Road to Osaka Castle

As the says keep going, breakfast is the most important meal in a day, we spent about 840yen/head to enjoy Japanese breakfast buffet at our hotel. The menu consist of rice, miso soup, grilled saba (mackerel), omelete, curry and pickles (kimchi?).

to be continued -_- ..

Osaka (The First Night)

After settling down for a few minutes, we take a stroll around the city while looking for dinner. We had udon as i was really craving for a good udon, in front of our hotel. The udon was really good and also very fast service!

The shop, bar style

hot ocha on cold night~

Tempura udon.. Sluurrpp!

To close our first night in Osaka, we hard warm coffees bought from the local mart and had it in our room, resting and preparing for tomorrow adventure.

happy faces :)

Boss coffee, like a boss!

Osaka (The Arrival)

Ok, so we reached Kansai Airport at 4.00 pm local time and it was already dark outside! It's winter and the temperature is around 10 degree C. So we rushed our ways to the hotel before the sun sets as we aren't familiar with this area. To make it more challenging, we are travelling on our own, no tour guide or even ground clearance. Even worse, none of us can read and speak Japanese, only Abang can speak a little, thanks to his 3rd language class on KUSESS.

Maps for The Kansai Airport

Rushing to the train station

The train to Namba Station

Japanese trademark..?

We took the express train, which stop at less stations so less time taken to reach Namba. At 5.45 pm we reached Namba station and decided to just walk to our hotel. We could take subway there but we are so eager to have a look around the city despite the cold weather and our luggage.

The distance is around 2km and we walk for about 20 mins, including pit stop at the local mini mart for some onigiri. We are shivering all the way (4 degree C) and take a few stops for heater in the mini mart while feasting our eyes with the snacks and packed foods. Yes, their packed foods look really really goood!

Inside Namba Station

Our luggage

Just outside Namba

City atmosphere

Abang teaching us how to properly unwrap the onigiri

Onigiri!

Finally arrive Osaka Fujiya

Osaka (Intro)

Jiha had just finish her paper for SPM, so she deserved a vacation and a lot of places popped toour mind. Yes, OURS! A lot of places were suggested and after a lot of consideration about the cost, weather, and the duration of flight, we decided to take the offer from AirAsia X promotion to Osaka. Very good price i can say.

So, Osaka it is. Mama as the chief de' mission prepared all the documents necessary to travel ie. tickets, visa and all the stuff. I, apparently was battling with my final papers at UNITEN. I finished my paper on 4th Jan and fly to Osaka on 8th. Just in time!

We start our journey at 5.00 am and headed to LCCT straight away. Our flight was scheduled at 7.50am and take about 6 hours.

Holiday mom is a happy mom

Sleepy head...

Like a boss!

The hardworking

TAKE OFF!!

Facelifted

Facelift or as BMW calls it LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) has been done to this blog. It's been a while since this blog has been abandoned. A new post is still in progress and in the stage of collecting materials.

So STAY TUNEEEE

Mercedes Driving Experiences

Dad was invited to join Mercedes Driving Experiences and sponsored by NZ Wheels. So, 2 seats, he was planning to go with my bro as i'm not into Merc, haha.... Unfortunately, bro was sick and i had to replace him. So off we go to Sepang on 8.15 am 7th March.

Mercedes Driving Experiences is basically an advance driving class using Merc car to practice. It's aim is to let the driver know the full potential of their car and appreciate the technology that come with the car. It also prepare the driver to recover when there is a mistake done on the road and to avoid accident happen.

Arrive at the paddock at 9 am. I feel like walking in enemy camp as there was hell lot of Merc owner. So, proceed to the registration counter and received free cap, shirt and bag. Then, the fun begin!!

At pit in E 300

other car that was on the event

Dad taking the first corner

2nd Corner

Ready to blast

There were 8 activities need to be completed before they let you drive at Sepang for 4 lap.

1. ABS braking
2. 2 surfaces braking
3. cornering
4. slalom test
5. slalom test then emergency braking
6. avoiding obstacle
   
7. drifting
8. recovering in corner

We were given chances to test B 170, C 200K and 230, E 300, S 300L, R 280 and ML 350. So review : E 300 was suprisingly responsive while the ML was comfort and feel luxury on the inside. R 280 was just like any other mpv, which i think not worth spending money to. B class was like a car with only Merc badge, it doesn't feel Merc at all. Lastly, the C-class. The 230 was nice. The car feels light. The interior has more sporty bits than the 200. Handling wise is just the same, but the 200 scream louder.

Inside C 230

Lap session in C 200K

I was given the chance to do 4 Lap at Sepang with C 200K (poor car, I really whack the engine till redline to catch up with the 230, and during 2nd lap, the gearbox disengage. Need to shift to P than back to D). Dad had a better luck. He get to drive the C 230.

Overall, the event was great! Great food, great instructor, and i should say also great car. The most memorable is; I DRIFT an S-Class!! That would be once in a life time only I think... Mercedes has improve alot and make me change my perception on them. But to change from Bimmer to Merc...