Ski Trip - Palcall Tsumagoi Resort

** Long post with pictures **

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

The 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.

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

Bread Making

I had been contemplating getting a bread maker for a long time. The thought of being able to make my own bread that is more nutritional, tastes better and free from preservatives, comes to me once in a while. However, I hesitated on buying after hearing stories where bread machines were left on the shelf after the novelty subsided. A friend of mine bought a bread maker, used it everyday for one month, and then stopped using it altogether. On the other hand, another friend makes wonderful bread with it. Ah well, for the time being I decided against buying it.

It was back to the basics of kneading dough by hand until I received a wonderful present - Panasonic SD-BM103 bread maker. Thank you so much! With a new machine on hand, I made my first basic white loaf.

Freshly baked bread for breakfast

And then I began to venture into bread rolls. The second day I tried butter roll and mini sausage rolls. I made about 10 sausage rolls but it wasn't enough to go around. The bread was very soft and everyone liked it. Ah Mah said everyone could have easily eaten 4 sausage rolls each. The balance of the dough I tried to make the braided bread with ham, cheese and tomato toppings. Papa loved the foccacia bread with rosemary herbs and olive oil.

Ham & cheese bun and sausage rolls

The bread machine can make pizza dough, cakes, mochi and pasta too!

Butter cake

Last but not least, the kids' favourite. The whole loaf of bread was finished in half an hour.

Raisin bread

Mood: Sense of satisfaction

City Lego

Irene Gu Gu and Uncle Fred went to the Gotemba factory outlet and bought them the City series Lego. Jonathan fixed the police cars and motorbikes, while Justin built the main buildings. Justin was so engrossed in fixing that we had to tell him to rest his eyes. They started after lunch and finished the set in the evening. The kids love the Star Wars series too. Thank you!!

Happy Birthday Irene 姑姑!

We had dinner at home to celebrated Irene Gu Gu's birthday. The dinner was western-styled, well except for the Yu Sheng (Raw Fish Salad) in line with Chinese New Year.

Dinner Menu:

Lo Hei Yu Sheng (Raw fish salad)

Cream of mushroom soup
Smoked salmon with capers

Herb roasted chicken with potatoes, carrots and french beans
Roast beef
Pan-fried scallops
Mashed potatoes

Chocolate from Laderach & macaroons from Pierre Hermé
(compliments of Uncle Fred)
Cheese & crackers
Fruits

Good selection of wine (by Uncle Fred)

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I didn't take any pictures of the food as I was too busy cooking. But I am going to give myself a pat on my back because this is one of the 'better' dinners I have prepared for 8 persons.

After dinner, the kids gave Irene Gu Gu her present and also a surprise gift for Uncle Fred.

CNY Reunion Dinner

This is the second year that we are celebrating Chinese New Year away from home. Ah Mah, Irene Gugu and Uncle Fred flew over from Singapore a few days earlier. We received our usual shipment of goodies from Singapore compliments of Ah Mah and Po Po.

We had a reunion steamboat dinner. All preparation was done in the afternoon, and by dinner time we could all enjoy each other's company.

Spring couplet

New year goodies

Steamboat

Ready to cook

Boys preparing the food

It was lovely to be able to spend time cooking, eating, and talking together. During the dinner, we played the rhyme game, where each one of us had to continue a story by rhyming the last word of each sentence. Justin was very creative and did much better than me. An enjoyable night with lots of laughs and giggles. Last but not least, ang pows were given and received on that night.

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

恭喜发财! 万事如意!

Morning after the snow

By 8:45am the next morning, the snow was slowly melting away. I decided to walk Jonathan to school so that he could play with the snow along the way. I called home after sending Justin to school. Jon answered the phone. He was really excited when I told him about walking to school and playing with snow. All dressed and ready to go when I reached home.

Jon enjoying his walk to school

First heavy snowfall in Tokyo - Winter 2010

Snowfall is a pretty rare sight around Tokyo. When we heard the news forecast of a 90% chance of snow on Monday night, we got very excited. Coming from a tropical country like Singapore which is always hot and humid, seeing snow fall from the sky was a new experience for the kids.

At around 9pm, snow started. The kids opened the window and touched the snow. It was a really pretty sight.

Snow accumulating on the ground

White and fluffy snow

At 11:30pm

Fluffy snow falling on Japan's ubiquitous umbrella

After 2 hours of snow

Absolutely beautiful. Snow covered ground, garden, trees, rooftop..... It felt like Christmas!!