I can’t remember where i heard or read this but someone once said that driving dilutes the travelling experience. The car shields the traveller from the full intensity of his surroundings. Whatever he perceives, the cacophony, the scents and even the sights, are watered-down.
Monbetsu - a different side to Hokkaido
However this mobile haven can also enrich your experience.
Imagine touring with a 2000-litre Lowe Alpine pack that fits into your pocket and weighs nothing. If you peek into my car, you’re likely to see bags of snacks and bottles of water, fruit juice and even milk strewn all over the floor. Brochures, maps and guidebooks litter the backseat. I can even afford to bring a camera tripod along.
Most importantly, the car extends my reach, allowing me to explore out-of-the-way places that i’ll be forced to pass up due to time constraints.
That was how my wife and i ended up on a desolate breakwater in Monbetsu.
Sounkyo Gorge to Monbetsu
We had woken up to a drizzle on our second day at Sounkyo Gorge. That ruled out the cycling tour we planned.
Why waste the opportunity to explore the countryside since we had the car? So i planned a circuitous route which would take us to Monbetsu, Yubetsu, Abashiri, Kitami and back here at Hotel Northern Lodge.
We set off at 9am. For the first hour, we drove through the luscious mountains of central Hokkaido. Soon, the terrain became flatter and we emerged onto the coastal plains. We were surprised to find this part of Hokkaido covered with small farms.
The Sea of Okhotsk
At 1130am, we entered Monbetsu. If we hadn’t drive, we’d have to take a bus to Asahikawa and take another bus from there. The whole journey would have taken up to 5 hours easily.
We slowed to a crawl once we entered Monbetsu. I wanted to catch a glimpse of the Sea of Okhotsk. Its very name conjures up images of heaving Arctic swells scoured by winds from boundless Siberia.
Monbetsu is a fishing port and small factories and shops lined the waterfront. After circling back a couple of times, we pulled into a small road that led to the breakwater. We put on our hooded jackets and walked to the water’s edge. Somewhere, a sea gull screamed.
Looking into the misty depths of the Sea of Okhotsk
I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the cold, salty and slightly fishy air.
I took my wife’s hand and walked towards our car, eager to discover what else Hokkaido has to offer.
