Hakuba-mura, Chubu, Japan
Thursday, January 12, 2017

*LOU*

The boys had an early start heading off to Hakuba 47 for another day on the slopes. The girls decided it was time for a well earnt rest day. We lazed around, had a bit of brekky, Maya went for a walk to get coffee before we planned our day. Ash and I booked in massages for 2.30pm so everything else revolved around that. Tour guide Svetlana aka Maj had done her research and found the Oide no Tsuribashi suspension bridge to go and see. We mapped our walk and were on our way. 50minutes each way. We walked outside and boy was it snowing. Thankfully we made the calculated decision to wear our snowboard boots which were pretty much invisible by the time we made it to the end of the driveway. Our hair went crispy with ice, Ash's phone had a meltdown, I stepped knee deep through snow into a drain, yet we made it to our destination - only surviving due to the copious amount of snacks ash hid in all her 1000 jacket pockets. It was more snow than any of the gang had ever seen. Pure white, light, fluffy powder. I wanted snow. I got it. Our destination was just breathtaking. Something you would see in a movie or on a postcard. We trudged our way back to the Happo train station where we sourced a restaurant for lunch. Gyoza was on the menu. We decided a taxi there was a good idea and we would walk home. The stairs we entered the restaurant via before lunch were completely invisible under the snow when we left. The heavy snow continued our entire walk home. I had the experience of difficulty speaking due to numb lips - sort of like what you have after a trip the dentist. We arrived home just after 2pm ready for our massages. Next thing I had a knock at my door and Blake was back from snowboarding. Unfortunately wincing as he took off his many layers. Uhoh we have our first injury. Thankfully he doesn't think it's too bad and we have an endless supply of ice.

My masseuse rocked up and gave me the most horrendous massage I've ever had. I had complete regrets. Heavenly therapy my ass. Chinese acupressure opposed to a normal oil massage was not my cup of tea. Ash on the other hand thoroughly enjoyed hers. To make things worse during our massages we had a group of 70 rowdy Australian teenagers on a school trip rock up... all the way from CVC in Perth ... what are the odds of that. When we booked we were warned about a school group that was booked in - we all imagined quiet, nerdy Japanese kids. Big mistake. Weeding my way through the hordes of these teens in our hallway I made it to the elevator and down to the onsen. Serenity at last. We walked in the continuing snow storm to dinner at the Penke Bar and Bistro. Lovely food topped off with some belly warmers - baileys hot chocolate for Ash and the rest of us shared some Hot Buttered Rum (butter washed spice rum, butterscotch schnapps, salted caramel, hot water and a marshmallow garnish). We walked home once again covered in snow from our short 5 minute commute. Dyl and Maya carried on to meet some friends and the rest of us stayed back to get some rest. I fetched Blake some ice from the freezer outside and called it a night. I think he will be skipping the slopes tomorrow.