Finally Our Turn: Taiwan - Japan Day 7: Snowboarding Day 2

We woke up and realised that it had snowed in the night. What greeted us was a sea of white. 

The routine was the same - we got ready and headed down for bfast at 7.30am. There was a new Thai family. A big crowd! 

The main dish, which I can't remember what it was called, was of tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and egg. Zaky opted for scrambled eggs instead. Lol. 

Zaky was in Nana's sweat shirt this time. 

We got ready to leave the lodge at 8.30am. This time, Nana decided that she would stay in the lodge. 

She would be more comfortable and decided that she wanted to go for a walk on her own and to finally be able to build snowman. 

We decided to have some fun in the snow before we left. 

Bcos there were so many families in the lodge, we shared a car with another family. 

Despite the snow in the night, there still wasnt enough to fill the ski resort in Madarao and we continued to make the 1 hour journey to Shiga Kogen. So much white along the way. It started snowing again.

Each time, a new person drives us, he/ she will share about their colorful lives - how they love the snow, the cold, how they decide on this path of chasing ski seasons, which bring them all over the world. Nana was very intrigued by each of the story. She #YOLO and thought that this is how life should be lived. No problem baby, find your own $$. 

We ended up in a different ski resort this time. It was somewhat a walk to the resort and we took some time to settle down and gear up. This time, we purchased the ski lift pass directly and hoped into one. Zaky wad very excited; I was very worried with yhe unfamiliar terrain. At least I could carry the SB onto the ski lift. The snow got more intense and the wind started too. We had to try to hide behind the board or the snow would smack our face. 

It took a lot to warm up. The slope is inclined to one side that literally pulled me in. The plan was to stop at "that tree" in the middle (aka towards my left) but I was simply drawn to my right, towards the slope. It was damned scary. I was worried that I would fall off the slope, so much so that I decided to take our my SB, walked across to where the rest were waiting (for me). I simply cannot get to where they were with my foot strapped onto the boots. 

It helped when the Instructor reminded to put pressure on the side of the hip where I wanted to go. Bcos I had to keep trying to go to the left while the slope pulled me to the right, I was constantly in one position and other was so tiring. I was so glad to make it down the slope. 

The 2nd time will be better after the warm up, right? I also thought so and I was indeed off to a good start. I practiced what I was taught and was moving left to the "tree", resisting the pull of the slope. Then I went too fast and the only way that I know how to stop is to fall. I did just that, but my board got caught in the powdery snow, the same snow that is supposed to make falls less painful. I flipped sideway, then my right ankle twisted awkwardly and I heard a "crack" before the pain sets in. Zzzzzz.. 

I sat up, back facing the slope with my feet still strapped in, waiting for the pain to go away. Luckily, Daddy Lim stopped after he saw me tumbled and was nearby. He came over and helped to release my feet. For sure, I injured the ankle but I wasn't sure how bad it was. I tried and luckily could put weight on the ankle. At least it wasn't a fracture, we just need to find out how bad the sprain was. 

The instructor also came up for me. There was no way I could continue to SB down. I declined her offer for the rescue mobile and walked down the slope with Daddy Lim. It was quite a long walk; the pain wasn't intense but it hurt with every step. Bcos the pain wasn't too bad, it did feel a little romantic to walk in the white. Lol. 

It took some courage to yank out the boot. The right ankle had started to swell. 

I iced the ankle, using the readily available snow. 

I know that there wasn't a way for me to continue to SB. I was secretly happy; the snow was way too scary for me. 

The boys decided to break for lunch too. 

They went back after lunch, leaving me to continue to ice the poor ankle. 

The original plan was for me to head back earlier with some of the other guests who only had morning lessons. I didn't end up much earlier, leaving at about 2.30pm. Shortly before I left, the boys came back and wanted to call it a day. It was too cold and tiring with the snow and wind. So much white that the picture even looked like a black and white picture. 

I was trying to walk around and warm up/ exercise the ankle a little. At least I had chance to take some pictures. Inside the cafeteria.. 

Outside the cafeteria.. 

It was a uphill task to simply get back to the car. The car was parked nearby but still a short walk away. My shoes were in another car and there was no way that I could put the injured foot back into the SB boot that was super tight even for a good foot. Fortunately I had a big feet hubby, who reminded me that he could loan me his boot. While he couldn't walk me to the car, bcos he was "missing' a boot, 2 instructors helped and ensure I don't further injured myself. 

The return trip was with Annie, the co-owner of the lodge. Throughout the drive, she shared about how she embarked on the business venture, starting in 2019 and hit by covid after 1 season. She and Dutchie bought the lodge for 75k euros but a lot more $$ was poured into restoring and renovating the lodge. It was very interesting to hear about how she raised funds, hired people for the skil season and how she structured the lay components. She mentioned that bcos the lodge was in the outskirt, it actually cost very little to survive if she doesn't run a lodge business. Hmm.... #retirmentplan, but I think cannot, I will probably be very scare of cold when I get older. Lol. 

When we arrived at the lodge, Nana was busy building snowman. She can now start building her army of snowman. 

She also got a little one outside her window. 

So cute. 

Nana said that she did go for her walk and it was snowing very hard. 

The boys came back not long after. Apparently, the rest of the guests suffered from the snow, wind and cold too. The kids did some snow sledding. 

We headed to the nearby restaurant for dinner bcos I couldn't walk much. The lodge sent us and it was actually the cafe/ resturant of another lodge. It was super cosy and they provide card/ board games. 

The car came for us at 7.30pm. Nana found snowball maker and attempted but failed. Lol. 

Back at the lodge, Zaky was dead tired and turned in early. It was our last night at the lodge and we had to pack up. 

Good night. 

Mummy Lim

Finally Our Turn: Taipei - Tokyo Day 1: Sleep Only

In the last weeks, scrolling FB and IG is a torture. Every who and who is on a holiday and eating this and that. The kids had been grumbling that I booked the holiday so/ too late this year. Why? Bcos my bosses are away at year end too, which made it safe for travel. Haha. 

While we head for our year end holidays, Mochi headed for the sitter's (SS) house for a reluctant staycation. He was running for his life when we took out his carrier last evening. Sorry moo moo. 

The kids went along, I didn't want to suffer the separation pain and chose to stay back, in the company of household chores. I asked Nana to bring along one of his snacks to calm Mochi down. It didn't help. They said that he was hiding in one corner and didnt want the snack. The other cats were very glad and Nana became very popular. Zzzz. 

When they left, Daddy Lim said that Mochi was on the green platform and a very friendly cat was licking him while Mochi just stay motionless. 

Later in the evening, SS sent this and said that Mochi was just very quiet, staying in a spot, seemed calm and hopefully should be able to adapt in a few days time. 

Both Thursday night and Friday morning, it was weird that there is no meowing. I missed Mochi already. 

I had to work on Friday morning while Daddy Lim went for a skating session. How nice! Right after lunch, we had to rush off to the airport. Finally!! 

SS updated that Mochi was perched on top of the cage. He didn't want his bfast and hopefully would get adjusted soon. 

We had a light bite and soon it was time to head to the gate. 

The plan was for me to sit with the kids while Daddy Lim has a seat in the row in front. Surprisingly, he wanted to sit with the kids. Ok lah! 

Lunch! Or was it early dinner? 

It was a 4.5 hours flight. Yawnz. Nana said that her butt hurts from all the sitting. The flight was uneventful but we had our 1st shock when disembarking the flight. Daddy Lim and I were walking in front of the kids. I saw that they were stuck in their seat but Daddy Lim was urging me on (out of the airplane). When we got off the flight, we realised that the kids didn't come out! It was a panic moment. We eventually found them outside the gate. They were stuck, couldn't follow us closely and then the air stewardess directed them to another exit. Zzzzz. 

The immigration had a long Q, which fortunately moved quickly. We collected our Easycard, pre-purchsed from klook and then made our way to the city bus. Taiwan! 

The kids excitedly hoped for cool weather. They got out of the airport and disappointedly said that it felt like Singapore, that the airport aircon is colder. Lol. 

The bus towards Songshan airport was departing at 9.45pm.

It was a long ride to our hotel. We had to alight at the something 龙江 something road, which took about 1 hour. Then a 10 mins walk to our hotel. I had thought that the Attic motel would be somewhere super ulu or super rundown but it wasn't too bad, other than the failing signboard. 

Our dinner was settled at the Family Mart nearby. 

Not cheap wor. These junk food cost us over SGD20 but we had a happy tummy for bed. 

We had 2 rooms and I got to sleep with Nana. The room was very decent. 

Good night!

Mummy Lim