Day 5 Sapporo to Asahikawa

So after a shit nights rest I woke up at 5:15am to get packed and head out on foot to Sapporo train station to catch my train at 6:35am. Got to the station and decided to take the next train since I had two hours to wait in Asahikawa for the bus that would take me to the village/onsen area which is the entrance of the National Park Daisetsuzan. 

When I arrived at the Asahikawa train station, I met this awesome Thai medical student who was travelling by himself and also wanted to check out the park so we decided to stick together for the day. After speaking to the tourist information person, we were informed that it would be a terrible idea to attempt to climb the mountain today because the winds were strong and the temperature was too cold. So last minute we decided to skip the whole national park and instead go to Biei. After arriving in Biei we went to see the famous blue pond which was so blue and eerie looking, I can't describe why it was eerie, but I think it's because the shade of blue was so chilly and icy looking, it wasn't a warm shade of blue. 

blueeeee

ICY blue

My beautiful new Thai friend 

After returning back to the main area we decided to rent some touring bikes and attempt to see some nice lookout points indicated in the map. I was feeling very optimistic and certain that we would be able to bike 9km to see the flower fields but was quickly wronged when in the direction we were riding in was covered with ominous grey dark clouds. Also the bikes were absolute shit, 3 mother effing gears!!! Like common!!! Not to mention they weighed like 50 pounds!

At the start of the ride, bright skies 

Just stunning landscape 

As the afternoon progressed so did the darkness 

Small lonely farm in a stormy sky 

Honestly though, riding along in the undulating farmland which had barely any cars, people, or houses, I fantasised how amazing it would be to bring my road bike here and ride this when it was summer and warmer. That is something I honestly have to do in my lifetime. It was so spectacular and my god just biking towards the alps in front of you, ugh that would be my absolute heaven. Anyone interested in joining? ;)

After terminating our journey prematurely we headed back to Asahikawa and there I said goodbye to my lovely Thai friend. I then started heading back towards my first couch surfer host's bar. 

That experience was definitely interesting to say the least and I will explain in my next post.