Hokkaido Pictures!! We just got back on Saturday and I mangaged to sort through most of the pictures. Hokkaido is a beautiful place to visit and a nice relaxing alternative to the city. After two and a half days we also made our way to Sapporo. 

Day one (we arrived late the day before) at the lavender farm in Furano. A hot day but a colourful place to start the holiday. 

Strangely delicious - lavender flavoured ice-cream. 

Flowers at the Lavender Farm. 

Bell and arch in Furano. 

Hotel. 

View from the hotel in Furano. 

These trees (as seen from another angle) are bizarrely used as the logo for popular Japanese cigarette maker MILD 7. 

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Dragonfly. A good test for my new camera's macro lens and shutter speed. 

Old tractor. 

Toddler and sleeping polar bear. I think the weather was far too hot for the bears. Lucky for them, the day after we visited they were treated to a delivery of real snow and ice. 

Penguin enclosure (sans penguins). 

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A tunnel in the penguin enclosure put you right in the birds midst. 

Penguin chorus. 

Andrew and friend. 

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Lying in wait. 

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A head for heights. 

Taking in the view. 

Monkeys up close. 

At play. 

More fantastic clouds. 

Field in Furano.