2.5.15
I have been neglecting blogging because uni has been quite hectic and the opportunity cost of blogging increases exponentially as the semester continues. Now that midsems are over, it is time to recap the Harry Potter adventures with Dan, Lulu and Chris. During our first week in Osaka, we decided to meet up with Lulu and Chris as they were also staying in Osaka for the last few days of their trip. I remember it being a friggen freezing morning (Dan and I died at the station waiting for them) and we didn't have gloves/our coats weren't thick enough for the menacing winds so the entire day was spent in Antarctica.
I think I was also quite amazed at the fact that the entire station, Universal City, was dedicated to Universal Studios. You would think that you would have to walk pass a few residential streets to enter the theme park but nope, the entire station is the theme park.
Immediately after purchasing our tickets, we ran for Hogwarts (not even joking)
Swag ass flying pigs
The wait was excruciatingly long but Chris brought along apples and strawberries so we munched on the fruits while waiting. The entire place was a lie because the moment you think you're in the castle and close to the ride, you realise that it's another lining up maze inside. I think we waited for a near hour but once we got on the ride, it was all worth it (probably one of the best rides in the actual park). We were all seated together in a row of 4 and it was a 4D adventure (which sounds pretty lame becuase 4D doesn't sound so special) but all the special effects and everything were so cool holy shit. The entire ride I was kicking my legs at the props because they were scary af/I wanted to defend myself LOL Also swore a bit too much during the ride....
Then we got butterbeer! Tasted like butterscotch and ginger but I didn't really like it because I detest all things ginger (the taste is just bleh) But it was a good hand warmer to accompany the cold ass weather.
The no glove life
Then we visited the "shop with all the wands"
The Monster Book of Monsters! I recall waiting for people's reactions when the book started to move but even the little kids didn't seem to be very scared of it... maybe it was just us... maybe it was just me LOL
Then we headed to Honey Dukes for all the candy!
Happy snaps!
I look like I'm about to bash someone
Hnnngghhh there was so much candy but it was also quite expensive so Dan and I didn't end up buying anything.
This was my favourite scene in Harry Potter and the figures actually moved and re-enacted the entire scene! It was so cool, I watched it over and over again while everyone else was looking at all the candy #noregrets
And then we left Hogwarts and headed for the other rides!
This was the Jaws ride and the line was also pain stakingly long - there were a group of school girls in front of us who kept taking selfies with their selfie stick every few minutes. We were so bored waiting so I think there were several attempts where we tried to photobomb their kawaii sessions. I sneakily took a photo of the group squatting on the ground and posing but it was a bit blurry so no picture for the blog!
The ride was pretty cool, the river was spitting fire and several sharks popped out of nowhere which made everything quite exciting. As usual the ride was quite short so I don't know if the long ass wait was worth the few minutes :(
Then we had lunch at the Jaws joint! I think everyone opted for a soft shell crab burger but I chose to stay peasant and ordered a chicken burger (I think) - Either way food was okay, nothing amazing because we all know that amusement park food is overpriced and tastes so so.
Lulu and I had to go pee (when we realised that the first free stall was a squat toilet we let the people behind us go first LOL) and when we came back to find the boys they were no where to be found?? Nek minnut they pop out of nowhere with dinosaur hats on... so Lulu and I decided to join the group, find more dinosaur hats and proceeded to take family portraits hehe
I think it may have been quite the embarrassing sight but it was incredibly fun so all worth
And then we visited Elmo's sister's store (I don't remember what the character name was but the entire store was overly pink). I think by then we had gone on quite a few rides (it even started to snow!!) but none of them were as amazeballs as the one in Hogwarts. Most of the rides were 4D which were actually quite good for 4D rides? All I recall is that Australia has shitty 4D rides and movies so Japan was definitely a fresh breath of air.
I have no idea what is going on here
There were points in time where Chris would pretend that he was actually being blown away by the wind which was so hilarious to watch LOL Everyone who walked past us kept staring but it was so, so, so, so funny and I wished I had recorded it. The wind was harsh on us that day but Chris' dramatic performance made it seem cyclonic (either way it was fucking hilarious - mind the language)
And then we bumped into Ernie!!!
I remember touching his belly and we both wtfed at each other HAHA
It was nearing 4pm so we had a rest at the diner and we were so close to calling it a day... until we left the restaurant and found out that the badass rollercoaster we saw on our way in... reopened. It was temporarily closed because the weather was fucking crazy (winds were insane plus it was also snowing) so when people were rushing in to line up for the ride, we decided to join too. I think Lulu and I were internally dying inside because the first slope down was so fucking steep and it just looked horrifying in general.
I don't understand why Chris has to third wheel us all the time.
One of the attendants came to us and gave us stickers to stick on Chris' face.
The wait was also extremely long (and super super cold) and as we neared the front of the line, we realised that we were allocated the front row of the rollercoaster. Pussying out, I asked if the second row of people were willing to swap with us HAHA and they did so it was all gee. When we were strapped in and about to leave, Lulu started to tear up and holy shit it made me even more anxious. She did say that she cried during another ride at Disneyland but I didn't know it would actually happen?! The way up to the top was so scary (legit the scariest I've ever felt during a rollercoaster ride) and when we fell down the steep slope I felt like I was going to die. The weightlessness was so fucking strong and I thought that there was only going to be that one steep slope.... but I was wrong. I don't remember how many there were but there were several instances where I felt like dying from all the weightlessness encounters. As the ride ended I looked at Lulu and tears were rolling down her face and I vowed to never go on a steep rollercoasters ever again.
We then went to the Snoopy store, rode the kiddy rollercoaster (twice I think) and took a cute ass family photo with the character stands hehe. It's a shame that the family photo was taken with Chris' camera (so I can't upload it here crey), but I do remember it being super adorable ^____^
Headed back to Osaka for dinner! (We couldn't decide on what to eat, I think it took us a decade to choose)
Everyone else ordered the Tempura don (which I swear to buddha I requested it with the egg) and I settled for the world's greatest sukiyaki holy shit (legit was the best sukiyaki dish I've ever had). After dinner we called it a night, huddled outside Osaka station as if we were summoning our superpowers to save the world and said our goodbyes. I don't think double dates get any better than this.
