Winter in Sapporo ( Part 2 )

(Above) Taking a cozy couple shot at Odori Park with the snowflakes falling around us

(Above) Us posing outside the gates of the city's botanic gardens. Unfortunately it was closed for winter. But looking in at the snow filled gardens, it was a very dreamy sight.

Our second day in Sapporo was the coldest with the temperature dropping between -1 to -3 degrees celcius. It was freezing trying to take photos because I had to remove my thick gloves to control the camera shutter precisely. We also had to watch our steps to avoid the sheets of frozen ice on the ground to prevent us from slipping. The easiest was to walk in the snow which had not frozen yet as there was at least some grip, like walking in teh sand. The only thing was that the ends of our pants or shoes would get wet. We walked around the displays errected for the Sapporo White Illumination event and decided that we would drop by on our last night there just to see the lights.
(Above) Me making a snowball

(Below) Gayle posing in the snow

(Above) Posing with the Sapporo TV Tower in the background at Odori Park

(Above and Below) Us at the uppermost observation floor at the Sapporo TV Tower which affords us a good view of Sapporo city. It was also a warm relief from the cold winter.(Below) From the observation floor, we can see our hotel in the background - the cream coloured building.

(Above) View of Odori park from the Sapporo TV Tower.

(Above) Gayle posing at the Tanuki Koji Shopping arcade which houses over 200 shops

(Above) We saw a pet shop there and the dogs were so cute! They were also toilet trained very well.

(Above) Pastry cupcakes for dogs. So well designed and looking delicious, even humans are tempted.
(Below) Gayle posing in front of the Daimaru store.

Sapporo is really very good for shopping and thus, we have to watch our spending since everything is so nice and tempting to buy or eat over there. Gayle bought herself a pair of nice leather heeled boots. We hardly see such nice boots, especially in Singapore.

Actually, Sapporo or Japan for that matter was a good place for us to stock up on fashionable winter clothing and apparel for our next winter trip. I also bought Gayle a Blue Label Burberry's bag shown below. It was a nice looking bag, different from the usual Burberry cross checked patterns. Apparently, Blue Label Burberry is only available in Japan.

(Above) Interior compartment of the Burberry bag. Very nice stiching and useful pockets.

We had a nice hot bowl of udon soup for lunch. One thing we noticed about Japanese food is that it is always value for money in terms of the quality and quantity, plus free drinks are provided.
(Above) Where we had our lunch. Popular place as it is value for money and the food is good.(Above) Nice bowl of tasty beef rice - a staple food item there , similar to our Yoshinoya.

(Below) Then we had cakes, so nice but utterly sinful. We just wonder how the pastry chef can slice the cake so nicely. Look at the banana slice in the chocolate banana cake slice below, so well cut.

(Above and Below) Gayle shopping at Daiso. Many interesting variety of things to see. 5 floors of Daiso. Gayle looking at baking items.

(Above) Streetside shopping. Opposite the Louis Vuitton store in Sapporo. This was a branded street, with luxury stalls. We were on our way to look for a branch of the famous Le Tao Pastry cafe, which is famous in Sapporo, originating from nearby Otaru. More about that in our next posting.