The many times I’ve been to Niseko, everything is covered in snow.  So it was nice to see what it looks like without snow.  It was a lot warmer, and a lot easier to walk.  Takahashi-san getting my snowboard ready for the mountain.  

Welcome to the Special Bus.  The coolest place to stay.  

I was a little worried about getting hurt while snowboading, but I was more worried about getting attacked by a bear.  I was always looking out for them.  Sharks don’t scare me, but bears do.  

This day broke the record for the hottest day ever recorded on April 15th.  Shorts and slippers gazing at “Hokkaido’s Fuji” which is called Mount Yotei.  

The food in Hokkaido is amazing.  Very authentic, and very delicious.

Tempura with soba is now my favorite.  This was only $11.  It would be triple that price in Hawaii.

And the water is so fresh too.  The free underground drinking water was the best water I’ve ever drank.  

I logged 6 airplane flights, multiple train rides, busses, taxis, hundreds of kilometers driving, and hours of walking.  But traveling in Japan is easy, comfortable, and on time.  The best transportation system in the world.

Yesterday one more:  Ernie at Rockpiles…

Good morning 4:45am.
Ala Moana waist to chest high and good.
Hawaii State Amateur contest ON at Bowls.
Diamond Head chest high and bumpy.
Strong trade winds at 25mph.
Sun, showers, and rainbows.
Going to the sea.
Have a wonderful day!

I was up at 3am and couldn’t wait until it got lighted enough to surf.  Drank kombucha, ate a yogurt bowl, did yoga, exercised, stretched, and was surfing in the dark.  Glad to be back to my daily routine.  

It felt so good to be back in the ocean again!  I felt reborn again.

Kyle always riding enough waves to make the rest of his day great.  

On this particular run, I was trying to catch up with Takahashi-san and Rina-chan.  They were going so fast so I had no chance.

My first day in Japan was on April 2 and the cherry blossoms bloomed in Yokohama.  This was on my last day in Saporro and I got to see the cherry blossoms bloom again.  This was such a lucky trip because seeing the cherry blossoms was on the top of my list.  I’m still wondering why I get so happy when I see it?  

Flying home on ANA is the best.  Very quiet, great service, free surfboards, and always on time.

Sorry if I missed your email, texts, or calls while on this trip.  My phone wasn’t working properly so if you haven’t heard back from me by now, I haven’t received your message.  Gomenasai.