Kon'nichiwa from Japan

We landed at 6am. All blurry eyed, it took us a while to clear immigration and to collect our bags. Then we tried to get our luggage delivered to the AirBnB, but the service did not cover AirBnB. So next order of business was to get our ICOCA cards and to buy tickets for the train from Kansai Airport to Kyoto. We settled both and walked a few steps to the train station. Lucky you, our train was the Hello Kitty Haruka. We could see the delight in your face as the train pulled in.  

We waited for the crew to clean the train, and turn the direction of the seat and in we went.

Everyone in the photo

Hello Kitty head rest

Then we arrived in the Kyoto Station. It's a massive station. First things first, we searched for lockers to store our luggage. 

As it was still early, we decided to take a walk to the 11th floor of the station where there is a skyway. 

Massive roof of the station

Escalators heading up, up, up

The Kyoto Station Skyway, all to ourselves

We had a good view of the Kyoto Tower

And we started to get hungry. So we decided to walk to this restaurant serving beef katsu called Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu. The lunch was delicious:

Then we headed back to Kyoto Station to catch a subway to Nishiki Market (it was a 30 minute walk, and we didn't think we'd make the walk).

The famous ceiling

There were many stalls/shops in the market. It was a long street selling everything you could imagine. And they keep announcing over the PA system reminding patrons not to walk and eat at the same time. 

We found this shop selling this thing to put into the hair. The lady even demonstrated on Mei-mei. But it was too expensive to buy (over RM150!!)

Of course, this could not be missed.. the strawberry daifuku:

We wandered around a bit and also came across the Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine:

Outside of the shrine

The inside of the shrine

And then.. we unleashed a monster... you discovered the gashapon. Your first spin was sponsored by Uncle Dennis:

And you got this little thing. 

And would you believe it? You even met a schoolmate in Nishiki Market! 

Last stop before heading back to the station, we stopped for a shot of sake at ¥100:

We headed back to the Kyoto Station to use the toilets, and went around in search for a place to rest our feet. Finally found a little cafe/bakery which served yummy cheese tarts. Then we decided to head to our accommodation. We were informed that we could leave our luggage there but only checked in at 4pm. In the end the owner messaged me that the house was ready at 3.30pm and we arrived just around that time. 

Got a little lost getting to that place, but it was a lovely place. 2 floors with 3 bedrooms:

The entrance

The kitchenette

Downstairs bedroom

Bathtub downstairs

Upstairs room where you two will be sleeping in

Upstairs bedroom with queen bed

Toilet upstairs

Bathroom

View of the garden

... and I missed out on a photo the living/dining room (oops).

UPDATE: Daddy sent me these photos:

Our living/dining room. Thank goodness the chairs have backs!

View into the garden

Rested a little then decided to go out for dinner. Ko-ko was dead tired and refused to wake up to go out for dinner. So it was just the 5 of us. We walked to a nearby restaurant called Kakutani Rō-ho and hopped in:

Tenzaru Soba

Yamakake Soba

(Happiness for Mei-mei, as this is what Tanjiro of Demon Slayer ate in the show)

Tamagotoji Soba

Then we took a walk around the block and headed to Family Mart to pick up some food and dinner for Ko-ko. 

The famed "Egg Sando"

Some cup noodles

Then it was time to call it a night! It was a long long flight today with a little Gremlin who was screaming about 70% of the time we were in the air!

Off On Our Holiday

The day that we have all been looking forward to has finally come. After months and months of planning, we're off on our adventure. We arrived at the airport with ample time to kill. We wanted to sit outside, but the Starbucks was full. So we decided to wait in the departure lounge where the Starbucks inside had loads of places to sit at:

Off on our flight to KL:

Upon arrival in KLIA, we walked around to find out where the departure hall would be. We took a bus there, and then discovered that the Plaza Premium Lounge was where we had left in the first place. So we had to take another bus to that complex and after walking around, headed to the lounge. It was full as it was dinnertime, but we were lucky as we got to go into the UOB lounge where we sat at the sofa for a while before being seated at the dining area. Menu options was to order via QR code or we could also walk to the outside to pick food from the buffet spread:

Eggs Benedict

Dim Sum

Refreshing drinks

We ate quite a bit and Ashley Kor kor and Uncle Dennis also joined us soon. Then it was time to head to the other complex where our departure hall was located. A short while later, we boarded the plane.

And so our adventure begins...

Happy Birthday, Tou-tou

As usual, it's a scramble to celebrate Tou-tou's birthday. With the short notice and trying to fit everyone in, we ended up dining at QBay Restaurant at Queens Waterfront I. Unfortunately, Uncle Sin Chuan and Aunty Amy could not make it as they had something else on. 

Dinner was delicious:

The 4 season

And we also had a cake for Tou-tou. Love the happiness etched on her face as she blows out the candle on her cake:

Karate Exam - Purple Belt

We were both pleasantly surprised when you were given a form to take part in the next round of examinations. You had just taken the last exam in July. And the last few times, you only took the exams once a year.

I guess attending the lessons at the Dojo was more regular, so you could learn faster to be able to have the exams. 

Anyhow we arrived a little earlier than the scheduled time. Luckily too. Because just shortly from your arrival, it was your groups' turn to go into the exam hall. 

Everything was over very quickly this round. 

Congratulations, you've passed this exam. On to the brown belt!

Evan the Builder

Not sure if you're as skilled as Bob the Builder, but ah... you (and the Epic Homes participants) did a great job. 

Here are the photos we received from you over your 3 days stay in Kuala Kubu Bharu:

End of the first day: Frame is up

Your room in the homestay. Pretty decent!

Checked on you on Saturday.. in the middle of Timbuktu!

One of the many doggies you saw there. Such a cutie!

The house on day 3: Nearly done, just the paintjob for the inside of the house

Ta-da.. all done. Amazing!

We felt proud that you signed up for this. I'm pretty certain you also took pride in building the house. Wonder if you'd consider doing this another time again. 

Placing this here for memories: https://www.sedunia.me/missions/build-epic-homes-on-22nd-24th-november

Breakfast at the market

After dropping you off at 6am at the City Stadium, we headed to Perak Road market to have a look at what was sold there. Lucky for us, we snagged the last available parking lot. Wandered around and found a stall selling roast pork. Guess this was the stall that daddy's friend used to buy from to treat the golfers at breakfast. Bought some roast pork and wandered around some more.

Then we walked back to the coffeeshop/shack at the front of the road and found a table to share with another customer and had our coffee, roast pork and lam mee. Food and coffee were nice. 

Before we left, we stopped by this stall we had spotted on our way in to buy some Teowchew kuih and guang qiang. Not the nicest tasting.. but the guang qiang was good. 

Then we headed back to continue with our sleep, while our little busy bee is in the stadium with her marching and cheering. 

Drinking in Kopi Tiam

Today we had to rush to drop you off for music. Your Fairfield cheerleading practice ended at 5pm and we went home to pick up your music bag as replacement lessons were at 5.30pm.

We had groceries in the car (luckily non perishables) and planned to head home to drop them off. But traffic heading to the traffic lights were just NOT moving. In the end, we took another turn, stopped the car to move the groceries into the boot and headed back to the kopi tiams near piano school. 

It was just meant to be: we got one parking spot right next to the kopi tiam. Ordered a can of beer each to go with our satay and oyster omelet. Cannot believe we're drinking in a kopi tiam when we used to laugh at a friend who does this, saying he's like an Ah Pek doing this! 😂

Daddy who was complaining about the mad rush to drop you and the short stop at home before heading out to pick you again decided that it's now ok for you to have piano lessons while we relax here. Too bad, today is the last replacement lesson!

Away for Epic Homes

You signed up with your friends for this Epic Home program where you will be building a home for the Orang Asli over 3 days. 7 of you signed up. For days leading to today, we kept reminding you to buy things which you may need. And right up till last night, you were still preparing your stuff, running downstairs to look for travel soap and shampoo (none) and bottles to fill up with your soap and shampoo. Haih.. 

This morning, daddy woke up too to check that you are up. And to ensure that you get to college safely. You were good to inform us that you were in the car on the way to Kuala Kubu Bahru too. Lucky for you kids, you have a friend whose driver would be sending all of you to the location. 

Got this photo of where you'd be for the next 3 days. 

Hope you have fun living out in the sticks, my city slicker!

2024 Christmas Tree

Yes, I know it's only the start of November, but since Ko-ko is back, so we decided to have the tree set up this week before he heads back to KL. Daddy (albeit being sick) carried the tree up and set it up with Mei-mei's help.

Next Mei-mei and I started to open the branches. Then she went up to continue with her homework while I put up the lights. Needed daddy to help me with the top branch as it's too high. Finally the 2 kiddies came back down to put on the ornaments. And that included throwing the candy cane at the tree to see if it will stick/hook onto the tree!!

Colour theme for this year is red and gold (and some white). 

Then daddy came down again to shift the tree, put on the angel and keep the box away.

And voila.. our Christmas tree!

Gyoza Night

It's been a while since we last had gyoza. Whatever stock we have in the freezer has been eaten by the resident Gyoza Monster a.k.a. Miss Ban. 

So this week we managed to buy the skin, and decided to cook on Friday. We're quite experienced to cook this and everything was mixed and wrapped up by 6.30pm. 

The 2 fry-masters were ready and waiting for their turn to take over the kitchen. When Ah Kong and Ah Ma came down from showering, you both started frying the first batch. 

Kakak's gyoza. She started eating only 6 per meal, but now can eat 10!

Our gyoza, complete with ginger in vinegar, chilly oil and soy sauce

Mei-mei was so hungry as the boys fried the gyoza and kept asking for one to "taste test". Ko-ko ate 38 gyoza this time (the plan was 40, but not enough on the plate) and I think Mei-mei ate at least 20, including the cheesy ones.

Candle Making

You asked for permission to join Yuen Ting at her tuition center to help make candles which they plan to sell to fund their "camp". Since it was your holiday and you had nothing to do, daddy and I agreed to allow you to join her. Her aunty was kind enough to even pick and drop you.

This was apparently the first candle you made and even wrapped it up. Nice job. I'm glad to hear that you had fun making them. 

Spanish for Deepavali

The plan was to go to a cafe for today's lunch. But we could not decide on where to go for lunch. We narrowed it down to The Big Pantry and Javu. Then daddy suggested Hola by Javu since you were not around when we last went there. Before heading over, we stopped by the Wine Shop to pick up a bottle of wine. 

We had the whole place to ourselves. Someone only came in later. Here's the yummy food that we ordered. You were nodding as you ate the food:

We had some of the tapas we had ordered the last round and some new ones (with cheese) which we could not order the last time we were there. 

Bread monster

Here's the wine we had:

It got your "mark of approval" and so this is another place which we can visit again.

Japanese Night

Tonight's menu is Japanese night. So Ah Ma and I headed to the Fettes Park market early in the morning today to ensure that we are able to get the cut of fish which we want. 

All ready to be cut

Head portion.. not ours

He's got lots of salmon in these foam boxes

Tonight's dinner of beef and salmon are cooked by daddy while Ah Ma cooked the fried garlic and vegetables. 

Sake, of course, is part of our dinner:

Thara Thai

Your last trip back, we went to Rose's Home for Thai food. This time round, you said that we could try this place again. Surprisingly the restaurant was rather empty for a Saturday. But the service was good. Daddy ordered the food and this is some of the food we had:

Pandan Chicken (not nugget sized)

Green curry chicken

Miang Kam aka One mouthful

We had other food (which I had forgotten to take a photo of) such as the claypot tanghoon prawns (Goong Ob Woosen), acacia omelette (Khai Jiao Cha-Om) and fried kangkung. 

Overall we think that the food in Rose's seems to be nicer than what was served here. The ones we preferred here are the prawns and the larger sized pandan chicken.

Evan is Back Again

We're so happy that you'd be back again. And for a 2 weeks stretch at that!

The plan was to buy Hokkien Mee for your lunch, since Ah Ma was going to cook curry mee for dinner. But it was just raining so heavily in Penang with strong winds. After your exams, you informed me that you were heading to the airport. I had asked how the weather was and you said it was sunny. 

Unfortunately, your flight got delayed from 12pm to 1.30pm. You said that you'd grab something to eat at the 7-Eleven while waiting. Later you informed us that it was further delayed to take off at 2.30pm. This time you were going to get out of the departure hall when you discovered that you'd receive a meal ticket. It was for Starbucks. Ah.. so you save some lunch money today (then again.. you'd be eating in Penang if the flight was not delayed). 

We suspected that the delay was due to the heavy rain in Penang which delayed the flight from Penang to Subang. Luckily the flight finally took off at around 12.30pm from Penang, so there was no more delays on your flight back. 

Welcome back. You'd be stuffing yourself with loads of food and sleeping until noon (or later!) for the next 2 weeks. 

Making IC

We picked you up from school today as you have turned 12 and it's time to apply for your IC. You changed and wore back your school skirt in the car. We decided to go to the JPN on Anson Road instead of the UTC, per daddy's preference (but after today, he's saying UTC is a better option with more parking). 

Anyhow, he could not get a place to park, so just the 2 of us headed to the 3rd floor to submit the application. 

We arrived at 3pm and after a bit of a wait, your number was called and they processed your application. Next is to wait for your photo to be taken. The man taking your photo was very nice and patient. The photo IC application is certainly less rigid than making our passport. You could have your hair over your shoulder and did not need to remove your earrings. We were then told that we can collect your IC at 4pm.

Daddy came around to pick us then we went to pick up my contact lenses and buy some Him Heang goodies before heading back to collect your IC.

We had to get another number and when you were called and had everything processed, the lady at the counter said that since this is your first IC at 12 years old, her manager would like to give you a gift and take some photos (with my permission). We sat down a while and then were called to some room at the back. Here's the photo taken:

A small gift, but nice gesture for new IC applicants. 

Going Back to KL

I guess the thought of it going to be 2 months before your next trip back, makes it harder for you to return to KL. But that is life. We teased you that had you opted to stay back in Penang, you'd never have to face this. Then again, we need to made difficult decisions which is best for us. You know that the course in KL is way better than what there is to offer in Penang and of course at that time probably did not realise how much you'd miss home. 

But I'm glad that you came back and got to have a little week of being pampered while being on study break. We hope that this trip back home cures a little of your home sickness. We could see that you were feeling sad as the Monday to return to KL approached. Trust me, we also felt sad knowing that we'd see you only in 2 month's time. 

Today will be your second paper of the 10 papers you'll need to sit for the AS. Good luck to you and we'll discuss on your return trip mid-exam. Yup, discovered a bonus period where you have a 2 week gap between papers that you can come back to Penang.

By the way, this is supposed to be training for when you go further to study. As daddy says, tickets are not as cheap as KL-Penang. So how is it that you are making that trip back every 1.5-2 months? 😏