Omega 3 overload!

On the chairlift.

The skiing is definitely getting much better here, in fact I will even go as far as saying, it is quite addictive! Just one more run and we'll go in! I have survived two days with only two falls, not bad considering my first few days. I have been incredibly lucky to have an amazing ski instructor, Ai-chan (Ai - friend), who has been so patient and encouraging despite her limited English. She even took me through the kid's fun park - a series of hoops to go under and several jumps, so much fun!

Junko about to cook the nabe - a traditional Japanese hotpot with fish, tofu, vegetables and miso. New friends enjoying sashimi - Konno wielding the knives and Ben in the front.

We woke up yesterday to a very snowy morning, which meant heaps of amazing powder snow on the mountain - all the better for landing on! Today has been a beautiful day with bright blue skies - perfect for going up the mountain on the gondola and skiing on the top of the mountain. Tonight we are going night skiing which should be magnificent, the mountain looks spectacular under lights.

Konno tending to the traditional Japanese fire at a local restaurant.

I don't really know a lot about the ski culture in Australia but it is very interesting to watch people on the mountain here in Japan. You can easily categorise them based on their behaviours - There are the skiiers and snowboarders who know what they are doing, then there are the beginners who have a look of forced concentration on their faces as they snow plough down the mountain and hold out their arms for balance (this is me!) and then there are the Japanese snow boarders. Well, they are a very interesting group - the Lonely Planet described them as a 'natural hazard to avoid', and this is exactly what they are. They spend most of their time sitting on their bum in the middle of the slope which makes it quite difficult for the likes of me who already have significant trouble turning without having to avoid stationary people. There are also the snowboarding girls who seem spend an extraordinary amount of time not just sitting, but also making sure that their beanie is placed very precisely on their head, with the right amount of hair protruding from underneath. The people watching is definitely very interesting!

Ai-chan - ski instructor extraordinaire!

I'm not sure what Gunnar and I have done in a previous life to deserve such wonderful treatment at our hotel, but it must have been pretty extraordinary. Konno and his wife, Junko, have been such amazing hosts, really giving us some special experiences to remember from our time here. They held a special 'party' for us the other night and invited some of the people who they had organised to help us on the mountain - Ai-chan, her boyfriend Isami-chan (who just happens to be a professional motorbike rider!) and Ben, an Aussie guy who has lived here on and off for a few years. Konno prepared fresh sashimi and a traditional Japanese hot pot with fresh fish and tofu - hence the Omega 3 overload! View at the top of the Hakuba Goryu ski resort.

Last night, Konno took us to a Japanese restaurant, where we sat around a traditional Japanese fire and enjoyed more fish! We have learnt that Konno is known as the 'chief of the mountain', he can pull strings like no one else can. We both feel so incredibly lucky that he has looked after us the way he has - ski lessons with the best teachers, beautiful dinners out and learning about the amazing Japanese culture. Anyway, off to go night skiing!