps seem to be in order for the rest of the day - the ferry from maizuru, just north of kyoto takes 21 hours.
the ferry cost about 15000yen and is a great way to make yourself do nothing - a clever way to start a holiday. the bunks with their curtains are totally adequate and the sento (communal bath) is big with a view out over the sea. it isn't all plain sailing though - the food is crap and we're confined to one area of deck. fortunately most are happy to stay inside and smoke/watch the high school baseball on the box. anyway - there's excitement in the air and we're like a couple of school boys away from the parents for a week and a half. let the games begin......
