Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Day 0 of The 8 Days, 7 Nights (Mostly Self-Drive) Summer Trip in Hokkaido [Japan]: Comprising Furano, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu & Sapporo!



Rest assured, day 0 would be relatively picture-light as i can't foresee there's anything i could add since all my air trips from Singapore start from the world famous Changi International Airport

Nowadays, i don't even feel the motivation to shop and explore! 

Most of the times, i would find a quiet spot, get an expensive cup of local coffee and then proceed to do some photo-editing on my laptop for the many photos that have yet to be uploaded to this blog. Maybe things would be different if the plane were to depart from the newer terminals. 

Loving the spaciousness of the passageway that branches off to the individual gates for departing planes. Was i excited? Sure am as it's my first trip to the land of the rising sun

Boarded the Boeing 777-300 plane of Thai Airways, which was celebrating its 57th anniversary! As some of you are aware, my air ticket to Sapporo was incredibly cheap and i am still hoping for the same good deal this period so that i can revisit Japan again next year.

Dinner - Thai fish with rice that came with cucumber salad with tuna. Former was not bad even though i am more impressed with the serving of the appetizing veggies on the side; so much so that i stole Alex's bread so that i can slather said veggie on it before wolfing it down my throat! 

Looked like the mainland of Thailand - just in case you are unaware, we would be transiting at Bangkok before moving to Hokkaido

Arrived at the Land of Smiles

Decoration literally filled with various types of orchids. 

The passage leading to the transfer counter was on the other side of Suvarnabhumi Airport and even though i didn't have to haul along my large luggage, it's still a bloody long walk!

Tempted to try the exclusive ride until i came to realize its exclusivity came at a price; 1,070 Thai bahts which would be more expensive than a typical taxi ride from the airport to downtown Bangkok!

Walking would be cheaper, and healthier. 

Arrival at the transfer counter on the upper level where we had to show our boarding passes and also to go through a round of security checks which i thought was redundant. Oh well, we shall abide by the rules and regulations in a foreign country. 

Tsk tsk tsk, can see all the accumulated dust! Those with OCD would likely ask for a vacuum cleaner so that he/ she can suck everything up! 

Regretted going into the transit area so early as there's practically nothing to do and the juice on my phone was running low....

Happiness enveloped me when i saw a charging station but maybe there were too many people attempting the same thing as I; the charging speed couldn't match with my web-surfing speed!

Have to take the shuttle bus as the aeroplane we would be taking wasn't connected to an aero-bridge. Likely didn't manage to get a slot since Suvarnabhumi Airport was said to have reached its maximum passenger capacity and is in serious need for expansion.

Boarded the humongous Boeing 747-400. I am actually not well versed with the differences between the planes but i guess size is always a good comparative measure.

Movie watching time! Not really as it was already past midnight and being the victim of a car accident when i am self driving in a foreign country; i am aware that ample sleep is necessary if i am to self drive the next day! 

And i dislike in-flight earphones where i had to put on the foam cushion pads myself as i have the tendency to tear them.. my fault, none from the airline.

Hm.... when would a blanket be unsuitable for airplane use? [Update: a friend informed that the blanket has to be non-inflammable as part of the plan's fire requirement. Thanks, Yongde!]

One good thing about full service airlines; the amenities in the washroom which would be beneficial for those on overnight flights.

Not about the toilet paper which would be provided even on budget airlines. 

I am looking for the oral care set as i am anal in having my teeth brushed before i sleep! Of course i have my own toothbrush and toothpaste but they would be in the checked-in luggage. Flossing is a must though and i brought along a compact box of dental floss in my carryon bag.

Is that the compartment for facial tissue or toilet seat cover?

Late night snack (crab stick mayo sandwich) was given when i was back in my seat! Not one to crave for late-night supper and especially not when i had brushed and flossed my teeth; i decided to keep it aside. 

Rise and shine to find that the sky had already lighted up before 6 am! Note for those who would like to travel to Hokkaido in summer; the sun rises at 4 am and do get a room with thick curtains if you are the kind who couldn't go back to sleep when it's bright outside.

Breakfast was served shortly after; it's udon with prawns and i once again affirmed my dislike for udon! The portion of cut fruits was pretty sweet though. 

Fortunately, i still had the sandwich which was delish; to the extent that i took over Alex's one too as he preferred the udon. 

Before landing, do remember to fill up the disembarkation card and the custom declaration form! Just a piece of advice - please put in the full address of the local accommodation; failing which you would be asked to fill up in a separate counter. 


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