page 2
click here and scroll very far down!!
http://www.redbaron.co.jp/touring/wakkanai/cat95/
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While in Kushiro I also met Mr. I - a Hokkaido veteran
and a great tour-guide who showed me around the city,
visiting Fisher's Wharf and other places. I went with
him to the Shitsugen Nature Park, too, famous for crane
watching.
With 3 more days left, I changed my agenda and
proceeded to Kamifurano, famous for Mount Daisetsu
and Tokachidake. Visiting well-known Tomita Farm
(lavender and other flowers) I made my way along Route
38 and 237. The camp area at Kamifurano had again
everything I needed, including showers (100 Yen a shot)
washing machines and so on. Meeting other bikers (how
many was it again??), good eating and drinking, enjoying
the Onsen (hot bath) and not to forget all the animals out
there...I had again a great time. I stayed at Kamifurano
from 5 ~ 7 August, also visiting another nearby Ainu
settlement at Asahikawa (which was a little
disappointing - looked pretty poor).
The last part of the trip took me to the Shakotan
Peninsula. Following Routes 38, 12, 275 and 337 past
Sapporo (nice shower for 20 minutes which left close to
5 centimeters of water on the roads) on to Route 5 and
229. Shakotan had again nature in abundance, but no
camp area for me. So I decided to sleep on a bench at a
parking area.
On 8 August I made it back to Ohtaru Port, meeting
again with my friend Danchan and his family for a great
"Kaiten-sushi" dinner, after having visited at least some
famous spots of the city. Boarding the ferry around
23:00, making new home-going friends and after another
23 hours sea-voyage as well as roughly 500 kilometers
motorcycling at night/early in the morning I arrived
tired but more than happy at home, early in the morning.
1. I had a GREAT time!
2. I met lots of bikers who will hopefully become real friends!
3. I met a GREAT friend and his family who were very generous and helpful. Hope we will meet soon again and
that I can do at least as much for them .
4. I saw some GREAT nature, reminding me of Germany!
5. The places I stayed were GREAT, with one minor exception, but also this was a learning experience!
6. The weather was GREAT - only 2 days rain!
7. The food - nothing but OUTSTANDING!! Dan-chan, a special thank you to the 4 of you for a GREAT breakfast a
superb sushi dinner and most of all your hospitality and friendship!!
8. A special thank you to all the people I met on the road for their kindness, help, support and advice!!
9. I rode close to 3.500 kilometers, spent something like Yen 20.000 on gasoline, Yen 40.000 for the ferry and
Yen 20.000 for highway fees. The total trip was around Yen 120.000 for 12 days - guess that ain't too bad!?!?!
10. I shall return to Hokkaido, so time, health and money permit!
If you have any questions, want to know more or need any advice, please get with me. I am more than gladly willing
to help!! Maps will follow later!
