GOASIAPLUS August 2018
Our August issue shines in Merdeka spirit with Kenny Loh's stories of Malaysians across the country. Inside, this issue explores a Malaysian favourite; durian and the turtle hotspot in Redang. We also featured the story behind a successful Malaysian start-up of Hometown Hainan Coffee
Our August issue shines in Merdeka spirit with Kenny Loh's stories of Malaysians across the country. Inside, this issue explores a Malaysian favourite; durian and the turtle hotspot in Redang. We also featured the story behind a successful Malaysian start-up of Hometown Hainan Coffee
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TRAVEL<br />
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Scenic landscape of Lake Shikotsu; Women<br />
visiting Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center; Hokkaido's signature ice-cream; Famous<br />
pastries from Patissier Lab Misu no Uta; Ship ready to sail on the lake<br />
shop in the prestigious Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort<br />
Spa offers a wide selection of pastries, breads and<br />
sweets. A hot selling item is the delicious custard<br />
cream puff which is baked fresh daily. Customers can<br />
watch the pastry chefs baking these mouthwatering<br />
pastries through a display window in front of the shop.<br />
Visitors also get an opportunity to taste Hokkaido<br />
Island’s signature product, the Hokkaido ‘soft cream’<br />
a locally produced ice-cream made from the region’s<br />
well acclaimed dairy ingredients. They come in 4<br />
popular flavors- vanilla, macha (green tea), chocolate<br />
and melon and can be found in several stores<br />
including one at the lake ferry station’s convenience<br />
store. An ice-cream twirl on a cone costs from ¥300-<br />
350 depending on the flavour.<br />
Food lovers should not miss the chance to taste the<br />
unique ‘kokanee’ salmon, also known as chip salmon<br />
which was brought in and bred in Lake Shikotsu since<br />
1894. Restaurants and cafes usually serve this smaller<br />
version of the salmon fish either by simply grilling it<br />
with salt and pepper or as fresh sashimi.<br />
Those looking for their caffeine boost can satisfy<br />
their coffee urges in the ‘Log Bear’, a small cosy café<br />
where the coffee beans are home roasted. They also<br />
serve home cooked meals and snacks which are simply<br />
done but taste delightfully. The café cum lodging inn<br />
sits inside an authentic Canadian log cabin structure<br />
built more than 30 years ago by the English speaking<br />
inn keeper-owner, Kikawa-san (or ‘Robin’), who also<br />
doubles up as the barista, cook, bar tender and lively<br />
entertaining host.<br />
Another not to be missed activity is the 30-minute<br />
ferry cruise around the lake. However the service<br />
is only available from the middle of April until the<br />
beginning of November and closes during the winter<br />
months. The ferry boat even has a glass window<br />
viewing gallery below deck where passengers can see<br />
the marine life below the surface of the lake. Adults<br />
pay ¥1,620 and children only ¥810 per trip.<br />
Lake Shikotsu has a small but carefully curated<br />
visitor center which has pamphlets and exhibits in<br />
English for foreign visitors. The displays are well<br />
organised, with adequate information including video<br />
screenings to help visitors understand the lake and<br />
its surrounding location, including its history, special<br />
character and profile.<br />
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