Day 3: Ski day (Gala Ski resort)

relucantly, we woke up after 3 time snooze. 730am. do a quick washed up and quick pack, we went to lobby to meet our friend Midori.

8am: she is already at the lobby (with her big bag of Snow board) when we arrive, pasieh le. we walk up to her and greet good morning. we proceed to have our breakfast at the hotel, when eating, we asked her about other places on how to get there on our own and where to get good price for electric item.

830am: we finish our breakfast, we proceed to the Station to take the JRline to Ueno. it was pretty easy for us, as she had already prepare the trains and bullet train for us in advance. we are suppose to meet another 4 person together on this ski trip.

9am: we reached Ueno and proceed to the bullet train station, this is where we met her husband (another one with a snow board) I asked them how long have they ski, she told me, about 10 years and her husband is longer. OMG.

the bullet train can go up to 210km/hr and is the fastest train on earth. We board the train found our seat and off it goes. it will be another 1hr 20mins ride from tokyo to the ski resorts.

1220pm, we reached the ski resorts (GALA), here we meet another group of experts. I knew, from their know-how and their dressing. they help us to pick up our skis, ski clothes, pants, gloves and ski shoes, all these is booked in advance and we dun even need to Q. thanks guys.

1pm, after we had change, we gather at the cafe and had our lunch, took some photos and we proceed for the skis. we took a cable car up the mountains of snows, it was beautiful.

when we reached the ski mountain, we were arrange for a instructor, whom will take us for 2 hours of lesson. it include, how to wear the ski correctly, stand, fall, slide on one leg, 2 leg, stop, turn. then we are allowed to go to the beginner slide for a try. wah, dun think this is easy! you got to try it to know, how difficult it is. after stuggling for almost 1 hour, I begin to start skiling a little. joanne still stuggling. hehe. when we are ready, the instructor begins to bring us to the cable car up the beginner hills. it was a frightening experience. ahtough it is only a very small hill, the feeling of going down uncontrolable is very scarey, a little like free falling. the Instructor kept reminding us, keep your skis at a triangle position and make it big, lower your body and keep your body forward. we are worst than the kids. keke

after the 2 hours, we graduate. took some picture with the instructor. we met up with the other group. decided to take a break at the cafe. before we continue another round skiling. after a pizza break, we went off to the mountain again. they decided to accompany us (newbies) on the beginners hills. taking us by the hand, they guide us step by step on the skis again, this round, i guess, Joanne and myself, we are better and more confidence.

they decided to go for the advance hills. we game! think we are over confidence, this time! we begin the slow up hill cables, when i am on the cable, i can see that the hills is really long and some part are steeps. wah, not easy man! on the hills tops, I couldnot see the bottom. it was about 3km from the top. I begin my slow ski down, while joanne does hers. the slope is unlike the one we try on the beginner hills, it was much much faster and steepers, everyone here is like an experts, knowing what to do, of cos there are other falls, but non could match my numbers of time i am on the ground than on my skis :P lucky, I got good pals that stick with my all the time. encouraging me and cheering for me when i managed to do a "stunt" well and crazy enough for a beginner.

Finally i finish my "stunt" on the advance hill and reached the ground safety without any injuries. thanks God! we begin to return to the resort and q up for the cable car out of the snow mountains. when we reached the resorts, we change return our stuff and bid farewell to the great pals we had today.

7pm, we proceed to take the bus out to the station, while we had our dinner at the station. wonderful nice, hot soba ramen. while we still had some time, we went over to the sake shop to taste the wonderfull sake so much, that i bought a 2 L back. We proceed to take the bullet train for 1hr 20mins, and bid farewell to Midori and husband, we continue back to Ikeabukuro.

I am happy that i survive the skis without injuire. if I would go back to ski again? ask me again when the winter is near :)