Summer Hokkaido - Otaru

*While typing away the post, my hair is dyed with triple coloured waiting to be washed. Kind of excited of the outcome*

In Otaru, I didn't get to enjoyed much of what do Otaru has to offer when I'm there with expectations after doing some research about the place. Reason being because the moment we reach Otaru, the storm begins as if warning us not to step into this lovely small town.

It rained literally the whole day till the night that I ended have to take a night shots of the Otaru Canal from my hotel's window, half worrying that my tripod will just suicide together with my beloved cammie onto the road. T_T

Probably, the only shots that I can get to offer about the Otaru street is this ...

The Musical Box Hall ... I took this when I was waiting to cross the street with umbrella and strong wind hitting my face. Not too bad for a quick snap huh ... :D

We spent quite long inside since outside doesn't really welcome us. They really have all sorts of design of music box. You can even customised it, ok!!! 

 FERRIS WHEEL MUSIC BOX!! WANT!!!!

 Dancing doll music "box" ... WANT!!

PIANO MUSIC BOX!!! WANT!

If only ......

they are ALL MINE!!!! But dad did get one for me as a birthday present. *grins*

After that, we brace the wind and rain and head to other stores for the famous bakery!!!

Otaru Kitakaro

Their popular one is the above, it's like a layer cake which is quite nice but I didn't bought it. Instead I got their cream puff .. Which is very very nice ...

Then, we went to LeTao, another famous bakery shop in Otaru for their famous cheesecake!! Mum got it as a birthday cake for me *double grins*

No close up photo of the cheesecake!! So here's one with me and ma beloveds xD

And this the first time that I celebrated my birthday overseas. In Japan. In Hokkaido. Best birthday so far...

Then, since it's still drizzling, so we can't really go out to walk around, so everyone decided to head back to room to rest. Me, feeling regret that I've carried my tripod all the way there and this is the part where I wished I could make it good. While sitting at the window, I realise I could risk it and this is what I got ..

Sadly, the street lights spoiled the picture :( Just imagine the lights are not there, it's quite nice kan the Canal view ..

Next morning, of course not going to waste any more opportunity, headed out to take a quick photo of the Canal.

 The Canal with the moody weather.

Oh ya, we were supposed to witness a festival that night but no thanks to angry weather, the festival has to call it off. :(

 The sea view with the moody clouds again.

Family photo! Kinda missing my long hair here.

Before leaving Otaru to our next stop, our guide drive us to this look out point of the sea which is definitely amazing.

Too lazy to caption. But the view there is just breathe-taking. 

That pretty much sums up my foot trail in Otaru. It's a small town but a town I seems to have yet to discover it.

Resolution of 2015

I've never really list out my resolution for each year because I knew I wouldn't take it seriously and never look back if I have achieved it or not. But this year, I decided that I will list out things I want to achieve specifically and I'll make sure that I make a check back.

So, here's my 2015 resolution. Will be as SMART as possible.

1. To get diving license. This has been in mind since last year but has not been properly put in action. So, this year going to achieve. Will definitely plan it out once I get back from my trip next week.

2. To be actively involved in voluntarily work. Also again, always been in mind things I want to do and procrastination always diverted me. I was randomly surfing the World Vision's website and came to know that I could actually signed up for volunteer work. So, yep, that will be my starting point. I hope there's other site that I could refer to for voluntarily work.

3. To be part of the Nikon Club and be actively involved in photography. I sort of successfully joined one of the activity organised by Nikon Club specifically for ladies. I think it's a good start. Hope there's more event that I can join in.

4. To at least update the blog four times a month.. There's definitely a lot of pending trip post that I would like to share here other than as a memory foot trail for myself. As for my daily ramblings, I would keep it in another venue.

5. To read at least one book a month. I need to bring back my reading habit and also to finish all my un-touched books that I've been keeping to buy.

These are probably the Top 5 things that I would want to achieve this year and hopefully by then to be an ongoing things like my travel aims i.e. to travel to a new place/ country at least once a year. This, I've overly achieved quota. ^_^Y So, it's been taken out from my resolution list and it's more of what sort of places that I would want to visit for the year.

Last but not least, to be as, if not more, happy and healthy as last year. :)

Happy New Year 2015

1 more minute before the 1st day of 2015 will be over.

Time really fly by that I've been wanting to sit down and do a proper post of my 2014 and now it seems to have became so last year.

In summary, 2014 has been a quiet year for me personally. Not too much of ups also the downs. So, I guess it's good in a way.

As for 2015, I have sort of list down my resolution which I shall do it tomorrow night and yes, I promise I will have less procrastination and make sure things I want to do gets down. :X

On the new year eve, I decided to just lazy at home since I'm feeling kind of tired after work. But on the very last 20 mins, Da texted if want to just go out and see if we can catch the fireworks at DPC. So, lazily I said OK. So, here's the best firework shots that I can get from far.

Happy New Year 2015

May this year be the year that will be filled with happiness, surprises and excitements. :))