Singapore Day 13 (Comic Con and return to NZ)

Bro guess we are doing this, going to a con on the day I fly back out!! Wake up, have breakfast, then pack the rest of my luggage. Nadi and Archer were getting ready as Sonic and Shadow respectively. Our aim is to leave at 10am.

Archer left first because he wanted to attend a beyblade event at 10:30am. Nadi and I took a grab to Changi with all my luggage, and I paid $43 in total for 24 hr luggage storage for 2 large suitcases and 1 small one. We found the postbox in T3 (next to GST returns counter) and I posted the last of my postcards. Then we got a grab and headed to the con at Sands Expo Convention Centre.

There is a Bandai TCG thingy event going on next door to comic con. When we arrived there was a line but it moved fast. The other line for bag check took longer to get through, and they just did a rough check compared to AFA (only looked at my large compartment of my Toothless backpack). Once in, we found Archer beyblading, but he didn't get into the competition. So we headed for the Sonic booth. 

The Sonic booth was so cool! Archer and Madi had so much fun posing and taking photos, and then the mascot suits Sonic and Tails came at 12pm, and they lined up for a photo. After they got their photo I lined up and then ended up taking one with them together. Yoooo! We looked so cool.

After that we headed to get some lunch, they weren't hungry but I was so I bought 2 pizza slices (Hawaiian and like a vege one), and sat down in a corner (sadly, no empty surrounding space), and ate my pizza while they sat and had a break too. Once I was done we headed back to the Sonic booth as Archer wanted to take a video when it was empty. Not long after they suddenly got popular and was asked for photos from people visiting the booth LMAO, they work for the booth now. xDDD

Once done, Archer went back to the Beyblade (or wandered around), and Nadi and I went to look around the artist alley. Boy, the first 3 booths were already winning! So much more variety than AFA and there were like more niche/less popular stuff in the first 3 booths. Way more different art styles and series variety. Lots more original creations and comic book artists. 

We made good time going through the stalls, but at one point I felt kinda sick and tired, and then I realised when walking through the comic artist booth row, where there was less people, that the sickness was from the crowded CO2 muddled air. Ergh. That's awful. The stalls were fantastic though, there were a couple of stalls that had Kamen Rider stuff!! And also Digimon that's not just Adventure!!! But sadly no Appmon, a tragedy. Still heaps better than AFA. I even found a stall that did heaps of acrylic keychains, and had Asta, Nero, and Liebe from Black Clover!! My holy grail from this con, lol! I went back to get it at the end (3 for $20). There was a stall that had Sonic sticker sheets, ($5 for a sheet), one or two that had a Sonic print, and even one that had 2 Sonic iron on patches. 

Comic Con had a much better vibe than AFA. Woooow. They had 2 floors and there's a giant elevator (like industrial type) that took you between the floors. I didn't like being packed in...

At 2:45pm, we were done with the artist alley and went back to find Archer. Then they wanted to find someone so I ended up meeting an ex-cosplayer called Natsu. Hello dude! And then wandered around a bit more before I said I needed to go~

So sad to leave. Archer and Nadi seemed sad too and kept waving bye. :') They saw me off at the door. I thanked them for letting me stay at theirs and they said I was a good house guest. TToTT I am so glad. We all had heaps of fun.

I called a Grab and since the taxi drop off was so busy, someone accepted my request straight away??! Like bro!??! I got a notif straight away saying "get ready to board" and the taxi was 2 cars down. Jfglbjsdfs Good thing I was able to spot them straight away. My driver was super chatty! He spoke in Mandarin. He asked what NZ was like and compared like cost of living and house prices. I said it's great to retire in but not so much going on, so it's a bit boring. He was really friendly. I thanked him for a good ride and wished him a good rest of his day.

Once at the airport I decided to get an ice cream to eat first as I was a tiny bit hungry but didn't want solids. I ended up getting a coconut milk black rice popsicle from Cheers. Then I headed towards Baggage Storage and sat down at some seats there where there was less people. At my ice with my mask on. Then claimed my baggage and headed to check in/baggage drop. They weigh your carry on here!!! And stick a tag on it. I was 22.4kg and 21kg. 

After that I headed through departures (just immigration!? Check at the departures gate, had to pull mask down, then once more through e-gates for unmasking.) There was no x-ray?! I found my gate and sat down for a while to rest but didn't go into the gate area. Then I started getting a bit hungry... so went to the Singapore Food Street area on the upper floor, and had a look through. Didn't really fancy any, ended up walking into a 7-11, and they had onigiri so I bought one and a milk tea drink. 

I went back to the food area and found the emptiest seat in the corner near the room/access where they do dishwashing for tray return, I assume. I could hear a lady phlem coughing, thankfully a ways away but boy.... 

Just as I was finishing my drink, a push notif told me they were boarding early?! Dang I wanted to go see the Butterfly Garden. Tough luck. I walked past it though on my way down to the lower floor. Oh they have a TWG (tea brand) stall here. Nadi let me try a tea bag of theirs for breakfast one day. 

I headed towards the gate and found out they they have the xrays here... !??! Okay so xray screening is at the gates I guess?! They wanted laptop out but liquids could stay in.

Once that was done I saw for a wee while before they asked everyone else to board the plane. There wasn't much people left. I am in a window seat and the people sitting in my aisle seemed to be family, a European guy and girl. They were nice. The hardest part was needing to pee but can't do it on demand, I had to wait until they were awake or also going to pee to go. Ooof.

There was wifi on the plane but I was too tired to browse. I watched Suzume no Tojimari movie which was cool. They also had Doraemon movie as well, but I only had eye energy to watch 1. 

Finally landed and biosecurity didn't even open up my bags. They just asked me what I brought in and ticked the form and asked me to go to lane 0, in which a doggo came to sniff and then out into the airport. So so tired. Dad came to get me, he stopped to fill up and I took a shower when I got home and slept the rest of the Sunday.

Singapore Day 12

 Nothing much today as well! Mostly resting. I watched some more of Nadi's streaming videos and helped to style her Sonic wig. She put on a Goosebumps one where the video maker ranks the books and corresponding TV episodes and how they've held up over time. It was like this for most of the day. I sorted out my luggage and put all my food items into one luggage.

I caught up on episode 8 of Thunderbolt Fantasy around 5:30pm and BOOOOYYY was this a great episode!!! Ahhh!! Ba Wang Yu and Hua Wu Zhong acknowledged each other's strengths and supported each other up, and worked together to take down Fujirai. Waaaaaaah. And then Shang Bu Huang entered the scene to help Mu Tian Min and Tenkou Kisho, entering with his Niàn Bái. 😭😭😭 And then Tenkou Kishou ended up having a speaker amplifier function on his mecha which transformed his hands into HUGE SPEAKERS and Mu Tian Min plugged it in and SANG THE LAND IS CLOAKED IN DEEPEST BLUE,  the theme song!!!!!!11 AHHHH IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!! YAAAAAA!!!

Then Archer came home and we went out to a different foodcourt near their house and I got Mee Soto. It's yummy but sadly so heavy in grease, I couldn't finish it. I also got some spinach al-la carte. Sadly thay didn't rinse the spinach properly and there was grit in it. The drinks stall had a honey lemon one so Nadi got me one. Archer ended up eating the rest of my Mee Soto. After dinner we walked to an ince cream shop called Betsubara, haha. Cause you have a separate stomach for dessert. I got hokkaido rockmelon flavour, very intense. I got to taste Archer's dark cocoa, very rich and pure. And also Nadi's choc mint, very minty and refreshing. We walked through the near by park home. 

Then we just chilled. Tomorrow they plan to take me to Comic Con in the morning and then I catch my flight home in the afternoon. :') So sad. My holiday is over and I was too tired to be able to enjoy it to the fullest.

Singapore Day 11

 Nothing much today too! Woke up exhausted and Nadi had taken medical leave (she was tired as well). She was supposed to go into office today. Just rested a lot. Tummy is settled but still delicate. Archer had a med appt at the hospital for his sinuses and came back just as I was finishing breakfast. 

Finished Archer's Shadow wig styling, and then ended up watching the rest of that Sonic fandub they made, ad-libbed from like Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 game. The cutscene graphics were so cool, but the story feels quite convulted and complicated due to time travel sheningans and 3 storylines/3 characters. 

For lunch I had some of the leftover pasta in the fridge, and dragonfruit. Nadi went out as she had an appointment to help with her grandma's car things.

Then Archer let me try the massage chair. It's really good, it relaxes you and when the back parts hits the right spots... ir hurts good. It made me so sleepy. It's controlled by an app too! Many different modes. It's an Osim chair. I ended up going to take a nap around 3pm and woke up an hour later. 

For dinner we just went to the nearby station, posted my postcards and then bought some more stamps. We then headed to the mall near the station, and picked up some hot glue sticks. And then Archer got me a Qoo and then a soft serve from Mixue (a China dessert chain store which apparently is alsp in Japan and other parts of Asia). For dinner we got food from a stall near the station. They no longer had steamed chicked rice so we got roast chicken instead. yummy. And then from a stall nearby we got some veges (as they didn't have any at the chicken rice stall). 

Then home we go, had dinner, then chilled. Nadi is joining in a friend's stream at 8:30pm ish so during that time I can finally catch up on some Thunderbolt Fantasy!! Ohhh all the plot threads are starting to come together~~~ and then I took a shower and blogged. Gonna try sleep soon, Nadi is still streaming but she sounds like she's having so much fun!

Singapore Day 10

 Didn't do much today! Mostly rested and spent time with Nadi and Archer. Nadi and Archer both went to work but came back around 2pm or so. So I just spent the day resting, catching up with blogging, and writing postcards. I am so tired. I helped paint some of their prop gold rings and worked on colouring Nadi's ears for cosplay.

For dinner we decided to go out to Tampines Hub, it's kinda like a community centre with a pool, sports court, stage where they have performances or play movies/TV shows, food court, and a mini mall. We found a stall in the hawker centre that had chilli crab!! So we got a few dishes to share. Chilli crab, spicy lala (cockles), and kang kong (tong choi). This is my first time eating crab. It's hard work getting into the shell bits and eating the meat. The spicy sauce was very yummy. The cook did the lala in the spicy sauce of the crab too. The kang kong was much better cooked and flavoured here. The stall was all halal. 

Archer got chendol afterwards and I tasted a bit. It's like gula melaka! Then Archer left for Beyblade and Nadi and I got some bread from the bakery in the mall.

Off home we go. Just chilled and I helped style Archer's Shadow wig. The Gatsby hairspray he got feels yuck and is really heavy and weighs the wig down. I got rid of it and rinsed most of it out. It also can't be brushed out, it leaves white marks on the hair. Then sadly, around 9pm, I suddenyl felt sick.

Sigggh. Uh oh here we go again. I threw up. And also did a poop that as mostly liquid and sharty. And threw up a couple more times. I took an enzyme capsule that Nadi has, but threw it up twice (I rinsed it and ate it again twice). The third time I couldn't find where the capsule went so I had to give up. TToTT This is so sad. I think the crab did it. I don't think my tummy likes seafood anymore. Waaaaaaaaah. I was also sweating balls. Just no strength. Curled up in bed exhausted. Nadi was so nice and was comforting me and got me plastic bags just in case (and I threw up in it one last time too). 🥺 I hate how my tummy is so sensitive now. 

Singapore Day 9 (S.E.A. Aquarium)

 Woke up but so tired from last night!!! We had agreed to meet up with my bro at 10:30am at the aquarium at Sentosa. Welp, got up, and Nadi made me a roti for breakfast in the air fryer!!! And let me try kaya (pandan flavour). It was really good?!! Yummy~ 

After that we just got ready and decided to take a Grab as it was easier. Archer will stay home. Happy to split with Nadi. It ws like $38 ish. We arrived and went to the toilet first, and when I came out my bro was already outside, coincidentially at the toilet entrance haha! We stopped for a snack at the Malaysian food court. It was nice and quiet, so it's really good. I had the steamed rice cakes with 菜脯 on top. Why so greasy?? I split with Nadi as she was also a ittle hungry, and she bought me a teh. Niceeee.

Aquarium time. They had a promo for double happy - buy 1 get 1 free. So $44 for 2 people. Nadi and I split and my bro decided to get one for himself. Then a random Chinese lady came up and asked if we were ok to split her extra ticket of the combo deal. Paid her $22 and then took a photo of the QR code from her screen. Thankfully it worked out! Funny that she heard we were from NZ and she said she was also from NZ. 

The aquarium was partially under rennovation, but according to Nadi it's been like this for a few years?! There used to be a big pirate ship at the lobby, and there's also a part from angler fish. The aquarium wasn't too big which is good, because we're quite tired from all the big days!! The lighting made it easy to take photos without reflections. So nice. There was a lot of fish! They were all so pretty! And for some reason their info boards were electronic, but also flipped to a full screen ad. I want to read the information....!! Why can't they have the ads on like a portion of the screen, and the rest to be the info about the fish. 

They had a tank full of sharks too!! And I spotted a Relicanth in the big shark tank. xD They put the gift shop in the middle of the aquarium (it's a loop around, and at the furtherest end). They had a lot of tropical fish too, and there's also a tiny cleaner fish that went into the mouth of a moray eel!! Like!! The eel would just stop opening/closing its mouth and leave it open while the cleaner fish goes inside, and continue again after they come out. So cool. 

At the big central tank there was a keeper diving into the bottom, I think cleaning the tank. They had a suction thing going? while cleaning the pebbles on the bottom of the tank floor. After a break in their work, he turned around and posed for the camera hahahahha. That was really cool. They also have a jellyfish section, and some fish are so small!! They added magnifiers for us to see. At the shark tanks near the end of the visit, they had a manta ray? mascot come out where kids can meet and you can pose for photos with them. I got one. xD They also have a lab and nursery section with a window where you can peek in and see what they are doing. I got to see seahorses and seadragons too! They had some other eels, and the gift shop still had the Genshin collab merch haha. 

After the aquarium, we headed to Bugis for lunch. It was about 1:30pm ish now. We took the MRT to Bugis station and headed to Albert Court/Centre where I had dinner of the roast duck, and saw a lot of eateries the last time. We found it and tried to find the halal foods. Nadi said usually they group all the halal foods together, and behold, the last row was all halal foods! I ended up getting Mee Reebus for like $4.50, and then a homemade lemonade drink at the next drink stall down (who also had milo dinosaur) for $2. I bought Nadi's drink as she went to get something else. Alan got something as well (a big plate of saucy something). The homemade lime juice was really good!! He squeezed fresh lime. Yum. My Mee Reebus was rich and interesting. Rich sauce in noodle. Nadi let me taste her dish, which was a selection of breads/carbs and shrimp/fish cake dipped in a sauce. Mmm! Since the food court is open air it was really nice. My bro left to check out and head to the airport. Bye~ 

Archer came soon after and we headed out to look at Arab St. The mosque does a call to prayer the 5 times a day that muslims go to pray. They also have opening hour from 2-4pm for 參觀 but we arrived like 2 mins after 4pm. Awww. Mosque is really pretty outside. And they had a line of Turkish and Lebanese shops! The decor is super pretty! Nadi said her great-grandma lived in the house with the gold trim windows (above a Turkish restaurant in the middle of the street, across from Turkish ice cream) as she was Javanese. She has such a rich heritage!! Then on anoher side street it was all like trendy bars?? But muslims don't drink alcohol... it's very strange. Some of the shops have like artist/indie creator stalls inside, which is really cool. 

After that, we headed back to Bugis and looked for a white shirt for Archer's shadow cosplay, and popped into 2 optometrists and 1 Korean contact lenses shop, but they didn't have read. It was almost 5pm by the time we were done and headed back home. We were all tired as. Nadi and I went home first on the bus and Archer went to look for his lenses. 

We had a rest and rehydated, and then had instant noodles for dinner. I got to try a tom yum flavour! It was nice! Different from the Trident tom yum. 

Then Archer came home and we watched the Sonic Adventure 2 ad-lib fandub, and then took a shower and bed. That wa funny. Good day!!!

Singapore Day 8 (River Wonders and Night Safari)

 First thing to focus on today is geting luggage packed and moved to Nadi and Archer's. My bro still has the hotel until tomorrow but I check out today. After breakfast I tidied up my luggage and then went out to do a quick trip to the post shop to get more stamps and mail some post cards.

After that I got back and then moved my 3 suitcases down and left the key in the room, and called a Grab. Made my way to Tampines and got off. I think it's at a different entrance to the one I came in last Weds. Nevertheless I walked into the communal area to the centre so no matter where I am it'll be easier for Nadi or Archer to get me. Archer came to pick me up. Thank you for helping me with my luggage. 😭💖

After I got inside I settled the laundry and moved my luggage in, repacked my bag, and we had some of the Thai leftovers for lunch. After that, we got ready and Archer and I headed to River Wonders via Grab.

We arrived! And Archer bought his ticket. We then went inside. It was like a semi-aquarium with a lot of fish animals and a couple of water-based animals like otters! And for some reason the pandas are here?! The pandas were in full view and showing us bamboo eating, so that was really good. It wasn't as crowded today. There's a animal encounter show at 4:30pm so we made good time going through the first half of the park, and then having a ice and snack just before the bridge to the boat plaza. I had a soursop ice popsicle (a cousin of 釋迦). It was nice! Archer had a popsicle and then later a coconut drink. We also bought a Rumukku? fried dough snack. It was kinda like 麻花 but with cumin. Very interesting. Also toilet here.

We crossed the bridge and the breeze was so so nice. We arrived at the boat plaza just in time for the show, and settled onto the audience chairs. They really trained the animals well! And got to take photos with the pelicans afterwards. They had a capybara, a big reptile lizard, river otter, got a kid to hold a snake, and a mammal I wasn't sure what the name was. It was cool!!

Afterwards we continued through the park and meet quite a few big tortoises, a few mammal-fishes, ghavials/gharials and alligators. They has huuuuge sturgeons, and an lungfish that was 80 yrs old?! Mudskippers and catfish. Lots of big fish that I've never seen before. We managed to finish at around 6pm, and the manatees were at the very end! Like dewgongs! Nadi was on her way now, and we ended up going to the zoo foodcourt to have dinner. I had a "healthy" Nasi Lemak, according to Archer. IDK how it was healthy, maybe less grease? I couldn't finish all of it... but I managed most of it. Just left some rice and pickled vege. Sob. Archer got me a lemon tea drink and it was so sweet??? But by the time I got to the bottom of the drink it was less sweet, I guess the ice cubes melted. A cleaning auntie came around to grab my tray around 6:30pm, and I realised that the food court closes around this time. I finished my drink and called the auntie at the return station when she came out from the room (I can't see). I thanked her and we waited for Nadi at our table. She arrived!! Soon after 7:15pm, when the Night Safari has opened.

We headed in and made it just in time for the 7:30pm show, but had to wait until the bird flew onto/off stage before being let into the audience area to sit. We saw heaps of animals; hyena, owl, fennec fox, porcupine, raccoon with really dexterious hands, pelican?? and they pulled the bird's sack on the bottom of the beak!, and a few more which I forgot. But it was an awesome show!

After that we got out and got ushered into the tram by Nadi, saying there's no line and it was packed last time she was here! So in we go! The rangers took a photo of us which I ended up buying for $35 SGD. Oof. But it's a souvenir! We got to see a lot of animals on the tram ride!! Which is so cool! Usually it's like hit or miss but there was like 2 animals we didn't see. They had deers, tigers/lions, hyenas, hippos, elephants!!!, and various others. So very cool. And lots of cattle stops. xD They had rangers at carious points of the trail waving at us (they served as traffic control I'm assuming) through the tram ride.

The tram ride was about 30 mins long. Once done we had an ice kachang as a snack, and then headed on the trails to see the animals. We also participated in like a activity and you can get a badge afterwards. They had an owl one for the first half of the event, and an elephant enamel badge for the second half. We were on the elephant one now, sad, I would have preferred the owl one. Oh well!.

We got to see a pangolin walk right past us!! That was so cool. And quite a couple of owls of different species. Monkeys, too!. And a white tiger!! A couple of marsupials, like a woylie (cousin of kangaroos). And then we got to see a North Island spotted brown kiwi like walking right in front of us, like whattt!! Blessed!!! The kiwi was digging around and then slipped on the ledge next to the glass while turning around. 😂 Aww so clumsy! Sadly we didn't see any Tasmanian Devils today. We also ran out of time to see the bats and the leopards. By the time we were tired and done, it was after 10:30pm, and we kinda wanted to go home. We were at the other end of the park, and we went through the Civic enclosure to get to the exit. 

They had taxis waiting (it as 10:45pm) thankfully, as Nadi/Archer was worried about getting a grab home at this time. It was about $35 odd I think, and we got home in 30mins ish. We took a shower and then everyone just went to bed. It's past midnight now. I'm soooo tired. It was such a fun day.

Singapore Day 7

 They ran out of congee today at the breakfast buffet noooo.... 😭 I just had some of the croissants, fruit, scrambled eggs, and tater tots, which were very nice! Then back to our room and I packed away my cosplay stuff and tidied up a bit. Finished blogging for yesterday (or most of it), and then time to head out to meet Nadi at Singapura Plaza. She needed to pick up some stuff for cosplay~

I walked to the Plaza and met Nadi~ we went to Art Friend and looked at all the craft stuff they had!! So many~ Nadi needed to paint some of her ears blue and got acrylic, she showed me and it was faux fur so I said that we could look at fabric paint, or dye, or marker. We managed to find a fabric marker pen so went for that option. She also managed to find styrofoam rings, and also one in a diamond shape!? For Chaos Emeralds. Awesome.

Then we went to the only remaining Spotlight in Singapore, and found that they have a Naruto print, and also one with Shrek heads hahaha. There's also a Sonic print but it feels low effort and basic, sadly. Most of it is the same as NZ.

Next we had a look at an anime/games shop, and then went to have lunch at a café. It was barely bearable with the amount of people inside, I did not like it. I asked for a miso eggplant burger and a teh tarik. The teh tastes pretty weak, like healthy version of it, and no sugar, haha. Once done, we headed out of there, and looked at the other weeby shops. There was a Muse shop and inside they were playing like a medly of anime covers by Mickey and Goofy? And it was soooo funny. I just went looking for the song and I found it loooool. Most of the merch was the popular mainstream stuff. Then we went to the next store, which has some really old nendos. Another store had bookshelves full of Taiwan manga.... I had a look and sadly no 1/2 Prince. :') Once done, we went downstairs and there was a official Bandai Gashapon shop. One token is $2 SGD, and most gashapons required at least 3-4. Wow that's a bit expenny.

Then we walked all the way to Orchard Rd's Takashiyama Dept Store for the big Kinokuniya. Nadi picked up a Corocoro with Shadow on it. Chrono was big on the cover, my boy is popular TToTT. They also had Vol 1 of Unmei no Makimodoshi too. We were pretty much done today so headed home. Took the bus and Nadi then took the MRT home~

Got back to the hotel around 4:30pm, bro was there (he headed to AFA in the morning). I rehydrated and rested, and he went to the concert. I took a nap and woke up exhausted around 6pm. Took a while to wake up and then headed out to dinner at 6:45pm. I just went to Albert Court, and there's this HK style roast  meats place that had lots of people lining up in 3838 Food Court. So I also lined up and asked for roast duck with rice $4.50. They didn't come with any vegetables and after I finished the dish, I was still thinking about the veges, so I went back and got a plate of bokchoy.... $3.50. It was all open air and all the tables were taken so I just sat across from some other guy. Once done I went back to the hotel and popped into the mini mart next to the hotel and picked up a can of Qoo. It was $1.50 and I paid all in change, and the shop guy and me had trouble doing maths LOL.

Back, watched an ep of I Parry Everything and then took a shower. Going to sort out Zoo tickets and sleep.

Headed

Singapore Day 6

 Oh man I am so smashed today. My eyes are so dryyy and tired. Nadi proposed we meet up to go around the anime shops La Tendo and Rashinban in Suntec today, so I got myself ready and headed out. We met up at Bencoolen MRT and took the MRT there. Cause Suntec is so big it's so easy to get lost inside. Nadi took us to the shops (thank goodness we have a local guide, I would have never found things!) and La Tendo is pretty big with a real mix of merch. Some merch are old and never sold I guess? There were nendos and other figures, and I spotted 3 Lan Wu Yao nendos... like whaaat.... 

Rashinban is connected and apparently they just get whatever merch Japan gives them. I didn't find a general general section, so no fishing for Appmon badges... sad. There wasn't much for me, didn't find any treasures. After browsing Rashinban, my bro needed to head off to AFA for his panel, and Nadi and I decided to get some lunch.

There was a food court not too far and it was quieter, so we found a table that was empty around, and then got paratha flat breads from an Indian Muslim place which came with 2 curry dips (Nadi said the thicker one is for chicken curry and the thinner one is for fish curry). 

After eating it was time for my panel Re:Zero with Kobayashi Yuusuke guest, so I headed up to AFA with the staff pass wristband and managed to get through without needing to line up (thanks Shawn!), and they let me into the stage as well! I got there about hald an hour early and saw the last bit of the panel my bro was attending (Towe of God with Hayamin and Ichikawa guest). Thanks to my body I kinda needed to pee just as the panel ended and was waiting for Re:Zero to start... maaan why my body gotta be like this!!! :'D I'll manage...!

After introduction Koba Yuuz turned up in Subaru's tracksuit. The man!!! xD Himeself!! He says that Subaru's outfit is pretty much official uniform for Re:Zero events hahahha (and he bought it himself apparently). When he first started afterrecording, he needed to shout to much and die so many times, he was left so drained at the end of a session, and the other seiyuus around him would be like "are you ok? do you need water? don't push yourself too hard" and turned into many Emilias. xDDD He also mentioned that he would think about how to perform each death, for example when his left arm got chopped off he imagined that since it is close to the heart and lungs, his breathing would be affected and gasp/gulp his speech. If his throat was affected he can get away with muddier pronounciation. If it was his leg then he would still need clear pronounciation as his blood circulation wouldn't be affected too much. He mentioned during Petelguese's arc, since there's so much "GEEEH!" screaming he was left dead at the end of every session. At the end of one afterrecording, the sound director saw him lying these and told him that he should be left to rest and don't get up. xDDD

KobaYuuz also mentioned that he auditioned for Subaru and Reinhart, since at that point he had done a lot fo princely roles so he thought he might suit a knight/noble role. Subaru was his first "dirty/messy (kitanai)" role character.

The panel was great! They took a kinen shashin and we all got to do "VICTORY!" pose. He's come such a long way since his debut role.

After that I went out and there was a line to get out... crowd bottle neck... needed to pee but the toilets on this level were only like 2 cubicles... met up with bro and went downstairs where there's heaps more toilets and peed. Phew. 

After that we met up with Nadi at a Coffee Munch café where she chilled and drew. Then we went to Vivo City (Archer was going for a Beyblade event there). We took the bus and saw the harbour/shipping containers on the way there. The mall was SO BUSY AND NOISY inside. It was really sensory overload. I didn't like it. We ended up looking around, and there was a weeby game shop. They also never clear out their merch so you may find old and odd merch just marked down sitting there. I found.... 4 copies of MHST2 on Switch marked down for $38, and all the ammiibos for them (Tsukino, Laeus, Ena) were still there... $30 for each and $40 for Laeus. All dusty.... TToTT

Then we continued to have a look around the mall... and had soft serve from a shop called Nasty Cookie... say outside the playground for some quiet and under the shade for rest... 

Then walked around outside the mall for some quiet, and ended up walking up Sentosa Boardwalk! My bro wanted to see where the chess matches were, so we went to Resort World(?) and also saw the casion which had a $150 entry fee. We walked all the way there, and then decided it's time to head back. Took the Sentosa Express, and turns out it's free to go back but $3 to go to Sentosa, lol! Got a nice view of the shipping containers and harbour from the train. 

After that we went to Toys R Us to meet up with Archer. Nadi showed me the Sonic section and we also found a Sonic Monopoly set! I sent a photo to Dark H, but sadly seems like Taiwan doesn't stock that. Once Archer was done (he didn't get picked for Beyblade), we headed to dinner at a place called Servus. It's German, and they recently changed their name. They had outdoor seats (!!!) and everyone was OK sitting outside. TToTT Thank you~~ I got a vege burger and it came with saukraut, but the saukruat wasn't cooked and it was super sour!! I finished eerything except 1/3 of the saukraut. Then it was time to head home, as everyone was tired. We took the MRT and said bye to Archer and Nadi while they stayed on the Blue Line home. 

Once home I was sooo tired, took a shower and bed.

Singapore Day 5 (AFA Friday)

 Today is AFA!!!I stuffed myself full of congee from the hotel buffet. Sadly it was quite busy but there was a side room that was less busy. The outdoor table was wet cause it was raining. After eating, I went back up and started to get ready in cosplay. I'm doing a inverted colour version of a t-shirt collab art of Yuuma from World Trigger (since the black t-shirt on the collab art was sold out, I had to buy the white one). 

Once I was done and wigged, and found my shoes, Nadi is meeting me at the taxi stand at Suntec. I took a grab and my driver was so nice. He didn't know there was a anime event happening today, and he thought my wig was my real hair. xD I sad if he sees lots of colourful people congregating, it's probably a con or event happening. He dropped me off and Nadi was already there! In front of the big screen~

We headed up and went through the many many many stiles set up for the queue, but today was no queue so it was just walking walking walking through the maze to get to ticket redemption. Archer took longer to get ready in cosplay and just arrived, so we met him up to pass his wrist band to him. Then we went to bag check. I wasn't allowed to take a pastry into the convention so got told to eat it at the side... I would hate to just through it away so I ate it as fast as I can, and then went through bag check again. One of the muslim ladies stared at my eyes and I let her know that it's contacts/fake eyes. She was so fascinated. I thanked them and went through, and caught up with Archer and Nadi. We met up with Shawn and the guys did their Ultraman stall thing. And then Archer got asked for a photo, and we joined in as photog to make him look popular. xD Everyone just wants his big d...dark sword. xDDD

Then we went to the Neopets stand, and Cookie Run!! And had a look at the Arkknights one which was very popular, and they had a stand for Infinity Nikki. You could sit in the chair! There's a stand with the couch for Link Click, a Frieren stand, and some others. Lots of big stands. 

Archer was getting hungry and so was Nadi so we went to the food stalls, and they got food. I wasn't quite hungry yet. We finished eating around 1pm and then my hunger hit. Arrgggh why must my body be like this!? We were about to head to main stage for the Übel Blatt panel! Well I guess at least my bowels and digestion are regular... 

We got to the panel and they gave us a card with the key visual and calendar on the back with the airing dates. They showed us the first episode, and they just did a really quick intro of vol 0 of the betrayal and murder scenes, then cut to vol 1 with Peepi. They cut out all the sex scenes LOL.

Sadly Hirose Yuuya and Producer Watanabe couldn't make it due to flight issues, and they had to video call in. They were so gutted and sad!! They were wearing short sleeves in the spirit of being in Singapore. They wanted to try a certain restaurant, do the Night safari, and see Marina Bay Sands. 

Later on the official twitter you can see me in the crowd xDDDD My Yuuya head and Replica on the back hahaha.

Nadi liked how fast paced it was. I thought it was really interesting at the pace they were going! But makes sense to get the action started, they have a lot to cover.

Then my bro and I went for lunch and Archer/Nadi went to explore the con. We went to Donki in Suntec. Everywhere was busy.... I had no choice... I tried to eat as fast as I can. I got an udon and a box of rockmelon. Once done we headed back.

Alan went off to do his thing and I headed towards the Artist Alley. I couldn't find Archer so I gave up and started to browse the artist alley. There's heaps of stalls of highly detailed art and super pretty, but all the fandoms are ones that I am not in... mostly Hoyoverse, and vtubers. It made it really easy to get through. No holy grails sadly. But I did find Melanbread artist who drew Danny Phantom! In 2024!! xD I had to get it hahha. I bought a couple of prints and two Shangri-La Frontier things! The only 2 I saw. An acrylic chained keychain of Sunraku and Emul, and a sticker of them each. There was a couple of Danmeshi prints too, so I bought selectively. 

Nadi found me halfway through my browse and I took about 2.5~3 hrs in the artist alley. We were about done and it was 5:30pm ish so we decided to wrap up and start to head out. On our way out we looked at the new Shadow Palmpals figure (from Sonic), and then the GSC nendo stall. We managed to get out at around 6pm. My bro had already left earlier to rest up for the concert tonight. 

\We walked through Suntec and had a look at the food court places, and settled on a Thai place. It was one of the first halal-friendly restaurants that wasn't packed and had spaces in between tables, so it was somewhat acceptable from a covid risk perspective.... can't say I like it though. Dinner was really delicious and the appetiser was like the size of 4 people's appetiser. Wow. We got like a tofu dish, a soft shell crab noodle, eggplant, and cereal prawn. The prawn was really amazing in the sense that you can eat it with the shell on, even the head! I believe it's been fried to the point where you can do that.

We didn't finish everything for dinner, but Archer and Nadi packed it back up. Archer went back into the con to socialise some more, and Nadi and I sat for a bit before heading back. By the time we got to the front entrance with the big screen, Archer was done so we waited for him so we could go home together. They took a grab home, and I attempted to find my way out via walking but failed. So I ended up walking out, around the expressway exit? and then doubled bacl cause it felt wrong, got lost in the towers and finally decided to take the MRT home instead by 1 station. At least I'll be out on the street...

I took the yellow line to Bas Barah and then got off and walked back to the hotel. Totally exhausted, but really wanted to relax and watch anime so I took a shower, and then watched an episode of I Parry Everything anime. My bro came back not long after. It was really funny though and even though I was so so tired I watched 3 eps, was 11pm and defeated and went to bed. Good day.

Singapore Day 4

 Headed to breakfast around 9am and sadly it was moderately busy. The outdoor seat was taken. :( I got congee (yay! just what I need, something light) and had two bowls, and some fruit. Finished asap within 30 mins, and headed back to my room. Finished blogging and writing postcards, and then headed out.

I had a look around Bugis, there's a lot of outdoor stalls, and a couple of divination stalls! Interesting. Outside the big temple, what's interesting is that there's one temple with various deities inside, all sectioned off in their own semi-room and you just choose who to go to pray to. And then in another temple, outside there were heaps of vendors selling incense, paper offerings, and fresh flowers/orchids. The rest of the stalls were like your typical nightmarket style ones. I walked through a food court and it was so busy and stuffy. After having a look around, I took the bus to Chinatown.

I got off and walked around and had a look. There's a lot of shops selling all sorts of wares. Jades and jewellery, fashion, odd bric-a-brac, pharmacy??, 5-metal-stores except they call it a general store, homewares stores, all sorts. I was trying to find the fabric shop... turns out I'm not quite at the right place. I spent some time trying to figure out how to get to People's Place, and there was an overpass to cross the road but it's built into this building complex? I managed to find it and went over, and finally was at the right place. The ground floor was kinda a wet market, and foods, and then second floor is what we want!!! But I decided to try and find a wig head first, and headed to 3F via an really old Live Journal post that comes up when you google "wig head Chinatown Singapore". I finally found Peng Him Corp but they were closed... nevertheless I kept lookign around and then found an actual wig shop!!!! Near on of the corners of the floor. I asked the lady inside if they sell the fold up wig heads, and she did! $5. It's the exact same one I bought from taobao yoinks ago, and was crap and wouldn't stay together (I threw it out last year). 

Mission done, I stopped by a shop before going down that had heads of buttons and trims, and they had a tweezer that looked like it would be good for papercraft, so I bought one for $2.50.

Down to 2F!!! To all the fabric shops!! A bit like Yongle market. I found the same blue linen for $12/metre. And then looked around a diff store, they sold another type of textured linen 150cm for $8/m. They had a lovely "oxford" fabric in pink as well, with dual colour thread weave 120cm for $5/m, so I got 2.5m of that. I wasn't decided on the blue yet so went to look around more. They had a lor of printed cottons at another shop. And Japanese cottons, some brocade but not much. There's a materials shop that I spotted a white chalk marker for $2.20 so I got one of that.

Then I found!!! Japanese anime printed cottons!!! They're all in pieces and in the most obscure corner, next to the tiniest counter. The boss wasn't there, and just when I was about to leave, he came over. It was $3 for the piece, I got a Kamen Rider Drive one for Archer.

I was about done, the humidity was getting to me and I was starting to feel sick. I just needed a hairspray now. I found one at a pharmacy shop and they had a small can for $1.70, so I got that. And discovered they have Got2b Glued!!! The legendary stuff from early cosplay days, lol!!!

Alright, feeling not so good. Time to go home. Just as I was about to get onto the escalator, I decided to buy the cheaper blue linen. I went back and found the shop, and then asked for 2m. There was 2.5m on the roll so I just bought it all. 

Home now, I got downstairs and sat outside for a wee bit, but so many smokers... so I dried my sweaty face and put on the zimi and got ready to take the MRT home.

Except, I took the wrong side (I forgot to check and just assumed), realised about 5 stops down, got out, and then got onto the right direction (Expo), and finally got to Bencoolen. Up we go through like 5 escalators, and then back into the hotel. I asked for a ironing board from the front desk.

I felt really sick and had a cup of tea, and then set an alarm for a nap but then housekeeping came to deliver an ironing board. So I decided to iron my skirt first, and then ended up doing everything else. 

Took about half an hour and my alarm went off. I still had my wig to do so I set up the wig head. It was better? quality? The joins were stiffer? And the ring actually clips into place? Maybe they improved it. It still sucks though cause the inside is empty and the wig collapses, but it'll do.

Finished styling my wig and I decided to try with my zimi mask and see how it works. Oh yeah! Just as I was donning my bro arrived at the hotel and came through the door. mask works but it's kinda a bit loose, so I added the silicone stoppers onto it just for that extra security. 

Once done, it looked fine, we waited for Nadi to arrive and went out to dinner together. We ended up going to Flippers, and there wasn't too much people. The ceiling was high. Just as we were on the last bits of our meal two Chinese girls, for some reason, decided to sit at the table right next to us when there were heaps of tables free =_=. I was already on the verge of comfort dining inside, please....

I managed to finished everything on my plate for once!! I haven't been able to do that in Singapore so far, everything is so rich. Finished my yuzu honey tea, and then masked back up. We were all done so we went to have a look at the Bugis Street - which I had totally missed in the morning somehow!? And then Nadi showed us a hidden crêpe shop in 2F amongst all the clothing fashion shops. There's also a little section with gachapon and crane machines. Woooo~

Then back into Bugis Junction, where we came from dinner, (it's a mall), and had a look at Kinokuniya inside. This branch was a smaller one. They didn't have as big of a manga section in English, but they had Taiwan Mandarin manga?! Quick look only, and then stopped by Sephora. Huh it's actually more expensive here than NZ. Who would've known? Even with the Black Friday sale, it ends up being same price as NZ (without the 20% NZ sale discount) for the primer I was looking at, so I decided not to get it.

Then back to the hotel as my bro as pretty tired and we should be getting an early night.

While bro was taking shower I finished my postcards upstairs, as shower situation is a it awkward for privacy. 

Just blog, and sleep. AFA tomorrow.

Singapore Day 3

 Shark week!!! So I woke up tired and icky. I took my time and went down for breakfast, just after 10am. There was hardly anyone - score!!! But not much food was left ince breakfast service closes at 10:30am. There was a lady that seemed curt in her response but I took it as that's just how she is. I grabbed some croissants, fruit, and milk tea. Then a waffle (don't recommend), scrambled egg, and bacon. I finished eating just before 10:30am and went back up. I finished blogging, wrote my postcards and rested. 

Then it was almost lunch, so I went out and seeked out a post office, and got stamps for the postcards. I didn't get a stamp, but rather a printed label (that was size of two stamps) for 85c to send to anywhere in the world. Oh cool!! 

After that I waked back to the library, where I saw heaps of outdoor seats. There was a rsetaurant there and it was super busy inside (but efficient!!!) and lined up to order food. I opted for something lighter, chang-fun (the rice skin sausage) and a teh drink. They served it on a piece of paper on a plate, on a tray. Grabbed cutlery and left the stuffy store, found a seat coincidentally in front of the big air conditioner lol. At least I'm getting semi-clean air?? The chang-fun, I was expected a soy sauce based sauce on it but the sauce was heavy and black bean based?? Whoa, too much. The the is good, but eating the sauce alters the taste of the teh. I managed to finish it, and then off on my way to meet Nadi.

Initially we were going to meet at Suntec and go to the weeb shops but Nadi said we can check them out when AFA is happening but we're not attending. So the plan was to meet at Esplanade MRT station. But I got there faster than Nadi, so ended up walking towards Aniplus Café myself. She told me to find the big Durian building so I found it and went towards it, but went inside and it was a theatre and didn't look right. Rofl.

So I went back outside and walked further down around the durians, and then spotted the Merlion!!! !!! I didn't know it was here!! So I told Nadi meet me at the Merlion hahaha no better landmark. I went towards it, and took my photos. But because it was raining lightly, it was really hard to take a photo with an umbrella, selfies especially. There were a considerable amount of people. And near Mos burger just not far from the lion, was a mini merlion statue from mosaic tiles, haha. After my fill, I went to the toilet and tried to find a seat that wasn't a restaurant, and not wet, and failed. So I stood around waiting, and then spotted a seat that was wiped dry by a couple before, just a little wet, so I sat down on it. Not long Nadi has gotten here so I walked towards her across the bridge. 

Hiiiiiiiiii~~~ we took a selfie together of the surfboard (Marina Sands) since the Merlion was a bit small from where we were, and we headed to Aniplus. Wow there was no way I could have found this place by myself LOL. They had a Hololive collab going on. I don't Hololive LOL but we still got some food. I got a blueberry yoghurt parfait, and a yuzu drink. Nadi got a peach tea? and a oreo cake. Thankfully the café only had two other tables and the staff so it was quiet and I didn't have to worry too much about covid risk. 

We had a nice chat and I gave her a couple of recs that she might like and she likes being fed pieces of info and have to speculate and work out the plot/what's happening herself, rather than being spoonfed everything at the start. We had a look around the merch parts of the café and it was interesting to see the merch from China, Malaysia, etc. And what was popular. 

Then we decided to head to her house to chill, and Archer was crunching his cosplay. We took a Grab taxi, and then arrived at Tampines area. It's interesting that SG houses don't really have balconies (but had a laundry balcony), and if they do have balconies it sacrifices their living room space instead? It's like some sort of regulation that your building can only happen within these boundaries? But the condos have balconies and bigger living room. Some newer condos have smaller rooms overall but better facilities?? Anyway it was interesting and weird comparing differences. 

We watched the new Ranma 1/2 for an episode, (oh Mappa, no wonder the animation is pretty consistent and lovely drawn), and then I helped Archer paint his sword. He did a really good job with it in half a day with foam shaping and hot glue!? For some reason they didn't have black or silver acrylic but like 4 golds lmao, so we made do with the rubber spray paint and white. I dry brushed the sword and it looked pretty sweet with what we had. It photos well. I'm ssatisfied. Archer was finishing his tunic top. He's cosplaying Noor from I Parry Everything anime. 

I finished his sword and then I needed to poop again?! I told Nadi her enzymes are working too well (she gave me some digestive enzymes) 🤣. And not too long after Archer was at a good stopping point with his shirt. So we went out and took the bus for the nightmarket. We arrived just as the bus was pulling up into the stop, and the driver was kind enough to wait for us. My Wise card wouldn't swipe on but my phone's Google Pay could???? So strange.

We got there and the nightmarket was in a huge gazebo. Apparently it's a temporary thing! We walked around, saw jackfruit that smelt less offensive than durian but still pretty strong, and got three things. I got Mexican taco (halal), we got a dessert thing, and some steamed fishcake in bamboo leaves to try. 

There was a gazebo's and plastic strip screened portion of seats with aircon machines running, and we sat there. Not the best in terms of fresh air, but... the ceiling was high enough and the tables were pretty spaced out so I just have to hope for the best. I tried the fishcake and it was very concentrated. Then the taco, was really good but rich, and then finally, a slice of the dessert. Archer poured on the sugar syrup and coconut milk first. The dessert had like sugar pastry wisps outside, and cheese inside. Ground pistachio for decor. It was good! Just so rich.... and then I realised through conversation here that although Singaporeans live a long time, it's because they have a good health system, and not because they have a good diet. They have public health campaigns saying choose less salt, choose less sugar.... woweee that explains why my stomach seems to have shrunk in Singapore!! Everything is so heavy! 

After dinner it was like 9:40pm so we decided it was time to go home. They dropped me off at the MRT station and I took the blue line home. 

I took a shower and went to bed. So tired!!!

Singapore Day 2

 Slept in and woke up and felt tireeeed. So just chilled in my room, caught up on blogging and some computer stuff, then around lunch I headed out to go to Gardens by the Bay. 

On the way to the bus stop, I was hungry and spotted a Chinese place that had outdoor seats that were sheltered. I stared a bit at the menu and decided to try. I got the wrong counter, go told to go to the one on the side for the 3 side and rice dish, and then got told to go to the cabinet next to the person on the side. Lol. Seems like they have 3 places in one, or different factory lines? It was very loud the gentleman couldn't hear me very well and vice versa, and thought I was taking out, oops. That's OK. I picked mostly vegetables and then another man that was close by said I should pick the signature curry chicken and I said OK, trust the regular. The staff put two potatoes and asked if I wanted a piece of chicken? But I looked at the box and it was enough. 

The total was $4 dollars. Like whaaaaat. So cheap?!

It started raining as I sat down at an outdoorsy table. It rained harder. The food was good. But not much flavour with the rice, need more sauce... no goot balance lol. I started getting misted on so moved to the seat next to me that was closer inside.

Once I just finished, a lady came and asked to sit down at the table, no problem. She started chatting to me and I said I was new in Singapore. Her name is Yunice. She has been to NZ before when British airways combined from 2 other airways and gave her a free ticket from flying so much. She has also lived in Taiwan for 2 years, her husband does a handbag company? in Tianmu. She's been a lot of places!! The rain subsided and she said not to let her keep me. I thanked her and said maybe I'll bump into her again as I'm staying near the area. That was really nice.

I found the bus stop and got on but my Wise card didn't work tagging on!! A red screen that said error/invalid. But it worked for the MRT last night! The driver asked where I was going and waved and told me to sit down. I ended up getting a free ride. Thanks Mr Driver. TToTT

I got off and then got lost trying to find the entrance to Gardens by the Bay. So turns out you have to take a lift to go up into the passageway. I was trying to find it on ground floor, and the entrance is through the hotel. I ended up going into the hotel lift (which needed an access card) with some other guests going up to floor 33 uhhhhhh, but it stopped at floor 4 so I got out, and a lady was waiting for the elevator. I said I think I'm lost, and the lady asked where I was going, and then said I needed to go to the lobby and find the glass door for the Gardens elevator. I thanked her and she let me get down on the elevator. 

I spent some more time trying to find it and turns out it was right next to the bus stop LMAO which I completely missed. R I P.

I finally made it. I saw the super trees! And then walked down towards the visitor centre. I ended up going to the gift shop first to buy postcards, and then to the ticketing office. I ended up getting the recommended combo for Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.

I went into the Flower Dome first. It was so cool inside~~ later I learnt that there are pipes running through thr ground with running water all the time, like an aquafier, which keeps it cool. I wondered where the air was coming from.... and googling said that only 20% is fresh and the rest is recirculated. Ergh. Ok I'll pull my earloops on savers....

I accidentally latched onto a paid tour (which I asked later and the tour guide said yes it was) so I left after that. Oops. The flower dome was really nice with different flora/fauna from different regions of mediterrianian climate, and warmer climates. It was a good walk around! They also have a Christmas train display from Sweden going on, and a mini exhibit to the scientist who conned the Latin naming convention and the categories for all life on earth. Then they have a impressionist painting Claude-Monet exhibit which turned out to be bigger than what it looked like!! It was really cool with fully themed rooms. I was in a bit of a rush here now as Archer was going to join for the Cloud Forest so speedrun the rest of the exhibit.

The giftshop has these cute supertree plush keychains. I did not buy any xD. This was a different gift shop to the one I went earlier. 

Archer was waiting outside, and we got a milo (I thought it was a fresh drink but it was just a tetrapak). The milo is made in Malaysia and tastes more malty, less milky, and more vanilla-y? Interesting. After that we headed into the Cloud Forest. This was also climate controlled and cool~~ there were so many orchid species inside! The tower is kinda amazing. I wonder how they keep it all trimmed and stuff. We walked around the base, and then up to the top of the tower and made our way down. Each level was a different climate/altitude and they have a themed thing inside the tower. The Crystal Cavern was pretty cool, it had the full on interactive projection room and would react to touch. People would throw their coins into the various pools and there were signs at certain pools that told you to keep your change... but some people were still naughty obviously. There was a little section on the roof with carnivorous plants and that was neat. Near the middle of the tower, we could see the walkway at the top from the bottom view. Archer said it looks like a Beyblade stadium and showed me, LOL, it does!! We took a gasping pointing photo at the walkway hahaha.

At the end we thought it was teh exit but there was more stuff! Like it kept on going while saying way out LOL. It was the Secret Forest section, and at the end they have a room of humaity's damage on the environment and an emphasis for conservation/climate crisis. They had humans made from panels of different materials and how each material's impact on the environment, etc. It was pretty cool. By the time we were out of the Cloud Forest it was like 7pm. We were originally going to meet with Nadi but it would take too long to get together for dinner so she opted to head home. We tried to find our way out but walked the wrong way, lol, and passed by Satay by the Bay, so we had dinner there. 

Dinner was satay skewers (beef and mutton), and a chicken wing. The chilli sauce they had was super nice. Then we walked around and decided to get lala (cockles) without the satay in case it's super spicy, and a plate of tong choy. One rice was like huggge, we didn't know, should have just shared 1 rice! We had to leave the rice. :') It was almost time for the light show at 8:45pm so we power walked towards the supertrees, and almost got there as the show was starting. It was still ongoing as we got into the area with the central supertrees, and Archer spotted 1 light on a tree that was a little out of sync/colour LOL. Poor light trying its best. It was pretty cool with classical music and the timed lights. After the show (ended just before 9pm), we went to the dino food court to see the dinos (but food court was already closed). I took photos and ticked it off the box. xD

Then we tried to find our way to the MRT. There was a coconut drinks stand on the way there so we got drinks. It was iced smoothie and so cold whoops. On the way we found a Sonic themed kids adeventure playground place, so took photos of the display. xD

We were taking the same line, and then I said bye to Archer as my stop was sooner than his. 

It was like 10pm by the time I got home, and I took a shower and crashed. Sadly, the fridge wasn't working and the coconut drink I had to leave overnight... :') It was nice though!!! Just a shame.

It was a 

Taoyuan Day 2/Singapore Day 1

 Managed to wake up around 5:40am as per alarm. The motel I stayed in is quite nice. They had a condom pack behind a business card at the bedhead table LOL. I wish I was able to enjoy it better. I got mysef out and packed up the rest of my toiletries. My backpack was dry enough but it still smelt faintly of puke - so I will have to wash this properly again when I'm in Singapore. My clothes were damp and I missed some parts on the pants (dragonfruit red). My shirt wasn't stained, phew. But still smelt. They will need to be properly washed...

It was about 6:20am now and I went down to get my breakfast at reception. They had it ready. I took it back up and it was congee. Phew. Just what I need! There was also a cooked small squid and prawn. I did not feel like eating it at all, but I didn't want to waste food. I ate a few bites of each and couldn't do it. I also couldn't finish my congee, but ate most of the vege/gluten/bamboo shoots. And I felt really weak and ill. Reception called the room phone (thankfully I had finished pooping, still liquidy poop) and asked if I wanted a 休旅車, I said no, just a normal 計程車, a normal taxi. Then they called back like 7 mins later saying the taxi is here. I said I'll come down now. I had all packed up so made my way down with my three suitcases and also checked out.

The driver was ok to help me with suitcases, and he was nice. I had some light conversation - he was asking if I would be over the weight limit? I clarified that each piece has to be under 23kgs, he thought it was combined. Then made some small talk about the baseball game. I asked who won? Turns out the game I watched with 五叔 and 五嬸 was the prelims, and they had the finals last night. Taiwan won. Wooo. But Japan was a kinda sore loser with their stinky faces. I was feeling so off I said tot he driver that I will snooze a bit. There was traffic (bottle neck with 3 exits merging into one) so good thing I came out a bit early. We set off at 7:05am and by the time we reached Terminal 2 it was 7:45am. Fare was $525, and we had a bit of a juggle trying to work out change as I was short $100 and driver was also short on $100 notes. We managed to make it work with the driver giving me $200 in $50 coins. He said he has only done airport runs this morning, I said that's ok!! It's understandable at the start of the day. He was sooo nice. I wished him a good day. I felt way better after getting a bit of shut eye, but still exhausted. 

Check in was fairly smooth, and my suitcases weighed 20kg and 22kg. Security was busy but it was efficient. They asked to see my face for check in and also at customs, where I did the fingerprints too. No issue. My gate was C5R and it was downstairs, so I had to ask someone where to find it. I found a seat and just snoozed. I had no energy to visit the Pili themed gate sadly. :')

We took a bus to board (they asked to see my face again), but because of the bus the doors were wide open so the fresh air was coming in, which was nice. Never taken a bus to board before. Dropped us off on the tarmac in front of the stairs and went up. My premium economy bid was successful and Eva Air has a seat of 4 in the middle for PE. I didn't see what the economy seats were like. I snoozed for most of the trip, and woke up for lunch. I had pork rice, but tried 1 piece of pork and couldn't do it. So I just had veges, rice, fruit, bread and butter and an ice cream. They had Despicable Me 4, so I watched that and finished just before landing. The film was fun. xD

I felt way better having gotten more sleep on the plane. Changi airport is sooooo big. I needed to get some cash out and a SIM sorted. They had a staff holding a sign at the gate exit saying which number belt our baggage would be on (43). I spent some time trying to find an ATM, and then there was only a Citibank one and a DBC(?). So I got some cash out first, despite the fee.

Then Archer and Nadi was waiting for me, so I decided to go through customs first. All my baggages were out on the belt already, so that was really fast. And nothing to declare... the customs biosecurity staff were looking pretty free 看起來很閒 xD. Lmao. Once I was out I couldn't see them in the crowd so I sent them a selfie, as it's been a while and they might not recognise me masked. And turns out it was that xDDD.

They found me and we had a hug! Then went to find a SIM that didn't cost $50. We found one for $12 at a convenience store place. Sorted that and then they haven't had lunch so we sat down at a café style place and they got something to eat. I got a popiscle cause my tummy was still delicate, and I just ate with my mask on (and excused myself for being weird). Then we went to the Jewel (where the waterfall was!!!) and on the way there we saw plenty of Sanrio character displays. It was amazing seeing the waterfall in person for the first time! The plants are real! And we talked about what do they do if the plants gets too big.... we weren't sure lol.

There's a walkway you can pay money to get close to the waterfall. I spotted a European couple that seemed like they were wearing red strapped Auras! We walked down the mall and came to the Pokécentre and just enjoyed looking at all the different wares and trying to figure out the new Pokémon that we weren't so familiar with. After that, we went down and saw a Sanrio store and went in and had a look. Everything was so expensive there?!?!? !?!?! And then realised it was 5:30pm. Where did the time go??? I met up with them around 3:30pm. We decided to head out and check in at the hote first, drop bags off, and go have dinner. They called a cab via Grab, and let uncle open the boot. Nadi pointed out the beach, how there was an oil spill? at a particular part, and how when she was small she went swimming in the sea at one part and her toes were covered in oil, and her parents said "ok no more swimming". But further down the beach it was fine. Mystery?? Pointed out some condos and how if you buy a condo you can't go back to buying public housing due to govt rules. So you have to make sure you're committed to be able to keep up that lifestyle of a condo. They were at least $1-2m? Or the fancier apartments near the condo area where. Like I know that's expensive! But for NZ house prices that's... average. Isn't it shocking. 

When we got to the hotel, I checked in and they had a free room upgrade cause my bro is a platnium member. I opted for the upgrade cause I thought the sofa bed and loft bed is separated and there's more space between us. Housekeeping can set up the bed for us before my bro arrives. Archer and Nadi followed up to see the room. The toilet has frosted glass and Nadi needed to pee and pointed out how weird it is. I peed after and also pointed out how weird it was. xD 

I found their chocolates and gave them the souvenirs. And then gifted Nadi her Sonic café shirts! Archer said the bucket hat was sold out - close enough. xD Then don't forget the Burger Rings. 

We headed out for dinner, and took the MRT to Teloy Ayak. They took me to Le Pou Sat. I could pay using my Wise card for the MRT! Wow! Le Pou Sat is 130 years old. The building is beautiful, filigree iron supports and arched inside. High ceilings. Giant ceiling fans. We opted for a seat near a doorway but could still feel the fan, as it was hotter inside with the cooking heat. I had a look around (THERE'S SO MANY STALLS) and saw a meegoreng that didn't have too much meat from a Indian Muslim place. Turns out it was spicy!!! LMAO!! $8 for a small plate. I saw a table being chope'd with tissue packs. Wooooo. Nadi had like a lamb flarbread pizza thing. Archer had a lemon friend chicken maggi curry noodles thing. They got drinks and there was Qoo!! QOO!! My love!!! I asked if I could also get one. It was green grape flavour and they got me one. TToTT Intersetingly it's made in Malaysia and Halal!

Dinner was great! Then we returned the trays and walked back to the MRT (and found a UOB ATM I took more cash out from). They dropped me off at the hotel (so kind TToTT) and they took a grab home.

I got back into the room, set up the CR box, and took a shower. I made sure to wash my backpack as much as I can in the shower. And then rinsed out my clothes some more to try and get rid of the puke smell. I hung then on the stair way to dry.

Lol I realised with loft beds, that if you wanted to pee you have to go up/down the stairs which is a bit inconvenient!!! I decided I don't like loft beds. Shower situation will also be a bit awkward when bro is here. Went to bed at around 11pm. 

Taichung Day 12 (Taoyuan overnight stay)

 I woke up late and 二叔 made me a type of 燒餅夾蛋. It was essentially brunch because it was about 10:45am when I finished eating. I just tidied up the rest of my luggage, and folded up my sheets and pillowcases ready for laundry, gathered my last min stuff, and swept the floor of my hair.

Then I was about to go out to buy some more period pads from Watsons because the one I got last night was super cheap ($99 for a twin pack) and it seemed to be on clearance? But I went to drop off the big bag 四嬸 lent me to take my wares home the other day. Just as I was going out, 二叔 came home and said that the 涼麵 and 中興素食 was closed. Welp. I'll have a look at a vege place that says open on Google Maps when I'm out.

So I stopped by 四嬸's house, and they let me in to have a look. I've never been in their house before!! 四叔 was changing his soil over for some of his bugs. He took two out from 1 container and put them in a new container each. And then checked to see if another one had started to cocoon yet, but it hasn't. 四嬸 was doing taking the opportunity to air out their duvets, and also do some cleanout (rare). They let me look and see what their house is like. They had a table left from the purchase from the $10000 grandma gave them when they first got married. All the other furniture from that time had been retired but only the table is left. He also showed me some of the hardening bugs in a half-formed state, which was cool and creepy. He makes a bed for them from the green floral sponges. 

He also showed me his special fridge, which was full of his bugs. Lmao 四嬸 can't take it. xD It felt like a lab fridge when he opened it. The soil he uses is the same type for mushroom growing so fungus grows from it too. Super cool.

四嬸 handed me a soy bean pudding, which was quite nice. They showed me the other rooms and talked about how back then they had no money and 4F was the cheapest and they didn't mind the superstition of 4. The old shop storefront, used to be all farming and rice fields. Imagine that now! Wow. There was a time when they rented 4F out and they lived on 1F for a while. The apartment next door to theirs on 4F was bought for 二叔's when he first divorced and came back to Taiwan. Then later 二叔 had the opportunity to buy his current house. So the 4F apartment was rented out.

And then they said they'll take me to go eat sushi/sashimi/takeaway. The shop they wanted to take me to was closed, so they took me to another one, which was super busy. They were going to dine in but they had takeaway option so thankfully I could go for that. I looked at their takeaway menu and they also had temaki - but 四叔 said it's only nice when eaten fresh cause it'll go soggy. So I said, that's OK, I had one in Kaoshiung I can choose something else. And 四叔 ended up ordering so much for me... I said it's too much! And he ordered a temaki against what I said and made me eat it in store while my takeaway order was being prepared. Please. 😭 There's so many people here I feel anxious. I ended up eating with my mask on and holding my breathe to pull it down. 😭😭😭 Soon my order was done and I thanked them and left. They said I can go to Watsons through the alleyways, do I know how to walk it? I said yes (vaguely had an idea), and ended up walking through with the help of Maps to a different, smaller Watsons. They had the pads on promo, where you pay an exra $1 and get another item for $1. Wow!! Got two packs of pads and 1 pack of liners. Then I walked home to eat.

Since I was still full from breakfast, I ate one of each type of nigiri. There was fruit as well so I had some pomelo, dragonfruit, and grapes. Then I finished packing up and got ready to go. 二叔 came back from an errand and said time to go. It was like 3:30pm at this stage - time went fast! He brought the car around and dropped me off at Ho-hsin bus station at Chaoma. I went to buy a ticket first before unloading my luggage as prompted by 二叔, the next bus is at 4:11pm and the only seat left is next to the driver. They say you just can't recline the chair. The next bus would be at 5:21pm... I decided to go for the 4:11pm one. The bus station was so full. I said goodbye to 二叔 and he hugged me real tight. He said he'll be sad when I'm gone. Awww. Off he went to go pick up Meilin ayi who is coming back from Taipei today.

After waiting a bit I realised the reason the station was so full was due to the buses all being delayed and coming late. My bus came around 4:34pm and I got on. I greeted the bus driver and he asked me to unlock the door since I was sitting in the seat, and he will enter from the other side. The lock was like a tiny knob/nail in the armrest part. He would talk on the phone during driving and I feel asleep soon after.

I woke up around 5:30pm and he asked if he woke me up - I said no, you're good. I said I had never sat in this seat before. How did you know there was this seat to buy? The lady at the counter said this was the only seat left to purchase. You don't often take ke'un buses? Yep. Are you studying in Taoyuan? I'm staying there overnight and heading to the airport early morning. Alright.

Soon I started to feel ill... it was like indigestion I thought at first, but then I started cold sweating and I tried to keep it down and I didn't want to throw up and unmask on the bus... Please... I battled with it for about half an hour and ended up throwing up into my zimi mask. 😭 It was all red from the dragonfruit. The mask contained most of it but I panic rummaged in my bag and found a ziplock and chucked my puke in there. I threw up some more. There was spill on my bag, my clothes, and some of the seat/floor. I apologised to the bus driver, I felt so mortified. And started to clean up the seat and floor with some wipes. The bus driver said that there's bags on buses if you feel ill. Some at the stairway. I went to grab some. He gave me his box of tissues to use after asking if I had enough. I felt so awful for the bus driver. He could probably smell the puke. I fished out my mask frame from the puke and wiped it and popped it into the regular ziplock I use for it to clean up properly later. I ended up puking a couple more time and feeling horrible. Initially I thought it might be carsickness but now I know it's not, and Mr Driver said that typically if youre carsick you throw up only once. I said I think I must have ate something... he said something unclean? Yes probably. The driver was so nice. And since there was traffic he was calling someone else saying that they might have to carry his bus since he was still stuck at xxx place. So the ride was closer to 3 hours than 2.5 hrs. I could only wear an earloop since it was what I had on hand and was easy to pull down to puke... The bus arrived at Jingguo station closer to after 7pm. I managed to haul my luggage just inside and then had to puke into the bag again.... 

The bus driver asked if I would be OK and I could only say yes and give a weak thumbs up. 😭 I saw him check the seat after as I got off. He closed the bus door and drove off shortly after checking. I ended up having to go to the toilet and sharted really watery poo. By the time I felt ok enough it was 7:45pm. Thankfully they had taxis just outside. I was feeling so weak by now, and I walked out a taxi driver asked if I wanted to get a ride. I nodded and they arranged for a taxi waiting to take me. I let them know that I was feeling stoamch ill and apologised, and they helped me with my luggage. The person who was coordinating (I guess they have a station coordinator) said that if I needed to go to a pharmacy while the shops were still open, I can ask the taxi driver too. So nice.

The taxi driver asked me if my motel where my motel was since there's 2 with the same name. I checked the address and said it's the one on this road. We arrived very shortly after and what's surprising is that the check in process is done like a drive through! The reception desk is like a freeway toll booth, but an actual office inside. The entrance to the elevator is also at the drive through side. The taxi driver parked and asked me if I wanted him to come get me tomorrow morning at 6:30am, (he can't do 7am), or ask the motel to arrange it, since the motel confirmed with me during check in. I was not in a state to decide, and breakfast is at 6:30am. I said I'll let the motel decide. Fare was $105.

I thanked the driver and struggled up into my room. It was freezing when I walked in, and managed to figure out the HVAC panel on the wall. It was so bad. I managed to wash out my backpack, and change my puke clothes (I got puke on my Golden Kamuy shirt that grandma had commented on TToTT). I managed to wash most of it out and hoped it would be dry enough to pack tomorrow. I was in no state for dinner. I took a shower and managed to get to sleep around 10:30pm. At least my stomach has settled mostly now. This was no fun at all. I had to worry if I would be well enough to fly tomorrow.

Taichung Day 11

Got up late at around 9:30am. Finished my half a bread and had some yoghurt to drink. Mmm. Then I decided to do he laundry as my PJs needed washing and it was best to head to SG on as much clean laundry as possible. Scrubbed 二叔's loo because it was a bit pee smelly yesterday. Did some research on how to get to the motel in Taoyuan tomorrow, and other stuff on the laptop.

Then it was about 12:30pm, time to get lunch. I decided to head out to buy vege bentou from 中興素食. Yummos. On the way back home I dropped by the pharmacy nearby to buy some alcohol, a 500ml bottle for $75 from Shao-lin Pharmacy, since it's so hard to buy it in NZ. I also got a spray head for $40. Then back home, and it was already about 1:30pm. Amazing how fast time goes. I enjoyed my bentou, it was so good.

Afterwards I caught up on 1 episode of Thunderbolt Fantasy (ep 5). I wanted to try watch it on offical channels as much as I can.

Then it was time to head out to Grandma's. I dropped by 新利賀專業藥局 to buy some more Picardin mosquito repellant $290 for Singapore, as friend Archer said I'll need it for the outdoor places like the zoo and gardens. Sound advice. I also picked up another small MIT pack of wipes (10 pack) $49, and another bottle of alcohol for $60... cheaper here. Off I got to a bus stop near a little park and a miao. 

The 25 bus was only 10 mins away but a guy has taken up the whole bench with his bag.... so I stood for 5 mins and then kinda sat on the edge of the bench. Bus came and I got on, and fell asleep for a bit... then got off at Taichung Park.

I walked the wrong way, and then crossed the road. And then turned the wrong way into the guozai, and turned out the wrong way LOL. I looked on maps and I was really close to a row of juanchun housing, so I went and had a look. Oooooh. People were out and about so I felt a bit awkward taking photos.

Then I wanted to walk down the alley properly of the juanchun house row that was next to grandma's house. I walked down and turned left, but there were people out in the front yard cutting trees up and whatnot, so it felt super awkward to take photos. It connected to Jingqu road. I turned back and the lady asked me which number house I was looking for. I said I am just looking at old juanchun houses. She said the houses are over there (guozai direction), and this is the north area? and the guozai area was teh east area (if I remember correctly). She said these houses are part of xxx (started with shui/water, did not catch it) and I just thanked her and walked away.

Alright, I arrived at the front door. 五叔 told me to call him and I did so he came down to get me. I asked if the door was broken? And he said that he can't open the door without me pressing the intercom, and thought I didn't know which one to press. I said just tell me which number, I know it's the left side intercom. He said since that, coming down to get me would be faster. Ah well, I guess you also came to stretch your legs!

I entered the house and made sure to greet grandma and grandpa. 五叔 put on an incense for me to offer to grandpa and ancestors, (they had already offered 3 incense), and then 1 incense for grandma (1 incense has been offered). I told grandma I am back to see her and have dinner, and that I will be leaving for Singapore tomorrow and then back to NZ. I will come back next year to see her when I have a chance. While I offered incense Hu'nio rubbed herself against my legs. I have been claimed. That is a first. 小智 had his headphones in and was playing War Thunder. I sat down for a bit and there was a baseball game on with Japan vs Taiwan for Asia league. I heard 五嬸's voice from somewhere but I didn't see her!?! And it wasn't coming from behind a closed door. Turns out she was lying on the bed in the same room as 小智, she was pretty hidden rofl, and I didn't even look that way. sdjhbfsjf She had an injection on her lef today so it's really swollen and sore. Hu'nio was on the bed with her, wanting to be patted. Service meeeeee. Lmao.

Dinner was Dominoes. They ordered a super big pizza with 4 combo flavour. Hawaiian was one. Beef jalapeno was another, ohhh yes please jalapeno. Another thick crust smaller pizza with seafood flavour mostly (2 combo). 五叔 also offered me 涼麵 but it had garlic so I decline politely. The order came with several packs of chilli flakes. I added some onto the seafood flavour one, it wasn't that spicy, just enough for a warm kick. Very delicious.

There was also some fried chicken and kumara balls. For drink it was the old taste red tea 古早味紅茶 from that shop they alwasy get. So very nice. 

I just sat and talked and watched Baseball. 五嬸 explained some of the baseball stuff as it was going on. I asked about the recycling since the pizza boxes had oil on the paper, and yes they can recycle that here (the bentou boxes). Then it lead to how there's a brand of shoes that makes jandals from sugarcane waste and oyster shells. Their shoes are so good apparently, that someone ran a 500km, or was it 5000km marathon over 48 days in them?! Amazing. Like no joke for real. 

Next time I will have a look and see if these jandals are viable for me, since I need support and a solid sole. We should support recycle material products!

At some point I watched 小智 play War Thunder for a bit. Man it's so hard to spot the tanks and stuff, def need practice lol. He had a teammate called Gandalf17. Haha. It was interesting to see. And Mai'ya came out for a week but when we were eating dinner, and then feel asleep on a dining chair near the wall, under the table. Hu'nio was on the cat tree and then moved next to 五嬸. At some point she also sat in the front of 奶奶's altar. 五叔 mentioned that sometimes the cats just sit in front of the altar and stare at it. I think that's when 奶奶 is around because cats can see things we can't, I reckon. 五叔 gave me some more pomelo to eat. This one was so sweet! I ate most of the container, I said I'll help him digest some of it, haha. Around 7:45pm ish 五叔 went downstairs to wait for the rubbish truck. 

More baseball! It was about 8:10pm and I should go back soon as the bus takes almost an hour. I waited for 五叔 to come back and he did shortly after, about 8:18pm. I stayed for a couple more min, checked the bus time (one at 8:38pm), and got ready to leave. I bid farewell to 奶奶 and 爺爺跟祖先 and told them I'll be back next year if the opportunity allows.

小智 came with and he asked for some allowance to shop around 一中 after. When we got to the bus stop there was a lady who asked us what bus we were taking and they were really talkative. It was a tiny bit awkward. Her bus 61 drove straight past with no intention of stopping, and wasn't even in the right lane. It only comes on the hour on weekends now which she complained about. Wow. Soon my bus came, and I got on and bid 小智 farewell. I waved to him through the window as he crossed the road. xD He waved back.

The driver was nice he would tell people to be careful of the closing/opening doors as we were on standing space now. And announced that a primary school stop is under construction so if anyone needs to get off it would be at the next stop.

Bus driver name

When I finally got to the stop near the uni (I should have gotten off at He'nan road), I thanked the bus driver but unsure if he heard as the doors were degassing. On the way back I popped into Watsons and bought more period pads (these ones were on special?! I only found out after I got home, they were $99 on clearance). Then walked through the uni because they closed off the walkway near the kumara balls stand... and popped into the 7-11 that was 四叔's old storefront and topped up $150 on my Yoyo card.

Then went home and 二叔 lined me 5 mins earlier saying he got home, and he was taking a shower (why are all the lights closed!!! So dark!) when I got home. 

After a shower I blog and get ready for bed now.

Taichung Day 10

 Had a whole day without rest and started in a hurry... 二叔 and Joy made plans to go to Shinsher Huahai 新社花海 while I was stills snoozing in the morning and completely forgot that I had told them I am going to 三舅媽's place in the morning. So :/ I had to eat only half of breakfast to leave room to fit in food at 三舅媽's stall. Left in a hurry and rode a bike to the stall. Thankfully, when I arrived it wasn't as busy.  I gave her her 蝦餅 and she was going to reimburse me so I said no, you just let me eat a meal. Someone had broken Honey's little meat mole on her head, and it had signs of bleeding before. I asked for 榨菜肉絲湯麵 and 三舅媽 also gave me some gluten. I sat in the table seating area for a change.

The 榨菜肉絲湯麵 was really good... 三舅媽 put in a bit too much spring onion though but it was still good. I couldn't finish the gluten so I bagged it up to take home - 三舅媽 stuffed some more for me. I want to find 三舅 who was at the back making more oiled shallots. I told him that 姨媽 received his greeting and she told him not to come if he's too busy. I told him that right now her daughter, in-law and grandkids are currently staying with her because in-law had a motobike accident and it was easier for them to go to work from 姨媽's, it seems. 三舅 asked if it was a serious one and I sai小智d, from what I could see he can still walk around and do chores, so it's probably mostly grazes. He said if you ride a moped you have to ride slowly. I said that some people don't look and just come zooming out of an intersection. And that his 榨菜 was very delicious. 三舅 showed me another bag he has to take back to chop, and that 切都來不及. I said it's because it tastes so good everyone wants it.

I asked where a small bag was since I couldn't finish the gluten so I wanted to bag it up to take home - he told me it's outside on the right side. 三舅媽 stuffed some more for me when I asked where it was. Then I petted Honey, and she wanted me to carry her, so I did. I held her for a while, and went to show 三舅, and he said Honey doesn't let anyone hold her. I said it's because she thinks I'm easy to push around, haha. Aww I'm special. I got a bit tired and then said to Honey I'm putting her back down cause I'm tired. I went back to her table and 三舅媽 said that she's happy to have someone hold her, haha.

I hung around for just a wee bit more and let 三舅媽 know that I'm being taken to 新社花海 today, so will leave very soon. I asked if she wanted me to come tomorrow, but the stall will be very busy. She said no don't come. So I said goodbye and went in to say bye to 三舅. I'll see you both next year. I passed the big sis who helps at the stall and said byebye, and made sure to say bye to the big bro too.

I went to the entrance of Dapeng Primary, and saw a centipede?? Millipede?? Just crawling where I sat down and was like "oohh errr" and made sure to stay out of its way. 二叔 wasn't here yet so I waited a bit. 

Once he came I got into the car and the plan had changed to us going to pick up 小智 who is now coming with us. This means we won't need to pick him up for dinner and can go straight there. I popped upstairs for a pee and told grandma that I'm just dropping by today and will come back for a meal tomorrow.

Once we arrived (we parked on the other end of where we entered last time), the theme was a space/celestial one. We headed for the foods first and had lunch. We shared various things, sausage, milkfish balls, fried mushrooms... lemon juice honey drink.... and then went to the other food area. I managed to find a stamp for Taichug Freshest. I got kumara balls with ume powder again. Freshly made. $50 for a bag. Then walked further down and once we were full we started looking at the main attraction area. They had two sculptures that you can go inside. Those were cool.

We just took some time taking photos and looking around. There was a cat who wore pet sunglasses for UV protection that was on a trolley and just sitting there. Lots of people were taking photos with them. Their name is Pan'hu, like Gian from Doraemon. Hahah. Cute. The sunglasses were for eye protection against glaumoca. So cute.

Then 二叔 had to go sit down for a bit. I spotted a row of potted plants of the type that looks like a person with its roots. They were are so funny. xD The info tent said the stamp is at the other tent.

We gathered back at where 二叔 was sitting and then headed down towards the other info tent where the stamp was. There were more walkways into the flower sea down this end. I made sure I got my nui photos, and my stamp. We separated a bit here. There was an area with a succulent diorama display and other themed exhibits. Once they arrived I said I am going down to the other vendor area to have a look. On my way I passed a land army promotion booth and they said that I can hold the model gun... I said no thanks I will just take a photo because I don't get to see this often. They also said I can take a photo of the sniper rifle. Wow! The person manning one of the stalls was a lady. So cool. The other two guys along the table smiled at me so I smiled back with my eyes (I was masked). 

They had mostly farmer's products, and an area with Kinmen specialty products? I didn't look too close. Last year they had a tent which introduced the conservation and protection of the Formosa bear, and in turn the area/environment of the bear and they travel quite a big distance. This year they had a smaller tent with some agricultural products from a Aboriginal tribe with conservation efforts intertwined. They had a book introducing this which seemed so interesting but I can't read the whole thing which would be a shame.

There's a vendor selling tea eggs flavoured with mushroom for $10 each and I bought one and one for 小智. This egg was super flavourful and yummy. He also bought a mango drink from the vendor next door for $80 (I happily paid) and he liked it, very fruity apparently

Joy ended up buying a special design flask from the small tent as a gift for a friend. We had a tiny sit down before needing to leave as it's almost 4:30pm now and the flower sea will close. Bugs were starting to come out too. 

Once we found where the car is, we headed on our way. As we came out onto the big road, there was a brilliant view from the top of the slope, with the sunset. I feel asleep on the way back until a truck honked and we were out of the mountains and onto the freeway.

We stopped at a cake shop since it was Joy's auntie's birthday today. Their birthday cakes had to be preordered so we asked for 6 individual slices to make 1 cake. This way it's combo flavour and you don't need to slice it. We added a star candle for $10. The total was $1035 and 二叔 only had two $1000 notes so I took out $35 in coin. Perfect. Soon we arrived at the restaurant, which had a big garden and lots of outdoor seating, including a koi pond.  Auntie and uncle arrived soon after we did. They had mostly set meals including hot pot. Joy and I ended up getting a 3 cup chicken and a milk kimchi hot pot to share.

The 3 cup chicken was nice, the caramelised onion was good. The broth for the hotpot was a little strong in garlic flavour. But wasn't bad. The food came out in a serving robot. A first for me!! Auntie ended up pressing "complete" before we took the food and the robot went back to the kitchen LOL. The waiter at the kitchen sent the robot back to our table. The robot would play music and call out "I'm coming!" or "I'm going!" and ask "if you're finished, let me know, I have other tables to serve!" in a cute voice. The screen has a cat face, haha. 

After dinner we had the cake and sang happy birthday to auntie. I was so full at this stage after the cake. I went for a walk around with 小智 and they had those swaying seats that are so fun and he and I sat in one. I tried to take a selfie but it was so dark LOL. The photo ended up looking real cryptid. He said that he stayed up late till 5am to finish a portion of his phD, and set his Pokesleep for 2:30am but had slept at 5am instead for the past 3 nights. Bro pls get a good night's sleep tonight, you need to refuel before another late nighter. 

Not long after it was time to go. It was about 8:30pm when we got back onto the car. We dropped 小智 off, and headed home. 

When we got home turns out 二叔 locked the deadbolt on the inner door and I don't have a key for that. I also really needed to pee. So I ended up going to 7-11 (after trying Family Mart first, but someone was waiting outside and they said that the person has been inside for a long time). I came back upstairs and Joy was video calling 二叔 to find the spare key. It took us some time... needed a key to open 8F and then find the 7F key. Wow what an ordeal lol. I took a shower first. Then blog. I am so tired and my left foot arch is sore. I don't want to go anywhere tomorrow.... ugh.

Rest now. almost 12am...