After leaving Ikeda we headed for Cape Erimo. There is actually a famous song about the cape, but I'm not sure how it goes.Anyway this particular cape is very well known for having really strong winds.After our three hour drive from Ikeda we arrived at the cape just in time to witness a beautiful sunset.

Sunset at Cape Erimo

We noticed that the sun both rises and sets in the sea. The area around the cape is home to many Zenigata seals. It's often difficult however with the naked eye to distinguish the seals from the rocks they lounge on below because of them having a similar color to the rocks.
The lady who works at the guest house we stayed at had a high-powered
telescope which brought these lovely creatures into range as we gandered at the remote rocks.

Telescopic view of seals lounging on the rocks

Upon leaving the guest house the same lady presented me with some of the local butterfly shells which can only be found on the beaches around the cape.It is said that if you find some that they will bring you much happiness in your lives.
The next day we were off to Otaru, which would entail my longest drive yet of the Hokkaido trip.
In Otaru we could see many Meiji- and Taisho-era buildings along the very beautiful canal.I really love the buildings from this era.

Taisho-era building along Otaru's canal

With all the gas lamps there it is quite romantic to stroll down the walkways at dusk or even splurge for a rickshaw ride like we did.

Rickshaw ride

That was a totally first experience for me. The next day I took in the glass blowing shops

Glass blowing on exhibit

and the very charming music box museum.

Music box museum

There was even the odd funky toyshop that caught my eye.

Funky toy shop

It was then on to Sapporo where we of course went sightseeing to the clock tower and the TV tower, which gave us some spectacular views.

View from the Sapporo TV tower

The highlight for us in Sapporo was visiting Blue-sky natural foods restaurant. After all the fast food on this trip it was finally nice to sit down to our last dinner in Hokkaido for a wholesome meal. Ken has known the cool guys who work here for a couple of years and makes it a point to stop by whenever he's in town. Anyway they served us up a true feast.
We totally recommend this place if you happen to find yourself in Sapporo.
The next morning, the 14th was my birthday and it was the same day we were to fly out of Hokkaido and back to our hometown. Of course we landed first in Tokyo and had plans to meet up with Ken's Chinese friend Yao who also has an ongoing blog here on In-touch cafe.We highly recommend that you check it out.
Anyway Yao picked out the perfect restaurant near the Shinagawa station for us to have dinner. And what a nice birthday dinner it was!
Yao and Ken even conspired to arrange a very sweet and tasty surprise as the Jazz pianist played Happy birthday on her piano.

Sweet and tasty birthday dessert

I was very moved when Yao gave me, someone who she was meeting for the very first time, a very nice birthday present,a coffee cup from her beautiful hometown back in China. She comes from Hangzhou, which is often referred to as "Heaven on earth" I really hope to visit there someday.

北海道の池田の町を出た後は、私たちは襟裳岬（えりも みさき）に向かった
えりも岬といえば、歌にもなっている。
そして風が強い所で有名だ。

池田から車を走らせること約３時間。えりも岬に到着
夕焼けがとっても奇麗だった！
えりも岬では、太陽は海から昇って、海に沈んでいく。
そしてなんといってもゼニガタアザラシがここではたくさん観る事ができる
岩とまったく同じ色をしているので、肉眼で観てもなかなか分からない
だけど望遠鏡をのぞくと、、、
可愛らしい姿が！！！！！
皆さんもぜひ観に行ってみてくださいね！野生のアザラシちゃんたち
えりも荘の女将さんに、蝶の形をした貝殻をもらったよ
この場所でたまに採れる貝殻なんだって。持ってると幸せになるって言われてるんだって

えりも岬にある「えりも荘」で一泊した後、うんと飛んで、小樽へ向かった
えりも荘を出たのが朝の１０時頃。車を走らせ、小樽に着いたのが午後３時ころ。
休憩入れてだいたい５時間走ったよ
小樽の大正時代に建てられた倉庫や旧銀行街を、人力車に乗ってぐるっと回った
人力車って初めて乗ったけど、とても良かったよ！
この時代の建物の風格が私は大好き
そしてガラス工芸やオルゴール博物館にいってきた。
とっても奇麗なガラス達にくらっときたよ

そして小樽で一泊した後は札幌へ。時計台やテレビ塔など、観光スポットに行った後は、
西１８丁目にある自然食のレストラン「青い空 流れる雲」へ。
ここの店員さんはとってもいい人達で面白い人達
みなさんもぜひ行ってみてくださいねー！！
そして誕生日プレゼントありがとうございました
大切に読ませていただきます

そして８月１４日は朝から千歳空港に向かい、夕方に羽田空港に到着。
夜は品川のアトレの中にある、BOBOSというレストランで、YAOさんとKENに誕生日を祝っていただきました YAOさんから中国、杭州オリジナルのスターバックスのタンブラーをいただきました
本当にありがとう！！
みなさんから頂いたプレゼントや素晴らしい体験は私の糧です
宝物です。

そして今回の旅で出会った方達皆さんに、感謝しています

今回の旅で気づいたことは、自分は生かされてるということ
まだまだちっちゃい自分に反省です

ありがとう