Thursday, 24 November 2011

Autumn Canoeing in Jozankei 定山渓で秋のカヌー

Occasion: Autumn Season Canadian Canoeing at Jozankei
When: End of October, Autumn 
Venue: Toyohira River 豊平川, Jozankei 定山渓 
Meeting point: Foot bath "Ashi-no-fureai Taro no Yu" 
(Organiser will provide pick-up service from this point- kindly make prior reservation before going) For more info, click HERE

I know i know.. it was already the end of Autumn a few days ago. We've experienced our first snow just mid of last week. I should remember that night very clearly cos I rode home on my bicycle from Kita 24 in the heavy snow with practically nothing on but donning my leather jacket that comes handy with a hoodie and especially brave through the snow with NO GLOVES on!!! I had to count my fingers by the time I reached home to make sure I have still got all 10 of them with me!! You want to see the end results of my first snow experience?!

TA-DAH!!!! LMAO...

My hair was so heavy with wet snow by the time
I reached home and yet I can smile for the camera (:

Anyway, back to the topic of our little group excursion canoeing at Jozankei the Canadian style. If you wonder the same thing as I did earlier, why Canadian style?! Well according to wikipedia, apparently, the American calls it 'canoe' and the English calls it 'Canadian canoe', which basically is the same sport. Besides that, canoe uses paddling and not the typical rowing. When paddles, one will face the direction they are heading to, in contrast to rowing, where one will face the opposite direction instead. *now it's time to use your imagination and it will make sense to you* (but if it still doesn't make any sense, ermm... i'm sorry for you)

I heard so much rave about the awesome-ness of the autumn leaves outside on the mountains of Hokkaido and took this opportunity to check out the wilderness by what more seems to be the best idea of all, by strolling down the Toyohira River and feast our eyes and senses with these beauties. 

I'll let the pictures do all the talking... (:

Check out the gorgeous view of Jozankei cruising down the river

the gorgeous red bridge, the reflection on the clear river and
amazing breath taking view of the autumn moutains

Me and my partner in crime, Dino all prepped for take-off!

"Ahoy" there (:

I spot enemies rowing close by... *takes out my weapon*

nothing to fear in the end cos enemies rowing skills were so bad
i almost died laughing!! LOL
Here you see them rowing to the hit the river banks for the gazillion-th times!

Goofy 'enemies' from L-R:
Lan, Tah and Gie (:

Spectacular backdrop (:

It was a sweet coincidence to bump into these 2 here (:
Ren and his gf

Dino, my rowing partner who kept insisting he did
most of the hard work of rowing.. which of course he LIED!

I rowed just as hard too okay.. 

Group photos of the rowers that day (: Basically everybody somehow
knows everybody here except for the honeymooners hailed from HK at far left

After the excursion that probably lasted about 1 hour including prep time, we left the river satisfied (: Everybody enjoyed the little cruise down the gorgeous river line and mesmerized from the autumn backdrop. We then decided to take a little walk around Jozankei to check out what else this small little town has to offer besides being the famous location for onsen (hot spring bath). 



It drizzled slightly in the morning before our canoe ride

Came across this cute little hot water fountain that has duckies on them
*quack*

Hot spring smoke emits from the wall of the mountain here
.. feels so surreal

Cheeky Gie got caught red handed!

Nearest water fall around the area

Group photo!!
L-R: Tah, Gie, Moi, Lan and Dino

With that, that ends our day trip Canadian canoeing down Toyohira River at Jozankei. On the same night, we went celebrating Halloween in town. I've blogged about that HERE if you have not read it yet. GO READ IT!! What chu waiting for??!! 

Last but not least, as true to my common style, enclosed is another vain pic of moi to end this blog post. Muaks.. till then.. have a great week ahead. (: 

A very happy moi (:

"Row, row, row your boat,
                                   Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream" 
~Unknown~





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