Hakuba-mura, Chubu, Japan Thursday, January 12, 2017 *LOU* The boys had an early start heading off to Hakuba 47 for another day on the slopes. The girls decided it was time for a well earnt rest day. We lazed around, had a bit of brekky, Maya went for a walk to get coffee before we planned our day. Ash and I booked in massages for 2.30pm so everything else revolved around that. Tour guide Svetlana aka Maj had done her research and found the Oide no Tsuribas...

Hakuba-mura, Chubu, Japan Wednesday, January 11, 2017 *CAL* Today was spent at Tsugaike Kogen Resort. Dyl and I got up early to catch the bus from the hotel to be there in time for the first lift. We had a few runs in some decent snow before we met the rest of the crew to help them work on their snowboarding. The guys were picking up plenty of golden rules of the snow and Blake learnt an important one: all valuables go in a zip up pocket; he had lost his GoPr...

Hakuba-mura, Chubu, Japan Tuesday, January 10, 2017 *BLAKE* We woke up to a nice covering of snow on the trees and ground which made for a spectacular view from our hotel room - a true winter wonderland. We then headed down to have buffet breakfast which was provided by the hotel. It was better than the last hotels breakfast with a few more western choices including cereal which we hadn't seen at all previously in Japan. Callum & Dylan being the experien...

Hakuba-mura, Chubu, Japan Monday, January 9, 2017 *DYLAN* Open the eyes this morning and it was a breath of relief to know that there were no lingering stomach cramps or other more larger scale problems following the consumption of last night's dinner. Who knows what it was, puffer fish, poison fish, sea urchin, fish gizzards, a piece of an old rubber tyre...don't know, but it was a horrible restaurant and won't be going there again thank god. The horrendou...

Osaka, Kinki, Japan Sunday, January 8, 2017 *MAYA* We had a briskly paced morning departing Miyajima for Osaka. Custard and apple tarts at the markets (best meal of the day and you'll soon find out why) running for the ferry then running for the train. Ash and I opted for the elevator whilst the others tackled the stairs. We missed the train. Some may say that is was namely because of our lagging but we are adamant that is was a strategic move so we would e...