DAY 1
We went on a ski trip to Palcall Tsumagoi Resort, Gunma Prefecture north of Karuizawa, during Justin's term break. What a pleasant surprise we had when we woke up and saw snow falling at our window. It had snowed again early in the morning and the view outside looked so beautiful. The kids played outside while we put the luggage into the car.
Excited boys
Trees and grass covered with snow at a park nearby
Our faithful navigator - 4 hours to destination
Enroute
Jon taking a snooze
One hour prior to reaching our destination, we stopped by a soba-ya near Karuizawa for lunch. After a bowl of hearwarming noodles, we were ready to proceed again.
Convoy of cars
Thanks to our experienced guide, we reached the resort at 2pm. The kids were excited and kept asking to play with their sledges. After a half an hour break, we met at the sledge area for the kids to play. They had lots of fun. Adults too!
The kids and papa
Who seems to be having more fun?
Justin going down the slope
Jonathan
Jonathan had a slight incident while playing on the sledge and thankfully he was fine. The first time Jonathan went on the sledge by himself, he managed to stop because the mound of snow served as a barrier before the wall. The second time, he sat in the sledge and zoomed down the second his legs left the ground. It was too late to stop him.
He looked really cute at first. A small figure nicely snugged in the sledge going down the slope. Suddenly, it dawned to me that he didn't know how to stop! I tried to run after him but he had zoomed down too quickly. The sledge steered more to the right where the mound was not high enough to stop him. He went over the ice and disappeared behind it. The red tape at the other side stopped his path. He had a bruise on his head, but bravely walked out quietly.
Below the clip:
Took some pictures from our hotel room before dinner.
After dinner, we went for Karaoke with the kids. You'll be surprised at the songs that they know. The kids sang Last Christmas, Puff the Magic Dragon, Beat It by Michael Jackson, Yellow Submarine by The Beatles, Mama Mia, Money Money Money by ABBA, etc. While one sang, the rest were dancing on stage.
Justin singing Yellow Submarine
Kids dancing with Mauricio
DAY 2
Excited boys
Trees and grass covered with snow at a park nearby
Our faithful navigator - 4 hours to destination
Enroute
Jon taking a snoozeOne hour prior to reaching our destination, we stopped by a soba-ya near Karuizawa for lunch. After a bowl of hearwarming noodles, we were ready to proceed again.
Convoy of cars Thanks to our experienced guide, we reached the resort at 2pm. The kids were excited and kept asking to play with their sledges. After a half an hour break, we met at the sledge area for the kids to play. They had lots of fun. Adults too!
The kids and papa
Who seems to be having more fun?
Justin going down the slope
JonathanJonathan had a slight incident while playing on the sledge and thankfully he was fine. The first time Jonathan went on the sledge by himself, he managed to stop because the mound of snow served as a barrier before the wall. The second time, he sat in the sledge and zoomed down the second his legs left the ground. It was too late to stop him.
He looked really cute at first. A small figure nicely snugged in the sledge going down the slope. Suddenly, it dawned to me that he didn't know how to stop! I tried to run after him but he had zoomed down too quickly. The sledge steered more to the right where the mound was not high enough to stop him. He went over the ice and disappeared behind it. The red tape at the other side stopped his path. He had a bruise on his head, but bravely walked out quietly.
Below the clip:
Took some pictures from our hotel room before dinner.
After dinner, we went for Karaoke with the kids. You'll be surprised at the songs that they know. The kids sang Last Christmas, Puff the Magic Dragon, Beat It by Michael Jackson, Yellow Submarine by The Beatles, Mama Mia, Money Money Money by ABBA, etc. While one sang, the rest were dancing on stage.
Justin singing Yellow Submarine
Kids dancing with MauricioThe kids took a 2 hour ski lesson in the morning with Mayuki being the official translator since the lessons were in Japanese. Papa practised his snowboarding. Claudia and I went up the ski gondola to look at the view from the top. The rest went skiing. We came back down just in time for the kid's break. Jonathan didn't like the ski lessons so he stopped halfway.
After lunch, the kids started sledging again. There was a mini escalator which they could ride up the slope and slide down. Papa went snowboarding.
On the ski lift
On the way down
After 2 hours sledging, the kids still wanted to play with the snow. They decided make snowman and snow balls, so they walked further up where the snow was softer and fluffier. They started to climb up a steep slope. They played for another hour before the sun set.
After a hot drink at the cafeteria, we went back to our rooms to rest.
Jon running up and down the maisonette
Next, a warm bath at the onsen before dinner. Papa brought the kids to the male onsen while I enjoyed my warm, rejuvenating and peaceful bath. In Japan, no swimsuits are allowed in traditional onsens. You can only use a small towel for modesty when walking into the bath area. See this website on How to Take a Japanese Bath.
Sorry, no pictures allowed.
After dinner, we adjourned to the games area for table tennis and billiard. At 10pm, the kids still wanted to go for Karaoke. Jonathan was tired so I brought him back to sleep. Justin came back at 11pm and the three guys continued singing till midnight.
DAY 3
The kids did a bit of sledging again. Yes, they enjoy it so much. We went on the gondola to let the kids have a look at the view from the top.
After lunch, we drove to Karuizawa town before heading back home. Karuizawa is known for its historic shopping street. There is a lovely French bakery, shops selling souvenirs like jam and wine, Ghibli shop, etc. We also stopped by for coffee at a cosy cafe with a lovely fireplace and manga for customers to read.
On the ski lift
On the way downAfter 2 hours sledging, the kids still wanted to play with the snow. They decided make snowman and snow balls, so they walked further up where the snow was softer and fluffier. They started to climb up a steep slope. They played for another hour before the sun set.
Jon running up and down the maisonetteNext, a warm bath at the onsen before dinner. Papa brought the kids to the male onsen while I enjoyed my warm, rejuvenating and peaceful bath. In Japan, no swimsuits are allowed in traditional onsens. You can only use a small towel for modesty when walking into the bath area. See this website on How to Take a Japanese Bath.
Sorry, no pictures allowed.
After dinner, we adjourned to the games area for table tennis and billiard. At 10pm, the kids still wanted to go for Karaoke. Jonathan was tired so I brought him back to sleep. Justin came back at 11pm and the three guys continued singing till midnight.
DAY 3
The kids did a bit of sledging again. Yes, they enjoy it so much. We went on the gondola to let the kids have a look at the view from the top.
After lunch, we drove to Karuizawa town before heading back home. Karuizawa is known for its historic shopping street. There is a lovely French bakery, shops selling souvenirs like jam and wine, Ghibli shop, etc. We also stopped by for coffee at a cosy cafe with a lovely fireplace and manga for customers to read.
We arrived back in Tokyo at 8pm and had dinner at a nearby yakitori place. A successful and enjoyable trip. The kids had tremendous fun during the trip.
Yakitori & shabu-shabu dinner
