Hokkaido. Shiretoko Peninsula. Part 5 (final), August 2022
Abashiri and around
I think it was not a good idea to divide Shiretoko “story” into five parts. But being still occupied with daily work tasks, even on reduced workload ( I am in the “semi-retirement” phase now, planning to eject myself completely from the corporate life around 2024). So, I can do only these short writing sprints at the moment, rather than full range marathons, as it should be.
But, in the future, I plan to cover one destination, or one destination within destination in one post (e.g. Tiong Bahru suburb in Singapore - one; Hua Hin in Thailand -another, etc.).
Now back to my last days in Shiretoko Peninsula.
These notes about Shiretoko will not be complete unless I mention about Abashiri. It is the largest city of around 35,000 before entry to the wilderness of Shiretoko Peninsula.
I stopped there on the way to airport to fly back to Tokyo, as I had to kill a few hours. First impression was dull, plus it was raining. But side steps of few streets off the main road brought me to a lively street festival.
Here I had delicious Osakayaki (Osaka version of okonomiyaki). Hot and juicy, it matched rainy cold weather perfectly.
Abashiri also known to host Prison Museum. I am not much into museums, so I skipped that. More interesting fact to me is that there are five lakes around: Notoro, Abashiri, Mokoto, Tofutsu and Saroma; which, people say, offer nice hiking routes around. So, may be I should come again.
I am leaving Shiretoko with a mixed feeling. Spend here 6 days, walked 84 km, talked to many people. I feel it became small part of me, not like some other places I visit, put in a diary and often forget. Not this one. I don’t know why. May be I spent there long enough time. Or it is probably same as with people. Some places , as people have soul, and you can become soulmates with places also (:
My flight soon.
Future trips and posts.
In the last three months I visited Thailand and Singapore couple of times discovering new interesting places. So, next post will be about some cozy suburbs of Singapore.
Also this week I am looking forward for a short trip to small islands of Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima located between Okinawa and Kyushu. Moving is living!
Yours in travel
IZ