
I am hoping to go to see the azalia in Esan and the historic houses in Esashi, with a one night stay in Oonuma.
Exciting! As you know, I recently stopped working on Saturdays for the first time in 17 years. It means I can finally have trips away from Sapporo at the weekends.
I often felt a little sad that students would come and tell me about their trips here and there. But I only had Golden Week or summer or winter holidays to travel myself. For the past 2 years I had a knee injury and couldn't walk very far.
A few years ago I used to update and rewrite the Hokkaido chapter of Fodor's guidebook "Japan", and I made several research-trips around Hokkaido. Howvere, these were work trips and busy with checking hotels and restaurants and sightseeing places. Not really relaxing.
Now....it is MY trip and MY time. :-))
I went to Esashi years ago with my father and step-mum, but we only stayed an hour or two because we were trying to visit Matsumae on the same day AND get the hire car back to Hakodate by 6 pm. And I have never been to Esan - I am hoping that the azalias will be good as all flowers are late this year in the cold weather.
So - THANKYOU! - all the Saturday students who agreed to switch class days so I could have a real weekend. I'll be thinking of you as I get on the JR Saturday monring and head to Hakodate.