Markie

Thanks Thursday. I was packing last night and filled a whole hockey bag with stuff, weighing a ton. The only thing in that bag that was mine, however, was a pair of ski-boots. I remember last time I was in Hakuba I said to myself "Wouldn't it be nice to travel light next time?" and so I left my skis with Fattwins. Good thing I did, but travelling light was just wishful thinking! At least we have a coach direct from Narita to Fatty's place so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle. Forecast is for snow over the weekend and as I've said many times before, I am still hoping to do Sun Alpina, but

First time this season to see a totally white Sun Alpina through the webcam.

Quote: Originally posted by eskimobasecamp: waiting for AK to arrive....we both have shitty colds Dropping hints of previous fluid exchange from that torrid love affair?

Good too see white-out conditions at Hakuba. Maybe a little hope for me that Sun Alpina will open.

The ants are out in force at Kiroro as usual but at Hakuba, my plans for doing Sun Alpina and Iwatake do not appear to be hopeful. However, I can see some nice moguls beginning to form on that Happo slope. At least there's a little good news for me.

Quote: Originally posted by AK 77: Avoid massage on the lower back unless it's from a chripractor - there's not alot of good you can do there as an amateur. AK, who are you calling an amateur? I'm gonna twist your back for you when I get there next week. But on a serious note, my lower back always used to hurt me some years back. That was during the time I was playing hockey a lot. The chiro did indeed help a lot but after I got an OSIM massage chair I didn't have to go to the chiro any more. It was quite effective. I do recommend that but if you don't want to fork out a lot of YY f

No, I didn't get any gigs in Tokyo so my bus will go straight through Tokyo to Hakuba.

Don't worry slow, I will dip my hands in hot water before giving you a good back massage next week.

Coldcat, how could you leave out this one? It's the most important! -sumimasen, toire wa doko desu ka. (excuse me, where is the toilet) oops. that was already covered earlier, I see.

Who's going to ski? I'm going to put on a Drag-Q show.

I don't care. It's mine now!

I'm there on Thursday night (Dec 21) and leaving the next Thursday (Dec 28). I'll remember to bring the Sailor Moon outfit!

Blue skies over Hakuba as well, but I don't like what I'm seeing at Sun Alpina. It's just grass there, looking out from the webcam. If they don't get major snow soon, looks like I won't be skiing there.

If you want Hakuba weather forecasts, you can try this: Yahoo weather forecast-Hakuba or this, recommended by Slow: Ski and snowboard forecasts

Checking out that castle is worthwhile. Really well preserved and maintained. But I have a question for anyone who has been there in winter. When I went last Easter, we had to take off our shoes at the entrance. It was a little cold and my feet felt very numb and sore by the time I got out. So my question is: "Do they make you take off your shoes in winter too?" I wouldn't last 5 minutes without shoes in that castle.

Quote: Originally posted by manda: "No offense but..." whatever follows is usually offensive. Yeah! Just like: "With all due respect..." to be followed invariably by something disrespectful.

Hahaha, gotcha, that's the answer I expected from someone who's gonna spend 20000y a night to stay at a Niseko Hotel. Your ass is just as frail as mine, bro.

Quote: Originally posted by thursday: They are not as crap as people make out Thursday, I'll believe you if you actually go and try it out and tell me that with a straight face.

I remember it was a great hassle having to go to the Japanese Embassy every year to get visas to visit Japan in the past. Then the visas became valid for 3 years and now visas are not required for HK citizens to visit Japan. That may be one of the factors that account for the rising number of visitors from Hong Kong.

While someone is answering gamera's question, could they also tell me why the abbreviation of Elizabeth is Ellie and not Eli and not Betty and and Bettie and not Bess and not Lisa and not Eliza and not Liza and not Liz and not Lizzy and not Lizzie.

Sorry? Why does Santa say sorry? You should say: You're welcome. (BTW, thanks, of course from me and Fattwins and whoever will be getting the other stuff) Everything is very new and of a high quality and I will have no trouble finding a good home for them. Oh, and good having a beer with you. Must do that again sometime.

I can't give a first hand account, but I'm with Rag-Doll on this one. I've heard they are crap. Small, poor facilities and very poor snow. The videos I've seen show the snow is very hard and a little brownish. A friend was commenting to me about how the lockers are located outdoors so you have to bring all your stuff there after gearing up in the changing rooms. Apparently that place was mainly designed for grass skiing in the summer.

So many Hamiltons in the world. I know one of them is the capital of Bermuda.

Kiroro still the resort with the most accumulated snow and still getting lots of ants every day. At Hakuba, looks like a nice day with some blue skies but can't see and riders out there.

Another good day at Kiroro with the ants still busy there. Meanwhile, it looks like whiteout conditions at Happo and Goryu. Can just bearly see the images of a few brave souls out there. Looks like I have to wait a bit longer for my VW-high moguls.