After some photo taking around the animals and with a torii within the grounds as backdrop we proceeded to go back into the shop which we have passed through earlier when entering into the farm area. The group spent a far longer period of time here than outside with the foxes. Why? For one, it's warmer inside the building and ... there were tons and tons of souvenirs and food stuff here - mainly associated with the fox. Many of us soon ended up clutching key chains, phone straps, T-shirts, dried cuttlefish, and etc., etc...
The cash register started ringing away as if Christmas was already here. As we left the souvenir shop we noticed that our efficient coach driver was hacking away some ice that had formed near the entrance to the coach. He was worried that some of us could slip and fall while boarding the vehicle, how considerate and professional - fantastic service. 
Our next stop was the Okhotsk Sea (Drift) Ice Museum (Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum - オホーツク流氷館) in Abashiri (網走). This museum with drift ice as the main theme is located on Mt Tento, adjoining the Tentozan Observatory that allows one to look out towards the Sea of Okhotsk and Lake Abashiri. On arrival we headed for the restaurant on top which has a fantastic view of the surroundings. This was where we had our lunch.
We trooped downstairs after filling our stomachs and headed towards a room that is refrigerated at around minus 18 degrees centigrade. We were told that if required we could put on overcoats that were hanging on racks outside this "Arctic" room. None of us took up the offer as we were all already wearing a few layers of winter apparels. Two charming attendants handed out a small towel to each of us as we were ushered through a door into the depths of a freezing world. We were told to twirl these towels while inside the cold chamber and see what will happen. I have seen this being done on a Taiwanese travel program on cable TV before. So I know what to expect.The room was dimly lit but one could make out blocks of real drift ice from the Okhotsk sea (some could have drifted down from the Siberian coast), scattered around. Perched on top of some of them were stuffed animals like the red fox and seal. Surprisingly it was not as cold as I expected - must be the effectiveness of the thermal wear I have under the two other layers of thick clothing. Another reason is the absence of winds - on the outside one finds that it's the chilling winds slicing through that numbs you.
Soon we were behaving like young kids twirling the little towel we have as we moved around the room; making quite a considerable amount of noise with our laughters, comments and squeak of excitements. A few were clicking away with cameras in one hand while busy manoeuvring the towels, as if they were blades of a helicopter or airplane propellers, in the other. Don't really know how their photos turn out but watching the video that I filmed (with one hand while the other was turning like mad) makes me want to puke. As expected the towel that I was twirling around soon became as stiffed as a piece of hard cardboard. 
We left the "ice laboratory" after the little "test" and proceeded to a theatre that features three super-wide-vision screens to watch a video. I decided to give this a miss as I believed that I have caught a glimpse of the show on TV before. (Just as well as I was told later that the narration was done entirely in Japanese and yes I have seen it before, it features an ice-breaking ship). I left the building to film the surrounding view with my camcorder. Wow, a real breathtaking feast for the eyes - remember we were on elevated grounds - Mt Tento (天都山) - looking towards part of the Abashiri coastline and lake. We soon boarded the coach to continue our journey towards Lake Akan but will be making two more stops. 
Lake Akan (阿寒湖) is located in the western part of the Akan National Park while the larger eastern portion contains Lake Mashu (摩周湖) and Lake Kussharo (屈斜路湖). We made a brief photo stop at Lake Kussharo as the sky was darkening. This lake was formed from a crater and with a circumference of 57 km, is Hokkaido's largest fresh water lake.
We reached Lake Mashu at about 4 pm, by which time the sky was already pitched dark. This lake is referred to as the world's most transparent lake. It's transparent emerald-colored surface changes constantly but, alas, it was too dark for us to observe this aspect of its beauty. As the coach approaches the parking lot the lights in the building beside were being turned off. They were however immediately turned on again when the staff inside realised that a coach load of souvenir hungry and bladder full tourists have arrived. Some of us headed for the toilets while others looked for the important signage besides the lake for recording, on camera, the evidence required to prove that they have indeed been to this particular tourist spot. Then it's the time for the cash registers in the souvenir shop to ring.
Many boxes of Jyagapokkuru - Pokkuru potatoes (じゃがポックル) were purchased here together with other souvenirs and food stuff by the group. This premium potato strips from "Potato Farm" is yet another of Hokkaido's famous and popular snack. It's a "must bring back to Singapore to prove that you were in Hokkaido" item like the "White Lovers (白い恋人) Chocolate" mentioned in an earlier posting (Part 2). My son refers to it as "over-priced french fries" but its rich potato taste and texture makes it more tasty and delicious than french fries. Like any other sinful snacks its very addictive but don't worry you will soon stop eating because of its price and the intense competition from other family members.
We changed into our yakuta in the hotel at Lake Akan (Hotel Gozensui - ホテル御前水) and headed for the dining area. Our tour guide gathered us for a group photo to be taken - took some time though as members were all over the hall indulging in interesting banter. The noise level was definitely much higher than when we first met for dinner at Lake Toya. Could this friendship among members of a tour group and their guide continue even after the tour, when everyone has gone back to reality and the normal routine of life?
I decided that it was too dark to see anything around the lake and opted for sleep but the others did venture out in the cold of the night and managed to get some photos taken at some of the festively lighted spots. I shall savour the beauty of Lake Akan in the morning ... zzzzzz
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