Return to Abashiri, Hokkaido (plans)

My wife and I miss Abashiri.

It was one of the first towns we stayed in Hokkaido when we returned in 2012.

We loved Abashiri because it was not what you expect of Japan. It was a small quiet town. In 2012, we went to Asahikawa after Abashiri and rented a car there. The young woman staffing the car rental agency could speak quite good English and asked us where we had been. I said Abashiri, and she said her grandmother lives there. And commented that it was "dead" or "quiet" or "not a happening place". Or maybe she said that she used to live there and couldn't wait to leave that place.

Well, she's young. She will come to appreciate quiet one day.

We wanted to retire there. We could learn to love it there, we thought (without letting the realistic worry about speaking the language intrude upon our fantasy).

Well, let us have our fantasy.

And if we can't go back and retire there, we can at least return for another visit.

Putrajaya Sept 2018 - A limited visit and review.

My wife had a conference in Putrajaya (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) recently, and would have been gone for a few days.

When she had a similar conference last year (in another city), I took on the task of single parenting my daughter (two and a half years old) for a few days.

She was fine the morning my wife left.

She was fine that evening.

But when it was dark and she was supposed to go to bed, she started to tear, and said that she missed her mommy and finally sobbed herself to sleep.

I got my wife to video call us while she was there, so my daughter could see her. And it was clear she really liked being able to see and talk to mommy.

I got my wife to send video messages via WhatsApp and that was precious to my daughter.

But bed time was still sad times. And lonely times. And times she missed her mommy acutely.

Tips for visiting Singapore

This is a good video tip.

I can find no issues in terms of accuracy or bias.

One of the better videos, I believe.

AAA Granary Accommodations & Tasmazia

We stayed 2 nights in the studio apartment of AAA Granary Accommodations called "The Loft".

Wished I had booked for more nights!

I picked AAA Granary for its proximity to Tasmazia. 

The Loft is a one-room studio with gas fireplace, one king bed, one single and one sofa bed.

The proprietor had turned on the fireplace BEFORE we arrived and selected the "turbo" option so that we would walk into a warm room when we arrived.

So nice and thoughtful of her!

Once in a Lifetime Experiences: Penguins of Phillip Island

We booked a tour with Wildlife Adventures, which start the day picking us up from our hotel at about 9.30. This is followed by a 90 minute drive South, towards Phillip Island.

Before that, we stopped just after 11.00 am for lunch, at Maru Koala Sanctuary.

Maru Koala Sanctuary has Kangaroo feeding (which I have already done at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary), and two albino kangaroos, which are quite rare.

But of course, Koalas are their main attraction.

We were lucky to catch the Koala at their most active. According to their handler, Koalas move only about 15 minutes a day. And sleeps up to 20 hours.

And are not the very brightest of creatures.

Because of their exclusive diet of Eucalyptus leaves.

So we were VERY lucky that while we were there, one Koala moved from one bunch of leaves to another.

And then she was done moving for the day (according to the handler).

After about 2 hours there, we headed to Phillip Island and the Penguin parade.

Our two days In Hobart

Finding a bakery in Hobart is difficult. Initially.

Then we found one just around the corner from our Hotel! (Daci Daci Bakers)

For dinner, we found fish and chips at the pier. One was called Fish Frenzy. Dunno if it is the "best fish and chips" but it was pretty good!

The first night at our hotel in Hobart, the fire alarm went off after 10 pm. It was interesting to see our "Singaporean response" - we looked at each other.

Melbourne next

We were in Melbourne for 3 nights recently after over a week in Tasmania.

And we wished we had more time in Melbourne!

There is a lot to see in Melbourne, and we should see it all.

Our three nights were too short a time. We barely explored QV market - maybe 30% of it, if at all.

We didn't go for Puffing Billy.

We should aim for when Thomas is back. That would excite my daughter.

We didn't go to the zoo - either Melbourne Zoo or the Weeribee open range zoo.

And we only spent about half a day in Chadstone Shopping Centre. Or "Chaddy" to the locals. We need more time there!