We awoke to a very chilly day and minus yesterday’s sunshine.   What is it with Hokkaidō’s late spring?  Right now (7 pm) it’s 2 degrees!

What a great morning we had at the Ginga and Ryūsei Falls, only a short bus ride from our hotel.  Freezing cold but the scenery was so spectacular, we managed to ignore it — at least until lunch time.

Three of the non-painters and one artist climbed the 4,000 steps to a viewing platform for even more stunning views of the falls and the snow capped mountains in the distance.

As you can discern from my pic above, it was a wee bit chilly on the mountain.  Clambouring back down, you could note signs that Hokkaidō’s late spring is about to be sprung.

After a warming lunch of ramen back in the Sōunkyō village, we set off, as planned, for the afternoon session at Ōbako Gorge — only to find the access road was closed for repairs!  A quick visit to other locations nearby, including the huge Taisetsu Dam, before our driver found a spot by the river.

Note the colourful bus painted with cartoon characters!  Our hardy crew set up their painting gear, only to be thwarted again — this time by rain.

Back to the hotel for everyone to finish their art in the rooms before a show and tell in the lobby, dinner and a soak in the outdoor mixed bathing rotemburo (bathing costumes provided and compulsory).

Internet failed again last night, so this is being posted Saturday morning at 8.45 am when the temperature outside has climbed to a balmy 3 degrees!