Hakuba - White Xmas In Japan

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Hakuba - White Xmas In Japan

We arrived in Hakuba on Friday 21st December after a 4.5 hour bus from Tokyo - we were expecting some snow when we arrived into Hakuba as its the busy time of year for the Ski Resorts - We werent disappointed as the snow had been falling heavily for the last couple days which meant I nearly disappeared when I got out of the bus.!! Its like nearly 3 feet deep an Im wearing a hooded top so yet again its away shopping for warmer clothes.

We contacted our lodge owner who had said he would pick us up at bus station - when we arrived at the lodge is was just the postcard picture we were hoping for - as you can see from the picture. Even better when we paid for our 2 week stay he undercharged us by about 60Euro for no apparent reason so we got off to a great start. The guys that run the lodge are all our age so we have all just been sitting around watching DVDs most evening and the odd snowball fight when someone dares to walk outside.

We have since metup with Rae an Lydia that we met back in Tokyo and another girl Ashna is arriving around the 26th December so will be a good gang of us for Xmas / New Yrs - gang will get bigger cause alot of westerners work up here for the ski season an just organise lodge parties during the weekend so should be a laugh.

We have organised our first snow boarding day 2morrow which will be Xmas Eve funny enough - gonna be snow boarding on Xmas day aswell while your all tuckedup in beds back home an then meetup with everyone for later that evening. Its nothing like a normal Xmas here as they dont celebrate like we do but at the same time its kinda cool been up in the mountains covered in snow away from all the madness.!!!

So on that note I wish everyone everywhere a very Happy Xmas and a great 2008.

Speak soon,
Sayonara,
Declan

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Photos

Hakuba
TabiTabi Lodge - Our home for Xmas & New Years

Hakuba
TabiTabi Lodge - Our home for Xmas & New Years

Hakuba
TabiTabi Lodge - Our home for Xmas & New Years

Hakuba
TabiTabi Lodge - Our home for Xmas & New Years

Hakuba
TabiTabi Lodge - Our home for Xmas & New Years

Comments

[Ellasar]

happy Xmas Bro!
...and a happy new year! A word of warning...I've learned that Irish people are not naturally good at winter sports! Be warned!

[Michelle]

Happy Christmas
Looks like you have an ideal place to enjoy Christmas. Your photos are stunning, (intrigued to know what shutter speed you are using for traffic shots). Hope 2008 is kind to you. With love from all of us in Mullingar, Michelle Fionnuala and Ciarán.

[Dekka]

Shutter Speed for Traffic
20-30 seconds for shutter speed on a tripod with low ISO - I love those traffic shots - happy xmas to the gang in mullingar

[Dekka]

Snow Boarding
I think I might have to get in touch with the Irish Winter Olympic Committee after todays very successful snow boarding day - well just after I ring the physio after falling soo much

[Emma]

HAPPY CRIMBO!!!!
Dude...you jammy sod...I am so jealous, that looks like an amazing place to spend Christmas. Have a great one :) Ems xxxxxxxxx

[Mark]

good stuff
Finally got around to reading the blog after being harassed for the past few months by your Auntie Peggy. Feeling a little bit light headed after plowing through hundreds of bright lights of Asia photos but the comments were amusing. Snowboarding should be a doddle after the kamikazee runs down Castleogary hill in the bin bag in winter or the death defying runs in the Barbie pram with no brakes. Sounds like you are having a blast, good on ya. I'll keep a little more up to date so the bright lights head rush doesn't kick in again. Cousin Mark

[Noel]

New Year
Hello Bro, Happy New Year and all that from here. Good to see you got plenty of snow for Xmas, how did the snowboarding go? We are all very interested in how you are managing the food in Japan, surely you had to expand your diet from toast, ketchup, burgers and sausages!! All well here, I spent my first Xmas away from Donegal in the bright lights of Dublin. Survived all the northsiders which is good, batterburger and chips is funny on Xmas Day though! Speak soon Noel