Ultraman Max Malaysia Tour 2008 II

Okay, granted that the Ultraman Max Malaysia Tour 2008 is a ploy to make parents spend money and buy sub-standard VCD at a marked-up price, but who cares, right?

One need to spend at least RM19.90 at Speedy Video to be able to take photo with Ultraman Max. So, off we go and bought one for Raimie. The VCD used to cost around RM9.90/RM12.90, but it is now repackaged (new cover) and came with a free (rather dubious looking) Ultraman figure that have blinking lights and sound. There goes our peace and quiet at home... XD

This being Malaysia, Ultraman Max was 15 minutes late. And everyone who was not queuing pushed forward to get a chance to take Ultraman Max's photo.
But all in all, quite a cool experience. There were free stickers and brochures handout, and when we were queuing, there were Double Decker snacks (Double-Decker being the sponsor for Ultraman Max shown on TV3) being distributed. Got a free photo printed out too, and the wait for the photo was quite minimal since we were no. 3 in line. (Did I mention I am Kiasu? Hehehe) And maybe next time Jusco and Speedy can do a joint venture and hold a bigger Ultraman event.

Raimie with Ultraman Max and one "sad, dejected" looking monster in front of Speedy Video outlet at Jusco Cheras Selatan

Sunday Post

My very last tea bag, the green tea was a present from Contamination from jDonuts. I used it very sparingly, (drank it once a week). The tea was very nice and the teabag was kinda cool too, as I had never seen any teabag like that before (and the way the tea expand and fill the bag was neat too, at least for me). Now, if only I had enough stock to last me a year, that would be cool! Hehehe. (Psstt.. Contamination - thank your wife for recommending the tea, ok?)

Anyway, lucky we bought quite a number of mugi-cha for our stock. Now, there's always mugi-cha ready for us to drink in the fridge. And I found out that it is not that expensive to buy at Jusco too. Only RM7.90 for the TopValu packs of 52 tea bags. Life is good. :-)

I also would like to thank Joy of Gourmeted.com for the very nice postcard of Downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park she sent me all the way from Canada.

I love her penmanship too. Sorry it took me ages to mention about this. (Did you get cramps from writing my very loooong house address? :D hehehe)

Ultraman Max Malaysia Tour 2008

Ultraman Max is in town! (Japanese people/residents - I know Max is already 2 years' news in Japan, but it is only aired in Malaysia in 2008).

Because it is aired now, Ultraman Max's toys became available in the department stores this year. To think that in Japan, you can't find Max's toys anymore. (Heck, even Mebius' toys are sold at discounted price in Japan now)

Appearances (meet & greet session) :
25th May @ 12pm : Jusco Cheras Selatan
25th May & 2nd June @ 4pm : Mines Shopping Center
25th May @ 7pm : Ikano Power Center
26th May @ 12pm : Sunway Pyramid
28th May : Jusco Equine Park @ 12pm & Subang Parade @ 6pm
30th & 31st May : First World Plaza, Genting (fun with Ultraman and gamble in the casino in one weekend!) Event scheduled from 10am to 10pm at Genting. Should be interesting to see what's in store there.
4th June until 8th June : Sabah & Sarawak

There are also Pose with Ultraman vs Monsters contest and key-chain painting contest at The Mines, not too sure whether other shopping complexes have one too (you know that shopping malls' website here are notorious for not bothering to update their own websites and putting up enough info for visitors).

Being a very "kiasu" mom at times, I wanted to enter Raimie to both contests, but then... give chance to other people'lah... Hehehe

We'll probably go to Jusco Cheras Selatan instead of Mines tomorrow. We'll see what happens there... (I'll put up a photo if we made it)

In the meantime - photo of us with Ultraman Max way back in 2006; taken at Ultraman Festival (Ulfes).

With Ultraman Max at Ultraman Land in 2007

Train Photos Part III - Night Trains

Our initial plan was to take the Sunrise Izumo train from Okayama to Tokyo and then take an Express Noto train from Tokyo to Kanazawa. However, as the Sunrise Izumo had only 1 seat left when we wanted to make advance reservation at the JR Kansai Airport's office, we decided to get reservation on Express Noto from Kanazawa to Tokyo instead. Express Noto has only seats (no couchettes/berth/private rooms) available, so no extra charges for JR Pass holders. It has a ladies only car, which was nice as it was quite empty compared to other cars (and ladies car has blankets - cleanliness is a bit subjective, though). I found the ladies car to be nicer and comfier compared to the seats that Zaini occupied which was quite cold. Brrr....

There are two night trains plying the Tokyo-Kanazawa route, Express Noto and Limited Express Hokuriku. Hokuriku is more comfortable, with shower rooms, couchette and private rooms available. However, JR Pass holders need to pay surcharges using this train.

Express Noto

Noto Lounge Car

As the train was not full (both in ladies car and in the regular car), we were able to get two seats each and managed to lie down to get some sleep. The ticket inspector did not disturb any of us after checking our tickets so we were free to choose other seats and move around (and disturb others near the door, sorry guys). I turned around two seats so that four seats face each other and let Raimie lie down in two and I sat on the opposite ones - more comfortable (and easier for me to watch him) that way. He did complain that the ladies car seats was too warm. :D

Limited Express Hokuriku

Couchette

If we can afford to return to Japan for another holiday, we would love to get on the Cassiopea.

The wake-up song in the train that they put on was kinda cute. I know there were people who complained; saying the songs were annoying, but I enjoyed the 5.30/6am wake-up song prior to the arrival at the station announcement.

Train Photos Part II - Kyushu

Raimie with a JR Train driver at Kokura Station

Local train bound for Mojiko Station. The cartoon on the train is of the Spaceworld

On board the Shinkansen Hikari Railstar from Shin-Osaka to Hakata Station

Limited Express Kamome bound for Nagasaki

Hello Kitty as Japan's New Tourism Ambassador in Hong Kong and China

And just two months ago Doraemon was made Japan's First Anime Ambassador.

All I can say is, if they ever decided to appoint a space ambassador, remember there are tons of Ultra Heroes available for the post :D

It's school holiday next week, and there are several Ultraman movies to be shown on Astro Ceria. Raimie is happy, but I always cringe hearing the dubbed series. I have never been a fan of anything dubbed (even if I follow Oshin and Angelito fanatically ages ago). And unlike the Anime Channel, Astro Ceria is pretty much fixed in Bahasa...

Got the Ultra Seven X DVD

Finally, we got the Ultra Seven X DVD. A bit too adult (and too much drama) for Raimie, and too tame. Not much silly monsters action for us. :D

Finished watching them all in 1 sitting (12 in all).

Some info on the series here.