Traveling Home - Wakkani

 I found another good set of pictures I forgot to post!  These are from my travel days.  Going back home is never as fun as going some place - but at least it didn't take 4 days.  Here are some fun pictures of the travel!

I need gum to fly . . . so I got this lovely breath shower gum . . . not bad really

The futon at the hostel was VERY thin - but it was a cute place

lots of cutesie animals

Nice facilities

Nice lounge with reasonably price beverages.

hairdryer and hairspray provided

they were big on the cutesie clocks

Lots of manga and games and puzzles - the puzzles did not require Japanese - yay!

A more classic clock design

HARRY POTTER - I really wanted to see it but we didn't have time :( we were waiting for the bus.  Yes the movie theater is above the bus station

Life size sully in the lobby!

Shopping street - complete with many many cranes

neat statue

neat dog van

delicious breakfast!

I did enjoy the Seico Mart - or cheap one stop food option.  I had a lovely last Japanese breakfast without fish!  The first time in a month - yay!  here you have a Maxim cafe, egg and ham rice, a small Luna vanilla yogurt (I got this based on a review by a blogger who's reviews I love over at Japanese Snack Reviews), and a Hokkaido printed dorayaki! If you see Hokkaido dorayaki - get it!  It is filled with mochi and red bean - fantastic! I may try to make Hokkaido Dorayaki.  In fact, I'm like 100% sure I will.  How hard can it be?  The Luna yogurt was also quite good - as indicated.  It really is a very small tub of yogurt though. 

Dorayaki!

I love dorayaki and often get them from the T&T.  Looking at the internet I saw that they should be pretty easy to make. So, I looked up a few recipes and this blog is the result.  I followed a recipe at Food.com.  There were some changes.  I did use a full 1/2 cup of water before the batter went smooth (its dry here in Edmonton) and I used two tbs of honey.  Why you ask? Because I can't read.  Don't worry nothing bad happened.  I also used splenda instead of sugar and pre-made red bean.

First, I whisked up the eggs.  And then I added the honey and the splenda and whisked that in.

Just whipped eggs.

Then I sifted in the flour and baking powder.  Then you have to add in the water while you stir.  I had to use the 1/2 cup before I had smooth batter, but it did get nice and smooth. 

Eggs and flour and stuff.

Then I put some oil in the pan and made some thick little pancakes.  It went pretty quick.  I tried to make them as even as possible so I made two at a time.  I ended up with 10 pancakes and one baby pancake extra.  I then made the sandwiches by putting the red bean in the middle!

Pancakes in the pan . . .

Flipped pancakes . . .

Look at those pancakes . . .

Dorayaki!

They taste pretty good, not quite like the store bought ones, but very good.  I'd definitely makes this again.