Sushi lunch

We went to have sushi lunch with my sister's family the other day. This place was our regular place but had recently been renovated. It used to be very popular but now it's soooo popular - and this is why!

You can order by using the touch panels at your table. And your order will be delivered by a special train. When it is close to your table it makes a funny beeping noise.



And this is a very smart promotional tool they have. First they make you clean up your own plates - you slide them into the slot at your table.



Each time you put one in you can see how many plates you have eaten on the screen in front of you. Every 5 plates you eat, the screen changes to one of several different instant games and you may win a prize!





We won a prawn key chain!



Oliver was very fascinated by the train he almost grabbed someone else's food! I love Japanese restaurants :)

Indoor playground

One of Oliver's favourite places in Brunei was an indoor playground. He has been asking us to take him there for a long time but we were so busy packing up our Brunei house we couldn't go for one last time in Brunei.

I was hoping I could find something similar here and guess what? there was one just one train stop away from our house! Lucky us!

We walked to the train station, but it was super duper cold.



Oliver loved the train ride and didn't want to get off the train - he got so upset the ride was so short :(



To my surprise the place was very big and clean. There were so many different stations, Oliver and Yuzuki had a ball!









Luca was there too:



This ride on toy was their favourite, so cool to have a special area just for these toys!





I just couldn't stop laughing when I saw these - massage and training machines for parents while their kids play:





And of course drinks from a vending machine:



I am sure we will be visiting there a number of times during our stay.

Cousins together

All the little cousins got together tonight!

Daddy landed in Osaka

We were so lucky to be at KIX to meet Matthew on his first flight into Osaka with Jetstar.

Where is daddy?





Yes! He is here!



And of course Matthew was sooo happy :)



As Jetstar is increasing their flights into Osaka to 3 times a day, Matthew will have a good chance to get Osaka flights every now and then. It is a reasonable overnight - almost 24 hours, so Matthew can see my family and do some shopping for me! I think I need to create a special shopping list...

On our way to Japan

I think this was the second time for me to travel alone with two boys, and first time having to stop over in Hong Kong. I was very worried Oliver would be asleep when we get off the plane in HK but he was so good. He walked and walked, listened my instructions and suddenly looked very grown up.



We had almost two hours there, so I took the boys to the lounge to get some food and drinks. Unfortunately our gate was gate 1 which is far away from everything. But we managed to pop into the play area on the way back.







After getting on board something unbelievable happened! Both boys fell asleep before take off and didn't wake up till 15min before landing!!!!
I just couldn't believe my luck - I read two magazines, had a hot meal (even had ice cream and a coffee), and watched a movie!

Best flight ever!!!! Yay for me :)

More farewells...

The day before we left Brunei, we were staying at the Radisson Hotel in Bandar. Lots of our friends came to join us for an afternoon tea and a swim with Oliver to say goodbye.









Oliver had a wonderful time with his friends - thank you!







We will miss you all so much...

Brunei National Day

We extended our departure date so that we can experience this special event in Brunei for the last time. It was Brunei's National Day and a big parade was held in the stadium in Bandar.

When we got to the stadium the parade had just started:



All the special forces marched in their uniforms:



The detail was amazing:







It was such a hot day, I hope these people got some water after the parade...



From where we were we could just see the Sultan!



The mosque looked extra beautiful today...





It got too hot just standing there so we decided to walk to the waterfront. I was so glad we did that walk as we saw other aspects of the parade:

Colourful drinks



Army truck:



Happy Bruneian kids - they were just gorgeous:





Luca was very popular among them:



We encountered RBA crew too:



We had a little walk along the waterfront and took some photos:





When we came out from a cafe after having some cold drinks, the parade was nearly over - luckily we didn't miss the formation flying.



Look Lucia! Planes!!





I am so glad we stayed an extra day to see this special event. This added extra memories of Brunei for us.